By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A bipartisan group of three U.S. senators on Tuesday called for new funding to boost air traffic control staffing, speed training of new controllers and provide new incentives to retain aviation workers.

Of the 5,100 public airports across the country, only about 10% have air traffic control towers staffed by people who direct the flow of traffic.

Tens of thousands of planes take off, land and perform touch-and-goes at the Marana Regional Airport in southern Arizona every year. Without an air traffic control tower, it's a calculated dance that requires communication by pilots.

Two U.S. senators called on Wednesday for increased funding and staffing for Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control after a fatal midair collision in the nation's capital last month highlighted the persistent lack of aviation safety personnel.