“Another year of FAA failure on key safety issues”: National Air Traffic Controllers Association

National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) stated (31-Dec-08) 2008 represented "another year of FAA failure on key safety issues". According to NATCA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is "failing badly" in its efforts to replace departing experienced controllers with fully certified trainees. Of the 2,628 total terminal (airport towers and TRACONS) employees hired in the last three fiscal years that were still employed as of 30-Sep-08, only 520 have completed training and are fully certified, while of the 1,852 total en route centre employees, only 198 have completed training and are fully certified, according to NATCA.