Virtual Grassroots NATCA Activism: Florida

Jacksonville Center (ZJX) Member Paul Behan attended a virtual meeting with Florida Congressman Al Lawson on July 24. “I thanked Congressman Lawson for being one of the first co-sponsors of H.R. 1108, and for always being so willing to meet with NATCA to discuss issues which affect the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS),” Behan said. “I described some of the challenges we have been facing over the past few months, specifically with regard to staffing the ATC facilities with the appropriate amount of controllers to maintain the highest levels of aircraft safety, but also while reducing the possibility of transmitting the coronavirus amongst our workforce to the maximum extent possible. I mentioned that the FAA has been very collaborative, working closely with NATCA to implement work schedules and facility cleaning protocols in order to keep the NAS running with minimal disruptions.”

On July 23, Central Florida TRACON (F11) FacRep Ken Scheele (above) and North Florida Legislative Coordinator Jason Messer (Daytona Beach, DAB) met with Florida Congressman Darren Soto and Congresswoman Val Demings on Zoom. They thanked them both for co-sponsoring H.R. 1108, and for being such great supporters of NATCA. They also discussed aviation funding and the collaborative process between NATCA and the FAA throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.