FAA Moves to Improve Controller Training, Safety Reporting

The FAA says it is taking immediate action to improve air traffic controller training and safety reporting in response to a recently released National Airspace System Safety Review Team report.

Kate O'Connor

Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 09:21 PM ET

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The FAA is making changes aimed at streamlining and improving air traffic controller hiring and training. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA is implementing immediate changes to air traffic controller (ATC) training and safety reporting in response to an independent safety review prompted by recent close calls.
Key reforms include streamlining training pathways for AT-CTI graduates, launching year-round hiring for experienced controllers, and investing in increased academy capacity and simulator deployments.
The independent review identified systemic challenges in staffing, process integrity, and equipment, largely attributing these issues to "inadequate, inconsistent funding."

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The FAA says it is taking immediate action to improve air traffic controller (ATC) training and safety reporting in response to a recently released National Airspace System Safety Review Team report.

The assessment was commissioned by the agency following its March Safety Summit, which focused on a recent string of close calls at airports across the country. Conducted by an independent safety review team, the report covered the FAA’s internal safety processes, staffing levels and practices, facility and equipment needs, and funding.