“learn what air traffic controllers like and dislike about their current tools, and envision how we can make a new, better, modern and safer system”
Step 1. Root out all DEI and drive a stake through it’s heart.
One reason that the FAA is conservative is because the system mostly works. Air traffic accident rates have dropped dramatically since the 1960’s despite large increases in traffic volume.
Another reason is because FAA unions oppose modernization, seeing it as a threat to their job security. Airliners used to have flight engineers. Not anymore, now just two pilots. Automation put flight engineers out of business. Air traffic controllers do not want to be next.
Yes - but tread very carefully. Stick to the admin side of things. DEI may be embedded in the operational side, and I'm sure there are those who could be weeded out, but... tread carefully.
The trouble is, with current equipment we probably need MORE air traffic controllers, not less.
During the recent crash in D.C. the tower was short one controller - the one to control the helicopter traffic.
There is an active lawsuit with 100+ plaintiffs about people being turned away from ATC positions. The lead plaintiff scored 100 on the ATC aptitude test, but was turned away because he didn't meet the desired (DEI) biological criteria, i.e., his skin is the wrong color