Investing.com -- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced plans to hire 2,000 air traffic controller trainees this year, according to Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau. The news was shared during a U.S. Senate subcommittee meeting on Thursday.

In addition to the hiring plans, Rocheleau also revealed the FAA’s intention to maintain strict monitoring of Boeing (NYSE: BA )’s manufacturing practices, maintenance procedures, and software updates. This continued oversight is part of the FAA’s ongoing commitment to ensuring air safety.

Rocheleau also disclosed his plans to establish a safety risk management panel. This panel’s task is to identify potential hazard areas involving interactions between helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The decision comes in the wake of a fatal collision on January 29 between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL ) regional passenger jet near Reagan Washington National Airport, a tragedy that resulted in the loss of 67 lives.

The proposed safety risk management panel is a direct response to this incident, aiming to prevent similar future accidents. The FAA’s actions underscore its commitment to enhancing safety measures and maintaining stringent oversight of major aviation companies.

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