Sens. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) have introduced a bipartisan initiative aimed at enhancing air traffic safety by requiring the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to install Airborne Position Reference Tools (APRT) at federal contract towers that currently lack radar-integrated systems. This proposal, known as the Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act, seeks to provide over 90 airports deficient in Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems (STARS) or equivalent technology with the necessary upgrades.
The proposed legislation mandates that the FAA complete the installation of APRT within a year of the bill’s enactment and develop training programs to ensure air traffic controllers can successfully incorporate these systems into routine operations. Funding for the acquisition, installation, and operational costs will be allocated from the agency’s Facilities and Equipment account, and airports already equipped with APRT could receive reimbursement for their expenses.
As highlighted by the sponsors, many of the more than 90 federal contract towers currently operate without surveillance displays, relying heavily on visual observations and radio communications to manage air traffic. The 2024 reauthorization act issued by Congress instructed the FAA to explore technologies that would enhance situational awareness at these facilities, with the first APRT having been approved by the agency last summer.
Supporters of the bill, including a diverse coalition of aviation advocacy organizations, argue that it would significantly increase access to Advanced Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) based safety tools at smaller airports. Sen. Sheehy emphasized the importance of providing air traffic controllers with the necessary resources to ensure safety in their operations, calling it essential to America’s aviation legacy.
Sen. Merkley echoed this sentiment, asserting that the legislation would empower airports to undertake critical safety improvements. The National Business Aviation Association, along with other aviation groups, has also voiced its support, with President and CEO Ed Bolen stating that APRT is vital for mitigating risks at airports across the country, urging swift passage of the legislation.
As the legislative process unfolds, this initiative stands as a potential beacon of safety enhancement for federal contract towers, reinforcing the commitment to aviation safety and the dedication to updating infrastructure crucial for secure air traffic management.