NATCA Bookshelf

ISSUES National Air Traffic Controllers Association | www.natca.org NiW Today 29 In addition, the FAA has 121 combined TRACON/ towers, which are, on average, more than 35 years old. Finally, the FAA has an additional 142 stand-alone towers which average more than 30 years old. Many FAA facilities have exceeded their expected lifecycles. Others have major systems that have exceeded their expected functional lifecycle such as roofs, windows, HVAC systems, plumbing, and elevators, which no longer perform their necessary functions. Some of these issues have led to periodic airspace shutdowns and many others have led to safety concerns for the workforce. When these major systems fail, or facilities have integrity problems, it can lead to increasing delays, which negatively affect the flying public and the economy. The FAA is addressing its aging infrastructure through a combination of (1) realignments and consolidations, (2) repairing, sustaining, and maintaining some facilities, and (3) replacing a handful of others. However, that process has been hampered by funding limitations. The FAA will need a substantially increased investment in its annual F&E budget or a supplemental funding source to adequately maintain, let alone, replace its aging physical infrastructure. Although NATCA recognizes that the FAA's future facility footprint is likely to be different than the current footprint, realigning and consolidating facilities for the sake of consolidation – or based on real estate considerations unrelated the agency's core mission – is not in the best interest of the NAS or the flying public. As the FAA considers options for ATC facility realignment and consolidation, several factors should be considered such as safety, continuity, capacity, efficiency, cost savings, and effects on the workforce. NATCA stands ready to partner with Congress, the administration, and the FAA to address these critical issues. Issue Increased Funding Critical for Modernization and Infrastructure Efforts

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