EAA Joins Letter Supporting “Safe, Resilient, and Modernized” ATC System
EAA joined with 33 aviation and aerospace associations in expressing support for a continued safe, resilient, and modernized air traffic control system (ATC) in the United States. In a letter addressed to Congressional transportation and appropriations leadership, the associations stated:
“To maintain a best-in-class ATC system that is globally competitive, it is our unified objective to work with the U.S. Congress and the Administration to find common ground to ensure the operational safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS). To achieve this, we must support air traffic controller workforce hiring and training, modernize and deploy state-of-the-art air traffic control facilities and equipment, implement procurement and program efficiencies and facility realignment, and address budget reforms for the Airport & Airway Trust Fund (AATF).”
The associations also expressed their opposition to the privatization of ATC, stating “We are aligned on not pursuing privatization of U.S. air traffic control services and believe it would be a distraction from these needed investments and reforms.”
The associations highlighted five key priorities in the letter and noted that addressing these areas will reduce costs, inefficiencies, and strengthen American competitiveness.
- Robust emergency funding for critical air traffic control technology and infrastructure and controller staffing and training
- Direction to FAA to achieve prudent divestment from legacy NAS elements and utilize new and innovative procurement methods to facilitate the deployment of state-of-the-art technology
- Realignment and modernization of ATC facilities to improve operational efficiencies
- Additional financial mechanisms to more effectively utilize AATF balances including through multi-year budgeting
- Exempting the FAA from government shutdowns to ensure a predictable funding stream to ensure continued safety and air traffic control personnel hiring and training
The letter was signed by the following aviation organizations:
| Aeronautical Repair Station Association | Aerospace Industries Association |
| Air Line Pilots Association, International | Air Traffic Control Association |
| Aircraft Electronics Association | Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association |
| Airlines for America | Allied Pilots Association |
| American Association of Airport Executives | Association of Flight Attendants-CWA |
| Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International | Aviation Technical Education Council |
| Experimental Aircraft Association Inc. | General Aviation Manufacturers Association |
| Global Business Travel Association | International Air Transport Association |
| International Council of Air Shows | National Agricultural Aviation Association |
| National Air Carrier Association | National Air Traffic Controllers Association |
| National Air Transportation Association | National Association of State Aviation Officials |
| National Business Aviation Association | NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots |
| Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO | Recreational Aviation Foundation |
| Regional Airline Association | Southwest Airlines Pilots Association |
| Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO | Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO |
| Travelers United | U.S. Travel Association |
| Vertical Aviation International | Vertical Flight Society |
“Our organizations are ready to work with you to ensure the FAA is more capable and prepared to deliver economic growth, foster American innovation, adapt to challenges, and continue to be the safest, largest, and most complex air traffic control system in the world,” the letter concludes.
