NATCA Bookshelf

Q & A Q What is the status of FAA Reauthorization? Q What type of FAA reform model does NATCA support? Q Does NATCA support privatization of air traffic control? Q What are NATCA's priorities for FAA Reauthorization? Q Does NATCA support a for-profit reform model? A A A A A • The FAA currently is operating under an extension of FAA Reauthorization legislation that expires at the end of the Fiscal Year, on September 30, 2017. • Lawmakers have until September 30 to enact a long-term FAA Reauthorization bill or pass another extension to avoid a partial shutdown of the FAA. • The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee have jurisdiction over drafting legislation that reauthorizes the FAA. Both committees have been holding hearings on the subject in advance of the September deadline. • There is still a lot of work to be done. Both chambers need to pass bills to reauthorize the FAA and reconcile differences between their bills in conference. The final bill then will be sent to the President to be signed into law. NATCA does not support any one particular reform model, but has publicly stated that any FAA reform must meet NATCA's Four Core Principles for Reform: • Ensure that the frontline workforce is fully protected; • Ensure safety and efficiency remain top priorities; • Provide for a stable, predictable funding stream that must adequately support air traffic control services, staffing, hiring and training, long-term modernization, preventative maintenance, and ongoing modernization to infrastructure; and • Maintain a dynamic aviation system that continues to provide services to all segments of the aviation community, from commercial passenger carriers and cargo haulers to business jets and general aviation, at all major airports and small airports in rural areas. • We are opposed to any reform that would create a for-profit model for the air traffic control system. However, NATCA would consider supporting a not-for-profit model, if it satisfies, at a minimum, our Four Core Principles for Reform. • We have been open to discussing structural change at the FAA as long as safety and efficiency remain the top priorities. The FAA Reauthorization bill should address the lack of a stable, predictable funding stream for a 24/7 operational system focused on safety. Any proposal for restructuring the FAA must address NATCA's Four Core Principles for Reform. No. NATCA would not support any proposal that would create a for-profit model. Safety and efficiency must remain the top priorities. We also do not support any proposal that would maintain the status quo, which is unacceptable due to funding uncertainty. FAA REAUTHORIZATION FAA REFORM NiW Today n i w . n a t c a . n e t 56

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