The Professional Airways Systems Specialists (PASS) is the union that represents more than 11,000 employees of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Defense (DoD). Our members are dedicated to certifying the safety and the efficiency of the National Airspace System; maintaining and supporting this nation�s air traffic control system with the utmost professionalism; and ensuring the integrity, the reliability, and the safety of the commercial and general aviation industries. Whenever you fly, the work our members do behind the scenes helps get you there safely.

Who Are PASS Members?

Our members include FAA and DoD Systems Specialists, more commonly known as technicians, Aviation Safety Inspectors and safety support staff, along with Flight Inspection Pilots and Procedure Development Specialists from the FAA�s Office of Systems Standards.

What Do They Do?

Systems Specialists install, repair, maintain, and certify the electronic, electromechanical, and environmental systems used in air traffic control and national defense. They are the only people authorized to certify the operation and safety of FAA facilities and equipment. There are nearly 6,000 Systems Specialists who maintain more than 40,000 facilities and equipment.

Aviation Safety Inspectors are responsible for ensuring that commercial aircraft, charter aircraft, and general aviation aircraft meet rigid safety standards. They develop, administer, and enforce regulations and standards concerning civil aviation safety. They also have oversight over aircraft repair stations, training schools for pilots, pilots themselves, and maintenance schools. Some 3,100 Aviation Safety Inspectors and support staff perform more than 400,000 safety inspections each year.

Flight Inspection Pilots and Procedure Development Specialists from the Office of Systems Standards are responsible for the design, development, and flight inspection services for ground and space navigation systems at more than 3,000 airports in the U.S. and numerous other abroad. They ensure the integrity of the instrument procedures and airways that make up the NAS.

Where Do PASS Members Live?

PASS members live all across the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as in Guam, Samoa and Puerto Rico.

What Issues Concern PASS Members?

 Insufficient budgetary allocations for FAA Operations and Facilities & Equipment
 Adequate funding for technical/operational training and mission-critical travel
 Staffing shortages and hiring deficiencies in the FAA workforces
 Contracting out
 Increased workloads due to aging equipment,modernization efforts, and understaffing
 Federal employee health and retirement benefits