NATCA Bookshelf

Official Time At the FAA, official time gives employees a voice to resolve disputes, negotiate changes in working conditions, and implement new procedures and equipment such as NextGen. There is a misperception on Capitol Hill that official time is an abused privilege and a waste of taxpayer dollars. Members of Congress have introduced legislation and amendments that would eliminate official time. See also the Gingrey Amendment. Pilot's Bill of Rights 2 (H.R. 1062 and S. 571) The bill includes protections for general aviation pilots. It has been included in the Senate's FAA Authorization package (H.R. 636). NATCA has some concerns about providing information to pilots that could affect the confidentiality of Air Traffic Safety Action Program (ATSAP) reports submitted by NATCA controllers. Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013 Legislation prompted by NATCA's efforts to end sequestration-related FAA furloughs in April 2013. Once signed into law, it allowed the FAA to shift funds from the Airport Improvement Program fund to the operations account in order to bring air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals back to work. See also Airport Improvement Program. Remote Towers Air traffic control tower services performed remotely, i.e. somewhere other than at the local control tower. The Remote Tower Services initiative is currently being tested at Leesburg Airport in Virginia. Sequestration Members of Congress have implemented sequestration as a tool to reduce federal expenditures. In 2013, it drastically cut the FAA's budget. Congress avoided sequestration through passage of a variety of spending packages for F Y 2014 and 2015. For F Y 2016, Congressional appropriators will either need to meet the mandatory spending caps or face across-the-board cuts again, starting October 1, 2015. 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 is necessary 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. THUD writes the appropriations bill and oversees funding for the FAA. See also THUD Appropriations bill. 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. 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 describing a complex issue in a concise manner. It is meant to help readers understand an issue, solve problems, or make decisions. GLOSSARY NiW Today n i w . n a t c a . n e t 62

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