Passenger jet forced to abort takeoff with seconds to spare in new close call at LaGuardia Airport

A passenger jet was forced to abort takeoff to avoid a potential collision at LaGuardia airport.

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    New FAA System Improves Air Safety at Juneau

    For Immediate Release
    May 4, 2010

    New FAA System Improves Air Safety at Juneau

    ANCHORAGE – A new surveillance technology called the Wide-Area Multilateration System (WAM) is now allowing air traffic controllers to track aircraft along the difficult approach to Juneau – a mountainous area where radar coverage isn’t possible.

    “This technology will allow more aircraft to fly into Juneau and it will give air traffic controllers the tools they need to safely and efficiently handle these flights,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.

    Air traffic controllers can now see aircraft approaching Juneau, something that wasn’t possible before WAM because of the rugged terrain surrounding the city. The mountains make radar coverage impossible since radar signals cannot pass through solid objects. Without radar coverage, controllers had to separate aircraft approaching Juneau by large distances in order to provide the appropriate safety margins. Air traffic controllers are now able to safely decrease the separation between them to five nautical miles.

    WAM is comprised of a network of small sensors deployed around Juneau. The sensors send out signals that are received and sent back by aircraft transponders. No other aircraft equipment is required. The system triangulates the returning signals to determine the precise location of each aircraft. Controllers are able to see those aircraft on their screens as if they were radar targets.

    WAM is being used in the near term while the agency rolls out Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B), the satellite-based surveillance system that will be deployed nationwide in 2013. WAM will then serve as a backup to ADS-B in the event of a GPS outage and provide an additional source of traffic broadcast to properly equipped aircraft. A WAM system is also operating in Colorado.

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    Air India’s Culture of Coercion and Fear

    It’s not the Hatfields and the McCoys but it’s a feud going on between Air India and its 1,600 pilots. This is the scenario:

    Pinched for money, Air India’s owes cash to pilots, employees, vendors, fuel and ground transportation suppliers; they are cutting rates and (safety) corners.

    Air India is supposed to be shaping up, but they ignore rules and regulations meant to reduce pilot fatigue. Unsafe practices include changing schedules so often that some pilots refer to the company’s management style as “schedule by wake-up call.”

    The Indian Pilot’s Guild sent the Star Alliance a letter exposing Air India’s culture of “coercion and fear” to compel pilots to fly long hours.

    Pilots are complaining about being forced to work long hours while Air India ignores safety regulations. They can’t take off when they’re sick, for fear of being penalized, which is of course another safety violation.

    After losing a billion dollars last year, Air India has applied to the Indian government for money. India’s aviation regulatory agency uncovering fraudulent pilot training and corruption in aviation administrative circles. In the face of tightening procedures, Air India will have its back against the wall if they’re going to comply with safety regulations.

    Meanwhile, Air India is attempting to join the Star Alliance network of 27 airlines.

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  • Foley Adds Second Plane to Aviation Museum Plan

    Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley is continuing its efforts to highlight the city’s history in Navy aviation training with the addition of a second aircraft for a future museum exhibit. The newest addition is a Beechcraft T-34B Mentor, a trainer plane that once played a major role in preparing Navy pilots. This aircraft was a common sight over Foley and South Baldwin County during its years of active use. Pilots regularly flew the T-34B in the area while training.

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