NATCA Bookshelf

Q & A Q What is the status of NextGen? A • In order for NextGen to be successfully completed, a stable and predictable funding stream is necessary. • Sequestration and the resulting April 2013 furloughs and the October 2013 government shutdown, created needless delays in the development, design, and implementation of NextGen, and increased costs in these key modernization programs for our aviation system. Q Does NATCA support the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)? Q Is there currently a proposed bill in either chamber of Congress addressing FAA Reauthorization or ATC reform? Q Does NATCA support remote towers? Q What is the status of official time legislation? A A A A • The safe integration of UAS into the NAS is a top priority for NATCA. • It is important to strike a balance between maintaining existing safety levels within the NAS, the potential value of UAS to the economy, and the need for protocols to regulate the wide-spectrum of UAS operations. • NATCA believes the widespread commercial application of UAS must not be permitted until the FAA establishes clear and enforceable operating standards. • As of printing, no legislation has been introduced to reauthorize the FAA. • Last year, the House T&I Committee passed H.R. 4441, titled the "Aviation, Innovation, Reform & Reauthorization Act of 2016" (AIRR Act). This legislation was introduced by Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) and passed out of the T&I Committee, but did not come to the House floor for a vote. NATCA supported that bill. • Although NATCA supported the AIRR Act of 2016, we have been very clear that we will vigorously review any ATC reform proposal to ensure that it meets our Four Core Principles for Reform. • There are many concerns with the operation of a remote tower, from human factors to the ability of controllers to maintain visual contact with aircraft in the traffic pattern. • NATCA believes that there are technological advancements in the remote tower system that may be useful at one of our current air traffic control towers to enhance on-site controller lines of sight. • NATCA supports the testing of remote tower technology at Leesburg Airport. • H.R. 1364 was recently introduced by Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA). This bill would harm the important work that is being done by NATCA and the FAA on NextGen and other programs that require collaboration — programs that are vital to the safety and efficiency of the NAS. In particular, H.R. 1364 would reduce retirement benefits for federal employees, including NATCA representatives, for simply performing their representational duties. Such an attack would seriously constrain NATCA's ability to use official time for its many critical, legitimate purposes. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS/DRONES CURRENT LEGISLATION REMOTE TOWERS 59

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