PAGENO="0001"
U~L) V * ~LkflJ.
I
AVIATION
b(~I'3Sc
SAFETY ~
HEARINGS
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON
INTERSTATE AND FOREIGN COMMERCE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AND THE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
AND AERONAUTICS
NINETIETH CONGRESS
FIRST AND SECOND SESSIONS
ON
AVIATION SAFETY
26, 27, 1968
JULY 24, AUGUST 28, 29, 1967; MARCH
Serial No. 90-34
Printed for the use of the
Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce
ir
I
I J~
7
tLS. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON: 1968
92-715
PAGENO="0002"
SAMUEL N. FRIEDEL, Maryland
TORBERT H. MACDONALD, Massachusetts
JOHN JARMAN, Oklahoma
JOHN E. MOSS, California
JOHN D. DINGELL, Michigan
PAUL G. ROGERS, Florida
HORACE It. KORNEGAY, North Carolina
LIONEL VAN DEERLIN, California
J. J. PICKLE, Texas
FRED B. ROONEY, Pennsylvania
JOHN M. MURPHY, New York
DAVID E. SATTERFIELD III, Virginia
DANIEL J. RONAN, Illinois
BROCK ADAMS, Washington
RICHARD L. (XI3TINGER, New York
RAY BLANTON, Tennessee
W. S. (BILL) STUCKEY, Ja., Georgia
PETER N. KYROS, Maine
ANDREW STEVENSON
JAMES M. MENGER, Jr.
WILLIAM L. SPRINGER, Illinois
SAMUEL L. DEVINE, Ohio
ANCHER NELSEN, Minnesota
HASTINGS KEITH, Massachusetts
GLENN CUNNINGHAM, Nebraska
JAMES T. BROYHILL, North Carolina
JAMES HARVEY, Michigan
ALBERT W. WATSON, South Carolina
TIM LEE CARTER, Kentucky
G. ROBERT WATKINS, Pennsylvania
DONALD 0. BROTZMAN, Colorado
CLARENCE J. BROWN, Ja., Ohio
DAN KUYKENDALL, Tennessee
JOE SKUBITZ, Kansas'
WILLIAM J. DIxON
ROBERT F. QUTHRIE
1ApDolnted Aug. 1, 1967.
SAMUEL N. FRIEDEL, Maryland, Chairman
SAMUEL L. DEVINE, Ohio
GLENN CUNNINGHAM, Nebraska
ALBERT W. WATSON, South Carolina~
DAN KUYKENDALL, Tennessee
COMMITTEE ON INTERSTATE AND FOR1~llGN COMMERCE~
HARLEY 0. STAO(IIIRS, West Virginia, (Jha'irman
W. ~. WILLIAMSON, Clerk
KENNETSI J. PAINTER, Assistant Clerk
Professional Staff
SIJBCOMMITTEI~ ON TRANSPORTATION AND AERoNAUTICs
JOHN D. DINGELL, Miehigan
J. J. PICKLE, Texas
DANIEL J. RONAN, Illinois
BROCK ADAMS, Washington
(II)
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CONTENTS
Hearings held on-
July 24, 1967 (full committee)
August 28, 1967 (subcommittee)
August 29, 1967 (subcommittee)
March 26, 1968 (subcommittee)
March 27, 1968 (subcommittee)
Letter dated July 7, 1967, from Chairman O'Connell of the National Trans-
portation Safety Board, re status of three recent commercial airline ac-
cidents (Urbana, Ohio, March 9, 1967; New Orleans, La., March 30,
1967; and Marseilles, Ohio, March 5, 1967)
Statement of-
Allen, Bobbie R., Director, Bureau of Safety, National Transportation
Safety Board, Department of Transportation _~~__ 7
Bailey, F. Lee, acting executive director, Professional Air Traffic
Controllers Organization _______~______________________ 34~
Brotzman, Hon. Donald G., a Representative in Congress from the
State of Colorado 315
Burton, Clifford P., executive director, Air Traffic Association 304
Clausen, Hon. Don H., a Representative in Congress from the State
of California 277
Galipault, John B., president, Galipault & Associates, Worthington, Ohio~ 361
Grote, Henry, president, Newark Airport Local, National Associa-
tion of Government Employees 282
Hill, James, general counsel, Air Traffic Control Association 304
Jennings, William A., director of aviation safety, Airline Passengers
Association 332
Jensen, Walter A., assistant vice president, operations and engineer-
ing, Air Transport Association 221
Jones, David, United Airlines pilot, Washington, D. C . 178
Jones, Roys C., director, air traffic control department, Aircraft
Owners & Pilots Association 188
Kayne, Victor J., vice president, policy and technical planning, Air-
craft Owners & Pilots Association 188
Linnert, Ted, director, engineering and safety department, Air Line
Pilots Association 152
Lyman Stanley, vice president, Federal Aviation Administration
affairs, National Association of Gov~ernment Employees 275, 282
Lyons, Kenneth, president, National Association of Government
Employees 276, 282
McKee, Gen. William F., Administrator, Federal Aviation Admin-
istration, Department of Transportation 18
Maready, William F., attorney, Winston-Salem, N.C 328
Minshall, Hon. William F., a Representative in Congress from the
State of Ohio 353
O'Connell, Joseph J., Jr., Chairman, National Transportation Safety
Board, Department of Transportation 4
Peterson, Iris, vice president, Steward and Stewardess Division,
Air Line Pilots Association 152, 166
Ruby Charles, president, Air Line Pilots Association ~ 152
Seltzer, Stanley L., director, air navigation and traffic coi~trol, Air
Transport Association 221
Smith, Frank Kingston, executive director, National Aviation Trades
Association 258
Thomas, David D., Deputy Administrator, Federal Aviation Admin-
istration, Department of Transportation 19
Tipton, Stuart G., president, Air Transport Association 221
Von Kann, Gen. Clifton F., vice president, operations and engineeering,
Air Transport Association 221
Weatherly, Lloyd H., Jr., manager, Catapult and Arresting Gear
Division, All-American Engineering Co., Wilmington, Del 321
Page
I
151
277
315
341
2
(III)
PAGENO="0004"
lv
Page
28~
357
211
214
219
216
334
237
238
239
243
223
223
224
226
227
236
247
246
Statement of-Continued
Whitney, Alan J., executive vice president, National Association of
Government Employees
Woods, John P., executive assistant, National Business Aircraft Association.
Additional material submitted for the record by-
Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association:
Collisions between general aviation aircraft, statistics on
General aviation use of airports in the Paris, France, area
Letter dated July 7,~ 1967, from AOPA to FAA, re "positive
control area"
Major airports, use of, by venous types of traffic
Airline Passengers Association: Bibliography of literature available
on postcrash fire hazards, ~
Air Transport Association of America:
Appendix A-Airports without tower ~
Appendix B-Airports recommended for radar service in fiscal
year ~
Appendix C-Additional airports expected to have airline jet
service by ~
Continuous power airports, list of 50
Figure 1-Total IFR aircraft handled at FAA air route traffic
control centers (chart)
Figure 2-Aircraft operations at FAA control towers (chart) _ _
Figure 3-FAA F&E funding vs. aircraft operations (chart)
Figure 4-Towers, radars and ILS at airline-served airports (chart)
Figure 5-Making better use of radar (chart)
Figure 6-Contributions to domestic airways system from 5
percent ticket tax (chart)
Proposed AlA crashworthiness development program
Turnover of FAA air traffic controllers
Brotzman, Hon. Donald G.:
Exhibit A-Letter dated May 5, 1967, from William F. McKee,
Administrator, FAA, re airline pilot training
Exhibit B-Article from Denver Post, March 17, 1968, entitled
"How We Can Stop `Murder in the Mountains' "
Federal Aviation Administration:
Air navigation facilities for which FAA has established criteria,
number of airports at which installed, and number of airports
which meet criteria but where not installed (table)
Air Transport Association recommended program, statement on
estimated cost to implement________-_-___________________
Annual air traffic volume and instrument operations at 35 U.S.
airports, in rank ~
Compilation of airports served by commercial aircraft, which do
not have radar, control towers, ILS, lighting ; and airports
which are qualified but do not have such facilities ~ 96-134
Correspondence between the National Transportation Safety
Board and the FAA re air-taxi opera~ors ~ 371~376
Hendersonville, N.C., crash, statement on estimated cost of_ _ _ _ 28
Radar at airports serving 20 to 30 daily commercial air carrier
operations, estimated cost of installing ~____________________ 61
Unobligated balance of fiscal year 1966 "Facilities and equipment"
appropriation, statement on ~ 40
Fulton, lion. James G. : Extension of remarks re "Air Transportation
Safety," from Congressional Record, August 28, 1967 ____~_~~. 280
Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee : " `Tortured' Jets Safer
Than Cars," article from Washington (D.C.) Post, March 24, 1968 _ 376
Minshall, Hon. William E.:
"Air Safety Is Going To Be Costly," article from the Cincinnati
Post & Times Star, February 5, ~
"Panelists Agree $5 Billion Needed for Air Safety," article from
the Cincinnati Enquirer, February 5, 1968
National Association of Government Employees : Statement on FAA
electronics equipment maintenance policy
National Transportation Safety Board, Department of Transportation:
Aviation safety recommendations, 1963-67
Summary of midair collisions, 1956-67 (table)
Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization, letter dated March 25,
1968, from F. Lee Bailey, acting executive director, to Gen. William
McKee, Administrator, FA ~
317
317
71
247
67-68
355
3M
301
88-96
42-58
351
PAGENO="0005"
AVIATION SAFETY
MONDAY, JULY 24, .1967
HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES,
COMMIrPEE ON INTERSTATE AND FOREIGN COMMERCE,
Washington, D.C.
The committee met at 10 a.m., pursuant to notice, in room 2123,
Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Harley 0. Staggers (chairman)
presiding.
The CHAIRMAN. The committee will come to order.
This morning we are going to receive testimony on the subject of
aviation safety. This certainly is one of the most important matters
within the jurisdiction of the Oommittee on Interstate and Foreign
Commerce. I don't believe that a day goes by without some contact
being made with me concerning one facet or another of aviation
safety.
Before we hear from our first witness, I would like to clarify a few
items which have been somewhat distorted and confused in reports on
aviation safety and on the unfortunate and most regrettable midair
collision on July 19 near Asheville, N.C.
We are not here to investigate nor to attempt to determine the prob-
able cause of that accident. Our interest is legislative in purpose. We
want to determine if existing laws are being executed in full accord-
ance with their intent. Beyond that-and I am sure that the witnesses
who appear before us today are well aware of this-we are ready to
consider any recommendations for legislation which can further en-
hance aviation safety.
I want to make it clear to all concerned that the committee is neither
equipped nor qualified to search out and identify the detailed facts
and causes of specific. accidents. I am s~e that all of us are interested
in obtaining as much information as we can on the accident which oc~
curred in North Carolina last week, but we must be sure not to put the
witnesses in a position of speculating or theorizing about this accident.
The investigation of this crash is still in its early stages, and here I
would like to say something about the investigative processes which
are followed in every case where a fatality occurs.
The Bureau of Aviation Safety under the National Transportation
Safety Board is staffed by experts who respond to a notification of an
accident by immediately proceeding to the scene. Under an investi-
gator in charge they are organized into a number of groups, each of
which has a specific task.
The groups are named in an an explanatory manner such as air
worthiness, structures, powerplants, operations, witnesses, weather,
human factors, and air traffic control.
