Hearing on FAA Budget Request
FAA Budget Request Review
Opening Remarks
The hearing commenced at 10:00 AM, adhering to a strict schedule. The committee welcomed Chris Rosolow, the acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to discuss the FAA's budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. It was noted that air travel has rebounded significantly since the pandemic, consistently exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
Aviation is recognized as a crucial economic driver, contributing over to the U.S. economy. The committee expressed excitement about advancements in the aviation sector, particularly in high-growth areas like Northwest Arkansas.
The recent aviation accidents, including the tragic crash on January 29 at Reagan National Airport (DCA) and the Alaska Airlines door plug failure, have heightened scrutiny of safety systems. These incidents, along with near misses and general aviation accidents, underscore the need for strengthened oversight, training, and coordination. The increasing crowding and complexity of airspace, coupled with aging infrastructure, require a thorough examination of funding for maintenance and replacement of essential equipment.
The President's budget request for the FAA is , a 5% increase above the enacted '25 level, allocated primarily to operations, facilities, and equipment, including Project Lift. However, this budget may not fully address the scale of improvements deemed necessary by Secretary Duffy. Detailed information is required for full consideration, emphasizing the need to avoid repeating the issues of the NextGen program, which faced delays and technological obsolescence. Notably, from the IAJA bill for facilities and equipment remains unobligated. The committee intends to collaborate with the FAA, Secretary Duffy, and the aviation community to support the safest and most complex aviation system globally.
Key areas of focus include modernizing the air traffic system, addressing staffing challenges, and encouraging safety advancements and innovation.
Ranking Member's Concerns (Mr. Clyburn)
Mr. Clyburn thanked the administrator for his service during challenging circumstances. The hearing aimed to assess how the FAA is utilizing current resources and the proposed FY26 funding to enhance aviation safety. Discussions with Secretary Duffy highlighted proposed investments to modernize the air traffic control system, but concerns remain about cuts to FAA staff, fair competition, overall costs, and funding mechanisms.
The FAA's 2026 budget request includes nominal increases to support the air traffic controller workforce and sustain aging facilities and technology. However, concerns were raised that these resources might come at the expense of aviation safety research, engineering, and development programs. While the budget proposes hiring up to 2,500 new air traffic controllers, it does not fully address challenges related to academy success, retention rates, and early retirements among existing controllers.
Constant shifts in tariffs are eroding confidence in America's ability to deliver an improved and cost-effective air traffic control system. Uncertainty and increased costs are affecting American businesses, particularly manufacturers and suppliers, potentially impacting high-skilled manufacturing and engineering jobs, especially in South Carolina.
The aviation supply system requires certainty from global partners regarding state-of-the-art transportation and airports. Mr. Clyburn expressed strong support for aviation investments but emphasized the need for action and realism behind the administration's supplemental air traffic control plan and budget request. Concerns persist about the full potential of existing FAA resources being utilized to address immediate threats from Asian technology and staffing shortfalls.
The subcommittee is committed to helping the FAA modernize its air traffic control system, hoping that increased investments in the FAA will not compromise safety in other transportation modes or housing for seniors and working families.
Opening Comments from Chairman Cole
Chairman Cole acknowledged the bipartisan nature of the subcommittee and its unified concern for aviation safety. He emphasized providing effective fiscal support to the FAA to ensure the safety of national airspace, support American manufacturers and innovators, and invest in infrastructure for improved efficiency and reliability.
The committee will support efforts to address aging air traffic infrastructure that poses operational risks. Personnel levels remain a systemic concern, particularly regarding the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. Efforts to improve the completion rate of students at the academy are crucial, requiring proper resources, the latest technology, and the best instructors. The FY24 budget included a significant increase for air traffic and technical operations training enhancements. The FY25 appropriation provided funding to train an additional 2,000 air traffic controllers, with the FY26 budget potentially increasing this number to 2,500.
Investments in aviation safety and infrastructure must be a sustained process, not isolated events. The subcommittee is committed to improving the lives and safety of the American people in a bipartisan manner, relying heavily on the administrator's judgment and recommendations.
Acting Administrator Rosolow's Testimony
The FAA's mission is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system globally. The President's budget requests for FY26, coupled with in previously enacted advanced annual appropriations, totaling , to fund critical investments needed to keep pace with industry advancements and enhance safety and efficiency. A historical is requested for facilities and equipment to address emerging challenges and technological advancements while preserving existing capabilities.
The President's budget includes a request to accelerate the modernization of telecommunications infrastructure, transitioning from outdated technology to a modern Internet Protocol (IP)-based network. This initiative ensures long-standing stability, operational efficiency, and meets cybersecurity and resiliency requirements. Additionally, is requested to initiate the Radar Replacement Program, upgrading aging radar systems for enhanced surveillance capabilities and reduced delays.
