Staff Support Specialists Mark 20th NATCAversary

Happy 20th NATCAversary to FAA staff support specialists! NATCA represents the staff specialists who are air traffic controllers located in service centers, air route traffic control centers, terminal radar approach control facilities, and airport traffic control towers. Staff specialists support the daily operation of the air traffic system through a variety of functions. Their primary responsibilities are to initiate procedural and traffic management changes to enhance the air traffic controller’s ability to move aircraft through the system and support the work and overall tasks of air traffic control specialists (ATCS), including quality assurance, training, and personnel.

Because many staff specialists are former ATCSs themselves, they have an intimate understanding of their needs. The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for SSS employees on Jan. 7, 2002. They are covered by the Purple Book collective bargaining agreement.