Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) has introduced the bipartisan Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act in the U.S. Senate, partnering with Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). The proposed legislation seeks to provide air traffic controllers with improved tools and training to maintain safety in increasingly crowded American airspace.
“America is the birthplace of aviation, and our hardworking air traffic controllers deserve the tools and support to do their jobs safely and effectively. As our airspace grows more congested and complex, far too many controllers do not have access to critical, 21st century technology. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill to close that gap, protect American families, and keep our airspace the safest in the world,” said Senator Sheehy.
“Oregon’s small and regional airports are an important partner in keeping the flying public safe. Our simple bipartisan bill unlocks resources for these airports to make critical safety upgrades if they need it, something we should all get behind,” added Senator Merkley.
The bill outlines several measures aimed at enhancing situational awareness for controllers. It would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to acquire and install Airborne Position Reference Tools (APRTs) at federal contract towers that currently lack advanced systems such as Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems (STARS). The FAA would also be directed to establish a training program so that controllers can effectively use APRTs. Additionally, the legislation authorizes funding for acquisition, installation, operation of APRTs at contract towers, and allows reimbursement for airports that have already installed these tools independently.
Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) joined as co-sponsors of the act. The initiative has received endorsements from several industry groups including the Regional Airline Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Airlines for America, and National Business Aviation Association.
Supporters from various organizations expressed approval for the measure:
“Horizon Air applauds Senators Sheehy and Merkley for their leadership in advancing legislation that strengthens aviation safety, particularly for many regional and rural airports that do not have access to radar. It’s essential we equip our air traffic controllers with the modern situational awareness tools they need to safely manage flights. Airborne position reference tools represent a practical, safety-enhancing capability that can improve operational awareness and reduce safety risk, and it is our sincere hope to see APRTs deployed at as many airports as needed.” – Andy Schneider, President and CEO of Horizon Air
“As we work to modernize America’s air traffic control system, ensuring federal contract towers are equipped with proper situational awareness technology and surveillance tools is a no brainer. These tools better ingratiate controllers as to the full picture of their airspace and the surrounding areas, improving safety for those on the ground and in the sky. We thank Senators Sheehy and Merkley for taking action on this issue.”– Airlines for America
“This off-the-shelf technology will have a huge and immediate impact at many contract tower facilities across the country that currently manage a significant amount of mixed operations without any digital assistance. APRT is critical to reducing risk and maintaining operational safety. We are pleased to see this important safety legislation introduced in the Senate and urge its swift passage.”– National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen
“AOPA appreciates Senators Sheehy, Merkley, Daines, and Wyden for their leadership in introducing this important aviation safety bill. Federal contract towers are a vital part of our national airspace system—representing roughly half of all towered airports—and this legislation closes a longstanding gap. Installing Airborne Position Reference Tools (APRTs) at towers that currently lack them will give controllers greater situational awareness and enhance safety for pilots across the country.” – Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
“The U.S. Contract Tower Association commends Senators Sheehy, Merkley, Daines, and Wyden for introducing bipartisan legislation that calls on the FAA to equip contract towers with technology that will improve airborne situational awareness for air traffic controllers. Their common-sense and cost-effective proposal will enhance aviation safety at smaller commercial service and general aviation airports around the county, and we urge Congress to adopt it as soon as possible.”– U.S. Contract Tower Association Executive Director Brad Van Dam
“The Regional Airline Association strongly supports the Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act and applauds Senators Sheehy and Merkley for their leadership in advancing this critical legislation and for working closely with RAA on this important safety priority. Traffic complexity has increased at many smaller and mixed-use airports yet some contract tower facilities do not yet have access to real-time situational awareness tools that are standard at larger airports… Closing this gap in risk mitigation is a practical data-driven step that will equip controllers…with appropriate tools…”– Faye Malarkey Black, RAA President & CEO
Currently more than 90 out of 266 Federal Contract Towers operate without any surveillance equipment like STARS or radar-integrated displays; instead relying solely on visual observation or radio communication which may become inadequate during busy periods or poor visibility conditions.
As part of broader efforts under recent FAA reauthorization laws passed by Congress in 2024—following years of requests from airport operators—the FAA approved its first APRT last summer using ADS-B data feeds providing real-time local airspace displays; since then deployment has begun nationwide with positive feedback from users regarding improved controller confidence.