(1)
PAGENO="0006"
Ii
2
I am sure that the witnesses will give us further details on how these
groups perform their functions.
Earlier this month in response to my request, Chairman O'Connell
of the National Transportation Safety Board, summarized his Board's
progress as to three accidents which occurred this spring, and set forth
the routine which is follàwed in every case where there is a necessity
to determine probable cause. You will fix~d this letter in the July 11
Congressional Record (p. H8463).* I believe the clerk of our com-
mittee has some copies of this available for distribution.
(The letter referred to follows:)
DEPARTMENP OF TRANSPORTATION,
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAPRTY BOARD,
OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN,
Washington, D.C., July 7, .1967.
Eon. HARLEY 0. STAGGERS, .
C1u~ir'man, Comemittee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce,
House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.
DEAR MR. CONGRESSMAN : In accordance with your request, the Board is more
than happy to bring you up to date on the status of three commercial airline
accidents which occurred in the past few months . and in which your Committee
has expressed a particular interest. .
In addition, this letter will serve to review again with you, for your benefit
and for the benefit of your Committee, the prpcedures the Board follows in con-
nection with the investigation and reporting of results in aviation accidents of
this type.
1. Air collision at Urbana, Ohio, involving TWA DU-9 and a Beechcraft B~'on
B-55, privately owned, March 9, 1967.-Since our last progress report to you in
connection with this case, the detailed field investigation has been completed ; an
extensive public hearing was held in Dayton, Ohio; on June 6-8, 1967 ; and we
are presently receiving comments and suggestions from interested parties who
have, under our rules, thirty days from the date of the hearings in which to
submit them. ~ ~ . . . .
~. DeltaAirlines tra4ni~g flight crash dt New Orleans, Louisiana, March 30,
1967.-The field investigation has been completed and a public hearing has been
~cbeduled to begin in New Orleans on Euly 19, 1967. The hearing will be pre-
sided over by Member Oscar Laurel of this Board, and at that time all of the
known or ascertainable facts will become a matter of public record. It is expected
that the hearing will not last more than two days. ~ .
3. La/ce Central Airlines, accident near Marseilles, Ohio, March 5, 1967.-
The field investigation in this case has been completed and a public hearing is
scheduled. tO be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, commencipg on August 2, 19~7.
In this case, toe, the hearing is expected to ~ reveal all of the known and
ascertainable facts and to point the way ~ toward corrective action if such has
not already in fact been Instituted. . . . .
I am sure you are quite familiar with the investigative process ~f the Board in
aircraft accidents o~ the sort we have been. discussing, but it might be well to
restate it for the record. . .
The investigation of civil aircraft accidents is now the responsibility of the
National Transportation Safety, Board. This responsibility, with a staff ~ of cx-
perienced air safety Investigators, was rE~cently transferred to us from the Civil
Aeronautics Board u.ncl~er the provisions of the Department of Transportation
Act, but the function had been exercised by the CAB from 1940 until the recent
transfer to us.~ ~ . . . .
The practice has always been to organize a team of experts In the various tech-
nical areas that might be involved in any such accident, under the leadership of
trained investigators representing the National Transportation Safety Board.
After as exhaustive a field investigation as the situation requires and permits, the
Board schedules and holds a public hearing at or near the site of the accident.
At this stage of the process, all interested parties, such as the airline concerned;
the Federal Aviation Administration; air line employees associations; air-
frame manufacturers; engine manufacturers; and any ether possible interested
parties, are active participants in adding to and thus developing a complete record
of all the known or ascertainable facts.
PAGENO="0007"
4
Our first witness this morning will be Chairman Joseph J. O'Con-
nell, Jr., National Transportation Safety Board, Department of
Transportation.
Before there are any questions, we will have all of our panel give
their testimony and then question the entire panel.
STATEMENT OP fOSEPH J. O'OON1~ELL, JR., OEAIRMLN, ~NATIONAL
TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD, DEPARTIRNT OP TRANS~OR-
TATION
Mr. O'CONNELL. Mr. Chairman ~and members of the committee,
we are delighted to appear~1~Tore yôth~ ~càthrni~tte~e this morning,
and to provide you with whatever information we can that will be'
helpful to you m the consideration of problems called forcibly to
your minds by recent aircraft accidents.
With your permission, Mr. Chairman, I wouM like first to indicate
very generally how we have planned to make our original presentation
this morning. If the way we propose to approach the problem does
TLQt meet with your approval, we will, of course, aocommodste ourselves
to your wishes.
It `did appear to me, however, that an orderly initial presentation by
us would facilitate your work. What I have in mind is to provide you
initially with a fairly brief description of the process used by the
Nat~ioual Transportation Safety Board in the investigation of aircraft
accidents.
In this presentation I will indicate as well as I can the purposes
which the process is intended to achieve and, generally, the extent to
which we believe such purposes are being achieved. Following that, I
will present you with a brief status report on the five commercial air-
line accidents which are actively under investigation by our board.
~ in this area, Mr. Chairman, you will recall that I gave you a prog-
ress report on three of them on th~ lth of July, and what I have to
say this morning will bring that report up to date and supplement it
by a status report on the BAC-411 Mohawk Airlines accident and the
most recent tragic accident near Asheville, N.C., last Wednesday.
Following that, Mr. B. R. Allen, Director of our Bureau of Avia-
tion Safety, is prepared to give you a factual description of a Board
field investigation of an aircraft accident as it actually unfolds. He
intends to use the Asheville accident as an illustration and I am sure
that you will be benefited by what he has to say in this regard.
Then, Mr. Allen will give you a very precise statement of what we
now know about the Asheville accident. As you know, we are very
actively engaged in investigating that accident as of this moment and
I would have only one word of caution in connection with what Mr~
Allen is prepared to say. That is, that while we will give you every
bit of factual information known to us to be both uncontrovertible
and relevant, we will not indulge in any type of speculation, or other-
wise go beyond reporting the precise facts as we now understand them.
I am sure that you gentlemen will understand the reason for this
caveat.
The investigation of civil aircraft accidents is now the responsi-
bility of the National Transportation Safety Board. This responsi-
PAGENO="0008"
as to our
be~iring, the Board analyzes the record and other
~i issues a formal report as to the probable cause of
pp
istrator 1.
n Adminisi
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o say
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the ~ Subcomm
~committee. ..
The. CHAIRMAN. I might say to the
if it is warranted. That is.the:
ings this morning, to determine . ~. miss in i
should be doing as the Congress representatives of the people,
and what the experts'. ideas and tdoughts are as to what can be dane
to further promote air safety.
I am sure they will do their very best to do just that.
o be L,
ic hearings per
~eronau~ics of this
3
y stages of the hives
JAIRMAN. Now we will be pleased to hear
)nnell,Jr., - - -.
PAGENO="0009"
5
bility, with a staff of experienced air safety investigators was recently
transferred to us from the Civil Aeronautics Board under the provi-
srnns of the Department of TranspQrtation Act, but the function had
been exercised by the CAB. from 1940 until the recent transfer to us.
The practice has always been to organize a team of experts in the
various technical areas that might be involved in any such major
accident, under the leadership of trained investigators representing
the National Transportation Safety Board. ~AJter as exhaustive a field
investigation as the situation requires and permits, the Board sched-
ules and holds a public hearing usually at or near the site of the
~accident.
At thisstage of the process, all interested parties, such as the airline
or airlines concerned ; the Federal Aviation Administration ; airline
employees associations ; airframe manufacturers ; engine manufactur-*
ers ; and any other possible interested parties, are active participants
in adding to and thus developing a complete record of all the known
or ascertainable facts.
Subsequent to such public hearing, the . Board analyzes the record
~nd other information known to it and issues a formal report as to
the probable cause of the accident, Of coUrse.,~you know, this process
is conducted entirely in the Open, and ~s rapidly as facts are identified
as uncontrovertible and relevant, beginning at the accident site, they
are immediately made known to the interested parties to the investi~
gation and are at the same time released to thB news media and the
public.
In fact, a major part of the constructive results which flow from
accident investigations is the immediate. putting to use for corrective
jpurposes of all the information developed during the preliminary
stages of the investigation or in the public hearing.
In connection witifi the point I have been ffial~in.g about the desir-
ability of havin~, an evei~t and consist~t flOw of fectual mformatio~i
available to all mterested partie~ as rapidly as such facts have been
clearly ascertained, the Board has recently ~ adopted a change ~n its
j~rocedures to supplement this aspect of our operation.
We now plan to issue a summary statement of the facts as they have
been developed in the hearing in eadh accident investigation in which a
formal hearing is held, within 10 days after the. hearing has been
concluded. We initiated this revised procedure in the Lexingtori, Ky.,
air-taxi accident, and we intend to follow it in all subsequent oases.~
~ Just a word as to our purpose in this regard., ~ ~ ithough, as has been
pointed out and as Mr. Allen will elaborate, our field. investigations
are held entirely in the open and with a large number of interested
people privy to and contributing to the investigation, and even though,
as I have said, some attempt has been made to release to the news
media and the public-even from the scene of the accident-~revelant
facts as they become clear, the first time . the gen~ral public has an
opportunity to ~et a reasonably coherent picture of the accident is~
through the vehicle of the public hearing, which is normally held a
month or two after the accident itself.
We have come to believe that while the public hearing affords those
in the public interested enough to follow it an opportunity to learn
the detail of the facts developed, such familiarity is for the most part
PAGENO="0010"
6
confined to parties having a sufficient interest in the specific accident
to participate in the hearing or, in any event, to follow it closely.
Having that in mind, and realizing that for good and sufficient
reasons there is usually a substantial interval of time between the
public hearing and the final Board formal determination c~f the prdb-
able cause of the accident, we have decided that the issuance of a
summary statement of the facts developed at such a hearing would be
of benefit to the public and to the situation generally and, therefore,
we propose to do that from here on.
As to the status of the National Transportation Safety Board's
current investigations of major air accidents, I would at this point like
to give you a report as to each of such investigations:
1. Air collision at Urbana, Ohio, involoving TWA DO-9 and a
Beechcra~ft Baron B-55, privately owned, March 9, 1967. The detailed
field investigation has been completed ; an extensive public hearing was
held in Dayton, Ohio, on June 6-8, 1967 ; and we are now receiving
comments and suggestions from interested parties.
Our staff will then analyze all of the data which have been accu-
mulated and, under the supervision of Board member McAdams, wh~
presided over the hearing, will begin to prepare a draft of a report
on the probablecause of the accident.
2. Delta Airlines training flight crash at New Orleans, La., March
30, 1967. The field investigation has been completed and a public
hearing was held in New Orleans on July 19 and 20, 1967. The hear-
ing was presided over by member Laurel of this Board, and all of the
known or ascertain'a~ble facts were made part of the public record at
that time. Within 10 days we will issue a summary of the facts as
developed in the hearing and will then proceed to the preparation of
a formal report of the Board determining probable cause.
3. Lake Central Airlines accident near Marseilles, Ohio, March 5,
1967. The field investigation in this case has been completed and a
public hearing is scheduled to be held in Indianapolis, md., commenc-
lug Ofl August 2, 1967, at which hearing Admiral Thayer of this Board
will preside.
4. Mohawk Airlines, BAC-lil, near Biossburg, Pa., June 23, 1967.
The field investigation in this case is still underway and as soon as it
has been compiet~d we will schedule a public hearing. The proces~
from here on in this case will be the same as in others which I have
already described.
