Fireside Chat with Tim Arel- The WATCH, Summer 2022 Issue

Fireside Chat with Tim Arel

Air Traffic Organization's Acting COO

By: Wendy Stevens, Eastern Regional Director

It is not every day you get asked to step up and lead the FAA's Air Traffic Organization with roughly 32,000 employees (or host a trivia night for Professional Women Controllers for that matter). Still, Mr. Tim Arel is not one to shy away from a challenge and constantly proves he's ready, facts and figures in hand. Our very own Madam President, Jennifer Dempster, sat down with newly appointed Acting Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Arel, to talk numbers, the direction we are heading in a post-pandemic FAA, and the moves he's made throughout his 33-year career.

As the acting COO of the FAA's Air Traffic Organization (ATO), Mr. Arel is responsible for overseeing air traffic services for approximately 50,000 daily operations throughout nearly 30 million square miles across the National Airspace System (NAS). Mr. Arel provides leadership and guidance to employees in multiple lines of businesses and oversees the daily operation of the ATO. The Air Traffic Organization is also responsible for developing and implementing modernization initiatives and integrating unmanned aircraft systems and commercial space operations into the NAS.

Mr. Arel noted that “it takes many years and different jobs to learn how everything works together.”

During his fireside chat at our 2022 conference, Mr. Arel explained that the ATO consists of air traffic controllers, technicians, engineers, pilots, and a host of other technical and support staff who provide support as part of eight service units: Air Traffic Services, Technical Operations, System Operations, Safety, Technical Training, Mission Support Services, Management Services, Flight Programs Operations, and the Program Management Organization. In those eight service units, while change is constant and even though we have people filling different seats, our top leadership’s commitment to safety, collaboration, and taking care of our workforce has not changed.

In closing, Mr. Arel reminded us of the opportunities that we have to diversify our careers, both within the Air Traffic Organization, and the FAA at large. Mr. Arel stressed the importance of training events like our conference and reiterated his message of support. For all you do, Mr. Arel, PWC is honored and humbled by your continued support of our organization.

Above Photo, Tim Arel chats with Jenn Dempster PWC's 2022 Conference