Controller visual separation training

(a) In general Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall, in coordination with the exclusive bargaining representative of air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code, develop and implement initial, recurrent, and refresher training for air traffic controllers on tower-applied and pilot-applied visual separation procedures that is instructor-led and scenario-based. (b) Consultation In developing and implementing the training required under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult with representatives of— (1) the certified bargaining representative of aviation safety inspectors and engineers for the FAA; (2) organizations representing certified collective bargaining representatives of airline pilots; (3) organizations representing air traffic control managers and supervisors; (4) organizations representing general aviation pilots; and (5) aviation safety experts with specific knowledge of— (A) human factors and human decision making in realistic operational settings; and (B) tower-applied and pilot-applied visual separation procedures and regulations. (c) Considerations In developing the training under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consider, at a minimum— (1) the findings and recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board, including as contained in the final aviation investigation report, AIR–26–02, adopted on January 27, 2026; (2) the requirements of— (A) FAA Order JO 3120.4S, titled Air Traffic Technical Training, issued on August 28, 2024; (B) FAA Order JO 7210.3EE, titled Facility Operation and Administration, issued on February 20, 2025; (C) FAA Order JO 7110.65BB, titled Air Traffic Control, issued on February 20, 2025; and (D) other relevant air traffic control standards, guidance, and policies; (3) the frequency of the recurrent and refresher training described in subsection (a), including— (A) whether such frequency should be increased for air traffic controllers in facilities managing high-complexity or high-volume airspace; and (B) the need for advance training and guidance ahead of any changes to FAA visual separation policies; (4) the appropriate use of tower simulator systems and other advanced training technologies to supplement the recurrent and refresher training described in subsection (a), including the use of data analytics from such systems and technologies to individualize instruction; (5) the use of data analytics to identify systemic gaps in the recurrent and refresher training described in subsection (a) and to dynamically enhance training curriculum and techniques; (6) data gathered from aviation safety reporting programs; and (7) any other item determined appropriate by the Administrator. (d) Implementation Not later than 90 days after the development of the training under subsection (a), the Administrator shall revise the orders of the FAA described in subparagraph (c)(2), or any successor documents, and any corresponding policy or guidance materials, to reflect the requirements of this section.

(a) In general Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall, in coordination with the exclusive bargaining representative of air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code, develop and implement initial, recurrent, and refresher training for air traffic controllers on tower-applied and pilot-applied visual separation procedures that is instructor-led and scenario-based. (b) Consultation In developing and implementing the training required under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consult with representatives of— (1) the certified bargaining representative of aviation safety inspectors and engineers for the FAA; (2) organizations representing certified collective bargaining representatives of airline pilots; (3) organizations representing air traffic control managers and supervisors; (4) organizations representing general aviation pilots; and (5) aviation safety experts with specific knowledge of— (A) human factors and human decision making in realistic operational settings; and (B) tower-applied and pilot-applied visual separation procedures and regulations. (c) Considerations In developing the training under subsection (a), the Administrator shall consider, at a minimum— (1) the findings and recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board, including as contained in the final aviation investigation report, AIR–26–02, adopted on January 27, 2026; (2) the requirements of— (A) FAA Order JO 3120.4S, titled Air Traffic Technical Training, issued on August 28, 2024; (B) FAA Order JO 7210.3EE, titled Facility Operation and Administration, issued on February 20, 2025; (C) FAA Order JO 7110.65BB, titled Air Traffic Control, issued on February 20, 2025; and (D) other relevant air traffic control standards, guidance, and policies; (3) the frequency of the recurrent and refresher training described in subsection (a), including— (A) whether such frequency should be increased for air traffic controllers in facilities managing high-complexity or high-volume airspace; and (B) the need for advance training and guidance ahead of any changes to FAA visual separation policies; (4) the appropriate use of tower simulator systems and other advanced training technologies to supplement the recurrent and refresher training described in subsection (a), including the use of data analytics from such systems and technologies to individualize instruction; (5) the use of data analytics to identify systemic gaps in the recurrent and refresher training described in subsection (a) and to dynamically enhance training curriculum and techniques; (6) data gathered from aviation safety reporting programs; and (7) any other item determined appropriate by the Administrator. (d) Implementation Not later than 90 days after the development of the training under subsection (a), the Administrator shall revise the orders of the FAA described in subparagraph (c)(2), or any successor documents, and any corresponding policy or guidance materials, to reflect the requirements of this section.