FAA Reauthorization
NATCA’s primary objective remains the same: to achieve a stable, predictable funding stream for the National Airspace System (NAS). NATCA will review any new proposal and evaluate it based on whether it protects workforce rights and benefits, maintains safety and efficiency as the top priorities, creates funding certainty, and maintains service to all segments of the aviation community.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been reauthorized through September 2017. Bipartisan majorities approved the legislation and President Obama signed it in mid-July. Unfortunately, this legislation does not provide the long-term funding certainty our NAS needs. It does, however, contain important provisions that would streamline the hiring process for controllers, an important step considering the current hiring crisis impacting the air traffic control workforce.
While NATCA considers the extension a good start that provides certainty through the end of the next fiscal year, our preference is for a full, long-term reauthorization with a stable, predictable funding stream that ends both sequestration and the stop-and-go funding that has harmed the NAS.
NATCA has outlined key principles that would ensure a long term FAA Reauthorization meets the needs of the NAS and fosters its growth and modernization. They are:
- Protection of Workforce Benefits
- Maintaining High Standards of Safety and Efficiency
- Creating Funding Certainty
- Maintaining Service to the Entire Aviation System
For more on the short term FAA Reauthorization legislation signed into law in July 2016, click HERE.
To read NATCA President Paul Rinaldi’s “Last Word” column in the September 2016 issue of Air Traffic Management magazine, click HERE.
To watch the ATC Reform panel, featuring NATCA President Paul Rinaldi, at the September 2016 Airlines for America Commercial Aviation Industry Summit, click HERE.
For remarks by NATCA President Paul Rinaldi at the RTCA 2016 Global Aviation Symposium on the need for a long term FAA Reauthorization bill, click HERE.
For an op-ed by NATCA Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert on the subject of FAA Reauthorization and the controller staffing shortage, click HERE.
Videos
When the future of the air traffic control (ATC) system is up for debate, NATCA needs to be at the table. Learn more.
When the future of the ATC system is debated, NATCA will stand up for controllers and safety professionals. Learn more.
Changes in the ATC system are coming. It’s vital that NATCA’s voice is heard. Learn more.
When the future of the ATC system is debated, NATCA will stand up for controllers and safety professionals. Learn more.
