SEAN DUFFY: America’s air traffic systems need an urgent upgrade

On my first day Transportation Secretary We witnessed aerial collisions in Washington, D.C. that resulted in 67 lives.

In conducting the investigation, the tragedy stresses the urgent need for modernization Our air traffic system – and transcend past promises and political inertia.

The unsustainable software system of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) we inherited is a symptom of the endemic problems that plagued the Biden administration: a swollen bureaucracy that drives overregulation rather than innovation, rather than radical dei advantage. As a result, innovation stagnates and sacrifices security.

Blackhawk crews may not hear about the DC-bound aircraft bound before the “pass” crashed in the air: NTSB

Unlike my ex, I won’t have difficult problems. I’ll fix them.

This week, I invited software engineers from SpaceX to visit the FAA as part of a fact-finding mission to better understand the issues plaguing our air traffic systems. SpaceX is the leading space launcher in the United States, tracking thousands of satellites, and we thank these patriotic engineers for their volunteer time and expertise.

This is just the beginning. Over the next few weeks and months, I will schedule similar meetings with leading U.S. high-tech companies to identify our most urgent needs in air safety. In short, if you can help, my door is open.

These candid dialogues with the private sector are crucial because the old approach failed. In 2012, President Barack Obama signed laws under the FAA Modernation and Reform Act, which provided $63.4 billion in FAA funding, of which 11 billion were out of four years. US dollars are used for air traffic management.

Flash to Frash until December 2024, when the shocking report from the Government Accountability Office said 51 of the FAA’s 138 systems were unsustainable and that the agency does not intend to complete some of these systems within at least 10 years. modernization projects. Additionally, the FAA has not yet planned to modernize other systems in need – three of them are at least 30 years old.

This state is unacceptable. This is very dangerous. It must be changed immediately.

The Biden administration fell asleep in the switch, making us mess up. A survey conducted by The New York Times in August 2023 showed that nearly charge patterns among commercial airlines – something similar happens a few times a week and happens at all major U.S. airports, including 503 air traffic Regulatory errors, the FAAA’s failure was initially classified as “important” – an increase of 65% over the previous year.

The FAA also faces notifications to the pilot (NOTAM) system, which is essential for sharing flight information that is critical to the safety of the air traffic controller and pilot. In 2023, a complete failure of the Notam system led to ground stops nationwide, resulting in massive flight delays.

System problems are not limited to software. To avoid severe service outages, the aging network of thousands of FAA sites must be upgraded. Meanwhile, the FAA spends millions of dollars in taxpayer dollars a month to maintain the old copper wire and connection.

This dysfunction may be expected in a developing country, but in the United States, it is unbearable. President Donald Trump Having begun to implement his bold vision to rebuild our country and modernizing our air transportation system will be a key part of the legacy.

Despite the obvious need for reform, the guerrillas will certainly criticize the upcoming SpaceX visit, creating illusory controversy rather than welcome progress. This cynical approach illustrates why this situation worsens year after year; assigning blame is easy, but the solution requires effort. Americans will understand the fact: Upgrading our nation’s air traffic system will mean safer skies, less delays and wasted time sitting at an airport or getting stuck on the apron.

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Nor will we be derailed by misleading media reports. As part of a larger government-wide restructuring that affects every federal agency, 0.8% of the FAA’s 45,000 employees have been recently fired – and we work to ensure that all air traffic controllers and those in the most important critical positions are retained.

Nevertheless, CNN posted its Clickbait title: “Hundreds of FAA probation workers fired by the Trump administration, Union said.” Only in paragraph 8 did CNN admit it Fact: “Shooting does not include air traffic controllers.”

In fact, we have begun to promote the recruitment of air traffic controllers. Thanks to Trump’s strong leadership, we recruit based on our abilities rather than ideological. As a result, we will see immediately talent, morale and retention will increase immediately, which will bring the most important result: safety.

When I was sworn in, I vowed to defend our country, which means making sure that our country’s sky is the safest in the world. Since the tragic incident on January 30, I have met with grieving families and sincerely believe that the best way to respect loved ones is to urgent overhaul and immediately upgrade our air traffic system.

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Since the Clinton administration, we can no longer rely on outdated code. We must go beyond bureaucratic delays and stale excuses that defined the last government. Thankfully, the Americans have chosen President Trump, the world’s greatest problem solver.

This visit to SpaceX marks the beginning of a new era. Our country needs emergency upgrades to top-notch. It’s coming soon.

Sean Duffy is the 20th U.S. Secretary of Transportation.