5. Air collision near Asheville, N.O., involving a Piedmont Airlines
Boeing 727 and a privately owned Cessna 310, July 19, 1967. The field
investigation in this ease is actively underway and no additional corn-
ment is necessary from me in connection with it since, as was earlier
stated, Mr. Allen will address himself to the investigative process
and to the faet~ as we now understand them in this case.
With your permission, Mr. Chairman, I would now turn our presen-
tation over to Mr. Allen.
PAGENO="0011"
7
STATEMENT OP BOBBIE R. ALLE~N, DIRECTOR, BUREAU OP SAFETY,
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD, ]IEPARTMENT OP
TRANSPOETATION
Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Chairman, it is vital to the effective operation of a
centralized team concept of accident investigation that a "go team"
be on standby alert at all times. This team must be prepared to depart
for the scene of a major air carrier accident on short notice. The Na-
tional Transportation Safety Board has four such teams.
However, personnel shortages in various specialist fields make it
impossible for the Bureau to staff more than two complete teams at the
present time. In these critical shortage areas, the specialists involved
are required to serve double and triple duty from team to team.
One of these four teams was on the alert and was launched when
notification of the Hendersonville accident was received on July 19.
Notification of the Piedmont accident was first received about 12:30
p.m. on July 19 from a Government agency press officer who in turn
had obtained it from news sources.
Immediate calls by our office to the FAA Communications Center
and the airline concerned quickly established the approximate scope
of the tragedy and it was abundantly clear that a major team investi-
gation was required. Action was taken to notify the investigation team
members.
Following the notification a Government aircraft with a major por-
lion of the team aboard departed Washington National Airport for
the accident site. The team was accompanied by National Transporta-
tion Safety Board member Gov. John H. Reed, and Mr. Marion F.
Roscoe, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Aviation Safety. Mr.
Thomas II. Saunders was the investigator in charge of the team.
During the same period that our team members were being notified
of the accident, action was also taken to alert representatives of inter-
ested organizations such as the FAA, airline, airframe, powerplant
and equipment manufacturers, pilots, flight engineers, dispatchers, and
air traffic controllers associations.
In view of the fact that the Hendersonville accident involved a mid-
air collision between an air carrier aircraft and a private aircraft we
also notified the Air Transport Association, the National Business Air-
craft Association, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
In every case we invited their participation and they responded mag-
nificently by assigning qualified aeronautical experts to assist in the
investigation.
During the first few hours following an accident, the many people
who are to participate in the investigation are converging on the site
from widely dispersed areas of the country. For example, Boeing Air-
craft Co., personnel came from Seattle, Wash. ; Cessna Aircraft Co.,
personnel came from Wichita, Kans.
The working procedures of the Bureau are so well established, and
known through the industry, however, that it is not uncommon for the
investigation to be organized and in full operation within a few hours
after the accident occurs. In this case, the first organizational meeting
at the accident site took place during the early evening hours following
the noontime accident.
PAGENO="0012"
8
When our team arrived in Hendersonville they found that the local
and State authorities had done an excellent job of establishing security
over the wreckage considering the difficulties which confronted them.
They had procedures in hand for the identification and removal of the
victims. The Federal Bureau of Investigation had responded promptly
as usual in the dispatching of an identification team to assist in the
investigation.
I would add at this time that in the Hendersonville, N.C., accident
81 positive identifications have been made. The 82d and final identifi-
cation, of necessity at this time, was accomplished througti the process
of elimination.
The organizational meeting, which I referred to a moment ago, is the
first order of business upon arrival at the accident site. The investiga-
tor in charge at this time explains the Board's functions under the law
and defines the rules of the road insofar as the conduct of the investiga-
tion is concerned.
Once these indoctrination steps were completed, Mr. Saunders pro-
ceeded with the formation and assignment of personnel to the various
working groups essential to the conduct of the Hendersonvi'lle investi-
gation. The groups assigned at the ilendersonville investigation were
as follows : structures, system, powerplants, flight recorder, mainte-
nance records, operathons, air traffic control, weather, witnesses, human
factors.
It should be emphasized that the field investigation phase of an
accident investigation is for the purpose of documenting observed
facts. It is not the task of these specialized groups to analyze the facts
and arrive at a determination of probable cause. I shall endeavor at
this time to summarize briefly the functions assigned to the various
groups and describe how these activities are progressing in the Hender-
sonville collision case.
At the outset, I should like to state that both the flight data recorder
and the cockpit voice recorder carried on Piedmont flight 22 were
removed 111 good condition and these instruments were flown back to
our Washington headquarters for a readout by our `specialists early on
the morning following the accident.
A brief ~ rósumé of the findings are. as follows : The flight recorder
showed that all parameters, altitude, air speed, heading, vertical
acceleration, were functioning in a normal manner. The readout
showed that the collision occurred at approximately 2 minutes 37 see-
onds after liftoff of the Boeing 727 at a mean-sea-level altitude of
approximately 6,132 feet, at an indicated air speed of 228 knots, and
indicated magnetic heading of 100°.
The flight recorder further revealed that the aircraft had been in a
stabilized-
Mr. FRIEDEL. Mr. Alien, I have your prepared statement but I can't
follow it. Are you jumping from one page to another or is your testi-
mony different than the prepared statement ~
Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Friedel, I apologize. The information I have here
was not available at the time I prepared my written st~temen't.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Would you notify us when you depart from your pre-
pared `statement?
Mr. ALLEN. Yes, sir; I certainly will.
PAGENO="0013"
0
The fli~ht record further reveals that the Boeing 727 was established
in a stabilized climbing turn altitude for approximately 20 seconds
prior to collision impact.
The operations group is responsible for developing all facts con-
cerning the history of the flight and flightcrew activity in the final
phases of the flight, before and as the accident occurred. This includes
flight planning, dispatching, weight and balance, radio communica-
tions, navigation facilities, en route stops, refueling, and aeronautical
experience, flight checks, and general information concerning the
fiightcrew.
The medical history of the crew, including any recent illnesses, psy-
chological factors, crew rest periods, and activities during the 24 hours
prior to the accident is determined. This latter aspect of ~he investi-
gation is coordinated with the human factors group to insure that all
information assembled is utilized to full advantage.
The operations group also develops information on the flightpath
just prior to the accident. In this effort, coordination with the air
traffic control and witness groups is essential. An approximate flight-
path of the two aircraft involved is being prepared in the Henderson-
ville investigation. Work is proceeding in the documentation of cockpit
instrumentation, crew history, flight planning, dispatching, and
operational procedures employed.
The weather group is responsible for the collection and compilation
of all factual meteorological data pertinent to the accident, including
both surface and upper air reports of actual conditions, pilot reports,
recorded meteorological data, as well as forecasts of anticipated con-
ditions prepared and issued by the responsible agencies. Of necessity,
close coordination must be maintained with other groups, particularly
the operations, air traffic control2 and witness groups.
In the instant case, we are particularly interested in ascertaining the
sky conditions, cloud coverage, and visibility in the area before and
subsequent to the time of the accident. This phase of the investigation
is virtually completed.
The air traffic control group is responsible for the review of the
original records of the air traffic service units whose activities or serv-
ices may have been involved in the accident.
Examine where available all radar screen recordings ; monitor all
original voice recording, and verify that written transcripts of voice
communications are consistent with the rerecordings. Provide a re-
construction of the history of the flight based on ATO information.
Determine the operating status of pertinent navigation aids, corn-
munications equipment, radar, transponder equipment, and so forth,
and provides technical data on all such equipment and its operation,
ascertain if the equipment is capable of operating to prescribed stand-
ards in the geographical area where it is installed. The chairman of
this group is responsible for the cockpit voice recorder readout and
coordinates this activity with the operations group chairman.
In a midair collision, it is axiomatic that a substantial portion of
the investigative activity will be concentrated in the air traffic con-
trol area. This has been the case in this accident investigation just as
it was in the earlier midair collision near Urbana, Ohio, and in all
preceding midair collisions.
PAGENO="0014"
10
We have interviewed at length the controllers involved in the case;
have listened to all relevant tapes of control instructions ; have in-
spected facilities and reviewed procedures employed.
In conjunction with the operations, witness, and flight recorder
groups, an approximation of the flightpaths involved is being pre-
pared and control ~ instructions are being related to specific points
along these flightpaths.
The witness group is responsible for contacting and interrogating
all persons who may have seen or heard some portion of the flight
or who may have knowledge concerning the flight or of the weather
conditions at the time of the accident. They obtain signed statements
from witnesses. The extent of the group's activity can range from
questioning a relatively few witnesses to a door-to-door activity cover-
m~g great distances along the flightpath in which hundreds of possible
witnesses are interviewed. Information concerning observed positions,
altitudes, sounds, aircraft behavior, and airborne disintegration is
developed m this manner. The location of witnesses at the time of the
accident is plotted on a suitable map of the area.
Close coordination is maintained with the operations group in de-
veloping the probable flightpath from the witnesses' statements and
with the human factors group in the interrogation of witnesses. During
the interview of the witnesses to last week's midair collision, particular
attention is being devoted to the development of as much information
as possible relative to cloud and visibility conditions surrounding
the accident site and to the description of the attitudes and maneuvering
of the two aircraft involved.
The human factors group is responsible for the aeromedical and
crash-injury aspeôts of the investigation. It is concerned with the
possibility of crew * incapacitation, the general physical and psycho-
logical conditions of the crew members, and the environmental factors
which might have affected the crew.
It is also concerned with the possibility of psychological factors
among passengers that might have been contributory to the accident.
It covers matters involving autopsies of crew and passengers as appro-
priate. Although not involved in this specific accident, this group
also investigates the survival aspects and design factors which may
have contributed to the injury or death of aircraft occupants ; the
circumstances of evacuation ; search and rescue ; and the performance
of ground firefighting services. This includes an examination of the
respective equipment and the manner in which it was used. All of
these activities must be closely coordinated with the operations, wit-
ness, and structures groups.
Since the most recent midair collision was not a survivable accident,
the work of this group is focusing upon the crew member aeromedical
aspects and identification problems.
The structures group is responsible for investigating the airframe
and flight controls. If the wreckage is scattered, the group's first
concern is to locate and identify as many sections, components, and
parts as possible and plot their exact positions on a wreckage distri-
bution chart. They give priority to location and recovery of recorders
(flight and cockpit voice) installed on the aircraft.
A reconstruction of the structure may be desirable and this could
vary from laying out various pieces of wreckage on a flat area to
PAGENO="0015"
11
the more complicated reassembly of all available pieces in position
on a framework.
This procedure is most often used in collision, structural failure, m-
flight fire or explosion-type accidents. Its purpose is to identify the
point of original failure and to establish progression of the breakup
pattern. A three-dimensional mockup is being carried out in the
Hendersonville case to assist in determining the respective positions
of the two aircraft at impact.
The powerplants group is responsible for investigation of the
engines, including fuel and oil systems, propellers, engine, and
powerplant controls. The initial work of this group is carried out in
conjunction with that of the structures group in the locating and plot-
ting of wreckage.
This group is responsible for determining the existence of any pre-
accident malfunction or distress of the powerplants or their component
systems. These functions must be coordinated with the structures
group.
There is no evidence to date in this investigation that powerplant
problems were being encountered. It is anticipated that the work of
this group will proceed quite rapidly.
