The bill requires the FAA to revise and implement improved staffing standards based on models developed with the workforce. Image: James Steidl/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe Senate Commerce Committee has approved a bill designed to address understaffing in the FAA’s air traffic controller and safety inspector workforces.
“With a shortage of approximately 3,000 air traffic controllers nationwide, the bill requires the FAA to revise and implement improved staffing standards based on models developed with the labor workforce to close ongoing staffing gaps,” including a 20 percent shortage of safety inspectors, says a committee summary.
The bill also (in its words):
* aims to bring more air traffic controllers into the workforce with a new FAA training academy and reduces the training backlog for FAA and Federal Contract Tower Program controllers.
* requires the FAA to update its aviation safety inspector model to provide a more accurate assessment of safety inspectors needed to perform safety oversight and requires the FAA to hire more manufacturing safety inspectors, engineers and technical specialists per year.
* requires the FAA to better leverage its direct hire authority to fill key safety positions and gaps in the technical workforce related to aircraft certification.
* streamlines the transition for military servicemembers to civil aviation maintenance careers and increases the FAA’s outreach and engagement on pathways to attain civilian mechanic certifications.
The measure, the FAA Reauthorization Act, also contains numerous provisions related to consumer rights, safety measures, and more.
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