Sponsors (4)
The bill improves controller familiarity with cockpit operations and creates formal reporting to guide training improvements, but it imposes operational, security, liability, and out-of-pocket burdens that could limit who participates and complicate airline operations.
Certified air traffic controllers can ride in flight decks during flights to observe onboard flightcrew procedures, improving their understanding of cockpit operations and likely strengthening controller–pilot coordination and overall aviation safety.
Congress, the FAA, and the public gain a formalized program and reporting framework that produces data on participation, aircraft types, barriers, and recommendations to help target improvements in safety training and oversight.
Allowing controllers on flight decks during flights raises safety, security, and liability concerns for airlines and passengers, requiring additional vetting, policies, and potentially complicating operations.
Controller participation will be limited by operational/staffing constraints, management approval, and extra security/ticketing requirements, so training opportunities may be uneven or scarce across locations.
Participating controllers receive no expense reimbursement, so employees may bear travel and related costs themselves, deterring participation—especially for lower-paid staff or distant duty stations.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires the FAA to create a voluntary program letting certified air traffic controllers ride in flight decks of participating aircraft to observe flightcrew operations.
Official title: To direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to establish a flight deck training program for certain employees of the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes.
Introduced September 4, 2026 by Nellie Pou · Last progress September 4, 2026
Requires the FAA to set up a voluntary program letting certified air traffic controllers ride in the flight deck of participating commercial passenger, cargo, powered lift, or general aviation aircraft to observe flightcrew onboard requirements and operations. The program must be created within one year, operate with management and operational approval, allow at least one round trip ride within U.S. jurisdictions, treat participants as on-duty during flight time, and include consultation with pilot organizations and the controllers' bargaining representative. The FAA must publish related policies, may add ticketing and security requirements, does not reimburse controllers for expenses, and must report to congressional committees within one year of establishing the program on participation, aircraft types, barriers, and recommendations to increase participation.