The FAA is undergoing a multi-year hiring and training surge to meet current and future air traffic demands. In February, Secretary Duffy announced plans to streamline hiring steps and increase the starting salary for Academy trainees by 30%. The budget includes to further support the controller workforce and train up to 2,500 new air traffic controllers in FY26. This involves filling every seat at the academy, enhancing the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative, and offering opportunities for experienced military controllers.
By addressing the air traffic controller shortage, the FAA aims to improve staffing levels and increase the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS). The FAA manages over 45,000 flights daily, connecting nearly 20,000 U.S. airports. The budget request upholds the commitment to maintain the safest airspace in the world by investing in infrastructure and workforce to meet future challenges.
Q&A Session Highlights
Modernization vs. Sustainability
The budget balances the need to sustain existing systems, which are showing signs of degradation, with investments in the future. Maintaining current systems consumes over 90% of funding, necessitating a shift toward building a new air traffic system capable of managing current and future traffic, including drone integration and advanced air mobility.
Of the requested for facilities and equipment, is allocated to Project Lift, expediting the transition from copper wire (TDM) to an IP/fiber optic-based system. This will enhance system resiliency and efficiency.
NextGen Project Evaluation
There was agreement that the NextGen project could have been better managed. While some capabilities, like Datacom, were implemented, the vision was not fully realized. The new air traffic modernization plan aims to address shortcomings and incorporate new safety and efficiency technologies.
Air Traffic Controller Numbers and Resources
The FAA projects meeting its goal of training 2,000 air traffic controllers this year. Increased funding will ensure academy success. The proposed billion dollars will provide resiliency, and improve fiber optic connectivity between facilities. Additional funds would accelerate the radar replacement program.
Air Traffic Controllers
The plan involves a transition between training with basic course training taught with help from professional instructors outside of controllers allowing the current controllers to train the advanced students. Additionally the training course will include weekend tutoring and high definition simulators meant to aid training success.
Safety of Airspace
The FAA says that the airspace is incredibly safe. As a result of the American Airlines crash the FAA has initiated a review to look for potential problem areas by using new tools like AI and machine learning. Examples of changed being implemented would be boundary changes for aircraft in the Vegas area and also focus on better use of weather data in Alaska.
Hiring, Training, and Student Success at FAA Academy
The budget includes improvements to the academy. The applicant-to-academy-date timeframe has been shortened to five months. To combat the roughly 35% failure rate at the academy, additional professional instructors will augment the instructor workforce, and high-definition simulators will be used to offer tutoring on weekends.
Commercialization of space
In 2023 there were 142 launches. 2024 is projecting close to 200. This means that the FAA will need to modernize to handle more and more. The FAA has issued part 450 and is working with space operators. The FAA also uses space data integrator, for command, to increase safe launches minimizing the impact of operation by airliners
Early Retirement Program and Staffing Impacts
Numbers for the early retirement program are not finalized. About 700 people applied in the first "tranche," and a second is being processed. The FAA has not stopped hiring for any safety-critical positions, nor are air traffic controllers eligible for early retirement. The secretary has incentivized senior controllers, offering a 20% increase to their base salary to encourage them to stay longer.
About 12% of aeronautical information specialists have left the FAA or are poised to leave. The FAA is transitioning from paper-based to electronic processes, leveraging talent, and ensuring critical safety functions and support functions are covered.
Sustainability vs. Modernization
The budget request incorporates the needs to continue to sustain operations in place today, and the request is meant to expedite new technologies and safety measures. Project Lift would help in transitioning from older communication styles to internet based communications.
Air Traffic Controller Shortages & Retention Initiatives
Air traffic controllers at Newark are managing traffic flow and they have 27 certified controllers currently with more in route and in training. Overall, technology issues like hardware can be resolved by Oct of 2024. The FAA is said to be working directly to fix the ongoing issues. The FAAs main goals, across the board, is public safety and air traffic and the goals of controllers are to fix problems.
To better retain staff currently in service, the FAA is attempting to focus on critical safety practices that lead to less work and less stress.
Air Space & Satellites
The FAA requires critical communication measures with DOD related to airspace safety measures. Routine activities, as a part of their mission, could be shut down to prioritize civilian safety and transport operations.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Drones
The US air space it not "safe" for drone use, which could be considered illegal. As for safe operations, there is collaboration between the FAA, DOT, DOD, DHS, etc. Due diligence is required for UAS technology.
FAA relies on congress to incorporate the legal limits and drone detection, mitigation. The FAA is very much in favor for detecting illegal activity and utilizing mitigation for unmanned air traffic.
Pinal Air Park
Air Park is operating without a tower and the FAA acknowledges the importance for safety at these multi use airport.
Overall, the members acknowledged the need for collaboration to maintain public safety and to fund these important functions that keep up with the world's best ATC operations.