Bipartisan legislation recently introduced by U.S. Reps. John Katko (R-NY) and Barbara Comstock (R-VA) would establish a remote air traffic controller pilot program for small airports that don’t have towers.
The measure, which Katko and Comstock introduced with U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL), would require the formation of a pilot program to determine whether remote airports could be safely and affordably used by smaller, remote airports across the country.
“Innovative technology to help improve safety and operations at small and regional airports nationwide is produced right here in Central New York,” Katko said. “This legislation will give our local workers — some of the foremost creators of this remote tower technology — the opportunity to compete and grow in this groundbreaking and forward-thinking field.”
Comstock said she has seen the innovative remote air traffic control tower technology in use at the Leesburg Executive Airport in Loudoun County, Virginia.
“This legislation will start a pilot program that will bring this new, reliable and safe technology to small airports across the nation while at the same time being an affordable alternative to manned air traffic control towers,” Comstock said. “I thank Reps. Katko and Lipinski in joining me in a bipartisan way to bring this new technology to the forefront of the aviation community.”
Lipinski, meanwhile, said the legislation, which was included in the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill last Congress which did not become law, would promote safety-enhancing technology at small airports across the country.