Hearing will Review the Cost-Effectiveness of FAA’s Contract Tower Program

Washington, DC – The Subcommittee on Aviation, chaired by U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI), will hold a hearing on Wednesday, July 18, 2012, to review the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Contract Tower Program and the Department of Transportation Inspector General’s (DOT IG) ongoing audit of the program.

Under the Contract Tower Program, the FAA contracts with private entities to provide air traffic control services at Visual Flight Rules (VFR) airports.  The program has a history of reducing the cost of air traffic control services and enhancing aviation safety by providing air traffic services at airports where federally-staffed towers would not be cost effective.

The DOT IG is updating a 2003 report that showed contract towers to be at least as safe as FAA towers, and significantly more cost effective.  The DOT IG and others will provide testimony in regard to the new audit and the program. More information on Wednesday’s hearing can be found here.

WHAT:           Hearing of the Subcommittee on Aviation, U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI), Chairman: “A Review of the FAA’s Contract Tower Program”

WHEN:           10:00 A.M., Wednesday, July 18, 2012

WHERE:         2167 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515

Live webcast will be available at http://transportation.house.gov/

WITNESSES:

Panel I:

• The Honorable Calvin L. Scovel, Inspector General, United States Department of Transportation
• The Honorable David Grizzle, Chief Operating Officer, Air Traffic Organization, Federal Aviation Administration
• The Honorable Julie Oettinger, Assistant Administrator for Policy, International Affairs and Environment, Federal Aviation Administration

Panel II:

• Mr. Walter B. Strong, A.A.E., Chairman, United States Contract Tower Association Policy Board
• Ms. Trish Gilbert, Executive Vice President, National Air Traffic Controllers Association
• Melissa Rudinger, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association