Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025 | ChamberLight
Bills · S 697
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 697Transportation and Public Works
Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025
INTRO FEB 24· LAST ACTION FEB 24
READING
8MIN
COSPONSORS
11BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because air traffic controllers are essential for safe and efficient air travel, and the U.S. has faced concerns about an aging workforce and staffing shortages in this critical field. If this bill becomes law, it could help address these concerns by making it more attractive and efficient to become an air traffic controller, both for students and for the colleges that train them. By modernizing training and offering a clearer career path, it could ensure a steady supply of highly skilled controllers for years to come.
If the bill doesn't pass, the existing CTI programs might not receive the same level of funding or attention, potentially slowing down improvements to training quality and limiting the number of new controllers entering the workforce. This could exacerbate current staffing challenges and potentially impact air travel efficiency and safety in the long run. The expert review of curricula and exams also aims to ensure that future controllers are trained using the most effective and up-to-date methods, directly addressing the real-world need for a highly competent air traffic control system.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Requires the FAA to maintain and strengthen its college training programs (CTI and Enhanced-CTI) for air traffic controllers.
Ensures a consistent and improved pipeline for training future air traffic controllers.
PROVISION 02
Allows graduates from these college programs to be hired by the FAA for air traffic controller positions without going through the usual competitive application process.
Creates a more direct and potentially faster pathway from training to employment for qualified students.
PROVISION 03
Establishes a grant program offering $20 million annually for six years (FY2026-2031) to colleges in the Enhanced-CTI program for curriculum development, equipment, and faculty.
Provides significant financial support to enhance the quality and capacity of air traffic controller training at the collegiate level.
PROVISION 04
Creates an expert committee to review and recommend improvements for all FAA air traffic controller training curricula and the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) exam.
Ensures that controller training methods and assessment tools are modernized and effective, adapting to new technologies and best practices.
PROVISION 05
Extends a specific federal retirement benefit (annuity supplement) to air traffic control instructors and supervisors at Enhanced-CTI colleges.
Makes teaching positions in these critical training programs more attractive by offering enhanced federal benefits.
This bill matters because air traffic controllers are essential for safe and efficient air travel, and the U.S. has faced concerns about an aging workforce and staffing shortages in this critical field. If this bill becomes law, it could help address these concerns by making it more attractive and efficient to become an air traffic controller, both for students and for the colleges that train them. By modernizing training and offering a clearer career path, it could ensure a steady supply of highly skilled controllers for years to come.
If the bill doesn't pass, the existing CTI programs might not receive the same level of funding or attention, potentially slowing down improvements to training quality and limiting the number of new controllers entering the workforce. This could exacerbate current staffing challenges and potentially impact air travel efficiency and safety in the long run. The expert review of curricula and exams also aims to ensure that future controllers are trained using the most effective and up-to-date methods, directly addressing the real-world need for a highly competent air traffic control system.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires the FAA to maintain and strengthen its college training programs (CTI and Enhanced-CTI) for air traffic controllers.
Ensures a consistent and improved pipeline for training future air traffic controllers.
high
Allows graduates from these college programs to be hired by the FAA for air traffic controller positions without going through the usual competitive application process.
Creates a more direct and potentially faster pathway from training to employment for qualified students.
high
Establishes a grant program offering $20 million annually for six years (FY2026-2031) to colleges in the Enhanced-CTI program for curriculum development, equipment, and faculty.
Provides significant financial support to enhance the quality and capacity of air traffic controller training at the collegiate level.
med
Creates an expert committee to review and recommend improvements for all FAA air traffic controller training curricula and the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) exam.
Ensures that controller training methods and assessment tools are modernized and effective, adapting to new technologies and best practices.
low
Extends a specific federal retirement benefit (annuity supplement) to air traffic control instructors and supervisors at Enhanced-CTI colleges.
Makes teaching positions in these critical training programs more attractive by offering enhanced federal benefits.
Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative Program (grant program)
discretionary
each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031
GLOSSARY
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Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program
A partnership between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and colleges to educate and train students to become air traffic controllers.
Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative program
An advanced version of the CTI program, focused on improving curriculum and resources for air traffic controller training at colleges.
Noncompetitive Appointment
A hiring process where individuals can be appointed to a federal job without having to compete with the general public through a standardized testing or application process.
Excepted Service
A category of federal jobs that are not subject to the rules of the "competitive service," meaning hiring practices can differ.
Full Performance Level Air Traffic Controller Status
The point at which an air traffic controller has completed all required training and certifications and is fully qualified to perform their duties without direct supervision.
Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC)
A group of experts convened by the FAA to provide advice and recommendations on specific aviation safety or operational issues, often leading to new regulations or policies.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
FEB 24, 25
Introduced in Senate
INTROREFERRAL
FEB 24, 25
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
A test used to evaluate an individual's aptitude and suitability for becoming an air traffic controller.
Annuity Supplement
An additional retirement payment provided to certain federal employees who retire before age 62, designed to bridge the gap until they become eligible for Social Security benefits.
