May 5, 2010 - A new surveillance technology called the Wide-Area Augmentation System (WAM) is now allowing air traffic controllers to track aircraft along the difficult approach to Juneau, Alaska a mountainous area where radar coverage isn’t possible.

“This technology will allow more aircraft to fly into Juneau and it will give air traffic controllers the tools they need to safely and efficiently handle these flights,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.

Air traffic controllers can now see aircraft approaching Juneau, something that wasn’t possible before WAM because of the rugged terrain surrounding the city. The mountains make radar coverage impossible since radar signals cannot pass through solid objects.