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FAA Expands Air Traffic Education Program

April 12–The Federal Aviation Administration announced today five new colleges and universities will be part of the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI). This is the third year the FAA has added schools to the AT-CTI program bringing the total number of schools participating to 36.

The FAA AT-CTI program was first established in 1990 at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. The program helps recruit candidates for terminal and en route air traffic controller positions.

Twenty-one institutions submitted applications early last year to join AT-CTI. The applications were evaluated based on the school’s organizational foundation and resources, organization credibility, air traffic basic curriculum and facilities.

The five schools joining the program are: Sacramento City College, (Sacramento, CA), Florida Institute of Technology College of Aeronautics (Melbourne, FL), Texas State Technical College (Waco, TX), Western Michigan University (Battle Creek, MI), and Hesston College (Hesston, KS).

CTI institutions are not given federal funds to teach air traffic control courses, however the FAA does provide curriculum and instructor notes on air traffic basics. The institutions independently incorporate the material into their aviation programs.

The AT-CTI curriculum provides appropriate education, experience, and training which meet the basic requirements for the terminal and en route air traffic occupations. As a result, AT-CTI graduates may be permitted to bypass the initial five-week air traffic basics training when they report to the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City.

No jobs are promised to students, but from fiscal years 2005 until 2009 over 3,000, or 41 percent, of the air traffic controllers hired graduated from an AT-CTI school.

AT-CTI programs are currently available at these institutions: Aims Community College (Colorado), Arizona State University, Broward Community College (Florida), Community College of Baltimore County (Maryland), Community College of Beaver County (Pennsylvania), Daniel Webster College (New Hampshire), Dowling College (New York), Eastern New Mexico University, Embry Riddle–Daytona Beach (Florida), Embry Riddle–Prescott (Arizona), Florida Community College of Jacksonville, Green River Community College (Washington), Hampton University (Virginia), Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, Mount San Antonio (California), Jacksonville University (Florida), Kent State University (Ohio), LeTourneau University (Texas), Lewis University (Illinois), Metropolitan State College of Denver (Colorado), Miami Dade County College (Florida), Middle Georgia College, Middle Tennessee State University, Minneapolis Community and Technical College (Minnesota), Purdue University (Indiana), St. Cloud University (Minnesota), Tulsa Community College (Oklahoma), University of Alaska, University of North Dakota, University of Oklahoma, and Vaughn College of Aeronautics (New York).

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    FAA Achieves Major NextGen Milestone

    FAA Achieves Major NextGen Milestone with Contract for Digital Communications in Aircraft

    Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a significant step forward in its Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) programs, awarding a contract that will supplement the voice communications currently used in commercial aviation with a digital system for clearer, more efficient communication between air traffic controllers, the flight deck and pilots.
    The FAA selected Harris Corporation Government Communications Systems to provide Data Communications Integrated Services (DCIS), with a subcontracting team that includes ARINC Inc., GE Aviation and Thales.
    “The FAA’s commitment to Data Communications is a critical next step for improving air safety, reducing delays, increasing fuel savings and improving the environment,” said Acting Administrator Michael P. Huerta. “When fully implemented, DataComm will make work safer and more efficient for both the air traffic controller and the pilot.”
    Voice communication is currently the primary means of relaying information in air traffic management. However, voice communication is not the most effective way for air traffic controllers and pilots to communicate because it can be time-consuming and limiting. DataComm supplements today’s analog voice-only air-to-ground communications system with a digital system, and it will become the primary mode of communication in air traffic in the future.
    DataComm will provide a two-way data exchange between controllers and flight crews for clearances, instructions, advisories, flight crew requests and reports. It will enhance air traffic safety by allowing controllers to give more timely and effective clearances, and more reliable messages to reduce the risk of incidents associated with voice communications. It will also help air traffic controllers safely handle more traffic by reducing congestion on radio frequencies and related errors.
    The FAA will deploy data communications in air traffic control towers by 2016 and in air traffic facilities that manage high altitude traffic beginning in 2019. The $331 million contract covers seven years, with 10 additional one-year options. Harris Corporation will also be responsible for contracting directly with communication service providers to establish Data Communications Network Services.

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    DOT Confirmation

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SUBSTANTIATES WHISTLEBLOWER’S SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT UNITED AIRLINES5 EMERGENCY DOOR BATTERIES AND OVERHEAD BINS

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Press Release: The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC)transmitted to the President and Congress the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) response towhistleblower allegations that Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees compromised thesafety of the flying public by failing in their oversight and regulatory responsibilities.

    The whistleblower, Cheryl Henderson, Aviation Safety Inspector, DOT, FAA, United AirlinesCertificate Management Office, Daly City, California, specifically disclosed concerns about the lackof proper FAA oversight of United Airlines’ compliance with an Airworthiness Directive (AD)concerning emergency door batteries on United’s Boeing 777s and the improper self-disclosure ofdefective overhead bins on its Boeing 767s.

    The August 2009 report from Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to OSC found that two FAAsenior supervisory inspectors had improperly permitted United Airlines to self-disclosenoncompliance with an AD about the installation of overhead bins in violation of FAA’s VoluntaryDisclosure Reporting Program (VDRP). The AD had been issued to prevent the failure of tie rods tothe center overhead stowage bin modules, which could result in a collapse of the bins and,consequently, injuries to passengers and crew.

