February 26, 2026
Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT) and three other senators today introduced a bipartisan bill that would require the FAA to equip contract towers with Airborne Position Reference Tools (APRT) unless they already have similar technology in place. The proposal is aimed at increasing airborne situational awareness for contract tower controllers.
The Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act was introduced by Senators Sheehy, Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). USCTA worked closely with bill sponsors and endorsed the legislation, which would advance one of the organization’s priorities of enhancing aviation safety by equipping contract towers with better technology.
Other stakeholders endorsed the legislation including Airlines for America, Regional Airline Association, Horizon Air, National Business Aviation Association, and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
Background on Legislative Efforts to Advance Airborne Situational Awareness Technology
The FAA reauthorization bill, which Congress passed in 2024, opened the door for airborne situational awareness technology to be deployed at contractor towers. The bill included two USCTA-backed provisions: One would require the FAA to allow contract tower controllers to use airborne situational awareness equipment. Another would require the agency to allow airports to procure, install, and maintain that equipment within two years of enactment
The airborne situational awareness provisions that we successfully convinced lawmakers to include in the FAA bill are beginning to pay off. Last year, the FAA approved uAvionix’s APRT plan, and the company began installing its cost-effective system at contract tower airports.
Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act
The Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act would build on the language in the FAA reauthorization bill. Specifically, the new legislation would require the FAA to acquire and install APRT at contract towers that are not equipped with STARS within one year of enactment.
Most notably for airports, the measure would also authorize an unspecified amount from the FAA’s Facility and Equipment account to pay for the acquisition, installation, and annual operating expenses of APRT at contract towers. And it would allow airports that have installed that equipment prior to enactment to be eligible for funding retroactively.
Today, airports are responsible for paying for APRT-related costs at their facilities. Although the bill authorizes funds for APRT, lawmakers would need to take the next step and appropriate funding. Today, there are more than 90 airports without STARS that would benefit from federal funding.
Finally, the measure calls on the FAA to “establish a training program for these towers to ensure that controllers can effectively integrate and use APRTs.”
Related Information
Senator Sheehy Press Release