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Flying MagazineJack Daleo

FAA Seeks Common ATC Automation Platform but Remains Billions Short of Funding

The FAA is pursuing a common automation platform to aggregate terminal and en route air traffic control data, but remains billions of dollars short of the funding needed to deliver the capability. The gap underscores the financial challenge of modernizing the agency’s fragmented data infrastructure.

2026-08-13T13:32:29.499841-07:00

ATC

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FAA approves higher SFO arrival rate under staggered approach, easing parallel-landing restrictions

The FAA will allow San Francisco International Airport to increase arrivals to 42 per hour using a new staggered approach, partially reversing restrictions on simultaneous parallel landings. The change should provide SFO with additional peak-period capacity while maintaining limits tied to runway operations and safety.

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Wall Street Journal

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FAA plans antenna relocations and new procedures after Marine One safety incident near Washington airport

The FAA is preparing to move air-traffic control antennas and revise operating procedures after a safety incident involving Marine One near a busy Washington, D.C., airport. The changes are intended to improve communications and reduce the risk of another conflict between helicopter operations and airport traffic.

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FL360aero

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U.S. Rebuilds Air Traffic Control From Rotating Radar to Digital Surveillance

The United States is undertaking a broad modernization of its air traffic control system, shifting from legacy rotating radar toward digital surveillance. The transition highlights the infrastructure, technology and operational changes required to improve how aircraft are monitored and managed across the national airspace system.

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Flying Magazine

High activity

FAA advances $30 million plan to modernize Newark air traffic control with surface-movement radar

The FAA is installing new surface-movement radar at Newark Liberty International Airport as part of a $30 million plan to replace air traffic control systems that are roughly 30 years old. The technology is intended to help controllers monitor airport movements and prevent runway incidents, while transportation officials seek as much as $10 billion for broader upgrades.

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Flying Magazine

High activity

NATCA Leadership Candidates Reject Duffy’s Claims That Controller Sick Calls Drove Flight Disruptions

Two candidates seeking to lead the National Air Traffic Controllers Association are challenging Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s suggestion that controller sick calls contributed to recent flight delays and cancellations. Their response sharpens an ongoing dispute over whether staffing-related absenteeism or broader workforce strain is driving operational disruption.

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