Air Traffic Control System

This National Transportation Safety Board special investigation of the air traffic control system in the United States followed a strike, on August 3, 1981, of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which resulted in the walkout of about 11,400 of the 17,272 controller workforce.The strinke left air traffic control (ATC) system with a significantly reduced air traffic capacity which ranged from 75 percent to 83 percent of the prestrike scheduled commercial air carrier levels.

The special investigation was conducted in August and September 1981. Forty-five ATC facilities were surveyed and about 220 controllers and supervisors were interviewed. Industry and government officials were questioned on ATC procedures and flight operations in the poststrike ATC system. The investigation included an analysis of ATC data, the ability of the FAA to meet staffing requirements, the qualifications of the controller workforce, training for new controlers, the effect of stress and fatigue, facility supervision and management, the control of the capacity of the system, and computer and equipment reliability.

The Safety Board concluded that no basic ATC procedures were changed or compromised in order to keep the ATC system in operation, and that the high level of ATC safety required is possible within the present system and will be possible as the system is rebuilt. The Safety Board made a number of safety recommendations to the FAA designed to enhance ATC system safety.