Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]
- Committees
- Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 16, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to enhance safety and operational efficiency at smaller, contract-operated air traffic control towers by ensuring they are equipped with modern situational awareness technology and that their controllers are properly trained.
What it actually does
This bill mandates the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to acquire and install certified Airborne Position Reference Tools (APRTs) and Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems (STARS) at contract air traffic control towers that currently lack advanced situational awareness equipment. It also requires the FAA to establish a training program for controllers at these towers and provides for retroactive reimbursement for facilities that have already independently installed such systems.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this bill is crucial for modernizing air traffic control infrastructure at contract towers, which often serve smaller airports but handle significant air traffic. They contend that providing these towers with advanced situational awareness tools like APRTs and STARS will significantly improve safety by giving controllers a clearer picture of aircraft positions, reducing the risk of incidents, and bringing these facilities up to current technological standards. Proponents also highlight the fairness of reimbursing facilities that proactively invested in these safety enhancements.
Opponents contend
Critics might express concerns about the potential costs associated with the widespread acquisition, installation, and ongoing maintenance of these systems, as well as the retroactive reimbursement provisions, especially if not fully offset. They might also question the prioritization of these specific systems over other potential aviation safety investments or argue that the FAA's existing modernization plans already address these needs, making the mandate redundant or inefficient.
The bill is concise and clearly written, making it accessible for a quick and comprehensive understanding within a short timeframe.
Section 2(a)
Mandated APRT Installation at Contract Towers
This section requires the FAA Administrator to purchase and install certified Airborne Position Reference Tools (APRTs) at air traffic control towers that are operated under contract with the FAA and currently do not have Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems (STARS) or similar situational awareness tools. This must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that APRTs provide critical, real-time aircraft position data, especially valuable at smaller contract towers that may lack sophisticated radar systems. This directly enhances controller situational awareness, reducing the risk of runway incursions and mid-air collisions, thereby improving overall air safety.
Critics contend
Some might argue that while beneficial, mandating a specific technology might limit the FAA's flexibility to adopt newer, more cost-effective, or superior technologies in the future. Concerns could also be raised about the cost-effectiveness of this specific mandate compared to other safety investments.
Tradeoffs
The tradeoff involves balancing the immediate safety benefits of mandating specific technology against the potential for technological lock-in and the financial burden of a broad, mandated rollout.
Section 2(b)
Mandated STARS Installation and Maintenance at Contract Towers
This section amends existing law (49 U.S.C. 47124(f)(2)) to require the Secretary of Transportation to purchase, install, and maintain Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems (STARS), or equivalent systems, at contract towers not already equipped with such systems or other situational awareness tools. This must occur within one year, using services directly from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or the FAA.
Section 2(c)
Establishment of Situational Awareness Equipment Training Program
This section amends existing law (49 U.S.C. 47124(f)(3)) to require the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with contract tower operators, to establish a training program. This program is designed to periodically train air traffic controllers employed by contract tower operators on the proper and efficient integration and use of the new situational awareness equipment and technology (like APRTs and STARS) into their daily operations.
Section 2(d)
Reimbursement for Independently Acquired Situational Awareness Systems
This section mandates that the Secretary of Transportation provide reimbursement or retroactive grant funding to any airport sponsor or air traffic control tower that independently acquired and installed certified situational awareness systems (including APRTs or STARS) before the FAA's mandated installation date or the effective date of the bill's amendments.
This part of the bill removes existing subparagraphs (C) through (E) from 49 U.S.C. 47124(f)(3), replacing them with a new subparagraph (C) focused on controller training. The content of the original subparagraphs is not provided in the bill text.
Section 2(c)(2)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for amending existing statutes. It's not necessarily evasive, but it requires external reference to fully understand the change.
Case for: Supporters of this change would argue that the new training focus is more critical or that the removed provisions were outdated, redundant, or less effective than the new mandate. It streamlines the statutory language to focus on current priorities.
Case against: Critics, if aware of the removed content, might argue that the provisions struck were important for other aspects of contract tower funding or operations and that their removal could have unintended negative consequences, potentially reducing flexibility or support in other areas.
Estimated impact: The impact is unknown without the original text. It could range from negligible to significant depending on what was removed.