In a release on Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration said that it is launching a “bold” new air traffic control workforce plan—and that the plan will erase the longtime staffing shortage that it has endured.
The plan will focus on three pillars: modernizing the National Airspace System, expanding the agency’s aggressive hiring, and optimizing controller efficiency.
“This forward-thinking plan ... starts with highly trained, professional air traffic controllers,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “We can’t continue to operate the same way and expect better results. We’re changing how we hire, train, and schedule our controller workforce—and providing them with the state-of-the-art tools they need to succeed.”
Using findings from the National Academy of Sciences’ Transportation Research Board, the plan identifies a staffing target of 12,563 Certified Professional Controllers, which is based on forecast demand. The NAS reviewed existing staffing models and methodologies. The FAA said that deploying modern staffing models and scheduling tools will improve controller staffing efficiency and reduce the need for excessive overtime, which can lead to fatigue and burnout.
System modernization efforts will include improving airspace optimization; reducing airspace complexity by deconflicting airline scheduling to smooth traffic flow; expand advanced simulator-based training, which can reduce new-controller training times by 27 percent; and use artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to better simulate and manage NAS performance before the day of departure.
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