Dean Betz #🟦Jan 12, 2023

Memo to @nationalreview:

1. The NOTAM system is separate from air traffic control.
2. The NOTAM system is *already* privatized. It's run by Leidos.
3. A significant portion of air traffic control is not run by the FAA. I talk to non-FAA flight controllers from the airplane every week.

Suggestion: Learn about a topic before shitposting about it.

https://www.nationalreview.com/2023/01/the-u-s-should-privatize-air-traffic-control/

The U.S. Should Privatize Air-Traffic Control

Failures like today’s system meltdown argue for removing government from the aspects of air travel that could be better handled by the private sector.

National Review
Show threadfuzzfaceJan 12, 2023
@Deanbetz @nationalreview @dave I think there is a bit of an Apples and Oranges problem here. NOTAMs is a separate system but it is run by the FAA using equipment provided by contractors. EDS was the lead contractor on NOTAMs. Flight Service (leidos) and DUATS (CSC) provide valuable flight briefing information, including NOTAMs, to General Aviation. They are privately run services under contract to the FAA, but they aren’t directing air traffic. 🧵
Show threadfuzzfaceJan 12, 2023
@Deanbetz @nationalreview @dave Almost all controllers directing air traffic are Federal Employees in Federal owned and operated facilities. The primary exception are Federal Contract Towers, which are staffed by contractors. 🧵
Show threadDean Betz #🟦
@fuzzface @nationalreview @dave Half of the control towers in the U.S. are contract.
Jan 12, 2023 at 6:14pmWeb
Show threadTaco DaveJan 12, 2023
@Deanbetz @fuzzface @nationalreview 50% by weight or volume?
Show threadfuzzfaceJan 12, 2023
@dave @Deanbetz @nationalreview You are correct, half of the towers are contract. I'm using this as a reference: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/by_the_numbers/media/Air_Traffic_by_the_Numbers_2020.pdf . Not sure about the weight versus volume question, ATCTs (Towers) aren't uniform in shape, size, or presumably weight 😉
Show threadfuzzfaceJan 12, 2023
@dave @Deanbetz @nationalreview To be honest, in my time and job with the FAA, we didn't need to worry if a tower was Contract or Federal. In terms of connectivity and network security, they were treated the same.