H.R. 8597 — Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act

This section requires the FAA Administrator, within one year of enactment, to acquire and install certified Airborne Position Reference Tools at contract air traffic control towers (i.e., under the Contract Tower Program authorized by 49 U.S.C. §47124) lacking Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems (STARS) or other situational awareness tools. (As background, the Contract Tower Program provides federally subsidized air traffic control services at smaller airports via private contractors.) It further (1) amends 49 U.S.C. §47124(f)(2) to require the Secretary of Transportation to purchase, install, and maintain STARS or equivalent systems at such towers within one year using original equipment manufacturer or FAA services; (2) revises §47124(f)(3) by striking subparagraphs (C) through (E) and requiring, in their place, establishment of a training program—in consultation with contract tower operators—for air traffic controllers on the new equipment; (3) directs the Secretary to reimburse airport sponsors or qualifying towers for any certified situational awareness systems (including Airborne Position Reference Tools or STARS) independently acquired and installed prior to the mandated installations; and (4) amends 49 U.S.C. §48101(c) to authorize expenditures for acquisition, installation, and annual operating expenses of Airborne Position Reference Tools at qualifying contract towers.