The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association joined a coalition of aviation industry organizations in sending a letter to Congress today outlining the need for increased investments to hire and train more air traffic controllers and to modernize equipment. The letter pointed out that for “the aviation system to flourish we must meaningfully invest in the staffing, safety systems, and facilities that are the backbone to a safe and efficient airspace.”
The coalition also unified against air traffic control privatization stating, “We are aligned on not pursuing privatization of U.S. air traffic control services and believe it would be a distraction from these needed investments and reforms.”
“The FAA is responsible for managing more than 50,000 flights per day carrying nearly three million people. We have the largest, most complex, and safest air traffic system in the world. I appreciate the entire aviation industry coming together to put privatization aside as it would cost billions of dollars that are better spent modernizing the infrastructure that we already have,” said Darren Pleasance, AOPA President and CEO.
On staffing and modernization, the letter states: “Modernization and resiliency of the FAA’s air traffic control system must be paired with a robust and highly skilled federal technical workforce to maintain and repair the critical systems necessary for the FAA’s round-the-clock operation.”
“With several recent high-profile incidents involving commercial, military, and general aviation aircraft, it is critical for the FAA to have adequate resources to increase its staff and modernize facilities and technology,” Pleasance said.
To view the letter sent to Congress, click here.
The list of organizations signing the letter are below:
- Aeronautical Repair Station Association
- Aerospace Industries Association
- Air Line Pilots Association, International
- Air Traffic Control Association
- Aircraft Electronics Association
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
- Airlines for America
- Allied Pilots Association
- American Association of Airport Executives
- Association of Flight Attendants-CWA
- Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International
- Aviation Technical Education Council
- Experimental Aircraft Association Inc.
- General Aviation Manufacturers Association
- Global Business Travel Association
- International Air Transport Association
- International Council of Air Shows
- National Agricultural Aviation Association
- National Air Carrier Association
- National Air Traffic Controllers Association
- National Air Transportation Association
- National Association of State Aviation Officials
- National Business Aviation Association
- NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots
- Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFLCIO
- Recreational Aviation Foundation
- Regional Airline Association
- Southwest Airlines Pilots Association
- Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO
- Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO
- Travelers United
- U.S. Travel Association
- Vertical Aviation International
- Vertical Flight Society
