Staff Support Specialists

NATCA now represents 939 Staff Support Specialists who are air traffic controllers located in regional offices, air route traffic control centers, Terminal Radar Approach Controls, and airport traffic control towers.

NATCA won the election on December 19, 2001 with 64 percent of the vote. The Federal Labor Relations Authority issued its certification of representative on January 7, 2002.

What Do These Members Do?

Staff specialists support the daily operation of the air traffic system through a variety of functions. One of their primary responsibilities is to initiate procedural and traffic management changes to enhance the air traffic controller's ability to move aircraft through the system. This requires an in-depth operational knowledge, as well as experience in both the terminal and en route environments.

Additionally, these individuals facilitate the introduction of new technologies into the National Airspace System, including Display System Replacement (DSR) and the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS). To institute a new technology or equipment requires extensive preparation, and staff specialists handle a range of issues from funding, schedules, and training to implementation and transition.

Within NATCA, these members are represented at the local and regional levels no differently than ATC, locally (with both representational duties under law and statute and organizational duties under the NATCA Constitution and Bylaws,) and regionally by the appropriate RVP based on geographic location.

Contact Person

Refer to the Regional Vice Presidents, or Local Presidents.