Consider This from NPR America's air traffic control problem
21 snips
May 7, 2025 David Grizzle, former COO and head of air traffic control at the FAA, shares insights into the recent chaos at Newark Airport, citing a brief radar blackout and ongoing staffing shortages. He highlights the urgent need for reforms in air traffic control technology, which still relies on outdated systems from the 1980s. Grizzle discusses the training challenges facing new air traffic controllers and the necessity for improved resources to enhance safety and reliability in the aviation system, urging a fresh approach to tackle these long-standing issues.
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Newark Radar Blackout Disrupts Flights
- Newark Airport recently suffered a radar and communications blackout lasting 30 seconds.
- Several controllers took time off to handle stress, worsening delays alongside bad weather and repairs.
Decades-Old Air Traffic Issues
- The US air traffic control system is plagued by decades-old staffing and technology problems.
- Recent incidents reflect a long-standing aviation safety crisis nationwide.
FAA Uses Outdated Tech Cycles
- FAA telecom systems mainly use 1980s technology and are decades out of date.
- The FAA replaces major tech only every 30 to 40 years, causing persistent obsolescence.