NATCA Bookshelf

NIW Today | 85 Glossary REMOTE TOWERS Air traffic control tower services performed remotely, that is, somewhere other than at the local control tower. The Remote Tower Services initiative is currently being tested at Leesburg Executive Airport (JYO) in Virginia. Additionally, NATCA is a key member of the Colorado Remote Tower Team and is supplying subject matter experts (SME) during all phases of the testing of the remote tower system at the Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL). SENATE COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE This is the committee that has jurisdiction over FAA reauthorization, amongst many other things. The Committee's chairman is Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and the ranking member is Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. The Subcommittee on Aviation and Space, which oversees the FAA, is chaired by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. The Subcommittee's ranking member is Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz. SEQUESTRATION Members of Congress implemented sequestration as a tool to reduce federal expenditures via across-the-board spending cuts. In 2013, sequestration drastically cut the FAA's budget and as a result, forced the FAA to institute a hiring freeze and shutter the FAA Academy between March and December 2013. Congress avoided sequestration through passage of a variety of spending packages for FY 2014 and 2015. Most recently, Congress removed the threat of sequestration through FY 2019, but it threatens to return on Oct. 1, 2019 unless Congress takes further action. SHUTDOWN FURLOUGH (also called an Emergency Furlough) In the event that funds are not available due to a lapse in appropriations or authorization, a "shutdown" furlough may occur. A shutdown furlough will be triggered when a federal agency no longer has the necessary funds or authority to operate and must shut down those activities that are not excepted, pursuant to applicable laws and regulations. Even employees who perform excepted activities cannot be paid for their work during a shutdown furlough. Based on the nature of an emergency or lapse of appropriation/authorization furlough, the agency has very little advanced notice prior to implementation. THUD The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee. The THUD Subcommittee writes the appropriations bill and oversees funding for the FAA. The House THUD Subcommittee is chaired by Rep. David Price, D-N.C., and the ranking member is Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla. The Senate THUD Subcommittee is chaired by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and the ranking member is Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I. THUD APPROPRIATIONS BILL The appropriations legislation that provides funding for the Department of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other related agencies. This includes funding for the FAA. See also Appropriations Bill. TITLE 49 The provision of the United States Code that applies to transportation, including the FAA. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS) UAS are also known as unmanned aerial vehicles, unpiloted aerial vehicles (UAV), or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). In the mainstream, UAS are also known as "drones" (i.e. aircraft without a human pilot aboard). WHITE PAPER A government or other authoritative report explaining a complex issue in a concise manner. It is meant to help readers understand an issue, solve problems, and/or make decisions.

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