By WILLIAM HAMILTON Satire: Just as your aircraft reaches, say, 30,000 feet on your airline flight, say, from Denver to Chicago, the Captain says, “Hello. This is your Captain speaking. Welcome aboard Olympic Mountain General Airlines. Okay, I know some of you call us: OMG! But, seriously, passengers who studied urban sociology in college may […]
ATC
Call to action over ATC privatization and user fees issued
In his most outspoken opposition to date about a Congressional plan for legislation that would create a privatized air traffic control (ATC) system funded by user fees, Ed Bolen, president of the National Business Aviation Association, sounded a call to action to oppose such a plan before a gathering of more than 3,000 attendees at […]
New study illustrates roadblocks to modernizing ATC
WASHINGTON D.C. — A new Hudson Institute study finds that America’s air traffic control system has fallen seriously behind modern information technology. Case studies illustrate the organizational roadblocks preventing the FAA from modernizing its flight procedures, communications and navigation technology, and governing structure. The report also outlines the steps necessary to bring the US system […]
Emberland honored as AirVenture controller of the year
OSHKOSH – Each year, the team of volunteer air traffic controllers who work throughout the week of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh nominate one of their peers to be the recipient of the AirVenture Controller of the Year Award. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association congratulates NATCA member Greg Emberland on receiving this prestigious award. “It’s an […]
Contract towers just as safe, but cost less
Air traffic control towers staffed by private contractors are cheaper and provide the same level of safety as towers staffed by government controllers, a new audit by the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General concludes. According to a report at CNN.com, contract towers cost on average $537,000 a year to operate, compared with $2 […]
Could NextGen be hacked?
Computer security experts worry that the Next Generation Air Transportation System, known as NextGen, is vulnerable to hackers. Reporters from NPR talk to one hacker who says he could place “ghost planes” in the system, essentially causing chaos. They quote him: “If you could introduce enough chaos into the system — for even an hour […]
Contract towers equal in safety, less in cost
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 250 air traffic control towers operated under contract to the FAA handle 28% of all operations, but cost only 14% of the budget, according to statements before an aviation subcommittee whose members expressed concerns about possible severe cuts in operations if the President’s threatened automatic budget sequester goes into effect in […]
Contract v. FAA towers a 277% difference
The average annual cost difference between a contract ($537,000) and FAA ($2.025 million) tower is $1.488 million according to testimony from Calvin Scovel, DOT Inspector General at a House Transportation and Infrastructure hearing on July 18. Scovel’s numbers came from a DOT audit of the contract tower program. The audit compared “30 contract towers and […]
Controllers say realignment OK if they are part of plan
WASHINGTON, D.C — Congress is taking a look at the FAA’s plans and efforts to consolidate air traffic control facilities and the controllers’ union says it supports the changes, but only if safety, efficiency, and service are improved. Paul Rinaldi, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, told the House Aviation Subcommittee that facility […]