The systems group is responsible for detailed examination of all
systems and components such as hydraulics, electrical and electronics,
radio communication and navigation equipment, fire extinguishing
units, oxygen, and so forth.
The examination includes determination of the condition and or
operational capabilities of the components. The examination includes
determination of the positions of associated controls and switches.
The latter examination will be coordinated with the operations group.
Special attention is being devoted in the instant case to the deter-
mination of the position of controls and switches which would have
an effect upon the maneuvering of the aircraft.
I would add at this time that the findings of the systems group
in the Hendersonville case confirms and verifies the aircraft heading
that we find on the flight recorder readout. I have already briefly ex-
plained and given a rósum~ of a flight recorder readout so I will not
give you the prepared text for that particular group.
The maintenance records group is responsible for reviewing all
maintenance records to ascertain the maintenance history of the air-
craft in respect to adequacy of inspection, malfunctions that might
be related to the occurrence, time on the aircraft engines and compo-
nents, and time since overhaul. There is nothing to sugges at the
present time that a maintenance problem was involved in the accident.
On July 20 it was decided to conduct a special cockpit visibilities
study. This study will evaluate the cockpit configurations of the type
aircraft involved in this midair collision and determine what ob-
structions to vision exist with respect to aircraft structure. Of neces-
sity this study cannot be completed until the flight path reconstruc-
tion has been completed.
It is anticipated that the activity of certain of the groups at the
site of the accident will not be concluded for another week to 10 days.
Following the field phase of the investigation, the group chairmen
will return to the Washington office (or to the field office) and each will
prepare a factual report of the findings of his group. The group
PAGENO="0016"
12
chairn~ian's repOrt is submitted to their respective group members
for coordination and comment.
The factual reports, together with photographs, charts, drawings,
witness statements, laboratory reports and other documentary prod-
nets of the investigation are introduced into the public docket and
are. universally available upon request.
Mr. Chairman, I have some additional information that was not
available at the time of my prepared statement being prepared. At
this time I would give you some information concerning the flight;
involved in the accident, the two aircraft involved in the accident.
The accident involved applied air collision between a Boening 727~,.
N68650, Piedmont flight 22, and a Cessna 310, N1213 Sierra, owned and~
operated by Lanseair, Inc., Springfield, Mo.
The accident occurred near Hendersonville, N.C., at approximately
12 :01, eastern daylight time, on July 19, 196T. There were a total of'
79 passengers abroad the Boeing ; 74 passengers, three flight deck'
crew members and two stewardesses aboard the 727. The Sessna 310
had two pilots aboard and a passenger. Total fatalities in the accident'
were 82.
The crew history of the Boeing 727 crew : Captain, Raymond Frank'
Schulte, age 49. He held an ATR rating with a type rating in Boeing"
727. The date of his last physical examination was July 1967. His
total flight time was 17,116 hours. Total flight time in Boeing 7'2D
equipment was 151 hours.
The first officer was Thomas Calvin Conrad, age 30. He held a
commercial pilot certificate. His last physical was in March 1967..
His total flight time was 1,839 hours, with 134 hours in the Boeing:
727 equipment.
The flight engineer was Lawrence Carey Wilson, age 37. He held an~
ATR rating, a flight instructor, and flight engineer certificates. His'
total flight time was 7,754 hours, with 280 hours in Boeing 727
equipment.
The pilot of the Cessna 310, Mr. John David Addision, age 48. H~
held commercial pilot license with both instrument and flight in-
structor ratings. He held a current second-class medical certificate with~
the limitation that pilot shall raise corrective lenses and have a second
pair abroad the aircraft. His total flight time as he reported it in
August 1966 was 10,000 hours, with 100 hours in the previous 6;
months.
The second pilot on the Cessna 310 was Robert Eugene Anderson.
He held a private pilot's certificate, aircraft single engine, land. He
held a current second-class medical with no limitations. His total flight
time was reported at 473 hours.
The passenger abroad the Cessna 310 had no record of pilot's license
ever being issued to him.
Mr. Chairman, I also have with me here today the transcripts of"
the air traffic control transmission. At this time I will read the trans-
cript from the Atlanta Center and give you a verbatim transcript of"
the communications that were conducted on that flight.
The Atlanta Center was handling the Cessna 310. At the time
of this tape, the benchmark is at these times that I will give yo'u,~,
in Greenwich mean time.
PAGENO="0017"
13
At 1537 hours and 25 seconds Atlanta Center made the transmission
of "West."
The Charlotte radio approach control responded, "Cessna three
one three correction three one two one Sierra 11 miles west primary
target out of four thousand five hundred climbing to six."
Atlanta Center responded, "Radar contact."
Charlotte approach control position responded with "GD" at
1537:30.
The next transmission was from the Cessna 310, November 3121
Sierra. The transmission read as follows : "Atlanta Center three one
two one Sierra at 6,000 now."
The center responded "Twin Cessna three one two one Sierra At~
lanta Center Roger radar contact climb and maintain 8,000. Report
reaching."
Cessna responded, "Roger" at 1538:40.
The next transmission was from 3121 Sierra, as follows:
"Atlanta Center three one two one Sierra is at 8,000 now."
That transmission occurred at 1541 and 30 seconds.
The center responded "Cessna three one two one Sierra level eight,.
is that right?"
Response by Cessna-I beg your pardon. There was no response to
that transmission and the center came back a few seconds later and
said, "Cessna two one Sierra, are you level eight now?"
Cessna 3121 Sierra responded, "Affirmative level at 8,000."
The center rogered for that at 1541 and 50 seconds.
Shortly thereafter, Atlanta Center instructed November 3121 Sierra.
"Contact Atlanta Center one two five point five."
310 responded "Roger one two five point five."
That occurred at 1547 and 20 seconds.
We now switch to the recorder No. 2, Channel 15 position, R9. This~
the Spartanburg radio position.
The first transmission is from November 3121 Sierra. "Atlanta~
Center three one two one Sierra at 8,000 feet."
This time is 1547 hours 55 seconds.
Atlanta Center responded, "Other aircraft calling center say again,.
please."
"Three one two one Sierra is at 8,000."
Center, "November one three two one Sierra Roger Asheville altim-.
eter is three zero two one correction on that the altimeter is three zeroS
two seven at Asheville."
The center followed this with another transmission, 1 minute and
45 seconds later, at 1515 and 45 seconds.
"November one three two one Sierra traffic 12 o'clock four mi1es~
westbound slow."
3121 Sierra responded "Negative contact."
Atlanta Center came back and said, "Cessna one correction three
one two one Sierra is that your correct identification three one two
one Sierra."
No response.
The center came back "Cessna three one two one Sierra Atlanta.'~
The Cessna 310 responded "Three one two one Sierra."
92-71 ~-68------2
PAGENO="0018"
14
The center caine back with "Cessna two one Sierra is cleared to the
Asheville VOR descend and maintain 7,000 expect ILS approach at
Asheville."
~ November 3121 Sierra reported "Leaving eight at this time."
The time was1551 hours, 45 seconds.
Atlanta Center responded with "Cessna two one Sierra your trans-
missions are hard to read say you are leaving 8,000 now."
Cessna 31 responded "I left 8,000 for seven."
The time was 1552 and 20 seconds.
Atlanta Center "Roger."
Atlanta Center subsequently came in with the transmission of
"The traffic for two one Sierra is now at your 12 o'clock position about
a miles north westbound."
3121 Sierra responded, "Negative contact. We're in the clouds."
The time was 1552 and 30 seconds.
Subsequently, November 3121 Sierra transmitted "Atlanta Center
two one Sierra is this transmitter any better."
Atlanta `Center responded "Two one Sierra its a little bit better
radar service terminated now contact Asheville approach one two
five point three."
The time was 1553 hours.
The first part of the next transmission was unintelligible but it says
"Point three." This occurred at 1553 hours and two seconds.
The next transcription that we have is on Recorder 2, Channel 13,
Position A9, which is the Spartanburg interphone position.
Atlanta Center transmits, "Atlanta."
Asheville tower responds, "Asheville request clearance Piedmont
twenty-two."
The time is 1553 hours and 5 seconds.
Atlanta Center responded "All right call you back H.O."
Asheville tower responded "OK and do you know where the Cessna
two one sugar is right now disregard he's coming."
Atlanta Center responded "You got him."
The Asheville tower responded "Yeah."
The Asheville tower responded "OK."
The time is 1553 and 15 seconds.
We now switch to the transcript of Recorder 2, Channel 16, Position
D9, which is the Spartanburg interphone position. The time is 1538
and 15 seconds.
Asheville Approach Control, "Go ahead with your inbound."
Altanta Center said, "OK first one is November three one two one
Sierra Cessna three ten Asheville VOR estimates one five five four
descending to 7,000 Charlotte direct Asheville cleared to Asheville
VOR be your control crossing the Spartanburg three five seven radial
next one Piedmont ten twenty-two Martin four zero four slant Alpha
Broad River estimate one six zero three descending to seven thousand
Atlanta direct Asheville cleared to Broad River your control, crossing
Victor fifty four and I've got one more."
Asheville tower approach control responded, "Go ahead."
Atlanta Center then transmitted "Air Evac two five seven niner
xiiner C one thirty one slant Bravo Asheville VOR estimate one six one
seven be descending to seven thousand from over iloiston Mountain
Victor thirty-five Asheville cleared to Asheville VOR your control
Mitchell JD."
PAGENO="0019"
15
Asheville Approach Control then gave the initials "JD" and the
time was 1539:30.
Atlanta Center responded "Asheville tower clearance" at 1553:55
and the Asheville tower responded with "Asheville."
The center gave the following : "Clear Piedmont twenty-two slant
Alpha to Roanoke Airport via direct Valdese J fifty three flight plan
route maintain two one zero JZ."
The tower responded "JC" at 1554 :05 and the Atlanta Center
responded "Atlanta."
The Asheville tower came in "Asheville Piedmont ten twenty-two
is out of seven and put two one sugar three one two one sugar out of
seven and Piedmont twenty-two be off at five nine."
The time is 1558 and 30 seconds.
The Atlanta Center responded with the initials "JZ."
And Asheville tower responded with the initials "JC."
This is 1558 :35.
The tower responded "Asheville" and the Atlanta Center said "Pied-
mont twenty-two can you switch him to me yet?"
The Asheville tower said "Afraid I can't right now he is unreported
and this three ten that was inbound was cleared over to Asheville
beacon and he's also unreported and we have a public report of a crash
down around Hendersonville."
Mr. Chairman, since this time, since the accident has occurred on
this transcript, I will switch over to the transcript that came out of
the Asheville tower.
I think it will give you a little more information as to the actions
concerning the 727 flight.
This would be the flight data position, approach control in th~
Asheville tower. The time is at 1550 hours.
At 1550 hours and 25 second, "Asheville Approach Piedmont ten
twenty-two."
Asheville approach control responded "Piedmont ten twenty two
Asheville approach."
Piedmont 1022, "We are at thirty-five west at 7,000."
The response from the approach control was "You are thirty-five
DME from Asheville you mean?"
Piedmont 1022 responded, "Yeah, we're southwest. We're level at
seven."
Approach control, "Ten twenty-two Roger. Maintain seven. Wind
light and i~ariable, altimeter is three oh two six."
At 1551 :03 Piedmont 1022 transmitted "Thirty twenty-six Roger."
1551 :25, approach control transmitted : "Eight three Zulu Asheville
approach."
Then there is a ring on the interphone line that comes in at this time.
