OPINION:
In today’s hyperconnected, fast-moving world, a modern, reliable transportation system is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Over the last few years, we’ve seen train derailments, crumbling bridges, and increased strain on America’s aviation systems. Every dollar spent on our transportation systems today helps avoid costlier problems down the road. However, we must focus on maximizing taxpayer dollars by modernizing our aging infrastructure, streamlining processes, and supercharging hiring methods.
Oklahoma has a rich history in aerospace. It started just 26 years after the state was established, when Wiley Post, a young man trained in Oklahoma, became the first person to complete a solo flight around the world. Since then, the state’s infrastructure has grown, and Oklahoma has established itself as a leader in aerospace innovation. The Oklahoma City Metro area now has over 290 aerospace firms, in addition to military installations like Tinker Air Force Base, the largest single-site employer in Oklahoma. Tinker is the home to the E-3 Sentry AWACS and provides maintenance for the B-52, KC-135, B-1, and B-2 aircraft. We are also the proud home of the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC) which provides products and services to all five of the FAA’s lines of business - airport, air traffic organization, aviation safety, commercial space transportation and security and hazardous materials safety. Specifically, MMAC is the principal facility for air traffic controllers (ATCs), training over twenty thousand students across career specialties annually. Services at the center provide technical and managerial training and development for our workforce and the aviation community.
While this center plays a vital role in preparing the next class of ATCs, we must look at ways to increase its efficiency through streamlining practices and modernizing programs and software. Recent developments underscore the center’s critical role in addressing the nation’s air traffic control needs. Rather than creating a new academy, we must work to prevent recruiting bottlenecks and reduce the onerous time it takes to accept new applicants into the school. The importance of the work these ATCs provide cannot be overstated. They serve in high stress situations and have a zero-failure mission. Recent reports have shown long-time issues with outdated technology, poor infrastructure, and strenuous hours, often logging six-day work weeks and ten-hour shifts. These issues cause critical risks to quality of work and safety of the American people.
In March, the FAA and Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that over 8,320 candidates were referred to the aptitude exam during a recent ATC hiring window, with more than 190 already advancing through the hiring process. Furthermore, Acting FAA Administrator Rocheleau said they are working to reduce wait times by concurrently processing medical and security evaluations, ultimately once again saving time and money. This streamlined approach, which has reduced hiring timelines by months has not always been the case and reflects a commitment to strengthening the workforce at the MMAC and ensuring the safety and efficiency of U.S. airspace.
The importance of this training facility has been brought into sharp focus by recent events, including the tragedy at Reagan National Airport (DCA) and temporary outages at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). As vice chair of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Subcommittee, I am dedicated to working with Secretary Duffy and President Donald Trump to ensure that the MMAC is fully equipped to train the next generation of ATCs. That means offering competitive salaries to attract new talent, updating outdated infrastructure, and providing bonuses to retain irreplaceable talent with 20 or more years’ experience. By providing the necessary resources, we can uphold the highest standards of safety in our skies and continue Oklahoma’s proud tradition of excellence in aerospace.
From Wiley Post’s historic flight to the cutting-edge operations at Tinker AFB and the MMAC, Oklahoma remains a driving force in aviation and aerospace innovation. The state’s contributions not only bolster the national economy but also play a pivotal role in safeguarding the future of air travel and national defense.
• Rep. Stephanie Bice has represented Oklahoma’s 5th District since 2020. She serves as vice chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and chair of the House Administration Subcommittee on Modernization and Innovation.
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