Paul Rinaldi, National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) president, recently spoke at a congressional roundtable on the Federal Aviation Administration’s need to modernization its physical infrastructure.
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Aviation Subcommittee roundtable, Final Approach: An Update on ATC Modernization, focused on implementing the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen).
“Our en-route centers are almost 60 years old,” Rinaldi said. “Many towers and Terminal Radar Approach Control Facilities) are in need of repair and replacement. Many of these facilities have exceeded their life expectancy. Some of these facilities need critical replacement of systems such as roofs, windows, and HVAC systems, elevators, and plumbing.”
NATCA and the FAA have been collaborating for 12 years on NextGen and modernization. Progress is only possible with a stable, predictable funding stream, Rinaldi said.
NATCA represents approximately 20,000 air traffic controllers, engineers, and other aviation safety-related professionals. Rinaldi said the organization’s top priority is to maintain and upgrade automation platforms.
These platforms include Terminal Automation Modernization and Replacement, En Route Automation Modernization, and Advanced Technologies and Oceanic Procedures.
Other priorities include enhancing long-range radar surveillance, voice communication systems, support tools in automation and decision-making, and replacing the Microprocessor En-Route Automated Radar Tracking System.