National Air Traffic Control Day – July 6, 2026

History of National Air Traffic Control Day

The Wright brothers’ invention — the very first powered aircraft — ushered in the age of flight around the world. Back then, aircraft were mostly used by the military and the civilian postal service but as aircraft began being used for civilian passengers, concern turned towards the integrity of the aircraft itself and the safety of take-offs and landings. By the early 20th century, as passengers began to use air travel in larger numbers, this concern slowly evolved to include air traffic safety as well. It was clear that control and safety of flights in the air were almost as important as the safety of landings. This concern came on the heels of a mid-air crash in France in 1922 due to fog that resulted in the deaths of seven people and the establishment of the first air routes in the English Channel. As more mid-air collisions occurred in the U.S., a consortium of airliners started monitoring the operation of their flights. During the early 20th century, multiple independent air traffic control centers were set up by independent carriers. These operations were later taken over by the Department of Commerce.

Early on, air traffic controllers would use blackboards to note the positions that the pilots reported, and maps indicating where they placed the aircraft to avoid mid-air collisions. They calculated the speed of the aircraft and the flight time to foresee the future position of the planes and thus warn the pilots in case of a collision. These blackboards and maps were later substituted by flight progress strips, but such a system is still used in oceanic areas with no radar coverage or low workload aerodromes.

The middle of the 20th century brought new inventions. Now pilots and controllers could speak directly, eliminating the need for a middleman — they used ‘flight handlers’ for this job. Radar was also invented, which made it possible for airplanes to fly as close as five kilometers apart from each other without problems. The current air control system — the National Airspace System — was created by the United States Bureau of Air Commerce, and is said to be a model for the world aviation community.

Senate Joint Resolution 188 designated this day as National Air Traffic Control Day to create awareness about the United States National Airspace System and to encourage people to express their gratitude and respect for the air traffic control personnel keeping them safe as they travel. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the day on July 6, 1986, and we have celebrated it ever since.