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 Calls on FAA to Collaborate on Air Traffic Controller Fatigue
Union Warns Agency Unilateral Decision Could Lead to Additional Mandatory Overtime Due to Understaffing and Policy’s Reduced Controller Availability Although the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is encouraged that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has turned its attention to the serious issue of air traffic controller fatigue, our Union is disappointed that the FAA…
With D.C. Advertising Campaign, NATCA Urges Congress to Address Staffing Crisis While Taking Action on FAA Reauthorization
NATCA has started an advertising effort targeting members of Congress and other D.C. influencers urging congressional action to address the ATC staffing crisis while Congress acts on FAA Reauthorization. Radio ads started running in the National Capital Region, emphasizing the critical need for substantial revisions in the upcoming FAA Reauthorization, which expires May 10. The…
NATCA Commends the FAA’s Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee and Encourages the Agency to Adopt Its Recommendations
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) thanks Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Whitaker and commends the work of the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) on Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances. Today, this ARC issued its report with 24 recommended revisions to current reporting requirements, including updating the approach used…
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Benefits
NATCA Members Can Save Up to 20% on Beacon Relocation Services
NATCA Benefits is pleased to offer our members the services of Beacon Relocation! Whether you are moving across town or across the country, Beacon Relocation will provide you with up to a 20% Realtor® discount through our vetted Approved Realtor® Partners. Simply visit www.BEACONRELOCATION.com and fill out the form under the “Apply Now” tab and…
NATCA Offers Exclusive Sylvan Learning Discounts
In observance of Autism Awareness Month, NATCA is proud to highlight the exclusive discounts on Sylvan Learning’s services provided to our members, with a 15 percent discount off regular rates. Sylvan, known for its personalized tutoring programs, caters to the unique learning styles of each child, offering both in-person and online options. Sylvan’s approach is…
Events
Committee for NATCA’s 2025 Convention in San Francisco Holds First Planning Meeting
Western Pacific Regional Vice President (NWP RVP) Joel Ortiz and Planning Committee Chair Charles Howell recently convened the first meeting for the planning committee for NATCA’s 2025 Convention that will take place in San Francisco in May of 2025. The group spent two days discussing the budget, reviewing lists of tasks that need to be…
Spotlight
Get To Know NATCA’s National Legislative Committee Chair David Skarphol
Relationship building is at the core of NATCA’s legislative activism. Earlier this year David Skarphol (Phoenix TRACON, P50) stepped up as the chair of NATCA’s National Legislative Committee (NLC), leading the team that coordinates and facilitates NATCA members’ legislative training and relationships with members of Congress. Today we take a moment to introduce Skarphol and…
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: