Amid all the rancor between the controllers union and the FAA, NATCA will take a break tonight to remember what the mission is all about — helping pilots to fly safely, especially when the going gets tough. Ten controllers will be honored as the second annual Archie League Medal of Safety winners. NATCA developed the Medal of Safety as a way to recognize examples of the heroic work of controllers who helped ensure that emergency situations ended safely. This year’s winners will be honored for helping a VFR pilot to find his way out of IMC in Alaska, warning forgetful pilots to lower their gear before landing, helping a panicky lost pilot to get back home, and more. The awards are named for the first air traffic controller. NATCA members nominated their colleagues, and the winners were then selected by an independent committee.
NATCA Honors Its Best
Key Takeaways:
- NATCA is holding its second annual "Archie League Medal of Safety" awards to recognize air traffic controllers for their critical safety work, distinct from their disputes with the FAA.
- Ten controllers will be honored for heroic actions, including guiding VFR pilots out of IMC, reminding pilots to lower landing gear, and assisting lost or panicking pilots.
- The awards, named after the first air traffic controller, celebrate controllers' essential role in ensuring safe flights, with winners selected by an independent committee from peer nominations.
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