To keep the skies safe, the FAA needs a restyling
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Thanks to the Transport Department Secretary Sean DuffyThe Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is finally obtaining the restyling it deserves with an unprecedented sense of urgency.
Duffy has promised “huge updates” to the air traffic control system of our nation within the next 18 months. These updates, including the affront of the deficiency of air traffic controllers, the modernization of aging technology and the priority of updates that support most of the safety, have been expected for some time.
Although “Close Calls” and aeronautical accidents are receiving more attention in the news after the Tragedy at Reagan National Airport In Washington, DC, at the beginning of this year, the fact is that what we are seeing today is the accumulated effect of decades of sub -financing and themselves old old processes. Now it’s time to draw attention to keep the United States the Gold Standard when it comes to aviation safety.
Silhouette Commercial Airplane takes off for the airport control tower at sunset (Istock)
I am an author of the report of the FAA security review team (SRT), and in it we played the strongest bell possible to attract attention to the urgent need to face staff, technology and system financing.
Sean Duffy: American air traffic systems need an urgent update
As the industry has noticed in the last ten years, delaying the modernization of the FAA has not been without risk. The use of strips of paper and floppy disks to keep track of flights was unacceptable 10 years ago; It is scandalous today.
As an ex -engineer Dot, the current system “explained” is a patchwork of archaic software languages hosted on different ancient platforms that are not supportable with current operating or hardware for computer “. They don’t even teach people in schools such as repairing the things that FAA is running today.
Aggravate them Modernization challengesThe deficiency of control of the air traffic of the nation continues to worsen. According to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, about half of the air traffic controllers works six days a week, 10 hours a day. And again, the air traffic control towers are short of staff and no progress have been made to change it.
What must happen next to catch the moment and make the flight safer now
In fact, the Transport Department The general inspector reported that his “audit work shows that the lack of a plan by the FAA to face these staff challenges limits the ability of the (National Air Space System)”. The good news is that secretary Duffy has already announced changes to the simplification of hires and the increase in remuneration for controllers.
It is a first step in a long road, but its energetic focus is a breath of fresh air. As Duffy said, “the government takes eight, 10, 15 years to update the systems, and this is the enemy of progress”.
The status quo to use decades to modernize the antiquated systems and the staff assigned to air traffic control can no longer fly. It must be a priority for the Trump administration.
So what can be done? As a first step, we call as it is: an emergency.
Like any emergency, it deserves a solid emergency financing for the modernization of the system and the hiring and formation of the workforce. But this is just a parking measure.
Long -term, The congress must provide stable funding For the FAA budget so that he can face these priorities in a timely and uninterrupted way. Each threat of a government arrest, even those who in the end do not occur, costs tens of millions of FAA dollars.
The entrance to the FAA headquarters in Washington, DC, on October 7, 2024. (J. David Ake/Getty Images)
Secondly, it is clear that air traffic controllers need new hiring flows and training programs. And while taking initiatives such as direct training to ease are an important beginning, FAA has to face its “higher than expected” carrier problems due to the retirement and air traffic controllers due to the mental toll of the work.
Here’s how gods in the control tower threatens the safety of airlines
In our SRT work, we discovered that our current hiring and training processes can just keep up with retirement and friction, offering a workforce in 2032 which is almost the same as that of today.
After recent accidents, those who travel regularly For work or to see family members, they wonder if it is really sure to fly. While air travel is the safer and much safer way of travel than driving a car, Americans are looking for reassurance that will remain that way.
Transport secretary Sean Duffy and President Donald Trump tightened their hand during a press conference in the White House’s briefing room on January 30th. Duffy said Trump will give the “first peek” of the new air traffic control system. (Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Let me be clear: flying is safe. But aviation often sacrifices efficiency to preserve safety.
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Air traffic controllers slow down air traffic Keep the system safe. So, you may be seriously delayed, but we will never compromise your safety.
Fortunately, secretary Duffy recognizes the urgency of the question and the expensive inefficiencies of the status quo. Now, it is time for the administration to put these words in action and, with a strong congress support, create a air traffic control system that we can be proud of.