This is the Atlanta Center calling the Approach Control.
The transmission "Atlanta", 1553 :08.
Approach control responded "Asheville, request clearance Piedmont
twenty-two."
The center responded "AT1 right, I'll call you back. HO."
Approach control, "OK, and do you know where this Cessna two
one sugar is right now-?"
Then at 1553:08, 3121 Sierra transmitted: "Asheville approach
Cessna three one two one Sierra is out of seven-at seven."
PAGENO="0020"
16
Approach control then transmitted "Disregard he's coming-" anct
the center said "You have got him?"
That coincides with the transmission we had a few moments ago.
The approach control said "Yes."
ARTO said "OK."
At 1553 :11 seconds, Approach Control made the following transmis-
slon : "Three on~ two one sugar, Roger. What radial are you passing
now off of Spartanburg?"
At 1553 hours and 21 seconds, 3121 Sierra responded with "Stand
by one
At 1553 :42 seconds, the 301 responded "We're on three four zero."
Approach Control said "Three four zero?"
3121 Sierra replied "Affirmative."
Approach control responded "OK."
At 1553 and 55 seconds Approach Control transmitted "Asheville
tower."
The ARTC came in with-this is the Atlanta ARTC-came in with
"Clear Piedmont Flight twenty two slant Alpha to IRoanoke Airport,.
via direct Valdese, J five three, flight plan route, maintain two one
zero JD."
At 1554 and four seconds approach control responded "OK," with
the initials "JC."
1554 and `29 seconds, Approach Control transmitted "Piedmont tem
twenty-two descend to 6,000, cleared for an ILS approach, plan to
circle runway one six."
Piedmont 1022 responded, "Ten twenty two."
Approach control then transmitted "Asheville."
Atlanta Center came back with "Reference AIREVAC two five
seven niner niner again."
Approach control responded "OK" and the center transmitted "Re-
vise the estimate-the radio beacon estimate to one six one one."
The initials "JD".
Approach control responded with the initials "JC" at 1555 and two
seconds, "Piedmont ten twenty two reported leaving seven."
Piedmont 1022-I beg your pardon, Mr. Chairman. That last trans-
mission that I read came from the Approach Control and was instruc-
tions to Piedmont 1022, leaving seven.
And Piedmont 1022 acknowledged with the following transmission
"Ten twenty two out of seven."
Approach control then transmitted "Roger, report Broad River
inbound to the tower one two one point one."
At 1555 and 20 seconds, Piedmont 1022 responded, "One twenty one
point one."
`\~\Te next have a transmission here from the fire department to the
tower and they are asking, "Have you ~ot an inbound on AIREVAC ?"
Approach control responded, "Yea, it should be here about 15 after."
The fire department responded "Does he want me to stand by for
anything?"
Approach control responded "I imagine he will want the fire truck,
Bill."
The fire department responded, "Uh, radio is in the office. I'll go on
up to the firehouse."
Approach control responded, "OK we'll land him on one six."
The fire department responded "OK."
PAGENO="0021"
17
Approach control, "-and you can pick him up anywhere you want
to."
At 1556 hours and ~7 seconds Approach Oontrol gave the following
transmission of "Three one two one sugar, cleared over the VOR to
Broad River. Correction, make that the Asheville radio beacon-rover
to the VOR to the Asheville radio beacon. Maintain seven thousand re-
*port passing the VOR."
At 1556 hours and 41 seconds, 3121 Sierra responded, "Two one
Sierra."
We now hear a ring over the tape and this is the interphone line
ringing. The transmission from the Atlanta Center, "Atlanta."
The approach control facility responds, "Asheville, Piedmont ten
twenty two is out of seven ,and-~--uh-put two one sugar, put three one
two one sugar out of seven and Piedmont 22 will be off at 59."
Approach control then gave the initials "JO." .
At 1558 and 20 seconds 3121 Sierra transmitted "Two one Sierra just
passed over the VOR. We're headed for that-uh-for-uh-Asheville
now. ~
Approach control said, "Two one sugar by the VOR, descend and
maintain six thousand."
At 1558 and 41 seconds, 3121 Sierra transmitted "We're leaving
seven."
At 1600 approach control transmitted "Asheville."
There is an unidentified transmission at this point and we have not
been able to determine who made this transmission.
"What's-uh-have they got some kind of convention up there
today ?"
Approach control responded, "No, not that I know of."
That is in the unidentified transmission.
"That's the busiest I've seen that airport in a long time."
Approach control said, "It's-uh-one extra Piedmont flight. I
think they've got some kind of camp, some camp children (garbled)
reservations." . .
The approach control responded with the initials "JO."
At 1600 hours and two seconds, approach control transmitted
"Cessna three one two one sugar, cleared for an ADF two approach to
runway one six. Report the Asheville radio beacon inbound."
Approach control then came up with "Tower."
And then there is a transmission from the Piedmont station agent
and it is garbled. "This seventy four thirty be starting back out-how
closeishe?" . ~ . .
Approach control responded, "Seventy four thirty?"
And Piedmont station agent responded, "Well, he's ten twenty."
Approach control responded "Ten twenty-is he going to be seventy
four thirty outbound?"
The Piedmont agent responded, "Seventy-seventy four thirty ship
number going back."
"OK, he's touching down now."
Mr. Chairman, at this point in time the accident has already oc-
curred.
The next transmission is at 1604:27. All of these transmissions are
subsequent to the accident.
Gentlemen, that concludes my presTentation. I will try to respond
to any questions yoil may have.
PAGENO="0022"
18
The CHAIRMAN. We will have the rest of the panel before
questioning.
Mr. WATSON. Are you referring to the South Carolina Control
Center when you say Spartanburg?
Mr. ALLEN. Yes, sir. This was Spartanburg VOR. This is a navi-
gational facility that the Cessna was using.
Mr. WATSON. That is the South Carolina station?
Mr. ALLEN. Yes.
Mr. WATSON. Thank you.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. Mr. Chairman, I have a question on identifi-
cation.
The CHAIRMAN. Very well.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. Would you identify which of the Piedmont air-
craft was the one that was in the crash?
Mr. ALLEN. It is Piedmont Flight 22. Piedmont Flight 1022 was a
Martin 404 inbound and landing.
The CHAIRMAN. General McKee.
STATEMENT O~' GEN. WILLIAM F. McKEE, ADMINISTRATOR, FED.
ERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OP TRANS-
PORTATION
General McKEE. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, we
appreciate the opportunity to come before you today to discuss with
you further the subject of aircraft safety.
I would like to review with you briefly FAA's functions and what
we do, particularly with respect to the operation of the airway and
air traffic control system, and the investigation of aircraft accidents.
FAA's basic responsibility in the recently created Department of
Transportation continues to be aviation safety. We operate the air
traffic control system for both civil and military aircraft and provide
a system of air navigation facilities designed to promote the safe and
efficient movement of aircraft in air navigation.
We certificate airmen, aircraft, and air carriers in accordance with
our safety performance standards, and promulgate rules and assign the
use of navigable air space,.rules of the road for civil and military pilots,
and a broad~spectrum of safety rules governing the operation of ~ air
carriers and general. aviation aircraft.
The investigation of aircraft accidents for the purpose of determin-
ing the facts relating to each accident and its probable cause is a
function of the National Transportation Safety Board. This is not to
say that FAA does not have a vital concern with the investigation of
accidents. The Safety Board provides for the appropriate participa-
tion of FAA in its investigation-this excludes participation in the
determination of probable cause-and on our own initiative we care-
fully review the facts as they develop to determine what can be done
to improve and strengthen our rules, procedures, or systems to prevent
the recurrence of accidents and incidents.
If any facts come to light during the course of an accident investiga-
tion which clearly indicate a need for a change, such as a modification
to an aircraft, pilot standards, or operating rules, FAA does not await
the announcement of a probable cause determination but proceeds im-
mediately to effect corrective action.
PAGENO="0023"
19
The aircraft accident record which has been compiled so far this
year has been a matter of serious concern to us. We discussed this mat-
ter with you earlier this year. The tragic midair collision of two air-
craft over North Carolina last Wednesday, taking the lives of 82
persons,.has been a loss which has affected us all very, very deeply. We
know you share our concern with these accidents.
Now, Mr. Chairman, much has been said in the past few years and
particularly of late about the intermix of general aviation and air car-
rier aviation. The question is frequently asked, "Why don't you segre-
gate the two, not only in the airspace but by airport?"
At this point, with your permission, Mr. Chairman, I would like to
ask Mr. Thomas, my Deputy Administrator, who is generally con-
sidered by the aviation community as the leading expert in the coun-
try in air traffic control, to discuss this rather complex question. I
think it will clear up a Tot of questions in the minds of members of the
committee.
Mr. Thomas?
STATEMENT OP DAVID D. THOMAS, DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR,
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OP
TRANSPORTATION
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Chairman, first, just as a matter of clarification,
I believe the "Spartanburg" referred to on the record was the Spartan-
burg sector of the Atlanta Air Route Traffic Control Center, which
was handling en route traffic in that area and that the recording was
of that sector.
. If the committee would bear with me, I would like to be just a little
bit elementary. I know all of you know this, but I think it is necessary
for some understanding of our problem ; that is, we exercise air traffic
control by two methods
One method is rules, rules of the road, such as those which apply
when you drive on the highway. Those rules are used when the visi-
bility is good. They are very effective when the airspeeds are moderate
and when the density of the traffic is such that one can deviate from
a fiightpath to avoid another aircraft without, of course, getting into
the ffightpath of another, or slowing down tr~ffic.
The other method that we use in traffic control is the issuance of
instructions from the ground. We use those whenever the weather con-
ditions do not permit the pilot to see and be seen under adverse visi-
bility conditions, or when the airspeeds, such as at the high altitudes
occupied by the jets, simply do not permit the use of this device. We
also use it to insure an orderly flow of traffic in the high-density areas.
Under the latter conditions, when we exercise it from the ground,
we do get flight plans from aircraft and know what they intend to do.
We do give them instructions. We know their position either by radio
contact where we do not have radar, or by following them on radar
where that is available.
With that, very brief an4 very primary description of our traffic
control system, we might look at the problem of segregation of traffic:
First, there is a great deal of natural segregation of air traffic in
the United States. One is a natural segregation by altitude. The jets
and the turbine-powered airplanes operate most efficiently at the higher
PAGENO="0024"
20
altitudes, and the slower, piston airplanes operate more efficiently at
the lower altitudes. We do have a great deal of natural segregation
there.
Generally within the United States, over 80 percent of the traffic is
under 12,000 feet, and travels distances less than 250 miles. Most of
the jets operate between 25,000 to 40,000 feet, and turbines generally
at 12,000 to 30,000.
Of course, this runs out, because they all must use the lower air-
space. They all must come downtO an airport and leave ~in airport.
We get the mixing in the lower airspace. . ~ ~ ~
Another type of segregation is by airport. Less than 10 percent of
the traffic at JFK, for example, is general aviation, and most of that
10 percent is air carrier oriented ; that is, it is air taxi, bringing pas-
sengers to and from the airlines, or corporate aircraft bringing them
to and from the airlines. Of course, this changes character as the corn-
munity size decreases.
For example, at Asheville, 64 percent of the traffic is general avia-
tion, and when you get to a place like Rockford, Ill., 95 percent of it
would be general aviation.
This natural segregation isn't absolute nor does it operate when the
weather is good, because all the aircraft operate in the lower airspace.
