The FAA will delay its decision on which of the contract towers up for potential closure may be exempted due to “compelling national interest.” David Grizzle, the FAA’s COO, said that in order to “review comprehensively the very large number of responses” from airports seeking an exemption, the final decision date will be March 22. […]
Airport
UES officials: FAA should expand contract tower program to save money
Officials at the Waukesha County Airport (UES) think the FAA has it backwards: Instead of closing towers at 173 airports to save money as part of sequestration, it should expand the contract tower program, which would save money. Officials at UES — which is on the potential closure list — note that the Office of […]
You can make a difference
By MARY ROSENBLUM Hangared at the Portland-Troutdale Airport (TTD) in Oregon, I got involved when I found out that a power generating plant, proposed for a site less than a half mile from runway centerline would seriously hamper operations at the airport by creating a fog plume from its cooling towers, as well as locating […]
Close to home: The impact of tower closures
If you are a pilot, nothing gets your attention faster than when the FAA proposes closing local control towers. As part of FAA budget cuts due to the sequester, agency officials notified 173 contract air traffic control towers across the country that they will be shut down on April 7. Airport officials have until March […]
Is the control tower at your airport up for closure?
Go to SaveContractTowersNow.com and click on Affected Towers and Communities to download a PDF that lists all the airports slated for closure. The website also has information on how to contact your elected representatives and tips on what to say to get the message across that closing the towers is a bad idea.
FAA to decide March 18 whether to close LAL tower
The air traffic control tower at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, home to the SUN ’n FUN Fly-In, may close April 7 because of automatic federal budget cuts due to the sequestration. According to a report in the Lakeland Ledger, a decision on whether to close the air traffic control tower will be made March 18. Airport […]
AWOS now operational at Sporty’s
As of March 7, 2013, an Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) is operational at Sporty’s/Clermont County Airport (I69) in Ohio. The AWOS represents a significant safety enhancement to pilots as it provides a comprehensive local weather picture, Sporty‘s officials note. It’s anticipated that even lower instrument approach minimums will be available at the airport given […]
FAA sequestration cuts not safe or sensible
Craig Fuller, president and chief executive officer of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), on Wednesday leveled sharp criticism at the sequestration cuts planned by the Obama administration and the FAA, suggesting that the decision to close control towers and scale back aviation services constitutes a risk to aviation safety. “The White House budget […]
Pearson Field airspace issue resolved
Airspace operations at Pearson Field (VUO) and Portland International Airport (PDX) will remain unchanged, thanks to the efforts of Washington and Oregon elected officials, local pilot groups and the FAA. Pearson Field, located in Vancouver, Wash., six miles from PDX, is one of the oldest continually operating airports in the United States. On Sept. 20, […]