    The investigation also found that the then-FAA Principal Avionics Inspector for United Airlines inDaly City, California, failed to adequately address the expiration of emergency door batteries andthe reliability of battery restoration equipment. DOT substantiated that the battery restorationequipment was not properly calibrated and, therefore, inadequate for measuring accurately thequality of the batteries. The investigation found that while United Airlines eventually replaced allthe emergency door batteries in question, FAA improperly delayed by 18 months a decision aboutUnited Airlines’ use of non-calibrated equipment. In addition to addressing the safety concernsidentified in the investigation, FAA also proposed suspensions for the senior managers for theirmismanagement and failure of oversight.

    OSC determined that the agency’s report contains all the information required by statute and thefindings appear reasonable.

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  • IATA Comment on New US Security Procedures

    Geneva – IATA understands the need for government-mandated emergency security measures as a result of the attempted downing of Northwest Flight 253 on 25 December 2009. Security is a government responsibility. Emergency measures should be revised as information is gathered in the investigation.

    The 3 January announcement by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to replace the original emergency requirement for 100 percent pat-down screening of all US-bound passengers with threat based and random screening is a welcome step in the right direction.

    The TSA announcement is in line with requests made by IATA in a letter to Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on 29 December. “It is critical that DHS partner with industry to identify the most effective and efficient ways to address this challenge going forward. Clearly, the air transport system cannot support 100 percent pat-down searches over the long term. However, a smaller percentage of intensive pat downs accompanied by trace detection technology may reduce delays and achieve near-term security requirements as we focus on longer-term technology solutions to address the ongoing threat,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

    Long-term, sustainable aviation security must be globally harmonized, risk-based and have efficient processes for passengers.

    One lesson already learned from this incident is the importance of combining screening procedures with intelligence. Following the new TSA announcement, IATA calls on DHS and TSA to work with their international counterparts to look at a next generation checkpoint. This should give screeners access to effective intelligence to deliver proportional screening measures based on intelligence driven risk assessments.

    IATA continues to urge the US and other governments to coordinate security requirements and to work closely with industry for their effective implementation.

    For more information, please contact:
    Steve Lott
    Head of Corporate Communications
    North America
    lotts@iata.org
    Tel: + 1 202 628-9292

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    NTSB MEETS TO CONSIDER SAFETY STUDY ON THE USE OF AIRBAGS IN GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT

    National Transportation Safety Board
    Washington, DC 20594

    January 6, 2011

    The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public
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    The NTSB initiated the safety study to 1) examine the
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    During the course of the study, investigators became aware
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    The meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 11, at 9:30
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    A live and archived webcast of the proceedings will be
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    http://www.ntsb.gov/Events/Boardmeeting.htm. Technical
    support details are available under “Board Meetings.” To
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    A summary of the safety study, which will include its
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  • Emergency: Honeywell Bendix Navigation Issue


    Emergency Notice
    Notice Number: NOTC2101
    Emergency Notification
    The FAA has been made aware of an issue with an update to a navigation database that became effective on 14 January 2010. To date, the known affected models are: Honeywell Bendix/King KLN 35, KLN 88, KLN 89, KLN 89B, KLN 90, KLN 90B, KLN 94, KLX 100, KLX 135, KLX 135A, KLN 900.

    *** URGENT SAFETY BULLETIN ***

    January 11, 2010

    Reference: Databases for KLN 35A/KLN 88/KLN 89/KLN 89B/KLN 90/KLN 90A/KLN90B/KLN 94/KLX 100/KLX 135/KLX 135A/KLN 900

    After production and distribution of the Cycle 1001 databases (effective date 14-Jan-2010),Honeywell was informed by our data supplier, Jeppesen, that the data file delivered to Honeywell contained incorrect Dynamic Magnetic Variations for all terminal and en route waypoint records.For that reason, it is imperative that the incorrect databases NOT be used for arrival, departure, or approach operations.

    Any of the following databases contain incorrect data that must be corrected before use:
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    2. Cycle 1001 databases on programmed media and received prior to January 12th, 2010.

    To fix this issue, a corrected database must be installed prior to the next flight. For all units except the KLN 94, refer to the applicable pilot’s guide for database update instructions. For operators using KLN 94 equipment who downloaded the Cycle 1001 database prior to 16 January 2010, please refer to Service Information Letter “Incorrect Dynamic Magnetic Variation Data on database cycle 1001” PN D201001000010.

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    Note that if it cannot be determined whether the Cycle 1001 database falls within the categories listed above, or if there is any uncertainty about the correctness of the data, a corrected database should be installed.

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    NTSB INVESTIGATIVE HEARING ON BOEING 787 BATTERY FIRE

    April 23, 2013 Press Release
    The National Transportation Safety Board today will begin the first of two days of investigative hearings into the Jan. 7 battery fire aboard a Boeing 787 in Boston.

    The all-day hearings will end with a separate press availability by NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman.

    Event 1: Investigative Hearing

    Date/Time: Tues., April 23, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET.; Wed., April 24, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET

    Location: Board Room, NTSB Board Room and Conference Center
    429 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
    Washington, DC 20594

    Participants: NTSB Board Members, witnesses, NTSB staff technical panel, party members

    Media Logistics: http://www.ntsb.gov/news/2013/130419.html

    Network pool coverage will be by NBC

    Live Webcast: A link to the webcast will be available at: www.capitolconnection.net/capcon/ntsb/ntsb.htm

    Event 2: Press Availability

    Participant: NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman

    Date/Time: Tues., April 23, 5:45 p.m. ET.; Wed., April 24, 5:15 p.m. ET

    Location: Room A/B, NTSB Board Room and Conference Center
    429 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
    Washington, DC 20594

    Media-only phone teleconference: 800-776-0420 or international 913-312-0945
    Participant passcode: XXXXXX
    Call 5-10 minutes before start of press conference and give your media affiliation, name and email.

    Meeting Agenda

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