17-Hour Outage Should Have Been Fixed Immediately
WASHINGTON, DC - A 17-hour outage of the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS), the air traffic control system used in managing terminal airspace, at Syracuse’s Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility over the Fourth of July weekend raised concerns among aviation technicians regarding the impact of staffing shortages on aviation safety.
WASHINGTON, DC - Despite growing demand for aviation safety oversight, the FAA continues to short-staff its inspector workforce. Most recently, overwhelmed inspectors and local management at the Kentucky Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) in Louisvillerequested that the FAA fill 14 inspector positions. In response, the FAA filled only one of these important positions according to theProfessional Airways Systems Specialists (PASS), the union representing FAA safety inspectors and technicians.
Outdated Equipment Threatens Safety of Air Travel
WASHINGTON, DC—Another power outage occurred in the air traffic control tower at PhiladelphiaInternationalAirportduring the early hours of July 21. This latest power outage, the second in less than two months, represents a repeated failure of FAA policy to address serious threats to aviation safety said the Professional Airways Systems Specialists (PASS) and National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) today.
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Technicians Union: “Open Watches” Gamble With Air Safety
WASHINGTON, DC—On Saturday, August 6th a brief radar outage occurred during an “open watch” at the Dallas Fort Worth TRACON. During this time no technician was on duty to maintain the four radars that are responsible for monitoring air traffic within the Dallasmetropolitan area.
WASHINGTON, DC— Tonight, CNN will air the first of a series of news segments examining the vulnerabilities of air cargo transport and inspection. In future segments, look for PASS Region IV Vice President Linda Goodrichto be featured.
