A bipartisan coalition of senators has introduced the Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act aimed at improving safety in the skies by equipping over 90 air traffic control towers, which currently lack radar or surveillance technology, with a cost-effective solution based on ADS-B technology. The bill was presented on February 26 by Senators Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
The legislation proposes the installation of Airborne Position Reference Tools (APRTs) at federal contract towers lacking modern surveillance technology. These APRTs leverage ADS-B data to provide air traffic controllers with enhanced visualization of aircraft positions, improving situational awareness considerably.
In the United States, there are 527 airports with control towers, of which 265 are operated under the FAA’s Federal Contract Tower program. More than 90 of these towers currently do not utilize modern situational awareness technology, leading controllers to rely predominantly on visual observations and radio communications for managing air traffic.
Senator Sheehy emphasized the urgency of the bill, stating, “As our airspace grows more congested and complex, far too many controllers do not have access to critical, 21st-century technology. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill to close that gap, protect American families, and keep our airspace the safest in the world.”
The aviation community has swiftly endorsed the legislation. Organizations such as the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), National Business Aviation Association, Airlines for America, Regional Airline Association, Horizon Air, and the U.S. Contract Tower Association have expressed strong support.
Merkley noted, “Our simple bipartisan bill unlocks resources for these airports to make critical safety upgrades if they need it, something we should all get behind.” AOPA Senior Vice President Jim Coon commended the senators for their leadership, highlighting the importance of federal contract towers in maintaining the effectiveness of the national airspace system. The installation of these tools is expected to significantly enhance the safety and situational awareness for pilots flying across the country.
uAvionix, which has received FAA approval for its APRT system known as FlightLine, highlighted that this technology offers a clearer view of ground and airborne positions without the high costs and complex infrastructure associated with traditional radar systems. Coon remarked on the alignment of using ADS-B technology within control towers for safety and airspace efficiency, underscoring the hopes for swift passage of both the Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act and the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act through Congress.
This initiative represents a proactive step towards modernizing air traffic control systems and enhancing safety measures, ultimately contributing to safer skies for all.