Salt Lake City's regional air traffic control center was the test site for roll out of a new computer system to control civilian air traffic in the U.S. Last weekend the FAA tried to deploy the new computers at the Salt Lake City facility, and according to representatives of the air traffic controllers' union, the Salt Lake roll out was unsuccessful. The new electronics are supposed to be operational in all 20 regional FAA centers by the end of next calendar year. Doubtful.
Showing posts with label FAA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FAA. Show all posts
Friday, October 9, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Stimulus Politics? FAA Funds Low Priority Projects
The stimulus appropriations included $1.1 billion to the FAA for high priority airport construction projects. FAA procedures rate project priority on a scale of 1 to 100, and in a typical fiscal year, FAA grants go only to projects scoring above 41 on the agency's priority scale. When the stimulus legislation passed, the agency adjusted its grant process for stimulus funds by raising the priority score threshhold to a minimum of 62.
Now that specific FAA stimulus grants have been announced, however, it turns out that nearly a quarter of the appropriation, or over $270 million, will go to projects ranked below the 62 point threshhold. At least five of the stimulus finded projects fail the ordinary requirement of scoring above 41. The lowest ranked of all stimulus grants will be $1 million for baggage handling at the Rockford, Illinois International Airport, which primarily serves cargo planes, and $1.85 million to expand the passenger terminal at the Pocatello, Idaho Regional Airport. Those two projects both received priority ratings of 31 points.
Three other projects which will get stimulus funding, despite ranking below the FAA's usual 41 point priority floor, including $14.7 million for the Ouzinkie, Alaska airport, $14.0 million for the Akiachak, Alaska airport, and $11.6 million for the Freeland, Michigan airport. That's a total of $43.15 million in stimulus grants for projects the FAA would never have funded even under its usual process. So much for the idea that stimulus spending would be scrutinized for wasteful abuse.
Now that specific FAA stimulus grants have been announced, however, it turns out that nearly a quarter of the appropriation, or over $270 million, will go to projects ranked below the 62 point threshhold. At least five of the stimulus finded projects fail the ordinary requirement of scoring above 41. The lowest ranked of all stimulus grants will be $1 million for baggage handling at the Rockford, Illinois International Airport, which primarily serves cargo planes, and $1.85 million to expand the passenger terminal at the Pocatello, Idaho Regional Airport. Those two projects both received priority ratings of 31 points.
Three other projects which will get stimulus funding, despite ranking below the FAA's usual 41 point priority floor, including $14.7 million for the Ouzinkie, Alaska airport, $14.0 million for the Akiachak, Alaska airport, and $11.6 million for the Freeland, Michigan airport. That's a total of $43.15 million in stimulus grants for projects the FAA would never have funded even under its usual process. So much for the idea that stimulus spending would be scrutinized for wasteful abuse.
Friday, May 22, 2009
FAA Reauthorization Passes House
The House of Representatives voted 263-154 Thursday to approve legislation appropriating $53.5 billion for airport improvements during the next two years. Republican opposition to the bill centers on provisions requiring more frequent U. S. inspection of overseas aircraft repair facilities, which Republicans fear will set off a trade war with the European Commission.
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