Discover NATCA
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
NATCA is a labor union and aviation safety organization in the United States that represents nearly 20,000 highly skilled air traffic controllers, engineers, and other aviation safety-related professionals. NATCA was certified in 1987 by the Federal Labor Relations Authority to be the exclusive bargaining representative for air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Today, NATCA is one of the strongest labor unions in the federal sector and represents a range of aviation safety professionals in 15 FAA bargaining units, five Department of Defense air traffic facilities, and 123 federal contract towers. These air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals make vital contributions to the U.S. economy and make modern life possible by coordinating the safe, orderly, and expeditious movement of nearly one billion aviation passengers and millions of tons of freight within the National Airspace System each year. NATCA is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO.
Featured News
NATCA Mourns Loss of Veteran Miami Tower Controller and Union Facility Representative Narciso Torres
WASHINGTON – The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is shocked and extremely saddened to report the passing of veteran Miami Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT, MIA) controller and devoted Union member Narciso Torres, who was aboard a single-engine Cessna 172 that crash-landed Saturday on the Haulover Inlet Bridge north of Miami Beach, Fla. Torres…
Archie League Podcast: Pilot Loses Pressure But Gains Helping Hand From Boston Center Controller
“Eight Hotel Romeo is descending, I’ve lost my cabin pressure.” The pilot of a Socata TBM-850 single-turboprop aircraft was flying north toward Burlington, Vt. Boston Center (ZBW) controller Casey Allan was conducting on-the-job training. But what first seemed like a normal flight in their airspace soon turned serious with the onset of hypoxia signs. Allan…
CFS 2022 Update: AOPA’s Richard McSpadden Confirmed to Speak
Those attending Communicating For Safety (CFS) 2022 at Bally’s Las Vegas (Sept. 12-14) will be treated to a visit by one of the nation’s leading aviation safety experts. Richard McSpadden, former Air Force Thunderbirds commander and now the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Institute (ASI) senior vice president, will speak at a…
Video Channel
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Benefits
In-Person and Online Retirement Workshops Scheduled
Whether you’re still building for your future in retirement or ready to put your retirement plan into action, one of the most important member benefits that NATCA provides its members is expert retirement planning and guidance. This year, we are pleased to offer you a mix of online and in person briefings provided by 4…
NATCA Advantage: Upcoming Retirement Briefing Webinars
Whether you’re building for your future in retirement, or ready to put your retirement plan into action, NATCA offers a valuable benefit to members via online retirement briefings. These briefings are a valuable resource that explains the features of the federal benefits program, including choices that can be made at retirement and the impact of…
Events
Final Part in a Series: National Constitution Committee Presents Updates to the NATCA Constitution
The NATCA Constitution was created to govern NATCA members in efforts to advance the status, professionalism, and working conditions of all aviation safety professionals through collective bargaining, political action, and other lawful concerted activity. During the most recent biennial convention held in Houston, NATCA members discussed and approved changes to the NATCA Constitution, Standing Rules,…
Spotlight
NATCA News Alert: Federal Employee Paid Leave Act Update
Brothers and Sisters, As you have read, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA) contains a new title called the “Federal Employee Paid Leave Act.” This Act will provide 12 weeks of paid parental leave to parents of children born or adopted on or after Oct. 1, 2020. NATCA has been working…
Aviation Facts
Fact: The United States aviation system is an economic driver, contributing 5.2 percent to the nation’s gross domestic product, and generating nearly 11 million jobs.
Aircraft in the sky at peak operational times
Pounds of freight moving through the National Airspace System each year
Current Traffic
Tracking 10,677 airborne aircraft with 636,859,278 total flights in the database. FlightAware has tracked 113,709 arrivals in the last 24 hours.
Aviation Acronyms
Learn acronyms used by safety professionals nationwide:
