RCO Cuts Are Here: What "Modernization" Actually Means for the NAS

 

On August 11, Leidos and the FAA announced they're decommissioning 674 of the 936 Remote Communications Outlet frequencies across the country — starting September 3. The official line is that call volume has dropped 99% since the 1980s thanks to services like Foreflight and Garmin, so the coverage isn't needed anymore.

Here's what isn't being considered here: reduced call volume through automated tools isn't the same as reduced need for a human safety net. Class C–G airspace — where most GA flying happens — already has the least radar coverage and the least redundancy in the NAS. RCOs are one of the last physical options pilots have to reach a live specialist in that airspace. Cutting the infrastructure doesn't retire an underused radio; it removes a fallback option for pilots in exactly the environment where things are most likely to go wrong.

What you can do: if you notice a gap in coverage on your routes after this rolls out, Document it here 

Check NOTAMs before every flight regardless — that's good practice either way.

Help Us Track RCO Outages — New Reporting Form for FSS and Pilots

 If you've worked a shift or flown a route and run into a Remote Communications Outlet (RCO) that wasn't working — or wasn't there when you expected it to be — we want to hear about it.

We've put together a short form to start collecting these reports in one place. It takes a couple of minutes to fill out, and every submission goes straight into a shared log we're using to track incidents as these closures mentioned in the previous posts take effect.

What we're asking for:

• Operating Initials/Pilot in Command
• Aircraft ID (ACID)
• Date/UTC Time
• Narrative — tell us which RCO you used, which RCO was missing (if you know), how it affected your ability to communicate, how it affected the safety of the NAS, and anything else worth noting

Why this matters

When we start logging these incidents consistently, we can show that RCO closures are already causing potential problems under real operational conditions. That's the kind of documented, first-hand evidence that makes a difference when we're making the case for continued investment in the infrastructure of the National Airspace System.

This isn't about pointing fingers. It's about building a record — in your own words, from the people actually working the radios and flying the routes — of what's really happening out there.

Submit a Report (this will open another tab) →Report Form

If you have questions about the form or want to report something that doesn't fit neatly into these fields, reach out directly and we'll figure it out.

Thanks for taking the time to document this. It matters more than it might feel like in the moment.

RCO closures- What's Left?

As our previous post explained, the FAA is decommissioning 670 RCOs across the US. Some are already out of service. The map below shows the frequencies that will be left west of the Mississippi after this project is completed. 

Local 2011 is working with Local 2010 to get a map of the remaining RCO east of the Mississippi.

Cool Aviation History-- the Night Witches

 Are you an aviation and/or history fan? Then this video will bring you joy. 

We Need Faster Labor Contracts!

Below is a direct copy and paste from the IAM newsletter.  I would only add that the folks who will be joining our local are being held up by this very issue and have been for at least a year. 

Tell Your Senators: We Need Faster Labor Contracts! Send Your Letter

The bipartisan Faster Labor Contracts Act (S. 844) has passed in the House and is now in the Senate!

This piece of labor reform will end unfair delays in reaching a first contract for new unions, thereby ensuring that when workers exercise their legally protected right to vote to form a union, a collective bargaining agreement follows in a timely manner.

Lead sponsor Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), alongside Sens. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), introduced the bill which amends the National Labor Relations Act to include timelines for meetings to begin first-contract negotiations, mediating if the parties are stuck, and have a binding arbitration panel to ensure a first contract is secured after workers have successfully voted for union representation.

Once workers vote to form a union, they begin negotiating an initial contract with their employer. But the process of negotiating this first contract does not have any time frame under the law—so undue tactical delay can hinder the process and leave workers fighting for years to obtain this first agreement.

That is why the Faster Labor Contracts Act is so important.

Corporations should not be able to hold up, stall, and drag out bargaining for a first contract — they should be obliged under the law to reach a collective bargaining agreement in a reasonable time frame. Making it illegal to draw out negotiations would incentivize employers to faithfully bargain in a timely manner.

Tell your Senators now to cosponsor and support the Faster Labor Contracts Act so that new union members aren't the only ones motivated to establish a collective bargaining agreement, their right under federal law.

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-your-senators-we-need-faster-labor-contracts-send-your-letter/

RCO Frequency Removal

IAM Local 2011 is dedicated to the safety of the National Airspace. It's the mission each of us was assigned when we accepted our positions, regardless of whether we were hired by the FAA, Lockheed, or Leidos.

The FAA OCC recently sent a list of 670 frequencies that will be removed from our service. These frequencies are for remote communication VOR voice outlets across the country. There are 125 of those that are currently not in-service. These are mostly in addition to the ones that have NOTAMs already. 

To be perfectly clear, these 670, including the 125 already not in service, do NOT have NOTAMs at the current time.  

In the spirit of that original mission, we wanted to let the flying public be aware that in partnership with our siblings in Local 2010, we are working to get these NOTAMs issued. Regrettably, we are unable to provide a list of the 125 frequencies already removed; however, the list of the 670 frequencies scheduled for decommissioning are available here on the FAA website.

Please know that if you reach out to FSS on an RCO frequency and we don't reply, we aren't ignoring you. It's very possible that the frequency is no longer available for us to answer. As far as we are aware, the centers, approaches, and towers are also unaware of this change.

1-800-wxbrief remains available if you are inflight and need information immediately, especially if you are able to connect your phone to a Bluetooth headset. 

We will keep you updated as we can.  

Contract Negotiation Complete!

Our negotiation team went to Hollywood, MD to visit the IAM Winpisinger Center, our training facility, to get ready for the contract negotiation with Leidos.  

The negotiations were the first week in March and were successful. Leidos and IAM Locals 2010 and 2011 have a contract through April 2029.