NATCA Bookshelf

NIW Today | 53 Q & A 5 FAA REAUTHORIZATION LEGISLATION FAA REFORM What is the status of FAA Reauthorization? R » The FAA currently is operating under a five-year FAA Reauthorization that will help provide a more stable and predictable funding stream for the FAA and the Aviation Trust Fund through Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. 6 Does NATCA support privatization of air traffic control? NATCA does not support any proposal that would maintain the status quo, which is unacceptable due to funding uncertainty. R » NATCA remains open to discussing reform at the FAA that would create a stable, predictable funding stream. R » NATCA would not support any proposal that would create a for-profit model. R » Safety and efficiency must remain the top priorities. 4 What is NATCA's position on the FAA's hiring process and what changes have taken place? R » NATCA's primary concern continues to be ensuring a steady stream of eligible, qualified candidates, who can successfully pass through the Academy and be effective once assigned to facilities across the country. R » In order to improve and streamline the FAA's hiring process, in the past, we have asked NATCA members who attended NATCA in Washington to help carry this message to the Hill. R » NATCA was able to work closely with members of Congress to pass hiring reforms as part of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016. This bill created a two-track process for hiring new controllers: § Under Track One, the FAA is required to give "preferential consideration to qualified individuals maintaining 52 consecutive weeks of air traffic control experience," as these experienced controllers will be assigned directly to ATC facilities and do not need to attend the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. § Under Track Two, the FAA must balance its hiring between two pools of candidates: (1) the first pool comprises veterans and graduates of Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) programs, and (2) the second pool is off-the-street hires. R » We also have been able to get critical hiring language into the 2018 omnibus spending bill that should help with local hiring at New York TRACON (N90) and New York Center (ZNY) and allow the FAA to reinstate its retired military controller (RMC) program. R » Most recently, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., introduced S. 1148, the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) Hiring Reform Act of 2019, which is bipartisan legislation that will further improve the FAA's controller hiring process. NATCA strongly supports this legislation. R » Although these changes are a step in the right direction, they will not solve the staffing crisis. R » NATCA supports a holistic, collaborative approach to solve the staffing crisis. These changes are merely one part of the equation. NATCA will continue to work closely with members of Congress and their staffs on legislative solutions that will further this goal.

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