Three members of Florida’s Congressional delegation recently sent a letter to Billy Nolen, Federal Aviation Administration acting administrator, urging the agency to replace the Central Florida Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility (F11) at Orlando International Airport.
“The Central Florida TRACON was built in 1983 and has become an outdated facility,” the lawmakers said. “It is tasked with controlling an airspace that includes the seventh busiest airport in the country… We recently toured F11 and promoted funding in President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. We were alarmed by the conditions FAA personnel, including professional controllers and Airway Transportation System specialists, are required to endure while ensuring the safety of the traveling public. A single emergency or catastrophic incident would be devastating to the passengers, crew, controllers, safety specialists, and their families. At an estimated $60 million, it is critical for the FAA to replace one of the country’s busiest TRACON facilities.”
A total of $5 billion was included in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to replace air traffic facilities; improve safety, security, and environmental standards; and update or upgrade equipment.
Reps. Val Demings (D-FL), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), and Darren Soto (D-FL) sent the letter.