TagAir Traffic Control(133)
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2025-09-12An Air Traffic Controller Walks Into a Radio Studio …
What does it take to “play 3D chess at 250 miles an hour”? And how far will $12.5 billion of “Big, Beautiful” funding go toward modernizing the F.A.A.? (Part two of a two-part series.) -
2025-09-05
Is the Air Traffic Control System Broken?
Flying in the U.S. is still exceptionally safe, but the system relies on outdated tech and is under tremendous strain. Six experts tell us how it got this way and how it can (maybe) be fixed. (Part one of a two-part series.) -
2025-08-28Aviation meteorologists: Urgent actions needed to address staffing concerns
A August 2025 U.S. Government Accountability Office report warns that staffing shortages among National Weather Service meteorologists embedded at FAA air traffic control centers may pose risks to the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System. These meteorologists provide critical real-time weather briefings to air traffic controllers to help route flights safely around severe weather, but a February 2025 amendment to the FAA-NWS interagency agreement reduced the required staffing level from 90 to 81 positions. The GAO urges urgent action from the Departments of Transportation and Commerce before the interagency agreement expires in September 2025. -
2025-08-28
Aviation meteorologists: Urgent actions needed to address staffing concerns
A August 2025 U.S. Government Accountability Office report warns that staffing shortages among National Weather Service meteorologists embedded at FAA air traffic control centers may pose risks to the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System. These meteorologists provide critical real-time weather briefings to air traffic controllers to help route flights safely around severe weather, but a February 2025 amendment to the FAA-NWS interagency agreement reduced the required staffing level from 90 to 81 positions. The GAO urges urgent action from the Departments of Transportation and Commerce before the interagency agreement expires in September 2025. -
2025-08-26NATCA: A History of Air Traffic Control
NATCA (National Air Traffic Controllers Association), founded in 1987, represents over 15,000 aviation safety professionals including air traffic controllers, engineers, and health care workers across the United States and its territories. The organization was established after the 1981 firing of more than 11,000 air traffic controllers following a strike that led to the decertification of the previous union, PATCO. NATCA serves as the exclusive bargaining representative for FAA aviation safety professionals and works with government officials, airlines, and the FAA to promote safe and efficient air travel. -
2025-08-26
NATCA: A History of Air Traffic Control
Presentation by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) providing a history of air traffic control in the United States. Covers NATCA’s founding in 1987, the 1981 PATCO strike and decertification resulting in the firing of 11,345 controllers, FAA hiring practices post-1981, and NATCA’s role as exclusive bargaining representative for FAA air traffic controllers, engineers, -
2025-06-14Airport Control Tower and Horizon Alaska Air Flight #2123 evacuation
An Alaska Airlines aircraft tail fin with the carrier's distinctive Eskimo logo is visible at right, alongside an air traffic control tower at left. A group of people, including individuals with a dog and wearing high-visibility vests, walk along what appears to be an airport perimeter area. -
2025-05-20
‘Vintage’ air traffic system to blame for near misses and outages, ex-FAA official says
By Geoff Bennett and Jackson Hudgins Air traffic controllers at Newark Liberty International Airport again lost contact with planes Monday, according to the FAA. It’s the fourth such incident at that airport in less than a month and the latest in a string of alarming incidents and close calls at airports across the country. Geoff -
2025-04-18Roundtable engagement guidance: How the FAA engages with Airport and Community Roundtables
This FAA guidance document explains how Airport and Community Roundtables work as forums where local governments, communities, and aviation stakeholders can collaboratively discuss concerns about nearby airport operations. The FAA participates in these roundtables to provide technical expertise but does not vote on issues, and roundtables can submit formal recommendations for changes to flight procedures or airspace operations. Any recommended changes must go through a thorough FAA review process, including safety and environmental assessments, and can take several years to implement. -
2025-04-18
Roundtable engagement guidance: How the FAA engages with Airport and Community Roundtables
This FAA guidance document explains how Airport and Community Roundtables work as forums where local governments, communities, and aviation stakeholders can collaboratively discuss concerns about nearby airport operations. The FAA participates in these roundtables to provide technical expertise but does not vote on issues, and roundtables can submit formal recommendations for changes to flight procedures or airspace operations. Any recommended changes must go through a thorough FAA review process, including safety and environmental assessments, and can take several years to implement.