Air Traffic Management Organizational Structure

Air traffic management is a function in all Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs), selected terminal facilities, and the David J. Hurley Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC), located in Warrenton, VA.

Air traffic management personnel are air traffic controllers that analyze the demand on the system and implement initiatives that are then relayed to the controllers. Controllers and system customers relay information to traffic management personnel for use in their decision-making process.

The hierarchy for air traffic management is as follows:

• For traffic management issues, tower personnel work through the Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), if available, or directly with the overlying ARTCC.
• In general, TRACON personnel work through the overlying ARTCC.
• ARTCC personnel coordinate directly with the ATCSCC.

The ATCSCC has final approval authority for all national traffic management initiatives and is responsible for resolving inter-facility issues. The hierarchy for other issues is for each field facility to work through their regional office, which reports to Washington, DC headquarters.

In general, users should try to resolve their concerns with the controller they are talking to, as long as this will not be a distraction to the controller. Otherwise, users may call the FAA facility’s management when able.

The ATCSCC is an organization headquartered in Washington, DC and has field/regional representatives called Directors of Systems Operation (DDSO). The following are duties of DDSOs:

• Provide oversight and line authority to traffic management personnel.
• Serve as expert ATC advisors, keeping field facilities, air traffic division managers, directors, VPs, and national operations managers (located in the ATCSCC) aware of traffic management initiatives and problems.
• Provide daily updates on real-time traffic management issues and previous day’s activities to customers.
• Maintain frequent contact and conduct meetings with both internal and external customers, including subordinates, peer management representatives, administrative support staff, managers, supervisors, members of the general public and representatives of the aviation industry.

The DDSOs are interested in hearing from NBAA members on tactical issues where members feel ATC services were above average, or where ATC service was not adequate. To help users share their feedback, the NBAA has created an FAA Systems Operations Feedback system.