The Federal Aviation Administration will reinstate its Flight Deck Training programme, giving air traffic controllers firsthand experience aboard commercial, general aviation and military aircraft. Developed with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the initiative is expected to launch after Thanksgiving and is intended to improve how controllers assess pilot workload and tailor instructions during live flight operations.
The programme was paused at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Controllers will apply electronically for jumpseat access on specific flights and identify a training objective. Following internal FAA approval, requests will be sent to participating airlines, while airport and aircraft security vetting will be required before boarding. Participants must submit a report after each flight detailing their observations.
Controllers may take part in up to two commercial or general-aviation flights and one military flight each year. Approval will depend on facility staffing and operational requirements. The FAA has indicated that all major US airlines have agreed to participate, although it has not identified the carriers individually or specified the aircraft types and routes covered.
A pilot phase highlighted the value of observing cockpit procedures, pilot workload and the operational effects of complex instructions, including landing-runway changes. The experience is intended to help controllers better understand when instructions may create additional demands for flight crews and improve coordination between the flight deck and air traffic control.