Modern skies

As you know, the Trump administration has taken several steps to reform our entire government. But when it comes to aviation, we—and our lawmakers and regulators—understand that any reforms must be done thoughtfully and in a manner that future-proofs us as our aviation landscape evolves in the years to come. Over the years, and against enormous odds, AOPA has beaten back proposals to charge pilots to use the air traffic system and push toward privatization of our national airspace. When we started to see the changes the Trump administration was making, we feared the privatization fight might be rekindled. However, AOPA has been working behind the scenes to help bring the entire aviation industry together to suggest that it’s well past time to put that debate aside and focus instead on supporting the long overdue modernization of our ATC system.

We owe it to all of us who utilize this national airspace system to make it as safe as it can be and to invest in the technology required to achieve that. I come from a tech background, and I appreciate how much the right technology can improve our effectiveness and safety.

AOPA has joined 56 other organizations that represent every sector of aviation in a unified push to modernize our existing system and increase the hiring and training programs for air traffic controllers. My appearance with Secretary Duffy as part of the Modern Skies Coalition reinforced our position. The Modern Skies Coalition, which is made up of a wide range of aviation stakeholders, endorses Secretary Duffy’s plan:

• Replacing antiquated communications equipment at more than 4,600 sites, which will include 25,000 new radios and 475 new voice switches.

• Replacing 618 radar installations that have exceeded their expected service life.

• Increasing the number of airports using technology to monitor aircraft movement on the ground to 200. The FAA expects to have the technology in place at 50 towers by the end of 2025.

• Building six new ATC centers for the first time since the 1960s, as well as rebuilding several towers and terminal radar approach control facilities.

• Installing new hardware and software for all ATC facilities.

• Installing 174 new weather stations in Alaska.

I also sent a letter to Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.), a good friend of AOPA, and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) expressing your association’s strong support for modernization; it is a necessary investment in safety, efficiency, and economic competitiveness.

AOPA joins other organizations in backing this $12.5 billion proposal in Congress. While this is a big price tag, think of it as a downpayment for beginning to implement the needed changes that Secretary Duffy and the administration have been talking about. More money will be needed, and AOPA is ready to help make sure that modernization plans are fully funded and that accountability remains high so that today’s promises can become tomorrow’s reality.

It is so encouraging to see concrete steps finally being taken to address these critical issues. It represents a significant and overdue investment in the future of our national airspace. I look forward to working with Congress, the Trump administration, and other partners to build on this momentum.

Truly, with AOPA’s input, there are blue skies ahead!

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