The Airports Division (ARP), which joined the NATCA family officially on Aug. 31, 2000, comprises a variety of aviation professionals that include program managers, community planners, environmental protection specialists, airport certification inspectors, attorneys, financial experts, compliance specialists, engineers, and pilots. There are many bargaining unit employees who are former airport managers, and former airport operations managers, as well as public relations practitioners, and program specialists. There is great diversity in the backgrounds of the unit's employees.

ARP employees manage the $3.2 billion Airport Improvement Grant Program (AIP) and the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Program. NATCA's National ARP Rep Brad Davidson (right) says their biggest problem is the stop-and-go funding of the FAA. It impacts all ARP employees year after year. When funding is extended instead of passed in a full funding bill, the resulting multiple grant cycles result in more work for ARP employees.

Read More: Airports Division Feature: ARP Rep Brad Davidson