Aviation Safety: Opportunities Exist for FAA to Refine the Controller Staffing Process

00738011https://doi.org/10.21949/14032511997PDFResearch PaperGAO/RCED-97-84Air traffic controllersManning requirementsLong range planningStrategic planningForecastingSpecialized trainingAir traffic controller staffing processAir traffic growthAttrition modelsStaffing needsStaffing standardsUnited StatesUnited States. Government Accountability OfficeNTL-AVIATION-Air Traffic ControlNTL-AVIATION-Aviation Safety/AirworthinessNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Human FactorsUS Transportation CollectionThe Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for managing thenation's air transportation system so more than 18,000 aircraft can annuallycarry 500 million passengers safely and on schedule. Because of significanthiring in the early 1980s to replace strikers who had been fired, many of FAA'smore than 17,000 air traffic controllers may become eligible to retire withinthe next decade, raising concerns that FAA could be left with too few fullytrained controllers. Congress asked the General Accounting Office (GAO) to(1) identify the key variables FAA uses to project future controller staffingneeds and evaluate their reasonableness; (2) determine whether the agency hasidentified a sufficient number of controller candidates to satisfy its short-and long-term staffing needs and evaluate FAA's plans to train new controllers;and (3) identify impediments that hinder FAA from staffing air traffic control(ATC) facilities at specified levels. This report discusses the GAO findingsand recommendations. 67p.84