Washington, D.C. – Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the bipartisan Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act with Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) to provide Air Traffic Controllers more tools and training to keep American airspace safe.
“America is the birthplace of aviation, and our hardworking air traffic controllers deserve the tools and support to do their jobs safely and effectively. As our airspace grows more congested and complex, far too many controllers do not have access to critical, 21st century technology. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill to close that gap, protect American families, and keep our airspace the safest in the world,” said Senator Sheehy.
“Oregon’s small and regional airports are an important partner in keeping the flying public safe. Our simple bipartisan bill unlocks resources for these airports to make critical safety upgrades if they need it, something we should all get behind,” said Senator Merkley.
The bill aims to improve controllers’ situational awareness by:
- Requiring the FAA to acquire and install APRTs at federal contract towers that do not currently have STARS or other advanced situational awareness systems,
- Directing the FAA to establish a training program for these towers to ensure that controllers can effectively integrate and use APRTs, and
- Providing authority for the FAA to fund acquisition, installation, and operating expenses of APRTs at contract towers and authorizing the FAA to reimburse contract tower airports that have independently acquired and installed APRTs prior to FAA action.
Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) joined Sheehy and Merkley in introducing the Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act. The bill is supported by the Regional Airline Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Airlines for America, and National Business Aviation Association.
Statements of Support:
“Horizon Air applauds Senators Sheehy and Merkley for their leadership in advancing legislation that strengthens aviation safety, particularly for many regional and rural airports that do not have access to radar. It’s essential we equip our air traffic controllers with the modern situational awareness tools they need to safely manage flights. Airborne position reference tools represent a practical, safety-enhancing capability that can improve operational awareness and reduce safety risk, and it is our sincere hope to see APRTs deployed at as many airports as needed.” – Andy Schneider, President and CEO of Horizon Air
“As we work to modernize America’s air traffic control system, ensuring federal contract towers are equipped with proper situational awareness technology and surveillance tools is a no brainer. These tools better ingratiate controllers as to the full picture of their airspace and the surrounding areas, improving safety for those on the ground and in the sky. We thank Senators Sheehy and Merkley for taking action on this issue.” – Airlines for America
“This off-the-shelf technology will have a huge and immediate impact at many contract tower facilities across the country that currently manage a significant amount of mixed operations without any digital assistance. APRT is critical to reducing risk and maintaining operational safety. We are pleased to see this important safety legislation introduced in the Senate and urge its swift passage.” – National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen
“AOPA appreciates Senators Sheehy, Merkley, Daines, and Wyden for their leadership in introducing this important aviation safety bill. Federal contract towers are a vital part of our national airspace system—representing roughly half of all towered airports—and this legislation closes a longstanding gap. Installing Airborne Position Reference Tools (APRTs) at towers that currently lack them will give controllers greater situational awareness and enhance safety for pilots across the country.” – Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
“The U.S. Contract Tower Association commends Senators Sheehy, Merkley, Daines, and Wyden for introducing bipartisan legislation that calls on the FAA to equip contract towers with technology that will improve airborne situational awareness for air traffic controllers. Their common-sense and cost-effective proposal will enhance aviation safety at smaller commercial service and general aviation airports around the county, and we urge Congress to adopt it as soon as possible.” – U.S. Contract Tower Association Executive Director Brad Van Dam
“The Regional Airline Association strongly supports the Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act and applauds Senators Sheehy and Merkley for their leadership in advancing this critical legislation and for working closely with RAA on this important safety priority. Traffic complexity has increased at many smaller and mixed-use airports, yet some contract tower facilities do not yet have access to the real-time situational awareness tools that are standard at larger airports and that enhance controllers’ visibility of aircraft operations. Closing this gap in risk mitigation is a practical, data-driven step that will equip controllers and pilots serving smaller communities with the appropriate tools to further strengthen safety margins and help ensure that safety advancements reach passengers and communities large and small.” – Faye Malarkey Black, RAA President and CEO
Background:
Many airports, particularly smaller and rural ones under the Federal Contract Tower (FCT) program, still lack modern situational awareness technology such as Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems (STARS) or other radar-integrated displays. Of the 266 Federal Contract Towers, more than 90 lack any surveillance tools. In towers at these airports, controllers rely on visual observation and radio calls, tools that can become strained during periods of high traffic, complex mixed operations, or reduced visibility. This technology gap can contribute to missed traffic conflicts or delayed recognition of emerging hazards.
As part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, Congress directed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to approve technology to improve operational situational awareness at FCTs, after years of requests from airports asking for assistance in addressing this technological gap.
Last summer, the FAA approved the first Airborne Position Reference Tool (APRT), which uses ADS-B data to present controllers with a real-time display of local airspace. Since then, APRTs have already been deployed at several airports around the country, and controllers and operators report that APRTs significantly enhance situational awareness and improve controller confidence, bolstering safety.
Read the full text of the bill HERE.
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