NATCA Bookshelf

44 I s s u e s N A T C A I N W A S H I N G T O N 2 0 2 4 N i W To d a y Despite this progress, reduced controller staffing would have a detrimental effect on system capacity and modernization efforts. In April 2013, sequestration and the resulting furloughs, as well as the government shutdown six months later, created needless delays in the development, design, and implementation of NextGen. These delays also increased costs in these key modernization programs for our aviation system. The shuttering and reactivation of modernization programs not only delayed progress, but also increased costs. Without a stable and sufficient funding stream, critical system sustainment, modernization programs, and new user integration will continue to be threatened by delays and funding shortages that will jeopardize the NAS. FA A's R a p i d l y Ag i n g P hy s i c a l I n f r a s t r u c t u r e NATCA has been and continues to advocate for additional funding to fix the FAA's physical infrastructure and improve NATCA members' working conditions. NATCA testified about this issue in June 2021 before the Senate Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Aviation. The FAA operates more than 300 ATC facilities of varying ages and conditions. In the continental United States, the FAA operates 20 ARTCCs that were built in the 1960s and are approximately 60 years old. The FAA's large, stand-alone TRACONs are, on average, more than 25 years old. In addition, the FAA has 132 combined TRACON/towers, which, on average, are about 35 years old. Finally, the FAA has another 131 stand-alone towers which average more than 30 years old. Many of these facilities have exceeded their expected lifecycle. Others have major systems such as roofs, windows, HVAC systems, or elevators that have exceeded their expected functional lifecycle and no longer perform their necessary function. Although the FAA began the process of addressing its rapidly aging infrastructure through a combination of realignments, sustaining and maintaining some facilities, and replacing a handful of others, that process has been slow and hampered by stop-and- go funding. During the 35-day shutdown in late 2018 into early 2019, critical physical infrastructure construction projects stopped at airports and radar facilities across the country. In addition, some of the critical safety equipment and technology that controllers use every day is decades old and at risk of malfunctioning. Even before the shutdown, the FAA had moved to a "fix-on-fail" maintenance philosophy and had stopped stockpiling critical parts for essential operational equipment. However, because of the shutdown, critical maintenance and repair projects were delayed even more, creating a backlog of maintenance projects at facilities around the country. In recent years, NATCA conducted a survey of our local leaders to determine which facilities have critical infrastructure needs for replacement or repair. These identified defects need immediate attention and range from workplace safety issues, concerns about building physical integrity, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning failures, needs for elevator replacement, substandard restrooms, lighting issues, and building security concerns. Some of these issues have led to periodic airspace shutdowns and many others lead to safety concerns for the workforce. When major systems fail, or facilities have integrity problems, it can lead to a less efficient airspace. With NATCA's support, on Nov. 15, 2021, the landmark Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law, addressing many physical infrastructure deficiencies. This was a big legislative win for our members and the NAS. The IIJA provides an unprecedented level of dedicated funding of $5 billion, to help bring ATC facilities up to standard. These facilities include FAA-owned towers, TRACONs, and ARTCCs, as well as Federal Contract Tower (FCT) program infrastructure. IIJA funding also covers a wide variety of other eligible projects including unstaffed infrastructure, landing and navigation aids, power systems, and environmental compliance. Although this funding will not resolve every issue in every facility across the country, it was a major step in the right direction to upgrade working conditions for NATCA members. The IIJA also provides a significant investment of $20 billion to modernize our nation's airports and provide U.S. airports with the necessary boost to compete on a global scale. These funds are administered by our Region X members in the FAA's Airports Division. They will be available for repair and replacement of airport-owned infrastructure such as towers, including FCTs, and provide local airport authorities with new resources to improve runways, taxiways, and other safety- related infrastructure. B u d g e t a r y S h o r t fa l l s P l a g u e M o d e r n i z a t i o n A n d I n f ra s t r u c t u re E f fo r t s Issue

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