Air Traffic Control Workforce Act

Full Title:
Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025

Summary#

This bill makes changes to how the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recruits, trains, and keeps air traffic controllers. It keeps and updates the Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) and creates an Enhanced-CTI grant program for colleges. The FAA may appoint CTI graduates noncompetitively to controller jobs and can convert those appointments to career civil service once the person reaches full performance. The bill requires an aviation rulemaking committee to review and recommend updates to FAA academy and CTI curricula and the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) exam, and it sets deadlines for the FAA to report to Congress and act on recommendations.

The bill authorizes $20,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026–2031 for Enhanced-CTI grants. It also authorizes $20,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026–2031 for procurement and placement of TSS at air traffic control facilities. The Secretary must create qualification and retention incentive programs for controller trainees and for Certified Professional Controllers. The bill also directs the FAA to develop a mental-health training course for providers and Aviation Medical Examiners and to produce a report on the Airport Non-cooperative Surveillance Radar (ANSR) program within 90 days.

What it means for you#

  • Students at approved CTI colleges may have clearer paths to air traffic controller jobs, and colleges may receive grants for curriculum, equipment, and faculty.
  • Air traffic controllers could be eligible for new retention bonuses and trainees could receive qualification incentives.
  • FAA facilities may receive funding for TSS equipment described in the bill.
  • Medical examiners and mental health providers who work with controllers may receive new or updated training.
  • Airports and stakeholders will get a required report on non-cooperative surveillance radar needs and options.

Expenses#

  • Authorized: $20,000,000 per fiscal year for FY2026 through FY2031 for Enhanced-CTI grants (per bill text).
  • Authorized: $20,000,000 per fiscal year for FY2026 through FY2031 for procurement and placement of TSS at air traffic control facilities (per bill text).
  • No publicly available information on the total estimated cost of the bill, other funding needs, or budget offsets beyond the specific authorizations above.

Proponents' View#

The bill text describes actions to: maintain and expand CTI programs, fund Enhanced-CTI grants, support FAA curriculum review and ATSA exam updates, authorize funding for facility training equipment, create trainee and controller incentive programs, improve mental-health training for aviation medical professionals, and require a report on the ANSR program.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.