S. 3929 — Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act

This section requires the FAA Administrator to acquire and install certified Airborne Position Reference Tools at Federal Aviation Administration contract air traffic control towers (i.e., low-activity Visual Flight Rules towers operated by qualified entities under the Contract Tower Program, 49 U.S.C. §47124) lacking Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems (STARS) or other situational awareness tools within one year of enactment. It amends section 47124(f)(2) to require the Secretary of Transportation to purchase, install, and maintain STARS or equivalent systems at unequipped Contract Tower Program towers within one year using original equipment manufacturer or FAA services (replacing prior installation and maintenance provisions); revises section 47124(f)(3) by striking subparagraphs (C) through (E) and adding a new subparagraph (C) requiring a training program, developed in consultation with contract tower operators, to train controllers on integration of situational awareness equipment; provides retroactive reimbursement or grant funding under section 47124(b) to airport sponsors or qualifying towers for independently acquired situational awareness systems (including APRT and STARS) installed before the relevant deadlines; and authorizes Airport and Airway Trust Fund expenditures for APRT acquisition, installation, and annual operating expenses at qualifying contract towers (adding new 49 U.S.C. §48101(c)(10)).