The Regional Airline Association (RAA) has welcomed the bipartisan Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act.
According to RAA, the legislation would strengthen safety at airports participating in the Federal Contract Tower Program by equipping towers with modern situational awareness technology and training.
“RAA applauds Congresswoman Laura Gillen (D-NY) and Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) for their leadership on this important companion bipartisan legislation to S.3929,” said RAA President & CEO, Faye Malarkey Black.
“Safety improvements must reach every part of the national airspace system, including the smaller communities regional airlines serve every day. This bill provides controllers at contract towers with practical tools that can significantly enhance situational awareness and strengthen safety in complex operational environments.”
The legislation would require the FAA to install APRTs at contract towers without advanced situational awareness systems, establish controller training requirements, authorise funding for the technology and reimburse airports that have already invested in APRT systems.
RAA worked closely with lawmakers and industry stakeholders on the legislation development and has strongly supported expanding the use of Airborne Position Reference Tools (APRTs) at airports that currently lack advanced surveillance capabilities.
