Airport News - North America

Oct 29, 2007

Controller retirements surge in dispute. In the 12 months ending Sept. 30, a total of 828 controllers retired, about 29% more than predicted. FAA said estimating retirements is tricky, because controllers aren't forced to retire until 56 but are eligible at any age if they have 25 years service. The FAA said the hiring total exceeded the year's target, but conceded it includes more than 3,000 controllers in training who cannot handle all work stations at their facility. We're getting a lot of enthusiastic recruits," said Acting Administrator Bobby Sturgell. "Controller hiring, training and staffing is a major priority, and we are on track to meet future traffic needs." Oct 25, 2007

FAA says GPS network will ease congestion, delays. Replacing the nation's current air traffic control system with a new network that relies on GPS and advanced avionics will solve the problem of severe flight delays, according to the FAA. "Because it will provide such precise information about where planes are located, we think we'll be able to operate them closer to one another in some parts of the air space," an FAA spokeswoman said. Oct 25, 2007

New machines make security simpler for travelers. A few airports are testing a new screening device that allows travelers to keep their laptops and liquids and gels in their carry-on bags as they pass through security. The new machines cost about $350,000 each and produce sharp images of what is inside a bag. Oct 25, 2007

DOT threatens to fine chronically late airlines. The Transportation Department is considering levying fines against airlines for flights that are at least 15 minutes late 70% of the time, saying that the carriers are engaging in deceptive business practices. Oct 24, 2007

IEEE calls for papers on homeland security technology. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is seeking papers to be presented at its international conference in May. Technologies of interest include software security, CBRNE with a focus on transportation infrastructure, surveillance and risk assessment. Oct 24, 2007

NASA study methodology questionable. The FAA weighed in on the controversy surrounding the NASA study that purportedly shows a greater prevalence of aviation safety issues than generally is reported. FAA officials have not seen the study, which NASA has declined to release, but say they have questions about its methodology and whether the data collected actually are usable. Oct 24, 2007

The TSA has awarded a contract to Reveal Imaging Technologies for up to 40 of its Fusion security systems. The systems utilize X-rays and 3-D imaging and will be used to scan carry-on bags for weapons and contraband. The contract could be worth up to $80 million for two years Oct 24, 2007

Controversy builds over NASA's refusal to release safety survey data. Aviation experts and members of Congress assailed NASA yesterday, criticizing the agency for refusing to release the results of a telephone survey of 20,000 pilots. NASA officials told the Associated Press, which had requested the data, that the information could not be released because it could shake public confidence in the airline industry. A NASA spokesman yesterday said that denying the request on those grounds "was probably not the best thing to do." Oct 23, 2007

FAA takes multi-pronged approach to reducing runway incursions. Better runway markings and more training are helping to reduce the incidence of runway incursions from 31 to 24 last year, according to FAA officials. The agency says that more advanced technology that is still in the pipeline will improve the situation even more. An FAA spokeswoman says that certification of an own-ship cockpit display likely will occur within the next six months. Oct 23, 2007

US FAA officials were forced to spend much of yesterday's briefing on runway safety responding to questions concerning reports that NASA conducted a comprehensive pilot survey revealing that near midair collisions and runway incursions occur twice as often as FAA data show. According to an Associated Press report, NASA spent $8.5 million commissioning telephone interviews with about 24,000 commercial and GA pilots in 2002-05. But the agency has not released the results and AP reported that it recently ordered the surveyor "to purge all related data from its computers." NASA Associate Administrator Thomas Luedtke said in a statement cited by AP that the survey's results "could materially affect the public confidence in and the commercial welfare of" airlines. Oct 23, 2007

NASA holds back air safety survey results. NASA has refused to release to the Associated Press the results of a series of surveys conducted for the agency on air safety. "Release of the requested data, which are sensitive and safety-related, could materially affect the public confidence in, and the commercial welfare of, the air carriers and general aviation companies whose pilots participated in the survey," a NASA official wrote in a final denial letter to the AP. Oct 22, 2007