|

Press Release – FAA Dedicates New Reno Air Traffic Control

RENO, Nev. – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today dedicated a new, modernized 195 foot-tall air traffic control tower at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

“Upgrading our aviation infrastructure is one of our highest priorities, and this new tower will provide Reno-Tahoe International Airport with one of the nation’s most modern air traffic control facilities,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.

“This is a great day for aviation in Nevada,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “The new tower will improve safety and efficiency by providing controllers with better airfield views and more modern equipment.”

The new tower was built with FAA facilities and equipment dollars, which are used to modernize the air traffic control system.

Reno’s new control tower is almost three times the height of the old tower, which was built in 1957. The airport’s runways are considerably longer than they were when the old tower was built, which made it challenging for controllers to see aircraft on certain taxiways and runways. The old tower also experienced glare from lights on the cargo areas.

Renocontrollers also now will have state-of-the-art equipment that includes multicolor radar displays, touch-screen voice communications, and touch-screen work stations that provide instant information on everything from weather conditions to air traffic manuals. Double-thick sun shades will help prevent glare inside the 610-square-foot controller work area. Additionally, the new tower will have two backup power systems to help ensure uninterrupted operations.

Tower controllers direct aircraft within about five miles of the airport up to an altitude of 3,000 feet. The new tower and a 10,000 square-foot base building cost $29.4 million to build and equip. Construction began in January 2008. Reno-Tahoe International Airport served about 100,000 flights in 2009.

To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.

Similar Posts

  • | | | | | |

    Allegiant Air Allegedly Fires Pilot for Making Emergency Landing

    AllegiantA pilot’s union claims that the pilot of the Allegiant Air flight 864 that made an emergency landing at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Florida, on June 8 has been fired.

    The pilot decided to make an emergency landing due to reports of smoke in the Maryland-bound aircraft’s cabin. Four passengers and a crew member sustained minor injuries while exiting through evacuation slides.

    The airline told the FAA that the mechanics could not find any problem in the aircraft.

    The president of the Airline Professionals Association Teamsters Local 1224, Dan Wells, said, “Believe me, the message was intentional and loud and clear: Don’t you dare push the safety stuff too far.”

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | |

    Southwest Airlines and AirTran Holdings Each Receive Antitrust Second Request

    DALLAS, Tex. and ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ —
    Southwest Airlines Co. and AirTran Holdings, Inc. announced today that each received a request yesterday for additional information from the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with Southwest’s previously announced proposed acquisition of AirTran. This action, often referred to as a “second request,” is a common part of the regulatory approval process under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. Both parties are in the process of gathering information to respond to the second request and will continue to work cooperatively with the DOJ as it reviews the transaction. Completion of the transaction remains subject to the approval of AirTran stockholders, receipt of DOJ and any other necessary clearances, and fulfillment of customary closing conditions. While a definitive closing date cannot yet be determined, Southwest and AirTran maintain their expectation that the transaction will close in the first half of 2011.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.

  • NTSB TRANSFERS CONTROL OF INVESTIGATION OF AUSTIN PLANE CRASH TO FBI

    NTSB Advisory : NTSB NTSB TRANSFERS CONTROL OF INVESTIGATION OF AUSTIN PLANE CRASH TO FBI

    The National Transportation Safety Board has transferred control of the investigation into yesterday’s crash of a small aircraft into an office building in Austin, Texas to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    On the morning of February 18, 2010, a Piper PA-28 struck a 7-story building housing federal offices in Austin, Texas. The NTSB immediately initiated an investigation and dispatched a team of investigators to the scene. Information developed about the circumstances of the crash since that time point toward an intentional act rather than an accident.

    Last night, NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman consulted with the United States Attorney General, Eric Holder. They agreed that given the apparent criminal nature of the event, the primacy of this investigation should be transferred to the FBI. NTSB investigators will remain at the scene to assist the FBI.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    Jeppesen and Executive Jet Management Collaborate to Gain FAA Authorization for Use of Jeppesen Charts on iPad

    ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Feb. 11, 2011 — Jeppesen today announced that Executive Jet Management has received authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration to use the Jeppesen Mobile TC App for iPad as an alternative to paper aeronautical charts. The authorization allows Executive Jet Management to use iPad and the Jeppesen Mobile TC App as the sole reference for electronic charts, even during taxi, takeoff and landing. Executive Jet Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of NetJets Inc., is a leading provider of worldwide jet charter and aircraft management services.

    This announcement is a result of a three-month extensive in-flight evaluation managed by Executive Jet Management and Jeppesen with regular engagement of the FAA (including local and national Electronic Flight Bag authorization authorities). The cross-industry collaboration sets an important precedent for the aviation community. Lessons learned, processes established, and templates developed during this project may benefit other companies seeking to deploy EFB solutions on iPad.
    “The exceptional collaboration between operator, supplier and the FAA was remarkable,” said Mark Van Tine, Jeppesen president and chief executive officer. “This serves as a model for how the FAA can be engaged in working through a challenge and defining a solution that moves the industry forward safely and efficiently. Executive Jet Management’s role was critical to the success of this project. They possess the necessary skills, credibility and EFB experience to help all parties understand, from an operator’s perspective, the unique issues and benefits related to using iPad in flight.”

