Pou, Bresnahan, Scholten Unveil Aviation Safety Legislation

September 4, 2026 Press Release Bipartisan FLIGHT DECK bill would give air traffic controllers experience with pilots in the cockpit WASHINGTON, DC – Congressmembers Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), Rob Bresnahan (R-PA-08), and Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), all members of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, today introduced the bipartisan Flight Logistics Initiative to Gain Heightened Travel Data and Enhance Communication Knowledge, or FLIGHT DECK Act. The legislation would establish a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) training program that allows air traffic controllers to observe pilots during actual flights, giving controllers better firsthand experience with the demands pilots face in the air as they interact and coordinate with air traffic controllers on the ground. Air traffic controllers and pilots work together every day to keep the American aviation system running safely, but controllers rarely have the chance to experience operations from the other side of the radio. The FLIGHT DECK Act would give controllers the opportunity to observe pilots and better understand the conditions and requirements pilots work under during a flight. “Air traffic controllers and pilots depend on each other every minute of every flight. Giving controllers firsthand flight deck experience can help both sides better understand the challenges the other faces and so ultimately make our skies safer,” said Congresswoman Pou, the Vice Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee . “We ask an enormous amount of our air traffic controllers while our aviation system faces serious staffing and broader infrastructure challenges. Our bipartisan FLIGHT DECK bill will give controllers another tool to do their jobs and represents a practical way to strengthen communication between the people most responsible for keeping American skies the safest on earth.” “Pilots and air traffic controllers work together every day to keep our skies safe, but very few see their partner’s side of the job,” said Rep. Bresnahan . “As a pilot, I’ve spent hundreds of hours talking to controllers over the radio, but touring a control tower gave me a whole new perspective on the work they do. The FLIGHT DECK Act gives controllers that same opportunity in the cockpit, helping pilots and controllers better understand each other’s responsibilities, challenges, and workload. When both sides can see the full picture, our entire aviation system is safer, including the people who rely on it.” “Our hardworking aviation professionals rely on their team and training to keep our skies safe. Expanding training opportunities at the flight deck is critical so that air traffic controllers and pilots can ensure it remains safer than ever before to fly,” said Congresswoman Scholten . “I’m proud to support the FLIGHT DECK Act to allow air traffic controllers to observe pilots’ work at the flight deck. This will bridge the gap between controllers and pilots alike, and help our controllers understand in-flight demands. This bipartisan solution will keep our aviation system safe and reliable, including for folks who rely on air travel.” The FAA would develop the training program in consultation with air traffic controllers, pilots, and flight crews with participating airlines. After the program’s first year, the FAA would report to Congress on participation and any barriers preventing controllers or aircraft operators from participating. American skies have long been the safest in the world. After the crash of Flight 3407 outside Buffalo in 2009, the United States went nearly 16 years without a major commercial airline crash. That remarkable record ended with the tragic collision outside Reagan National Airport on January 29, 2025. That record was built on a highly trained aviation workforce. But today, a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers is placing greater strain on the system and on the controllers responsible for managing millions of flights each year. As Congress and the FAA work to recruit and train more controllers, it is equally important to give the existing workforce the training needed to do their jobs effectively. The FLIGHT DECK Act would provide air traffic controllers a better understanding of what pilots experience in the air and strengthen coordination between the two critical sides of America’s aviation system. As Vice Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, Congresswoman Pou has made aviation safety and improving the nation’s air traffic control system major priorities during her first term. Pou has pressed the FAA for answers on communication failures including disruptions at Philadelphia TRACON that have threatened operations at airports throughout the region. Pou also successfully pushed the FAA to install a brand-new fiber optic communications network to replace antiquated equipment affecting Newark and Teterboro Airports, the latter of which sits in New Jersey’s Ninth District. Pou has also demanded full implementation of the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act and supported efforts to expand the pipeline of trained air traffic controllers. During the government shutdown, Pou championed the cause of air traffic controllers and FAA personnel and pushed that they be paid for their hard work. ###