RAA Backs Bill To Modernise Contract Tower Safety Tech

The Regional Airline Association (RAA) is backing the bipartisan Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act, legislation designed to strengthen safety at airports participating in the Federal Contract Tower Program.

The bill would require the FAA to install Airborne Position Reference Tools (APRTs) at contract towers that currently lack advanced surveillance capabilities, establish controller training requirements, authorise funding for the technology, and reimburse airports that have already invested in APRT systems.

RAA worked with lawmakers and industry stakeholders during the development of the legislation and has supported expanding the use of APRTs at airports without advanced surveillance capabilities.

"RAA applauds Congresswoman Laura Gillen (D-NY) and Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) for their leadership on this important companion bipartisan legislation to S.3929," said RAA President & CEO, Faye Malarkey Black. "Safety improvements must reach every part of the national airspace system, including the smaller communities regional airlines serve every day. This bill provides controllers at contract towers with practical tools that can significantly enhance situational awareness and strengthen safety in complex operational environments."

Regional airlines provide the only scheduled air service to roughly two-thirds of the nation's airports, many of which operate in mixed-use environments with commercial, general aviation, military, and emergency response traffic.

RAA also acknowledged Senator Tim Sheehy and Senator Jeff Merkley for their work on companion Senate legislation.