Reprinted from www.FAA.gov:
April 29, 2011
Contact: FAA Press Office
Phone: 202-267-3883
WASHINGTON – Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Randy Babbitt announced additional management changes and other actions today as part of the FAA’s comprehensive review of the air traffic control system.
Three veteran FAA managers will be repositioned to assume oversight of critical air traffic roles:
- Walt Cochran will oversee Terminal Operations, where he will be responsible for all of the Agency’s airport towers and TRACONS (approach and departure control).
- Chris Metts will oversee all of the Agency’s En Route and Oceanic operations.
- Glen Martin will become the Air Traffic Manager at the Cleveland Air Route Traffic Control Center. He is currently the deputy air traffic manager at Chicago Center.
The FAA is also assessing key mid-level management positions to ensure that both technical and leadership expectations are being met.
Teams of FAA experts are also examining some of the agency’s more complex facilities, including Cleveland and New York Centers, in an effort to make certain that operational policies and professional standards are being upheld.
“We are continuing to do everything in our power to ensure that our nation’s aviation system remains the safest in the world. This is just the beginning of the process to make sure we have the best possible team in place,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
“The FAA’s focus is safety. These changes ensure that we have the right people in the right places to help us carry out our mission,” said FAA Administrator Babbitt. “I am confident our top-to-bottom review is making our air traffic system even safer.”
Secretary LaHood and Administrator Babbitt announced earlier this month that the FAA would place an additional air traffic controller on the midnight shift at air traffic control towers and facilities around the country that were staffed with only one controller during that time.
Three controllers in Knoxville, Miami and Seattle were fired for sleeping while working an operational position. These employees have a due process right to respond to these actions.
Additionally, the FAA instituted changes to air traffic controller scheduling practices that will allow controllers more time for rest between shifts. The FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) are continuing to work together on additional changes that will help reduce controller fatigue, including a fatigue education program.
On Friday, the FAA also announced the members of an independent review panel that will evaluate the agency’s air traffic control training curriculum, qualifications and placement process to make sure new controllers are properly prepared. The members of the panel are: Michael Barr, University of Southern California Aviation, Safety & Security program; Tim Brady, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University; Garth Koleszar, NATCA; Michael New, United Airlines; and Julia Pounds, FAA. The panel will submit a report to FAA Administrator Babbitt this fall.
The in-depth look at air traffic controller training is part of the FAA – NATCA Call to Action on air traffic control safety and professionalism. Administrator Babbitt, NATCA President Paul Rinaldi and members of their leadership teams have been visiting air traffic facilities around the country to reinforce the need for all air traffic personnel to adhere to the highest professional standards.
During the Call to Action, FAA and NATCA teams have so far visited air traffic personnel and facilities in and around: Atlanta; Boston; Chicago; Cleveland; Columbus; Dallas–Ft. Worth; Denver; Kansas City; Knoxville; Lincoln; Louisville; Miami; Minneapolis; New York; Oklahoma City; Oakland; Omaha; Reno; Sacramento; and Salt Lake City.
With news of yet more Controllers falling asleep while on duty, the FAA has decided to adjust their schedules. Read the full WSJ article here. (Subscription Required; Will Open in New Window.)
The Administrator of the FAA claimed to have been “personally outraged” by the sleeping-while-on-duty controller at Reagan National Airport last week. The controller, who had worked multiple consecutive night shifts, was suspended from duty, while Loretta Alkalay casts blame at the pilots who decided to land. Read the full WSJ article here.
Starting December 29, the cost of violating the Federal Aviation Regulations may go up.
The FAA has issued a Final Rule modifying FAR Part 13.305 (without the ordinary Notice and Comment Period–good cause exemption) adjusting some of the maximum civil penalties the FAA may impose for violations of the FAR’s.
Summarizing, the following changes will apply:
- Violations of Hazardous Materials Transportation: From $50,000 to $55,000 per violation;
- Violations of Hazardous Materials Transportation resulting in personal injury or property damage: From $100,000 to $110,000 per violation;
- Violation by a person other than an individual or small business concern: From $25,000 to $27,500 per violation;
- Tampering with a Smoke Alarm Device: From $2,200 to $3,200 per violation; and
- Violations of 49 U.S.C. 46302: From $11,000 to $16,000.
This rule was issued on November 22, 2010, and the full text can be read in the Federal Register here (link will open in new window).
On Monday (November 15, 2010) the FAA will publish into the Federal Register the final rules implementing its Aging Airplane Program aimed to help prevent Widespread Fatigue Damage. The rules will amend 14 CFR Parts 25, 26, 121, and 129.
Read the Final Rule. (Opens in new window.)
Read the Wall Street Journal Article. (Opens in new window; Subscription may be required.)
The FAA, in an effort to “improve the accuracy of the Civil Aviation Registry database,” amended the regulations concerning aircraft regulation (specifically Parts 13, 47, and 91).
These rules became effective on October 1, 2010. The rule adopts the expiration and re-registration of all registered aircraft over a three year period with a subsequent renewal at 3 year intervals.
To read the amended regulations and a summary thereof, please click here.
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Erik James Kientzy