    The Jeppesen Mobile TC App and iPad were thoroughly evaluated by Executive Jet Management pilots who logged more than 250 flight segments. Pilots participating in the evaluation reported that they were particularly pleased with the App’s ease of use, simplicity to manage, speed and display clarity. As a result of the full analysis, enhancements to crew procedures, training updates and software improvements were included in the Jeppesen Mobile TC App version 1.2, released last month.
    The authorized EFB configuration is a Class 1 portable, kneeboard EFB solution that is secured and viewable during critical phases of flight as defined in FAA Order 8900.1. Information obtained from this evaluation will also be useful in gaining future authorization for Class 2 mounted configurations utilizing iPad.

    “Executive Jet Management was pleased to collaborate with Jeppesen and the FAA on this leading-edge iPad EFB solution and to support the introduction of this technology to the industry,” said Executive Jet Management President Robert Garrymore. “The collaboration with Jeppesen and the FAA was key in making this innovation possible and we are proud to be a part of it.”
    In support of the authorization effort:

    A total of 55 pilots and 10 different aircraft types from the Executive Jet Management fleet were involved in 250 flight segments to ensure a broad scope of feedback
    Jeppesen commissioned a successful rapid decompression test on iPad to 51,000 feet in altitude
    Executive Jet Management completed successful non-interference testing on the evaluation aircraft
    The project followed established FAA EFB authorization requirements applicable to an air carrier

    For more information on the Jeppesen Mobile TC App, please visit www.jeppesen.com/jeppesen-mobile-tc.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    NTSB Holding Family Assistance Symposium

    NTSB Holding Family Assistance Symposium
    Panel discussions during the March 28-29 event will help the transportation industry, the media, and investigative agencies learn how families are helped after accidents around the world.

    The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a two-day conference March 28-29 for family members, transportation accident investigation agencies, transportation industry representatives, government agencies, and the media to discuss family assistance after transportation accidents in an international context. The event coincides with the 15th anniversary of the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act and the 10th anniversary of ICAO Circular 285 and will give those who attend the chance to learn firsthand from those involved worldwide in family assistance, according to NTSB.

    Day one features four panel discussions and will be webcast. Day two includes training by the NTSB Transportation Disaster Assistance staff, who will give an overview of the NTSB model for family assistance operations.

    The tentative agenda shows the panel discussions will be:

    Family Members: Perspectives from those affected by accidents, a discussion of their needs, and how those needs are met through family assistance programs.
    Transportation industry, vendors, and non-governmental organizations: Responsibilities of the industry, their vendors, and non-governmental organizations.

    Government transportation accident investigation agencies: How investigative agencies provide information about accident investigations and their role in family assistance.

    Media: How the media report on family members following accidents and how family assistance has affected such reporting.

    The event will take place at the NTSB Conference Center, 429 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20594. Registration is free and is being conducted separately for each day. Visit this page to register and for links to transportation family assistance resources.

    Tentative Agenda

    Perspectives from Family Members, Industry, Government, and Media

    Welcome and Introductions: The Honorable Deborah A.P. Hersman
    Commemoration of the 15th Anniversary of the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act
    Four high-level panel discussions designed to share best practices and lessons learned in the provision of family assistance in transportation accidents internationally.
    Family Members: Perspectives from those impacted by accidents, a discussion of their needs, and ways in which those needs are met through family assistance programs.
    Transportation industry, vendors, and non-governmental organizations: Perspectives on the responsibilities of the industry, their vendors, and non-governmental organizations in providing assistance.
    Government transportation accident investigation agencies: How investigative agencies provide information about the accident investigation and their role in family assistance.
    Media: How the media reports on family members following accidents and how family assistance has impacted such reporting.
    March 29, 2011

    The NTSB Family Assistance Model: An Introduction

    NTSB family assistance legislation overview; information flow and timelines; family assistance operations; conducting effective family briefings; personal effects best practices; victim identification concerns; site visits, memorials, anniversaries.

    SEE AGENDA

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    NTSB TO HOLD PUBLIC FORUM ON CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY IN AUTOMOBILES AND ON AIRPLANES

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 13, 2010
    SB-10-35

    Washington, DC – The National Transportation Safety Board will address the safety of children traveling in airplanes or in cars when it holds a public forum on child passenger safety on Thursday, December 9, 2010.

    “American families are on the go, and children today are frequent travelers almost from the time they are born,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. “Much more should be done to reduce fatalities and injuries of our smallest travelers, whether they are in a jumbo jet or their family’s car.”

    The forum will be geared to providing parents and care givers information they can use immediately to protect their children while traveling. The forum will explore current education and other safety advocacy efforts by non-profit groups and government, as well as the continuing problem of nonuse of child seats and seat belts by a significant portion of the traveling public.

    Safety experts from the transportation industry, trade associations, unions, advocacy groups, and federal government will be asked to discuss the best approaches for keeping children safe while flying and riding in cars, how to increase the use of child seats and seat belts, and the importance of government data collection on the issue of nonuse.

    The NTSB has issued 33 safety recommendations addressing child passenger safety; 12 of these safety recommendations have been or currently are on the NTSB’s Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements.

    The forum, titled “Child Passenger Safety in the Air and in Automobiles”, will be held at the NTSB’s Board Room and Conference Center, located at 429 L’Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C. Parents, care givers, and others interested in child safety are encouraged to view the forum in person or by webcast on the NTSB’s website, www.ntsb.gov. Additional information about the forum can be found at www.ntsb.gov/children.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.