The FAA's Real Air Traffic Control Crisis Runs Much Deeper
The collision between an American Eagle jet and a Black Hawk helicopter has raised concerns about U.S. air traffic control issues, highlighting outdated technology, staffing shortages, and the need for systemic improvements.
Read original article
The recent collision between an American Eagle jet and a Black Hawk helicopter has ignited a debate over air traffic control issues in the U.S. Critics are quick to assign blame, with some calling for the shutdown of Washington's National Airport and others attributing the incident to the FAA's diversity hiring practices. However, the underlying problems with U.S. air traffic control are more complex, primarily involving outdated technology and insufficient staffing. The FAA has struggled with modernization efforts, relying on antiquated systems like paper flight strips, and has faced challenges in managing airspace congestion, particularly in the Northeast. Reports indicate that the FAA's plans to upgrade control towers have been significantly scaled back, raising concerns about safety and efficiency. The diversity hiring issue, while controversial, does not appear to be the root cause of the incident, as the controllers involved were qualified. The FAA's self-regulatory structure and reliance on congressional appropriations further complicate the situation, limiting their ability to make necessary capital investments. As investigations into the collision continue, it is essential to focus on the broader systemic issues rather than assigning blame prematurely.
- The collision has sparked a blame game regarding air traffic control failures.
- U.S. air traffic control faces significant challenges due to outdated technology and insufficient staffing.
- The FAA's modernization efforts have been slow and underfunded, relying on outdated systems.
- Diversity hiring practices at the FAA are controversial but not directly linked to the incident.
- Investigations into the collision are ongoing, highlighting the need for systemic improvements in air traffic management.
Related
The FAA is facing a major crisis without a leader becau Elon Musk pushed him out
The FAA faces a crisis after Michael Whitaker's resignation amid conflicts with Elon Musk. Chris Rocheleau is the acting administrator, while the agency struggles with underfunding and safety concerns.
Staffing Was 'Not Normal' at Reagan Airport Tower, According to FAA Report
Staffing at Ronald Reagan National Airport's control tower was below target, with one controller managing both helicopters and planes during a recent incident, leading to increased workload and potential communication issues.
Reagan National Airport Black Hawk-CRJ Crash
A Black Hawk helicopter collided with a Canadair Regional Jet at Reagan National Airport, with human error and miscommunication suspected as causes. Investigations will analyze cockpit recordings and flight data.
Helicopters flying along Potomac River frequently pose dangers to passenger jets
Helicopters near Reagan National Airport pose risks to passenger jets, highlighted by a recent collision that killed 67. The FAA is reviewing flight paths and staffing issues to enhance safety.
Over 90% of U.S. airport towers are understaffed, data shows
Over 90% of U.S. airport towers are understaffed, with less than 10% meeting FAA standards. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened recruitment, leading to a shortage of 3,000 to 4,000 controllers.
11 commentsHire more controllers? Sure, maybe, but I can't help but think this was very avoidable using technology and training.
RONALD REAGAN AIRPORT has a disaster because of decades-long crisis of too few air-traffic controllers available?
Reagan fired thousands upon thousands of ATC because they dared to ask for proper wages.
That seems like an odd place to put his name.
(oh and this had nothing to do with DEI, just like all attacks on DEI are ridiculous and just people being trolls for entertainment)
- there was a similar incident just the day before where a helicopter's path came close to a similar plane. It was high enough, so the plane received the TCAS (traffic alert/collision avoidance) 'resolution advisory' warning and made the proper actions.
- warnings from TCAS are inhibited under 1000ft because they would be full of false/nuisance warnings that close to the ground and potentially suggest unsafe evasive maneuvers.
- the helicopter was following a designated route along the river as the general guide
- the helicopter went a bit higher than the designated ceiling (and that probably happens pretty often).
- the incoming airplane was following the 'glideslope' of the 'instrument landing system'
- the helicopter crew may have been wearing night vision goggles. such goggles can affect ability to see periphery. Also, nighttime lights of a city can appear bright and distracting.
- the helicopter crew of 3 may have been less than other similar flights
- airplane was initially looking to land on the longer runway #1 but was asked by the ATC to use #33 instead (their smaller plane could use it fine). They take awhile considering it and then accept it. They had to slightly change the angle of their approach. This may have been a choice to simplify the workload for the ATC controller.
- There was one controller handling both the plane and helicopter traffic and one left earlier
- the plane and atc use VHF to communicate while the military helicopter uses UHF, thus, the plane had no awareness of any communications with the helicopter
- the ATC mentions the presence of the plane to the helicopter. the helicopter says they see them and request "visual separation" which is basically 'we can see them, so we can move around them accordingly'
So, it's possible the helicopter was looking at a different plane/set of lights when they mentioned that they had them in sight. Another plane had just taken off from runway 1. It's also possible that they saw the CRJ plane and just misjudged its location (maybe due to the turn they were making for the alignment to land?).
As for systems issues, it seems there's no way for ATC to know just which plane a helicopter (or other plane) is referring to when they 'confirm' seeing it.
It's interesting to note that some airlines actually forbid "visual separation" at nighttime due to the safety concerns (misidentifications, conflicting city lights, human perception). (eg, KLM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rdapQfJDAM)) US ATC might prefer visual separation which means that planes can be closer together in lining up to land whereas an instrument approach means a bigger gap. (More planes landing means more money for airports?)
It seems like the 'glidescope' area when landing should be treated like a 3d extension of the runway -- keep planes and craft out of it during a plane's landing. Anything crossing into it should be treated like a "runway incursion" (which is also clearly a problem that the US needs to fix...In someways, this crash might be seen as an extension of that issue?)
There needs to be a way to verify just which planes a craft is "confirming visual' of - especially at night.
>>>Facing pressure to diversify an overwhelmingly white workforce, the FAA began using a biographical test as a first screen of candidates. Minority candidates were fed “buzz words” to bump their resumes up to top priority. Apparently saying your worst subject in school was science served as a golden ticket. Correct answers to the take-home biographical questionnaire were given in their entirety. These questionnaires were later banned. This was dumb, but it’s not the problem.<<<
Ok, besides the fact that this, along with the evidence that the magic keywords were given in secret to special groups, is blatantly illegal, after they banned it, what did the criteria become? What is the criteria today?
Did they switch to a primarily merit/skills based assessment of candidates? Did they lower standards and if so, by how much? Have they tracked their assessment performance against real-world performance across the ATC pool?
Related
The FAA is facing a major crisis without a leader becau Elon Musk pushed him out
The FAA faces a crisis after Michael Whitaker's resignation amid conflicts with Elon Musk. Chris Rocheleau is the acting administrator, while the agency struggles with underfunding and safety concerns.
Staffing Was 'Not Normal' at Reagan Airport Tower, According to FAA Report
Staffing at Ronald Reagan National Airport's control tower was below target, with one controller managing both helicopters and planes during a recent incident, leading to increased workload and potential communication issues.
Reagan National Airport Black Hawk-CRJ Crash
A Black Hawk helicopter collided with a Canadair Regional Jet at Reagan National Airport, with human error and miscommunication suspected as causes. Investigations will analyze cockpit recordings and flight data.
Helicopters flying along Potomac River frequently pose dangers to passenger jets
Helicopters near Reagan National Airport pose risks to passenger jets, highlighted by a recent collision that killed 67. The FAA is reviewing flight paths and staffing issues to enhance safety.
Over 90% of U.S. airport towers are understaffed, data shows
Over 90% of U.S. airport towers are understaffed, with less than 10% meeting FAA standards. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened recruitment, leading to a shortage of 3,000 to 4,000 controllers.