Air Traffic Control Facility Staffing

On June 11, 2008, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing on Air Traffic Control Facility Staffing. NATCA President Patrick Forrey and three veteran air traffic controllers, Don Chapman (Philadelphia ATCT), Melvin Davis (Southern California TRACON) and Steven Wallace (Miami Center), were all invited to testify.

Written Testimony

  NATCA President Patrick Forrey

 Don Chapman

 Melvin S. Davis

 Steven A. Wallace

Recent News Clippings

Associated Press
"FAA's Handling of controller losses blasted"

USA Today
"Attrition Rate of New Air Traffic Controllers More Than Doubles"

Associated Press
"IG Criticizes FAA's Training of Air Controllers"

ABC News
"Report Finds Inexperience in Air Traffic Control"

Wall Street Journal (registration required)
"FAA Chided for Dangers in the Air"

BBC News
"US Air Traffic Training Queried"

Previous Staffing Crisis Information

    NATCA Declares Staffing Emergency
The nation's air traffic controllers have declared a staffing emergency as controllers across the country retire at a record rate.
Data as of January 2008

Controller Staffing By the Numbers
Lack of Contract Fuels Record Surge of Air Traffic Controller Retirements and Total Attrition; Total Number of Experienced Controllers Nationally Reaches 15-Year Low
Data as of October 2007