Action Call
Sequestration and the Contract Tower Program

We have mentioned over the last few weeks that as a result of a budget impasse and the subsequent sequestration the FAA plans to close 238 air traffic control towers across the country, including 189 towers that are included in the contract tower program.  These tower closures are scheduled to begin in early April.

While NATA supports efforts to rein in federal spending, we also believe that reductions should be done fairly and equitably.

Programs, projects, and activities of the FAA will be reduced by 5% while the contract tower program will shoulder a 75% reduction (189 contract towers out of 251 total contract towers).  This dramatic cut will most certainly have a negative impact on safety, emergency medical operations, and some military flights.

The Contract Tower Program costs approximately $130 million a year.  With a cut similar to what other FAA programs are taking under sequestration, the contract tower program would be reduced by $6.5 million.  However, because the program is not a “line item” in the budget, the FAA decided to cut $45 million to $50 million from the program and reduce the number of contract towers by 75%.

Contact the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to request that they step back from their current plans to target the contract tower program for disproportional cuts that could lead to tower closures.  Reductions in the FAA’s budget should be done fairly, equitably, and without impeding safety.

Also, contact your respective Member of Congress and Senators.  Ask them to call and work with their Leaders in the House and Senate to develop a legislative solution that will ensure that the Contract Tower Program be treated as a “line item” program within the FAA’s budget.

Ask your respective Member and Senators to call and work with the following Members of Congress to equitably make these spending reductions.

HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE – Chairman Hal Rogers, Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Tom Latham, Ranking Member Nita Lowey and Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Ed Pastor.

HOUSE TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – Chairman Bill Shuster, Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo, Ranking Member Nick Rahall, and Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Rick Larsen.

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE – Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski, Transportation Subcommittee Chairwoman Patty Murray, Ranking Member Richard Shelby, and Transportation Subcommittee Ranking Member Susan Collins.

SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE – Chairman Jay Rockefeller, Aviation Subcommittee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member John Thune and Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Kelly Ayotte.

HOUSE GENERAL AVIATION CAUCUS – Co-Chairs, Representative Sam Graves and Representative John Barrow

SENATE GENERAL AVIATION CAUCUS – Co-Chairs, Senator Mark Begich and Senator Mike Johanns
CONGRESS

Please click on the links for phone numbers of your Congressional delegation;
United States House of Representatives
United States Senate

FAA
You can contact the FAA toll free at 1-866-835-5322 and press #8 for additional information.  FAA Administrator Michael Huerta can be reached at 202-267-3111. Or visit the FAA website.

Staff Contact: Jim Coon
Executive Vice President
jcoon@nata.aero
703-845-9000