(1)
any employee of the Federal Aviation Administration or the Department of Defense who is—
(A)
occupying a position in the air traffic controller series classified not lower than GS–9 and located in an air traffic control center or terminal or in a flight service station;
(B)
assigned to a position classified not lower than GS–09 or WG–10 located in an airway facilities sector; or
(C)
assigned to a flight inspection crew-member position classified not lower than GS–11 located in a flight inspection field office,
the duties of whose position are determined by the Administrator or the Secretary to be directly involved in or responsible for the operation and maintenance of the air traffic control system; and