Senate committee advances bill on situational awareness at contract towers

The Senate Commerce Committee approved the Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act by voice vote Wednesday, sending S. 3929 to the Senate floor. The bill would expand situational-awareness equipment at federal contract air traffic control towers.

Sens. Tim Sheehy, a Montana Republican, and Jeff Merkley, an Oregon Democrat, introduced the measure. It directs the FAA to buy and install certified Airborne Position Reference Tools at contract towers without Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems or similar equipment. APRTs use ADS-B data to show controllers nearby traffic.

The senators say more than 90 federal contract towers in the country have no surveillance tools, leaving controllers to rely on sight and radio calls. The bill also covers controller training on the equipment and would let the FAA pay for acquisition, installation and yearly operating costs.

Merkley said in a statement that airports in his state are partners in keeping the flying public safe, and that the bill would free up resources for safety upgrades where they are needed.

Congress told the FAA in 2024 reauthorization legislation to permit situational-awareness technology at federal contract towers. The agency later approved the first APRT, which uses ADS-B information instead of a conventional radar feed, and the equipment has been installed at several airports since. The bill would let qualifying airports or towers seek reimbursement if they bought certified systems before an FAA-funded installation.