Our present policy is to combine the rules of the road with the neces-
sary ground control as appropi~iate. As a matter of fact, despite the
lack of radar in a great many locations served by airlines, about 90
percent of the passengers are served at locations where we do have
airport radar available.
There are many reasons that are advanced for seeking some segre-
gation between general aviation and the air carrier operations. These,
I think, can be divided bet\veen economic reasons and safety reasons.
Among the economic reasons that I would dite is that we get corn-
plaints that light aircraft should not use the i~unw~ys and delay air-
line aircraft filled with passengers. Here, if control is adequate, and it
is our attempt to see that it is, the questiOn is one of delay. and eco-
nomics rather than one of safety.
Another economic reason advanced frequently is that these are very
expensive runways, long ones for jets, and they perhaps should not be
used by small aircraft because they do not need all this runway ca-
pacity. But, again, this is economic rather than safety.
When one looks at the safety aspects, I think one would not look at
the character of use asto whether it is general aviation, military, or
air carrier. One would look to the capability of the aircraft.
For example, a 4-engine Jetstar flown by two ATE pilots would op-
erate at substantially the same speed, use the same runway, and so
forth, as a 727. From a safety viewpoint, you simply could not dis-
tinguish `one from the other. If one also considers that our forecast in
the next 10 years is that we foresee about 8,000 turbine aircraft in the
general aviation fleet and about 3,500 turbine aircraft in the air car-
rier fleet, it looks to us like the business fleet will be larger in terms of
the number of jet aircraft than will the airlines.
So I think one would look toward equipment, capability, or some-
thing other than the character of use.
There are, of course, many solutions to the problem. One ~oiution
would be, perhaps, that we would provide more airports which would
PAGENO="0025"
21
have sufficient runway length and equipment around the major metro-
politan areas. This is about the only place where it occurs, where there
is a congestion problem.
The business aircraft that would use those runways would be at-
tracted to them and thereby would be removed from the long, jet run-
ways at some of the major metropolitan airports.
If you look at the traffic picture in the United States and say we
simply will ground all the airplanes which cannot comply with instru-
ment flight rules or general aviation, we might look at the volume of
traffic that we have. At the present time we are running about 32,000
daily instrument flights in the United. States. We handle about 120,000
daily operations at locations with FAA towers, and we don't know
precisely how many operations occur at places where we neither
monitor nor measure, but our best estimate is that it is at least double
thisamount, or 200,000 to 250,000 flights a day.
If we expanded the present IFIR system to require everyone who
flies to be under the control of the ground, we would have to expand
this number of 32,000 up to some 250,000, which is a manifold in-
crease of our capacity. It would cost several billion dollars and take
several years to do so, if one thought it was necessary.
If we took another tack and said that we would not permit the air-
lines to operate at any place where they do not have radar service, for
example, we would stop airline service in about 400 cities. Conversely,
we would get into a very large radar program in order to equip those
cities, or we would simply stop general aviation from operating in
and out of those cities a~id ground a large part of the general aviation
operations today.
We think both the air carriers and general aviation are vital to the
economy of the United States. The object is not to restrict either, but
to provide the facilities and procedures to give maximum safety to
both.
There are quite a few things that might be done.. There is no single,
dramatic solution to the problem. It simply won't be solved by a single
action or a single solution as we see it~ Obviously, we need more air-
ports and more reliever airports around the large cities. Obviously,
we need to expand the radar and instrument landing systems as we
are attempting to do.
There are procedural things, and we are working on many of those,
such as lowering and expanding the positive control area to provide
more protection for the high-speed traffic. We could limit the speeds
in the lower airspace so that the aircraft are more compatible with
each other.
There is a great deal of work continuing on. the expansion of radar
services and traffic patterns around airports. This . is a never-ending
job which we will continue.
On the aircraft, itself, there has been work done over the last 20
years on trying to enhance their conspicuity, such as by better lights,
better paints. It hasn't been too productive, but we think more can be
done on lighting `and perhaps paints. We are working on enhancing
radar returns, both from a passive viewpoint so that the aircraft
structure itself reflects radar better, and also on the beacon.
As all of you know, there is a great deal of work and now some
promise shows on anticollision warning devices, particularly for large
aircraft, against large aircraft. But they are some 5 years away.
PAGENO="0026"
22
There is also work that we can do on the airman end, in helping
to reduce. cockpit workload and particularly to continue education
on scanning and keeping a sharp lookout at all times.
In summary, I tMnk that it is going to take a lot of actions, con-
tinuous work, all of which will contribute to solving the problem.
But as far as we can see, there is no single, dramatic solution to the
problem at all.
Thank you very much.
The CHAIRMAN. Does that complete your testimony for the entire
group ~
General MCKEE. This completes the testimony.
The CHAIRMAN. I want to thank all of you for coming today.
I might repeat for the benefit of those who were not here when we
commenced that this is not an investigation of the Asheville accident.
This is an investigation into what the procedures are that are used
so that Congress can be informed. This is not a witch hunt. We are
not trying to pin the. blame on anyone. We are not the investigators.
These men are the experts. I wanted, as the other Members of Oongress
did, to have them here to tell the story.
We will observe the 5-minute rule this morning.
I have several questions combined into one. I thought maybe I
could give them all at one time, combining them.
Can you tell us briefly about the current work on the collision
avoidance system and when improvements in this area might be ex-
pected ? Also, is it necessary at this time to. equip all aircraft with
devices which would contribute to a collision avoidance system ? Third,
what will be the cost ? Can you have a collision avoidance system
without having equipment on all aircraft ~
This all pertains to one subject.
General M0KEE. There has been intensive work going on, Mr. Ohair-
man, by the FAA, by industry, and by the airlines on a collision avoid-
ance system. This has been a subject of deep concern for a number of
years. ,
The latest evelopment by industry, still in the development stage,
and which has~not been proved out yet, is a rather complex collision
avoidance system. There are a number of companies, three, including
McDonnell, Collins, and Bendix, who have been working.on this with
the airlines and with us. .
The way it looks now in our best estimate, if this proves out to be
an effective collision avoidance system, it will be about 5 years before
you could get it installed.
It would cost between $30,000 and $40,000 to equip each airplane.
The airlines are. wiliing..to spend this . amount of money if they can
get an effective. system, but I should point out that this is only effective
as between one airline aircraft and another, and wouldn'ot be effective
as between an airline aircraft `and a general aviation aircraft.
If you look at the number of general aviation aircraft in the country,
about 100,000, it is obviously impractical to equip all of those airplanes
with a device that expensive. We recognize this, and FAA has insti-
tuted a development program in an effort to get a system much less
expensive that could be installed in all general aviation aircraft.
In all honesty, I must say that that is some time away and we have
no breakthrough as of this time in this area.
PAGENO="0027"
23.
In addition to the $30,000 or $40,000, per commercial aircraft for
this system, this will also require a ground system which the FAA
would have to put up, which we estimate would cost in the neighbor-
hood of $50 million.
To sum up, this system is sometim.e away. Intensive efforts are being
made to develop the system. I would hope by the end of 5 years at least
all of our air carrier airplanes can be so equipped and that we can have
at least an effective system in that regard. It will be a lot longer before
we can do it with all of the aircraft in the airspace.
The C1IAIRi~rAN. The last two midair collisions have been in corn-
paratively uncongested areas. This is a series of two or three questions
again.
Is this merely coincidence ~ I would like your comments on the corn-
parison of risk between locations such as Urbana, Ohio, and Asheville,
N.C., on the one hand, and Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C.
on the other hand.
General MCKEE. It is certainly a coincidence that the last two mid-
air collisions have occurred in areas that are certainly far from being
congested.
On the one in North Carolina, as pointed out previously, I can~t
comment on what caused it. In those areas, we do not hav&-at least
in North Carolina-terminal radar. Whether radar would have help~d
there or not, I don't know. But I think it is very difficult. to say where
you are more likely to have an accident, in one place or another.
You would expect these accidents to occur much more frequently
in the highly congested areas like Chicago, New York, Los Angeles,
than you would in a relatively unçongested area. It is a very difficult
question to answer, Mr. Chairman. I wish I could b~ more specific.
The CIIAIRMAN. Mr. Friedel ~ .
Mr. FRIEDEL. Would you elaborate a little more? Would you con-
sider Washington National a very congested~area? ~ .,.
General McKEE. The history of Washington National is long, corn-
plex, and difficult, Mr. Friedel, as you are well aware. As you know,
as a result of the opening up of W~tshington Nation~l to short-haul
jets, the subsequent congestion that occurred, we took sorne very pos-
itive and direct actions, difficult a~tions~ I might add. * ~
But as a result of our actions, the airlines volunteered to reschedule
their flights so that we could limit them to 40 scheduled operations in
any one hour. We went to all elements of the general aviation corn-
munity and sought from them a voluntary restrictioi~ on the number of
general aviation flights into Washington National Airport. They have
cooperated very well and so havethe airlines. ~ ~ . . ~ ~
Sure, we have a lot of flights into Washington National, but Ithink
it is interesting to note that the nurnber of flights into Washington
National in and out today are about the same as~they were in 1959 and
1960. So there has been no dramatic increase in the number of opera-
tions.
To clear the air a little bit, and looking at all that has been said in
various segments of the press and other places, I certainly consider
Washington National just as safe as JFK, or O'Hare, Los Angeles,
or many other places across the country.
I have no hesitation, and apparently a lot of people in the Con-
gress have no hesitation, or concern, about going into Washington
National.
PAGENO="0028"
24
Mr. FRIEDEL. I think we might disagree on that. Only last week-
General MOKEE. I agree. I would like to see a lot more people go into
Dulles or Friendship.
Mr. FRIEDEL. I would, too. But last week I went to New York and
the plane was loaded and stayed on station about 15 minutes. Then we
went out to the runway and we were there for another 25 minutes. Six
planes took off and we were behind them. Then six or seven more came
in. I think it is congested.
General McKEE. But you can't always blame this, Mr. Friedel, on
Washington National. Very frequently planes stand on the ramp at
Washington National not because they can't get off of Washington
National. It is because they can't get into La Guardia.
There is no use in having a plane take off and go up to New York
and sit in a stack for an hour. That is a very expensive operation and
people don't like it. If you are going to waste time, you might as well
waste it on the ground, rather than boring holes up there.
Mr. FRIEDEL. I came through the same experience last Friday coming
back. We had to stay on the ground for a while because of the conges-
tion at Washington National Airport.
General MCKEE. I think the problem of congestion, a major problem
throughout the United States, will only be resolved when we are able
in this country to provide better airports than we now have, airports
with more runways, with more ramp space, with more taxiways for
commercial operations, as well as general aviation airports to relieve
this congestion that we have at the major complexes.
I think we also have to recognize and realize that the airport is a
l)al't of the air traffic control system., just like radar, communications,
and all the rest of it. We can't divorce the airport from this prob-
lem. I think 111 the whole air traffic control system, the major l)ottie-
neck is the airport.
Mr. FRIEDEL. I understand the Asheville tower did not have radar.
General MCKEE. It did not.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Can you tell us why?
General MCKEE. On that subject, and I am glad you raised it, we
have in this country about 527 airports that have some form of corn-
mercial operations, a lot of them only one, two, or three operations a
day, and a lot of which have mostly general aviation operations.
