Contract Air Traffic Controller Liability

Esso Newcomer

Do contract controllers need to buy liability insurance for protection from lawsuits, or are they protected like FAA controllers. Additionally, what about non-FCT controllers, like some city owned, or company owned towers.

MikeATC Retired FAA, NATCA Member Nashville TN

Contract air traffic controllers are NOT covered by the Tort act like FAA controllers and you should unless you are feeling lucky and can aford it purchase some sort of liability insurance.

NATCA has information about contractor employees that had been sued by families after accidents (ex. the controller at Chicago Meigs).

Esso Newcomer

That's what I thought. But a contract RVA controller I know told me he thought he was covered.