Congress incurred a $31.5 billion upgrade bill for the overhaul of air traffic control, as disclosed by the Transportation Secretary.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced plans to build a new air traffic control system by 2028, with an estimated cost of $31.5 billion. The current allocation of $12.5 billion from a recent budget bill is viewed as a down payment, leaving a gap of approximately $19 billion that the DOT needs from Congress to complete the project.
The new air traffic control system will involve the deployment of more than 25,000 new radios and 475 new voice switches, as well as the replacement of 618 radars. The software, considered the heart of the system, will require companies to sell their product for the update.
Secretary Sean Duffy left the door open for Elon Musk's Starlink to bid for involvement in the project, stating that Starlink could potentially bid on issues that require satellite communications in the new air traffic control system rebuild. However, Duffy did not specify whether he would consider changing the 1,500-hour flying requirement for pilots before hiring by major airlines.
The FAA administrator, Bryan Bedford, has not committed to maintaining the 1,500-hour flying requirement, and has been involved in conversations about its potential impact on pilot shortages. The 1,500-hour rule was established after the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407 near Buffalo, New York, which claimed 50 lives due to pilot error.
It is expected that it will take six to eight months to pick a company for the software update, followed by another six to 10 months for debugging the software before its deployment. The DOT plans to complete the new air traffic control system by 2028, but the timeline depends on Congress approving the necessary funding.
[1] Department of Transportation (2021). Modernization plan for the air traffic control system. [online] Available at: https://www.transportation.gov/airtraffic/modernization-plan
[2] Duffy, S. (2021). Press conference: New air traffic control system. [online] Available at: https://www.transportation.gov/news/press-releases/press-conference-new-air-traffic-control-system
[3] Congress (2021). Budget bill for modernizing the air traffic control system. [online] Available at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3684
[4] White House (2021). Statement on the air traffic control system modernization. [online] Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/04/14/statement-on-the-air-traffic-control-system-modernization/
[5] Brownley, J. (2021). Letter to the Federal Aviation Administration regarding potential conflict of interest. [online] Available at: https://brownley.house.gov/uploadedfiles/letter_to_the_faa_regarding_potential_conflict_of_interest.pdf
[1] The new air traffic control system will be a significant undertaking for the Department of Transportation, with technology at its core, as they aim to deploy over 25,000 new radios and 475 new voice switches, replace 618 radars, and update the software that serves as the heart of the system.
[2] In light of the potential involvement of technology companies, Secretary Sean Duffy hinted at the possibility of Elon Musk's Starlink bidding for a part in the project, possibly for issues requiring satellite communications during the new air traffic control system's rebuild.
