Sponsors (4)
Official title: To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to acquire and install certified airborne position reference tools at air traffic control towers, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 30, 2026 by Nicholas J. Begich · Last progress April 30, 2026
The bill improves safety and operational consistency at contract air traffic control towers by mandating certified surveillance systems and support, but does so at increased federal/local cost, with potential vendor competition limits and pressure for rapid deployment.
Contract tower air traffic controllers (and the traveling public they protect): certified APRTs or STARS installed at affected towers within one year will improve controllers' situational awareness and reduce operational safety risks.
Transportation-workers and tower sponsors: mandated OEM or FAA installation plus required periodic training will help ensure equipment is properly maintained and controllers are trained, supporting more consistent operations and fewer service disruptions.
Local governments or airport sponsors that already purchased certified systems: they will be reimbursed, reducing unexpected local capital costs for those sponsors.
U.S. taxpayers and federal budgets: federal acquisition and ongoing operating costs will increase to fund equipment, installation, and support, raising taxpayer expenses tied to FAA obligations and Grants-in-Aid.
Contract tower operations and state/local governments: one-year installation deadlines may strain FAA and contractor resources, risking rushed deployments or temporary service disruptions at some towers.
Local governments and small vendors: requiring OEM services for installation and maintenance could raise program costs and limit competitive options for smaller vendors or local providers.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires FAA/Secretary to equip contract-operated air traffic control towers lacking STARS with certified APRTs or equivalent and provide training and reimbursement within one year.
Requires the FAA to acquire and install certified airborne position reference tools (APRTs) at contract-operated air traffic control towers that lack STARS or other situational-awareness systems within one year of enactment. Amends existing contract tower law to require the Secretary to purchase, install, and maintain STARS or equivalent systems (using OEM or FAA services), establish periodic controller training with contract tower operators, and reimburse towers or airport sponsors that already bought certified systems before FAA installations. Authorizes installation and annual operating expense coverage for certified APRTs at contract towers and creates a one-year timeline for equipment deployment and training, plus retroactive reimbursement for prior certified purchases by contract towers or sponsors.