Miami Center To Take Over Approach, Departure Control In Three Years

Don't take our TRACON. That's the message four congressmen sent to FAA Administrator Marion Blakey this week, after learning of the agency's plans to close the Palm Beach Terminal Radar Approach Control when a new control tower goes online at Palm Beach International Airport.

In a letter to Blakey, Florida representatives Alcee Hastings, Mark Foley, Robert Wexler, and Clay Shaw questioned the FAA's decision to relocate TRACON duties for Palm Beach International Airport to Miami when the new tower is completed. The representatives -- two Democrats, two Republicans -- say the consolidation compromises safety, and would hamper rescue efforts should an emergency close the tower at PBI -- or, if a disaster such as a hurricane were to hit the Miami center.

"If a hurricane were to barrel through Miami-Dade County and damage Miami International Airport's control tower and subsequent radar system, as Hurricane Andrew did, then it is highly possible, indeed likely, that emergency efforts in Palm Beach could be dramatically hindered," the representatives wrote, according to the Palm Beach Post.

FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Berger said Blakey has not yet seen the letter -- but that the representatives' concerns are largely unfounded.

"Many significant hurricanes have hit South Florida and none of our buildings have had significant damages," Bergen said, adding TRACON buildings are built to withstand Category 5 storms, and are equipped with backup power generators.

In a worst-case scenario, Bergen added, a high-altitude radar facility located three miles from PBI could assume radar control duties for Palm Beach International.

FMI: www.faa.gov