Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act

New flight-safety tools for contract towers

If enacted, the bill would require the FAA to buy and install certified Airborne Position Reference Tools (APRTs) at contract air traffic towers that do not already have STARS or other situational tools. The FAA and the Secretary must complete purchases, installation, and maintenance within one year of enactment, and STARS or an equivalent system must be installed and maintained using FAA or original equipment manufacturer services. The Secretary would set up periodic training, in consultation with contract tower operators, to train controllers to use the new equipment. The Department of Transportation would reimburse airport sponsors or contract towers that already bought certified situational awareness systems before the FAA's installations or the law's effective date, and the bill would authorize spending for APRT acquisition, installation, and annual operating costs subject to appropriation.