Features

In a recent report, the General Accounting Office (GAO) presented research on the air traffic controller workforce and the impending retirements that the FAA will be facing in the next few years. Some of the finer points of this report include the following statistics: This increases the risk that FAA will not have enough qualified […]

The employee cafeteria in the ground-training building is a sad place, filled with the forced boisterousness of the indentured student.Facing either a five-day stint for recurrent or the “serious time” of a five-week initial, the diners found in this plastic forked purgatory gather at round, Formica-covered tables festooned with pepper and salt shakers, the current […]

FSS Privatization There have been previous letters regarding privatization (AVmail, Dec. 29). For the record, the FAA is already in the process of privatizing the Flight Service Option. Bids are available for interested parties and a selection is to be made in March 2005.The Administration is going full speed to privatize the FSS option. Doing […]

Carrier 1234: Cape Approach, can we get direct Boston? Approach: Your wish is my command… Carrier 1234: Approach, got time for another wish? Approach: Nope, you used up your wish. Carrier 1234: I don’t get three? Approach: Carrier 1234, did you say Boston, or Austin? Carrier 1234: …I’ll take that as a “No.”

*** PREVIOUS RESULTS *** We received over 200 responses to our question last week on security-based airline cancellations. The majority (53 percent) indicated the rash of flight delays might have been justified depending on the reasons why this action was taken. On the other hand, 18 percent felt the UK/US governments were justifiably acting in […]

Air Tour NPRM Part 135 certification for rides, eh? (NewsWire, Jan. 5.) What’s next — same for sky-diver and glider-tow pilots? After all, sky-divers pay for their ride, and so do those who get sailplanes hauled aloft. I’m afraid to pose this question to the FAA, because they just might think it’s a good idea.Bob […]

All pilots, use caution for flocks of birds on and in the vicinity of the airport… Tower: Skyhawk XXXXX, be advised there are 10,000 seagulls near the approach of runway 15. Skyhawk: Roger. Is that an official count? Tower: Just a quick count. (pause)Tower: Skyhawk XXXXX, be advised there are 10,435 seagulls near the approach […]

*** PREVIOUS RESULTS *** Due to technical difficulties, last weeks question could not be viewed by our readers. We apologize for any inconvenience. To respond to this week’s question, click here. *** THIS WEEK’S QUESTION *** This week, we would like to know your thoughts on security-based airline cancellations. Have an idea for a new […]

Well here we go. Another year gone. Another page turned. This New Year’s, I spent a lot of time thinking about my upcoming retirement (less than three years away). It seems too early to start looking for another job, but in reality I guess it’s never too early to start dreaming. Hope really does spring […]

Security or Insecurity? Anyone besides me notice that when the federal government declares threat condition orange (NewsWire, Jan. 1)the only security steps taken are to protect the federal government, and they let the general public fend for themselves? Federal employees get more protection (or paid days off). Federal controlled airports “increase” screening measures (how come […]