On Point | Podcast The struggle to update America's aging air traffic control system
May 27, 2025
Join Dave Sparrow, President of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialist at AFL-CIO and former Air Force member, alongside Michael Huerta, the 17th FAA administrator. They delve into the urgent need to modernize America's aging air traffic control system and the limitations posed by outdated funding models. The conversation highlights shocking communication failures and the struggles of air traffic controllers amidst inadequate infrastructure. They also explore the importance of updating technology and training to ensure the safety and efficiency of national airspace.
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Newark Radar Outage Incident
- On April 28th, the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control lost all radar and radio communication for 90 seconds.
- Air traffic controllers could neither see planes nor communicate with pilots, causing high stress and some to take leave under the Federal Employees Compensation Act.
Aging but Refreshed Systems
- FAA air traffic control equipment has been refreshed but some systems date back decades.
- The transition from older systems like ARTS from the 1960s to newer STARs shows gradual modernization but some old radars remain in use.
Structure of Air Traffic Control
- Air traffic control is divided into local towers, terminal approach facilities, and air route traffic control centers.
- These centers manage increasingly large airspace volumes, from a few miles radius to nationwide high-altitude flights.