Sat, Nov 14, 2009
Babbitt Says Procedures Will Be Strengthened
The FAA is updating training and procedures for handling the
loss of two-way communication with aircraft and how other agencies
are notified, after a detailed review of air traffic contact with
Northwest Airlines Flight 188 on October 21, 2009.
The FAA also has taken steps to ensure more accurate preliminary
information about air traffic events can be provided to top
officials more quickly.
"We work closely with other aviation partners every day to make
sure we all have a common understanding of what's happening in the
sky," said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. "Sharing information
quickly is essential, and we're making improvements to ensure all
of our employees understand what to do and when to do it."
The air traffic review determined that the FAA notified other
agencies about the loss of radio contact with Northwest Flight 188
one hour and nine minutes after the last communication with the
pilots. Eight minutes after the FAA informed other agencies via the
Domestic Events Network teleconference line, air traffic
controllers reestablished contact with the Northwest pilots.
The FAA expects to review changes in training and procedures by
the end of January 2010 and to improve the incident notification
process by the end of this month. The improvements are expected
to:
- Ensure that air traffic controllers have the knowledge, skills
and tools necessary to know which aircraft are in communications
with air traffic control and can readily identify when
communications have been interrupted.
- Ensure that coordination with other agencies about "no radio"
events and other aviation security events is handled effectively
and accurately.
- Ensure more accurate preliminary investigations and more timely
dissemination of information internally.
More News
Chaff Thin, narrow metallic reflectors of various lengths and frequency responses, used to reflect radar energy. These reflectors, when dropped from aircraft and allowed to drift d>[...]
“Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947. I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding>[...]
“Teaming up with the EAA and Berlin Express for this event in Cincinnati will give warbird fans a unique opportunity to see the aircraft that helped defend freedom and gave t>[...]
Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot>[...]
Aero Linx: The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission was created by the 1935 Legislature to oversee the development of aviation in the state. The Comm>[...]