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FAA PILOT PROGRAMS WEAKEN AVIATION SAFETY
The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS) represents approximately 11,000 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees in five separate bargaining units throughout the United States and in several foreign locations. The largest PASS bargaining unit is the Air Traffic Organization Technical Operations unit, consisting of technical employees (systems specialists, electronics technicians and computer specialists) who install, maintain, repair and certify the radar, navigation and communication systems making up the air traffic control system.
The Senate version of the FAA reauthorization bill (S. 1300) includes language on two pilot programs proposed by the FAA, which are not in the House version of the bill (H.R. 2881). PASS believes that both of these pilot programs are aimed at privatizing aspects of the National Airspace System (NAS). As one of the largest and most intricate networks in the world, the NAS cannot be safely divided into individual components, just as the work of those responsible for maintaining it cannot be contracted out as independent functions. The responsibility for protecting this country’s aviation system should remain a function of the United States government.
Pilot Program for Airport Takeover of Air Navigation Facilities
Section 207 of the Senate version of the FAA reauthorization bill is a pilot program for airport takeover of air navigation facilities that would permit the FAA to allow 10 airports to assume ownership and responsibility for maintenance and operations of runway lighting and navigational aid systems (navaids) and weather equipment. PASS is extremely concerned with this pilot program, which would essentially allow these airports to maintain and operate systems and equipment currently the responsibility of FAA employees. In addition:
· Although the FAA claims that ownership and responsibility for maintenance and operations of navaids and weather equipment is currently split between the FAA and the airport, in reality, the vast majority of airports rely on highly skilled FAA technicians to maintain and operate the systems and equipment.
· FAA technicians are specifically trained to address the intricate details of this work and should be the only people trusted with this responsibility.
· If the airport authority was unsuccessful in its attempt to assume responsibility for airport maintenance and operations, the FAA would be unable to resume those duties, leaving the airport’s viability at risk.
ADS-B Support Pilot Program
Section 302 of the Senate version of the FAA reauthorization bill would promote non-federal ownership and maintenance of grounds-based equipment necessary for one of the FAA’s air traffic modernization systems, Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B), a technology that would allow aircraft to transmit their exact position, direction of flight and speed to ground stations and other aircraft. Placing responsibility for maintaining these systems and equipment in the hands of a third party threatens the safety of the flying public. Consider the following:
· The language in the Senate bill would allow state or local governments to use federal grant money for a non-federal acquisition of ADS-B ground stations, a clear risk to the deployment and maintenance of ADS-B, which is a critical part of the FAA’s modernization plan.
· FAA employees possess a detailed knowledge of the intricacies associated with NAS systems and operations and are the only individuals trained to deal specifically with equipment failures and complicated technical specifications associated with such systems and equipment. Clearly, placing responsibility for maintaining these systems and equipment in the hands of any other party threatens the safety of the flying public.
Congressional Action Requested
PASS does not support Section 207 or Section 302 of the Senate version of the FAA reauthorization bill (S. 1300). It is imperative to aviation safety that this language be removed prior to final passage of the legislation.
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