We had to put up, which we did, and we reevaluate it every year, a
criteria on which an airport will qualify for radar. That criteria is a
minimum of 100,000 itinerant operations, plus 20,000 instrumei~t op-
erations a year.
You say "Why that criteria ? Why isn't it more ? Or why isn't it
less?"
Well, it is a matter of judgment, and it is the judgment of the best
people we have in the air traffic control system, that with operations
less than this our present system can reasonably handle the traffic.
You say at Asheville this didn't happen, but I don't know, and I
can't say, whether or not at this point in time a radar at Asheville
would have prevented this accident. I don't know-. But I think this
committee should recognize and realize, right or wrong, that we could
put radar, we could put instrument landing systems, we could put
runway aproach lights on all of these airports now being served by
commercial operations, if we are willing to step up the expenditure, the
PAGENO="0029"
25
initial expenditure, of between $800 million and $900 million for the
system and a recurring expenditure per year to handle all of this of
about $150 million to $200 million a year.
The OHAIRMAN. Mr. Springer ? *
Mr. SPRINGER. General MoKee, the way I figure it, on six accidents
this year there were 202 deaths. In figurIng this out on the basis of con-
tact with general aviation, this comes out, for the year, if you multi-'
plied it-talking about just general aviation-197.10. That is quite a
number.
General MCKEE. Yes, sir ; it is.
Mr. SPRINGER. And if I figured it out right, if you included the same
number as you applied the rest of the year, that would be 255 alto-
gether, for all kinds. The 197.10 are collisions with general aviation.
Now, if I may come to Washington National Airport, in 1966 there
were 85,499 general, there were 6,707 military, there were 226,755
commercial transactions. That is a total of 318,963. That makes an
average, each day, 365 days a year, of 876 landings and takeoffs, or
one every minute and a half. That is a lot of transactions, isn't it?
General MCKEE. That is true.
Mr. SPRINGER. Your problem at National, as well as O'Hare, Ken-
nedy, La Guardia, or any of the rest of them, is the peak hours.
General MCKEE. That is true.
Mr. SPRINGER. They are coming in faster than every minute and a
half, around 4 o'clock, are they not?
General M0KEL That is true.
Mr. SPRINGER. As I see them line up out there, they are going just as
fast as they can take off, aren't they?
General MCKEE. Just as fast as it is safe for them to take off.
Mr. SPRINGER. Well, that might be true. There were 13 I counted
lined up the other day.
General MCKEE. The reason they were lined up is for safety pur-
poses, one reason.
Mr. SPRINGER. I wouldn't deny that, General. I am not trying to im-
pinge on that point. But 876 transactions per day is too many, in my
opinion, for National Airport.
General MCKEE. At Chicago they run as high as 2,000 a day.
Mr. SPRINGER. Yes, . sir, and I can tell you that the truth of it is
that O'Hare is the busiest airport in the world, and in the wintertime
they have more daily transactions in a 24-hour period than all of
Western Europe. That is pretty heavy traffic.
General MCKEE. At O'Hare, as you know, the general aviation opera-
tions are generally small.
Mr. SPRINGER. Yes ; I know that. You may say they are small, but
there are still some.
What would you think, when it could be arranged, that the 24 big-
gest airports in the country, in those cities where they have more than
one airport, to send the general aviation to some other airport ? I am
talking about as a trial starter, to find out how it works, to put general
aviation at some other airport.
General MCKEE. They are doing this, Mr. Springer, in most of the
large terminals. They are doing it in Ohicago, in Los Angeles. There
is a major program underway in New York which is very necessary,
to provide general aviation airports around the New York area.
PAGENO="0030"
When you look at the Washington area, we have .a solution. That is
provided in the Chairman's bill, to set up a corporation that would
include Washington National and Dulles. In that bill, there is authority
for the corporation to plan for general aviation airports around the
Washington area, whith I think are seriously needed.
Mr. SPRINGER. Let's say until the Chairman's bill can be worked out,
can we do anything here, in transferring general aviation to the
Eolling-Anacostia area, or to Dulles ? That is not doing much business..
General MCKEE. I don't have the authority to do it, unless I can show
loud and clear that we have a real safety problem. When you look at
the problems all over the United States, I can't declare, in all honesty.
Washington National as a crisis airport. It isn't.
Mr. SPRINGER. I am glad to hear that, because there are some of us
that would differ with you on that. You are certainly a knowledgeable
person. I would take your word for almost anything. ~
General MCKEE. There are a lot of people who would seriously dis-
agree. I would like to see less traffic at Washington National. I get
more complaints every day about Washington National than any other
thing in FAA. I get it from everyone in Washington, practically.
Anything we can do to relieve Washington National, I am all in
favor of.
Mr. SPRINGER. What would be wrong with transferring general
aviation to Dulles ~
General MoKi~E. I don't have the authority to do that.
Mr. SPRINGER. Who does have that authority?
General MCKEE. I don't think anybody does. The way the law is set
up, when you read the law, the only time I can step in and demand that
is if I can justify it strictly on a safety reason.
Mr. SPRINGER. You say you can or you can't?
General MCKEE. If I can justify it on a safety reason. Righi now
I can't do that.
Mr. SPRINGER. You think, then, that National as it is, with all these
coining in, with these 6,000 military aircraft, that it is safe?
General MCKEE. I consider it as safe as any other airport in the
country with a like amount of traffic.
Mr. SPRINGER. That really doesn't tell me much of anything.
General McKEE. Mr. Springer, and you know this as well as I do,.
regardless of what we do, we can put in radar at every airport in this
country, ILS systems at every airport in the country, it will obviously
greatly improve the operations. But even with all of that, and billions
of dollars on airports, I couldn't guarantee you a 100 percent safe
operation, as long as we have people who make mistakes and as long
as we have equipment that goes out.
There is no infallibility in this thing. What we subscribe for is the
maximum possible safety we can get.
Mr. SPRINGRit. I don't think any one challenges that people make
mistakes and that equipment will go oat. Those things ~iil happen.
But what we are talking about is that the percentages go down. the
fewer aircraft come in, don't you think so, with the fewer aircraft us-
ing an airport?
General McKi~. That is right. If you had none, you would have 100
percent.
26
I
~1
PAGENO="0031"
27
Mr. SPRINGER. That is very true. But if you reduced this, it comes
out to 32 percent of the time National Airport is occupied with private
aircraft, 32 percent of the time.
General MCKEE. I would like to lower that figure substantially.
~ Mr. SPRINGER. Would you agree to that by a transfer to some other
airport of general aviation?
General MOKEE. If we had the authority to do it and if there were
some means of doing it, yes. That is the reason I think we have to step
up to building additional general aviation airports around the Wash-
ington area. I don't think Dulles is the permanent solution. If we were
sitting here in 1973, this committee would be complaining to the Ad-
ministrator about the congestion at Dulles.
Mr. SPRINGER. That is only a partial answer. I think you `are try-
ing to be fair about this. I do want to pursue it later.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Moss.
Mr. Moss. Mr. Allen, in your `first paragraph you talk about the
difficulty of staffing the four teams because of the scarcity of specialists.
`To what do you attribute this scarcity of specialists necessary for
the teams?
Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Moss, I think the shortages ~o directly to the allo-
cation of resources tio the Bureau in the acquisition of people.
Mr. Moss. Have you requested more funds from the Congress in
order to complete the recruitment of the personnel and `been denied
them?
Mr. ALLEN. Yes, sir. Over the past several years, the' funds ap-
proved have been less than the funds requested.
Mr. Moss. Have they been specifically identified as being funds
for these purposes?
Mr. ALLEN. I think, sir ; we have identified-let's talk in terms of
positions. We have identified positions which are related to investiga-
tive activities in terms of man-years. These positions have been denied.
Mr. Moss. The import of your statement, General McKee, on
Washington National, in response to Mr. Springer's question, was that
really it has no more flights today than it had in 1960, some 7 years
ago.
General MCKEE. I said about the same. We have the exact figures.
Mr. Moss. Is this a very reliable criteria ? Is the type of aircraft, the
speed of the aircraft, the size of the aircraft of greater significance
than just the total numbers of aircraft?
General McKm~. I don't think so, Mr. Moss, in terms of air traffic
control. But it is very definitely a great deal different in terms of
congestion on the ground and in terms of the number of passengers~
carried. Many more passengers are being carried now.
Mr. Moss. Isn't it also in the air, if a plane is moving with a much
greater speed, isn't it in effect shrinking the air space?
General MCKEE. I will let Mr. Thomas, my expert in air traffic
control, answer that. He flies into Washington National all the time
in jets. He understands it better than I do.
Mr. THoMAs. Mr. Moss, Washington National is one of the few'
airports that hasn't increased in numbers of operations during the
past few years, even with the addition of jets, because the level of
traffic has been maintained arbitrarily. The approach speeds for jets
PAGENO="0032"
28
are under 200 knots, usually under 180 knots and down to 125 or less
over the fence. The piston airplanes of 10 years ago were approach-
ing at 150 and 120 or so over the fence. There is not that much differ-
ence in the speed.
The airplane only occupies the runway for about 40 or 50 seconds
and when a runaway is not occupied it is safe for another one to do
so. I think the problem here is inconvenience rather than safety.
The parking ramps are congested, and people do wait because there
are other airplanes there. But I think the problem is inconvenience to
the passenger.
Mr. Moss. I think you can throw in a few others, but I won't bother
to take the time to go into that.
General McKEE. I could spend a great deal of time on that one.
Mr. Moss. Let's consider the cities where we have no radar. It was
indicated that the criteria applied is volume of traffic. Doesn't the
criteria also take into consideration some of the characteristics which
might occur around those airports : weather, whether or not it is
subject to localized fog or haze, whether there is unusual turbulence
at certain seasons of the year or certain times of the day ? Aren't those
items equally important ~
There is an abundance of evidence that you can lpse many lives at
small airports. The instant case is proof of that.
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir, any criteria we have, obviously, is just a guide
and not precise ; 100,000 operations are not much different than 99,000.
This is why we also put in the instrument operations to take into
account the weather. Only 20,000 instrument operations are required.
~ There are places that do have adverse weather. We obviously do look
*at other characteristics. But as a general rule in speaking of radar,
this gives us a pretty good handle upon the type they should have as
well as volume.
Mr. Moss. What is the cost for radar at Hendersonville?
Mr. THOMAS. The general price is around $650,000 for the radar, and
another $100,000 to $150,000 for the air traffic control facilities that go
with it. So for $750,000 we could equip it.
Mr. Moss. What would you estimate the cost of the crash at Hender-
sonville to be?
Mr. THOMAS. Sir, I have not tried to compute that. It is very expen-
~ive in terms of life and dollars.
Mr. Moss. Mr. Ohairman, I wonder if we could request that.
The CHAIRMAN. A's soon as they ~ould gather it. I think that is
~omething that should go `into the record.
(The following information was subsequently submitted:)
STATEMENT oi~ FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION ON ESTIMATED COST OF
HENDERSON\TILLE (N.C.) CRASH
In his testimoily before the Committee, the Deputy Administrator said that the
cost of the accident is very expensive in terms of life and dollars. At this point,
it would be poslsible to estimate sOme elements of the cost. For example, the cost
of two new aircraft of the type involved in the accident would be about $4.5 mil-
lion. Of course, the most serious loss in connection with the accident is the lives of
the passengers and crews. We are not able to describe that loss of life in terms of
cost.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Devine?
Mr. DEVINE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I would like to direct my inquiry to Mr. Thomas, if I may.
