FAA ATC fatigue report-April 2024.

[10JQKA]

https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/statement-faa-administrator-mike-whitaker

[ATC Watcher]

And NATCA ( US controllers Union ) not too happy about it as they said done unilaterally by FAA without NATCA involvement and does not rectify but even justifies mandatory overtime and 6 days workweeks

[WillowRun 6-3]

On the FAA website, there also is a formal memo from the Administrator, and the report of the study commission also is available.Statement from FAA Administrator Mike WhitakerFriday, April 19, 2024
In my first few months at the helm of the FAA, I toured air traffic control facilities around the country—and heard concerns about schedules that do not always allow controllers to get enough rest. With the safety of our controllers and national airspace always top of mind for FAA, I took this very seriously – and we’re taking action.

In December 2023 (https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-moves-address-air-traffic-controller-fatigue), we commissioned an independent panel of scientific fatigue experts to assess the risks introduced by controller fatigue in our system and to give us a roadmap to mitigate the risks. The panel’s report (https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/media/Fatigue_Report.pdf) brought into focus key reforms which we’re implementing immediately to ensure air traffic controllers are getting sufficient rest, while we also work to implement some longer term, systemic changes. As an initial step, I will require 10 hours off between shifts (https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/media/fatigue_standard_directive_4192024_signed.pdf), and 12 hours off before a midnight shift, effective in 90 days, consistent with the expert panel’s recommendations. I am also directing the Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service to ensure the agency has a robust methodology to ensure compliance with this direction.

I understand this lengthened rest period will be an adjustment for thousands of our air traffic controllers. We are committed to engaging the workforce and our partners at the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) to prioritize health and well-being as operations adapt.

In addition to scheduling practices, growing the workforce continues to be a top priority, and over the past two years we’ve pulled out all of the stops to accelerate hiring. We are beginning to reverse the decades-long shortage of air traffic controllers. Last year we reached our hiring goal of 1,500 controllers, with an even bigger goal of 1,800 this year, which we’re on track to meet. We’ve also expanded the training pipeline to maximize recruitment. Getting more qualified individuals into our air traffic facilities will help alleviate the demands on the current workforce.

I appreciate the panel’s time and expertise, and we are committed to a sustained effort to address controller fatigue and ensure our airspace is the safest in the world. These recommendations will significantly aid our efforts, providing a roadmap for our agency. What’s more, as I always say, “safety is a team sport” so we’re making the report public to enable other safety and workforce experts to review the findings and share additional insights. I look forward to working with our labor partners to implement these important changes.

[ATC Watcher]

NATCA response :https://www.natca.org/2024/04/19/natca-calls-on-faa-to-collaborate-on-air-traffic-controller-fatigue/:

in a nutshell : our Union is disappointed that the FAA did not collaborate with NATCA in advance of its decision and announcement today. Earlier this morning, FAA first shared a copy of the report with NATCA moments before our Union was briefed on the report and the Administrator’s changes. FAA has not modeled these changes to determine what unintended consequences they may have to the already strained air traffic control staffing coverage.
.....The FAA is about 3,000 air traffic controllers short of target levels.
....Understaffing currently requires FAA to assign mandatory overtime to controllers, including regular 6-day workweeks, which leads to fatigue. In 2022, controllers at 40% of FAA facilities worked 6-days a week at least once per month. Several facilities required 6-day workweeks every week.
.....Last year, FAA met its hiring goals and netted only 15 additional fully certified controllers and 15 additional trainees. FAA Finance’s staffing plan has been in place for more than 15 years. It has led to the current staffing crisis and continuing to follow it will result in more of the same. A new approach is needed ..... etc.. ..

[WillowRun 6-3]

Problems in ATCO staffing, the workforce and training pipeline - actually "sets of" problems - first of all, have been written about on the forum a good many times (and have included references to, and recommendations to read, "Collision Course: Ronald Reagan, The Air Traffic Controllers, and the Strike that Changed America", by Joseph A. McCartin, 2011). And second, with the five-year FAA reauthorization bill still awaiting final Congressional action, persons wanting more information should be aware that in the press release posted by ATC Watcher, links to two key official reports are included.

They are: The National Airspace System Safety Review Team report (Nov. 2023) (expert group established by FAA as part of response to occurrence of several "incidents"); and

The Inspector General's report entitled, "FAA Faces Controller Staffing Challenges as Air Traffic Operations Return to Pre-Pandemic Levels at Critical Facilities" (June 21, 2023).

These official reports by authoritative sources would unquestionably appear to be important background reading for the persons responsible for implementing and where necessary, adjusting the recently announced scheduling practice changes - not to mention the larger issues as they may be addressed in the five-year FAA reauthorization. (As for this SLF/attorney, the information available about the InterFAB Workshop Predictability and Flexibility in ATM held in Zagreb recently might provide greater insight . . . as noted controller workforce issues writ large have been around for more than a minute.)

[10JQKA]

Another bump given the April 2024 FAA ATC Fatigue report and its recommendations to changes in 90 days, which is also posted in this forum and the ATC Issues one.

How is the current FAA ATC FRMS complying with the Nov 2020 ICAO mandate on ANSP ATC DUTY hours/FRMS limits ?

On which planet woul ICAO allow an ANSP to use mandatory OT !?

How is that ever possible under ANY approved FRMS.