The Air Traffic Organization (ATO) will soon establish a new service unit, known as the Flight Program Operations (AJF). The unit will consolidate all flight program operations (currently conducted by six separate flight programs) into one single organization while providing flight program services to all FAA flight program participants. The target date for establishing AJF is October 2, 2016. This new consolidated organization will be responsible for all aspects of flight program administration, safety, operations, training and maintenance.

The Agency currently operates and maintains 46 owned/leased aircraft performing various types of operations such as: flight inspection of airspace infrastructure; FAA disaster/emergency and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Go Team response; research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E); currency and proficiency for FAA pilots; and training just to name a few. Each of these functions are essential to FAA’s mission to ensure the safest, most efficient airspace system in the world.

On October 2, AJF will have operational control of consolidated flight program operations, as well as responsibility for scheduling missions and implementing standardized flight control procedures (flight release and flight following) for all flights in FAA aircraft (whether owned, leased, rented, etc.).

Flight program consolidation combines employees from the Flight Inspection Flight Program (AJW-3), Washington Flight Program (AJW-36), William J. Hughes Technical Center (WJHTC) Flight Program (ANG-E17), and employees from the AFS Flight Program (AFS-60) into the new AJF organization, resulting in a single service provider for the Office of Aviation Safety (AVS) and Academy flight program participants.

During the transition, Teri Bristol, ATO Chief Operating Officer, asked David Boulter, Director of Flight Inspection Services (AJW-3), to serve as Flight Program Executive. After AJF is established, the Vice President, Flight Program Operations (AJF-0) will become the Flight Program Executive.

Teri Bristol, the Air Traffic Organization’s Chief Operating Officer assures employees that every effort will be made for a seamless transition. No jobs will be lost due to consolidation, and no realigned personnel will physically move. Employees will continue to perform the same primary functions as they do today, and current flight program operations will continue through the transition.

For additional information regarding the consolidation, please visit
https://my.faa.gov/org/linebusiness/ato/flight_program.html