Air traffic control in the United States

[Tug]

Is Donald trump and Elon musk knowingly putting lives at risk by gutting this system in an attempt to throw the contract to musk?

[TedG]

Just now, Tug said:

Is Donald trump and Elon musk knowingly putting lives at risk by gutting this system in an attempt to throw the contract to musk?

 

The system has been a mess for years.  

[Tug]

2 minutes ago, TedG said:

 

The system has been a mess for years.  

The system has fundamentally done its job now we are having blackouts after trumps cuts it’s getting more dangerous by the day I hope our luck holds!

[impulse]

Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea to reject applications from white men to rebalance the DEI?

 

 

[TedG]

12 minutes ago, Tug said:

The system has fundamentally done its job now we are having blackouts after trumps cuts it’s getting more dangerous by the day I hope our luck holds!

 

This is 100% BS.   Most of the issues are in EWR.   If you kept up with the news.   EWR has been a problem child for some time now. 

[TedG]

23 minutes ago, Tug said:

Is Donald trump and Elon musk knowingly putting lives at risk by gutting this system in an attempt to throw the contract to musk?

Here's a timeline of the key events:

March 2024:

The Port Authority approved a $134 million project to repave a main runway, which was closed in April. 

June 2024:

The FAA relocated air traffic control of the airspace around Newark from New York to Philadelphia. 

April 28, 2025:

A telecommunications failure caused a 90-second outage of radar and communication systems for air traffic controllers in Philadelphia, who handle Newark's flights. 

May 9, 2025:

A second telecommunications outage occurred, further disrupting communications and radar. 

May 11, 2025:

A third outage, again due to telecommunications problems, led to a ground stop of flights. 

May 14, 2025:

The FAA began restricting the number of flights arriving and departing Newark to manage the situation. 

Ongoing:

The FAA is addressing the staffing shortages and working on modernizing air traffic control equipment. 

In addition to the above events, here are some other factors contributing to the problems:

Runway Construction:

A runway closure for repaving, which began on April 15 and continues through June 15, is causing significant disruptions. The construction is expected to resume on weekends from September through the end of the year. 

Air Traffic Control Shortage:

The FAA is facing a shortage of air traffic controllers, both at the Philadelphia facility serving Newark and across the nation. 

Outdated Equipment:

The nation's air traffic control system relies on decades-old technology, and the FAA has resorted to using older parts or making new ones with 3D printers. 

Stress on Controllers:

The April and May outages, combined with the ongoing workload, have led to stress and trauma among air traffic controllers, with some taking leave. 

Airline Cancellations:

In response to the ongoing disruptions, airlines like United Airlines have reduced their schedules. 

[TedG]

34 minutes ago, Tug said:

Is Donald trump and Elon musk knowingly putting lives at risk by gutting this system in an attempt to throw the contract to musk?

You should read this doc

 

https://transportation.house.gov/uploadedfiles/03-04-2025_aviation_hearing_-_nick_daniels_-_testimony.pdf

 

 

 

After reaching its hiring targets for air traffic controller trainees over three consecutive years,

including increased targets of 1,500 and 1,800 respectively the past two fiscal years, the FAA is

starting to make some progress. After a decade of steady losses, in FY 2023, the FAA netted 15

additional Certified Professional Controllers and 15 additional trainees. In FY 2024, the FAA netted

an additional 140 CPCs and 189 trainees after accounting for attrition. Sustained maximum hiring

for at least the next five years will help the FAA approach the proper staffing levels needed to meet

all of its needs

 

The FAA operates more than 300 air traffic control facilities of varying ages and conditions. The

FAA’s 21 Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) located in the continental United States

were built in the 1960s and are more than 60 years old. The FAA’s Terminal Radar Approach

4Control facilities (TRACONs) are, on average, more than 25 years old. In addition, the FAA has

132 combined TRACON/towers, which are, on average, approximately 35 years old. Finally, the

FAA has an additional 131 stand-alone Towers which average more than 30 years old.

 

Many FAA facilities have exceeded their expected lifecycles. Others have major systems that have

exceeded their expected functional lifecycle such as roofs, windows, HVAC systems, plumbing,

and elevators, which no longer perform their necessary functions. Some of these issues have led to

periodic airspace shutdowns and many others have led to safety concerns for the workforce. When

these major systems fail, or facilities have integrity problems, it can lead to increasing delays, which

negatively affect the flying public and the economy.

 

The FAA is addressing its aging infrastructure through a combination of realignments, sustaining

and maintaining some facilities, and replacing a handful of others. However, that process has been

slow and hampered by funding limitations. The FAA will need a substantially increased investment

in its F&E budget to adequately maintain, let alone, replace its aging physical infrastructure.

[impulse]

2 minutes ago, TedG said:

Many FAA facilities have exceeded their expected lifecycles.

 

I think the key takeaway is that they didn't exceed their multi-decade lifecycle in the past 120 days.

 

[TedG]

6 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

I think the key takeaway is that they didn't exceed their multi-decade lifecycle in the past 120 days.

 

Exactly.  

[blaze master]

19 minutes ago, TedG said:

You should read this doc

 

Hahahahahahahahaha I like your style reaching for the stars.