The FAA chief seems to be unsatisfied with the whole air traffic system and wants something to be done about it. Every day, millions of individuals barely give the act of boarding an aeroplane a second thought. Boarding passes are checked, security lines are waited in, and tickets are reserved with a few clicks. Few travellers pause to consider the intricate web of people and technology that ensures thousands of aircraft are always flying securely over our heads, and at times, we forget that there is a system put in place to ensure everything is steady and safe.
The FAA is not happy with the air control system. Concerns are at peak and alarming
The new head of the Federal Aviation Administration said on Thursday the current state of the ageing, understaffed U.S. air traffic control system is “not acceptable,” vowing an aggressive modernisation effort. New FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford also said morale at the agency is “kind of low” after a fatal crash in January near Reagan Washington National Airport killed 67.
The issues plaguing the FAA’s air traffic control network have been years in the making, but a rush of high-profile mishaps, near-misses and the catastrophic crash in January between a U.S. Army helicopter and a regional American Airlines AAL.O spiked public alarm. Congress this month approved $12.5 billion to begin a massive overhaul over five years, while the Trump administration wants another $19 billion.
Bedford said at an air show that the U.S. air traffic control system has not been modernised in four decades. Bedford also called for FAA leadership improvements and for redesigning the national airspace.
“We really do have some significant technology challenges.”
More can be done; the issue just needs to be addressed
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy hopes to address that shortfall within three to four years. If everyone else can understand the importance of this system update, then it will be easier and faster to rectify all the mistakes.ย Bedford, who was speaking at the EAA AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin said,
“We can do a better job in leadership. We can help the FAA figure out a strategy, especially around modernization. I’d really like to see us create a culture of trust and collaboration and a little more forward leaning.”
Bedford, who vowed to be transparent and gave out his email to a large crowd, criticised the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden for not doing more to address air traffic control issues. The FAA plans to upgrade outdated radar and telecommunications systems, air traffic control towers and other facilities. It also plans to increase the staffing of air traffic controllers and has adopted new incentives to retain controllers.
Every traveller is at risk due to an outdated system
Most passengers never hear the continuous radio talk between pilots and controllers or see the inside of an air traffic control tower. However, this unnoticed mechanism is what prevents anarchy from erupting on congested runways and busy flights. Failures are more common in older equipment. Major airports have had temporary ground blocks due to recent events, which have caused significant delays and sparked concerns.
If the system is not modernised quickly, a worse scenario may happen. In addition to the technological aspect, the issue of people could be equally significant. Controllers claim they are overworked, put in long hours, and have little margin for error. Hiring and training successors takes years, not months, as many seasoned controllers retire. A persistent shortage of controllers has delayed flights and many are working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks. The FAA is about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels.