Recent tragic accidents in the US aviation industry have prompted Congressman Greg Stanton and a bipartisan group of lawmakers to demand immediate aviation safety reform action from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
They are urging the Department of Transportation (USDOT) to prioritize the implementation of key safety reforms included in the recently passed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024.
This call to action follows a concerning series of accidents. This saw a midair collision near Reagan National Airport, and a fatal runway crash at Scottsdale Airport. This week has seen an accident at Toronto Pearson Airport involving a US-bound plane.
These events underscore the critical need for enhanced air traffic control and aviation safety measures.
Bipartisan Call for Aviation Safety Reform
“Last year, Congress passed the 2024 FAA Reauthorization. This provides a five-year plan for strengthening aviation safety,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter to Secretary Duffy.
“This includes accelerating the hiring of air traffic controllers, and updating our aging air traffic control (ATC) systems. It increases runway safety, among other vital reforms. We urge you to immediately prioritize the swift implementation of the law’s safety programs to help prevent future devastating accidents.”
The Growth in Air Traffic
The sheer volume of air traffic underscores the urgency of the situation. Every day, over 45,000 flights carry 2.9 million passengers across US airspace.
The rapid growth of air travel and the emergence of new aviation companies have contributed to an increasingly complex National Airspace System (NAS). This complexity demands robust safety measures and a proactive approach to risk management.
Understaffing of Crucial ATC Roles
Adding to the concern, the independent NAS Safety Review Team identified significant understaffing in crucial safety roles within the FAA. The Review Team was established in 2023 following a series of near-misses involving commercial aircraft.
This includes a shortage of air traffic controllers, aviation safety inspectors, and technical operations specialists.
The lawmakers’ letter highlights the strain this understaffing places on the system. It states that understaffing “places additional strain on the system, further eroding the margin of safety and increasing risk.”
Congressman Stanton played a key role in shaping the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. It was passed through the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. It offers a comprehensive roadmap for improving aviation safety. Key provisions of the Act include:
Addressing Air Traffic Controller Shortages: The Act mandates the hiring of additional air traffic controllers to alleviate critical understaffing issues that contribute to increased workload and potential errors.
Modernizing Air Traffic Control Systems: Recognizing that many ATC systems are decades old and increasingly unreliable, the Act calls for the urgent update and modernization of these vital technologies.
Enhancing Runway Safety: The Act promotes the deployment of advanced runway safety technologies designed to prevent close calls and improve overall airport operations. This includes systems that can provide pilots with better situational awareness and prevent runway incursions.
Reviewing Emergency Procedures: The Act mandates a review of airplane passenger emergency medical kits and evacuation procedures to ensure they are up-to-date and effective in handling various emergency scenarios.
Conclusion
Congressman Stanton and his colleagues are adamant that the USDOT and FAA leadership prioritize the implementation of these reforms without delay.
They are urging against bureaucratic hurdles or proposals that could weaken safety oversight.
The lawmakers’ call for immediate implementation emphasizes the importance of proactive measures to prevent future tragedies and maintain the highest standards of aviation safety. Their message is abundantly clear: the time for action is now.
A full copy of the letter to USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy can be accessed here.
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