More Details to the Shutdown’s Impacts on FAA
FAA website says no impact to safety or oversight TRUE There are impacts on people, processes and NextGen As a public service, below is an attempt to catalogue what is and what is not…
ATC
Dick Collins, famous GA writer, recalls the beginning of the PATCO strike
Dick Collins writes about privatization of the air traffic control system and when the system actually came to a screeching halt.
ATC must be aware of the insidious A-380 Wake Vortex
During an accident investigation, ATC records showed an A-380 was nearby when a Challenger 604 lost control. The preliminary recommendation was that ATC needs to provide lateral separation between the A-380 and smaller aircraft.
Wichita State’s He to study controller cognitive processes to improve safety
The FAA brought in Wichita State’s psychology Professor Jibo He to conduct research and development on head-mounted display and wearable devices used in aviation safety applications.
Two New ATC Towers opened—one green & one tall—NO MENTION OF NEXTGEN pluses
FAA’s press releases about the new ATC towers at McCarran International Airport and San Francisco International Airport are replete with information about greenness, interesting design features, better worker amenities and the 2nd tallest US tower. BUT NO MENTION of how they will integrate into NextGen… VERY ODD?
FAA ATC hire quick pitch: speed needed, are the selection criteria, #s and future all right?
After years of debate, the FAA issued a job vacancy for the position of Air Traffic Control Specialist Trainee that will be available on USAJobs.gov.
Flight Safety Foundation plus US DoT & NASA take different looks at NextGen
Two significant NextGen events. FSF issued a report on the 20 year safety merits of ADS-B. DoT & NASA announced a new airspace technology laboratory (ATD-2).
How should Space’s Traffic be Controlled?
The need is there, but deserves considerable discussion. The suggestion that the FAA should receive this assignment should be challenged.