Washington, Dec 17 (NationPress) The aviation infrastructure in the United States is currently experiencing an unparalleled level of demand, challenged by increasing air traffic, workforce shortages, and outdated facilities. This comes amidst a vital modernization initiative that has gained momentum following a tragic mid-air collision near Washington last year, as highlighted by senior US lawmakers and aviation officials.

“The current condition of American aviation is extremely busy,” stated House aviation subcommittee chairman Troy Nehls during an extensive oversight session on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). “However, busy is not necessarily a negative aspect. It indicates a growing demand for air travel, coupled with a commitment to innovation and safety enhancements,” he remarked.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, who was testifying for the first time since assuming his role, described the agency's approach to safety as a continuous journey, emphasizing the need for accelerated air traffic control modernization in alignment with congressional mandates and the Trump administration's policies.

The critical hearing took place in light of the January 29 mid-air collision near Reagan National Airport, which resulted in the tragic loss of 67 lives.

Nehls expressed his unwavering commitment to the families affected by the tragedy, assuring them that he would ensure thorough congressional scrutiny to prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future.

Bedford noted that the crash serves as a stark reminder of the FAA's purpose, stating that the agency's mission is to safeguard pilots, flight attendants, and travelers by objectively evaluating safety data to identify risks and take immediate action to mitigate those risks.

In response to the incident, the FAA implemented several immediate measures, including permanently prohibiting non-essential helicopter operations within the capital region, shutting down certain helicopter routes, discontinuing visual separation approaches, and mandating that aircraft transmit ADS-B Out signals with limited exceptions.

“These investigations underscore the necessity of ongoing vigilance and a readiness to reassess our procedures, assumptions, and oversight,” Bedford stated, highlighting the close collaboration with the National Transportation Safety Board.

Lawmakers from both parties expressed significant concern regarding the outdated state of the nation’s air traffic control system, which has faced considerable scrutiny. Full committee chairman Sam Graves described the system as “obsolete and unsustainable,” arguing that modernization is crucial for the safety and well-being of all users of the National Airspace System.

Congress has allocated $12.5 billion for air traffic control modernization projects, which include radar replacements and upgrades to telecommunications infrastructure. Graves characterized this funding as a “historic investment” that enables the FAA to replace essential systems and address long-standing vulnerabilities.

Bedford informed lawmakers that the agency has already committed over $6 billion of that funding, primarily for telecommunications and radar systems to be implemented over the next two and a half years. He mentioned that the FAA has accelerated radar and telecom modernization into a three-year timeline and transitioned more than one-third of its copper infrastructure to fiber.

The issue of staffing also took center stage during the hearing, particularly in light of the recent government shutdown. Bedford explained that the shutdown placed “extraordinary strain” on air traffic controllers and safety personnel who continued to work without pay during the 43-day funding lapse.

“Even prior to the shutdown, the FAA was grappling with a shortage of qualified controllers,” he noted, adding that the situation was exacerbated by the disruption, leading to temporary flight reductions at 40 high-traffic airports.

The FAA has brought on more than 2,000 new controller trainees this year and remains on course to hire 8,900 by 2028, while acknowledging ongoing retention challenges.

Several lawmakers questioned the FAA’s decision to select Peraton as the primary integrator for the modernization initiative. Bedford defended this choice by stating that the company possesses expertise in transitioning legacy systems to digital and cloud-based architectures, which the FAA lacks internally.

Throughout the hearing, lawmakers consistently cautioned against reversing safety measures enacted following the Washington tragedy. Bedford emphatically stated, “There’s no turning back,” adding that the mitigations implemented after January 29 “will remain in place for as long as I hold the position of administrator.”

The January 29 incident, which involved a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342, marked the first mass-casualty commercial aviation disaster in the United States in nearly 16 years. The NTSB investigation remains in progress, with final results expected in the upcoming months.