WASHINGTON — More than two dozen members of Congress asked the Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday to pause a new artificial-intelligence-assisted flight-management system being tested in the Washington area, saying the agency has not adequately documented its safety reviews or training plans.
The lawmakers, including Maryland Reps. April McClain Delaney and Jamie Raskin, Virginia Rep. Don Beyer and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, raised their concerns in a letter requesting answers by October 19. Their objections focus on how the software is being introduced in one of the nation’s most closely watched aviation corridors.
“Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration surprisingly launched an AI tool to help control air traffic over three major National Capital Region Airports, with plans to expand nationwide in the following 90 days. They did so without publishing a safety evaluation or sufficiently consulting air traffic controllers and safety experts,” said Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The FAA began using the system last month. Known as SMART, for Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes, and Trajectories, it analyzes flight schedules, weather, airport capacity and other information to help anticipate congestion and recommend changes to traffic flows.
The agency awarded developer Air Space Intelligence a 12-year contract worth $875 million in June. Transportation officials say the software draws on more than 200 data streams and is initially intended to help manage disruptions such as flight cancellations caused by weather.
The system does not direct aircraft in flight. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday that air traffic controllers remain responsible for airspace decisions and that the software provides additional planning tools.
The lawmakers nevertheless said they had not seen safety evaluation or testing reports or details about training aviation personnel to use the system. The FAA plans to expand the technology beyond Washington after its initial deployment.
“When Maryland families board a plane, they deserve to know that every system guiding their flight has been thoroughly tested and that the people keeping them safe have the training they need,” said Congresswoman McClain Delaney. “
The agency has been asked to respond to the lawmakers’ questions by October 19.
