Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020

Floor Speech

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Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, I thank the ranking member for the opportunity.

This amendment ensures adequate funding for the purposes of instructing the FAA to continue the remote tower pilot program. Remote towers provide air traffic control services through the use of cameras and/or other instruments that provide information to controllers not in the same location. This is an innovative way to provide ATC services, significantly decreasing the upfront costs of building a control tower, and it reduces the annual operating and maintenance costs, especially where one remote tower provides coverage for several small airports in the vicinity.

A 2007 FAA study found that the technology in a remote tower actually improves surveillance capabilities at night and in inclement weather conditions. With more than 20,000 nontowered U.S. airports missing out on the benefits of an air traffic control tower, including streamlined access, reduced delays, and increased safety margins, remote towers provide a cost-effective way to enhance the safety and performance at these airports.

It is vital that we continue to support the FAA's remote tower pilot program allowing for innovative ways to improve safety and reduce costs. I want to thank the gentlewoman from Virginia for her important amendment, and I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of her amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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