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February 17, 2010
- Pilots and aviation stakeholders from Specifically, the pilots themselves say they want to be included as it should be for a key stakeholder– in an issue that has myriad aviation safety ramifications, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). |
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"Radar's our
eyes when the weather goes down. It's our way back to the airport to
be able to fly and land safely," said pilot John Defrance,
commenting to WYFX-TV in
NATCA officials spent much of the last three weeks traveling around
“We stand with pilots, airport directors and all local aviation
stakeholders who are opposed to the FAA’s moves without having a say in
the matter through a collaborative, transparent process,” NATCA
Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert said. “We all just want to be
heard, to have a voice. For pilots and controllers, safety is
everything. Any moves toward changing how we provide safety services
today must be done carefully and with full stakeholder involvement.”
The realignment issue involves the FAA closing of a local air traffic
control radar function, known as TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach
Control), which handles the climb and approach phases of flight within
40 miles of an airport. NATCA has focused on airports in the |
Each facility and
sectored airspace is unique. Therefore, the only way to determine if the
realignment of an air traffic control facility is necessary and
appropriate is through the development of a comprehensive plan for each
proposed realignment.
Controllers,
pilots, users, airport directors and all stakeholders must be included
throughout the process from inception to implementation. The benefits of
the realignment must also be clearly defined before the inception of any
plan and are agreed to by all stakeholders. Additionally, improving
safety, efficiency and services must be the driving force for the
realignment, NOT cost savings, according to NATCA. The FAA is
proposing consolidating radar operations at |
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