Management Shuffled In A Effort To Enhance Oversight Of
Critical Air Traffic Roles
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt has announced additional
management changes and other actions as part of the FAA's
comprehensive review of the air traffic control system.
In the moves made public Friday, 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.