|
|
|
|
|||
By Mike Mitchell |
||||
February 3, 2010 -
WESTBURY, N.Y. – Staffing of fully trained and certified air traffic
controllers at the FAA radar facility that handles the climb and
approach phases of flight in the busy New York airspace, including all
flights into and out of Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark airports, has
reached a critically low level after dropping 25 percent in the last six
years.
In 2004, the New
York TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control) was authorized by the FAA
to have 270 air traffic controllers but only had 211 fully trained and
certified controllers on board, which represented an alarming shortage
in its own right. But today, the total has dropped to 158 fully trained
and certified controllers, of which more than two dozen are eligible for
retirement today. The 158 figure represents the lowest staffing level at
the facility since the PATCO strike of 1981.
|
||||
Within the next five years, more than 60 additional controllers will be
able to retire. There is no relief in sight, as there have been only
three new hires since 2006 that have successfully completed the training
and certification process at a facility that is best suited only for
experienced controllers to make it.
These alarming numbers have drawn the attention of the New York
Congressional delegation, which, in a Jan. 28 letter to Transportation
Secretary Ray LaHood, wrote, “we are deeply concerned about the current
staffing shortage and future wave of retirements at the New York TRACON
and the effects this could have on the safety and efficiency of air
travel in the New York region.” “What we need from the FAA is a responsible, long-term plan to correct the staffing problem from the bottom up and controllers would like to be part of the process for discussing the issue and devising that plan with the FAA,” New York TRACON NATCA Facility Representative Dean Iacopelli said. |
“The key to
properly staffing the New York TRACON is attracting and retaining
experienced air traffic controllers. Not utilizing the promotion process
that gives experienced controllers the opportunity to bid on jobs at the
New York TRACON is counterproductive. The FAA’s plan to place
inexperienced, newly-hired trainees here couldn’t be worse for the
system from a safety standpoint and will adversely affect system
efficiency as well.”
The New York
Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), is located at
Additionally, N90
is responsible for dozens of smaller but busy fields, including
The New York
TRACON is a Level 12 facility and one of seven "Large TRACONs" currently
existing throughout the |
©AvStop Online Magazine Contact Us Return To News |
|