PAGENO="0033"
29
In sheer numbers or volume on a comparison basis, Mr. Thomas, am
I correct in assuming that there are approximately 2,000 commercial
nireraft and approximately 100,000, I believe to be the figure that Gen~
eral McKee `used, of the general aviation aircraft?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir. I believe the figure for commercial now is
about 2,400 or 2,500.
Mr. DEviNE. So for every commercial aircraft there are roughly 50
general aviation aircraft?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir.
Mr. DEVINE. I hope the public recognizes that. They generally think
there are more commercials than general aviation aircraft.
Mr. THOMAS. And we might also note that there are another 25,000
military aircraft occupying the same air space.
Mr. DEVINE. In addition?
Mr. THOMAS. In addition.
Mr. Di~vn~. I know you are acquainted with Norman Crabtree, the
State director of aviation in my State of Ohio.
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir.
Mr. DEVINE. lie has suggested that a study be matTe of the desir~
~b~1ity of establishing climb and descent corridors for jets departing
from and arriving at major airports. I believe at Lockburn,TAO Base,
in my district, they have established that in a southwestern direction.
The general aviation must stay out of those corridors. Have you pur-
sued that in the past ?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir, we have examined that at length. It was one
of the solutions that we hoped to apply for the ~rery high performance
military aircraft as compared to the performance of the civiljet.
Here we were talking about "afterburner" climbs of very high rates,
where the airplane pilot feels like he is on his back. He is not actually,
but it is very difficult to see ahead because of the airplane angle. `So
we did try to protect the high performance operation with the c1im~b
corridors.
It hasn't been too successful, de~pite the fact that the corridors are
marked on the maps. People do wander into them.~
Another problem is that usually departing aircraft want to go in
unother direction. The wind is another direction, for example. If we
placed them all around each airport, we~ would completely block the
air space. Our own view is that it is better to hold the speed and the
performance down and give radar advisories, which would offer more
safety than trying `to sterilize the air space for two or three operations
a day for high performance. That, perhaps~, is nOt itecessary.
Mr. DEvINE. I believe, General McKee, you figured that 80 percent
of the aircraft is 12,000 feet or under..
Mr. THOMAS. That is correct.
Mr. DEVINE. But all aviation must go through this area in landing
and taking off.
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir.
Mr. IDEVINE. On a personal experience standpoint, I was talking to
u physician over the weekend and in his practice he is examining
flight tower personnel. He said that he was appalled at the number of
flight tower personnel who wouldn't fly for love nor money because
they know the situation that is up there.
PAGENO="0034"
30
I think this is something that should be of concern to all people.
That is one of the reasons we should haverather broad hearings, Mr.
Chairman, so that we can satisfy the public that everything is being
done that should be done in this area.
~ Have you a comment ? . .
General MCKEE. I have a comment, Mr. Devine. Occasionally, when-
ever we can, we try to take the tower personnel on a trip to some other
place where they can see another type of operation, like going into
New York. As far as I know, we haven't had anyone refuse to go yet.
Mr. DEvINE. I know, there are some frantic times in those towers.
I have a great deal of respect and admiration for these men. I don't
know why they all don't have nervous breakdowns after a while.
Mr. THOMAS. A large number of them are pilots and were selected
on that basis.
The CI-IAIRMAN. Mr. Rogers.
Mr. ROGEES. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
General McKee, I understand you said there are about 418 airports
that serve commercial aviation that do not have this surveillance radar.
Is that about correct?
General MCKEE. That figure is correct.
Mr. ROGERS. How many airports are served by scheduled commercial
aviation that don't even have towers?
General MCKEE. Without towers?
Mr. THOMAS. 285, Mr. Rogers.
Mr. ROGERS. As I understand it, you have a criteria where as soon
as they have enough numbers of planes coming in and out this triggers
whether they would get a tower or radar.
General MCKEE. That is correct.
Mr. RoGERs. How many airports have qualified under your criteria
that do not yet have radar and do not yet have towers ? Could you give
methose figures?
Mr. THoMAs. Under the present criteria that we read for radar~
there are some six. On towers there are around 50.
Mr. ROGERS. When was your criteria last changed?
Mr. THoi~1As. I believe it was last changed about 1960. It was last
reviewed in 1965 and reevaluated. It is looked at about every other
year.
Mr. ROGERS. But there has been no change since 1960 in the criteria?
Mr. THoMAs. No, sir ; the tower one has stood the test of time very
well and the radar one was changed about 6 years ago. It was looked
at again last year. Correction, 1965.
Mr. ROGERS. What is your budget request for radar systems in the
present budget, and for towers?
Mr. THOMAs. There is nothing in the budget request for radar sys-
tems or towers in the.current budget.
Mr. RoGERs. Nothing?
Mr. THOMAS. That is correct.
Mr. ROGERS. As I understand it, your agency is going to get into the
SST, which is already at approximately $700 million, if this appropria-
tion is approved, and the House has already approved $142 million.
Do you give greater priority to the SST than to the radar systems
and towers that perhaps do something on safety now?
PAGENO="0035"
31
General MCKEE. Mr. Rogers, I would like to answer that question.
It is not a question of the FAA giving priority to radar or to the SST.
The FAA just happens to be the manager of the SST program. The
SST program is an administration program.
Mr. ROGERS. I realize that. Radar programs are administration, too.
General MCKEE. I am not in a position to say let's cancel the SST
program to get more radars.
Mr. ROGERS. As I understand it, the idea originated in Germany
some years ago.
General MCKEE. I think the idea of an SST started long before the
FAA got into it. It started in NASA. I do know that General Quesada
was interested in it.
Mr. ROGERS. Let me ask you this question, because I don't have too
much time. From my understanding of the testimony so far, it seems
that this small plane was about 12 miles off. There were cloudy con-
ditions. Wouldn't radar help a pilot in that condition?
As I understand, Atlanta had told him to come over to Asheville.
Wouldn't radar help them identify where those planes were and they
could give a warning to the pilots ? Isn't that the purpose of the radar?
General MCKEE. Radar obviously has two purposes. That is the
reason that it is concentrated in the high-density areas. Radar greatly
speeds up traffic, control of traffic. It also serves another purpose of
identifying where an aircraft is and giving a warning.
With regard to the Asheville problem, as the chairman pointed out
I am in a position now, as the Administrator of the FAA where I can-
not appropriately comment on what could or might have happened
or what radar would or might have done.
Mr. ROGERS. I understand that. You don~t have the facts. We are
not asking you. You don't make a determination of that. I am saying
assuming. ~
General MCKEE. As a general matter, with money no object, as I
pointed out, obviously there are many areas in the country that from
our point of view, and the responsibility we have, sure, we would like
to have radar. But there is a question of priority in the budget, looking
at the overall national programs.
Mr. ROGERS. But you have none requested in the budget this year.
General MCKEE. There is none before the Congress.
Mr. THOMAS. There are no new ones. We have funds for the opera-
tion this year for six new radars goingin as well as 10 towers. But
they were all in last year's budget. As far as new radars are concerned,
there are none in the budget.
Mr. ROGERS. May I conclude by saying this, that I realize the. anti-
collision device is some years away, as I believe you said. I understand
that from many experts. But it seems to me in areas * where we can
now do something, such as radar and control towers, this is the prob-
lem we ought to attack. We know something can be done.
I would hope that the Budget people and your own people would
review your criteria and certainly your request for additional radar
and control towers.
General MCKEE. I would like to say here, Mr. Rogers, that looking
at the fantastic growth in aviation, both air carrier and general avia-
tion, I would agree that this question must be reexamined hard and
cold in the light of the overall situation in the country.
PAGENO="0036"
32
If it appears that it should be done, I am prepared to come in and
recommend it.
Mr. ROGERS. That is encouraging, General. I think that would be
helpful.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Harvey.
Mr. HARVEY. General McKee, in your judgment, is a good system
of radar a solution to this problem, or should research and develop-
ment develop a system that isnot yet in existence?
General MCKEE. Both, Mr. Harvey. The radar system but even
more important, really, than radar, is the instrument landing approach
systems. I think they go hand in hand. This will give us right now, with
the state of the art being here, a substantial improvement.
I covered for you the collision avoidance system and where we stand
with it. We are also carrying on research and development in air
traffic control systems beyond what we see today. We have to look
beyond 1975 and look at the environment with which we will be con-
fronted in the hopes that we will be able to manage and control the
traffic in that era, where you will have jumbo jets, jets of all kinds, more
and more jets coming in, the supersonic transport operating. So that
is the picture we are confronted with.
But we cannot rela,~ in the area of research and development.
Mr. HARVEY. But the airport actually had ILS, didn't it?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir ; it did.
Mr. HARVEY. It was not on in this case?
Mr. THOMAS. No, sir ; it was on the opposite direction. It was on
a 34 end for north landings and they were using a 16 end, for a south
landing.
Mr. HARVEY. Last year we were talking about the New Orleans
crash, General, where a Delta airliner had been practicing land-
ing and takeoffs, with two engines out on landing, and so on. We all
generally agreed at that time that that was a poor practice, of doing
that over a metropolitan area.
Has the FAA issued any regulations since that time to prevent that
sort of thiii'g from happening again?
General MCKEE. As a result of that hearing and my commitment
to the committee, the FAA had a series of meetings within the Air
Transport Association, the Airline Pilots Association, and we did take
a number of actions.
As a matter of fact, Mr. Chairman, I made a report in writing to
the committee of the actions that we had taken. I have carried out my
commitment. I don't know whether you want to take time now, but
we are preparedto go into it.
Mr. HARVEY. Have you reported that to this committee?
General MCKEE. Yes, it has been reported to this committee.
Mr. HARVEY. I was not aware of that, Mr. Chairman. I don't be-
lieve the membership of the committee has received that information, so
far as I know.
Those are aUthe que~tiOns I have, Mr. Chairman.
The CHAIRMAN. The clerk, will be instructed to see that every
member of the committee receives the information referred to.
Mr. Van Deerlin?
Mr. VAN DEERLIN. ~Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
PAGENO="0037"
33
General, our attention this morning, very understandably, has been
concentrated in Asheville, the scene of the most recent collision, and
at National Airport here in Washington.
I would like to waft your attention westward, if I may, to what is
probably the second or third most crowded airspace corridor in the
Nation, that of southern California. I have ascertained from your of-
fice in Los Angeles that just this year, in April and again in May,
there were two near midair collisions reported on flights leaving San
Diego International Airport. The first was on April 22, involving a
Western Airlines 720 which had taken off on a Los Angeles-bound
flight shortly past noon. The plane had to take evasive action at 8,000
feet to avoid two Navy jet fighters, which were apparently doing acro-
batics in the path of a conimercial liner.
The WAL pilot said he had to take evasive action, and claimed a
near collision.
Again on May 24, American Airlines flight 46, a Boeing 727, cle-
parted from Lindbergh Field for Dallas. Six minutes later the pilot
reported he had passed in close proximity with an unidentified light
aircraft. That unidentified plane turned out to be a single-engine
Navion, which later landed at Lindbergh Field. The private pilot
acknowledge he was unfamiliar with San Diego airspace and uncertain
of his position at the time of the near collision. FAA wrote it up as
an unofficial near midair collision.
In connection with this one, the FAA explained that planes are
released visually for takeoff from Lindbergh Field by the control
tower. Radar control, which is based at a Navy field some 5 miles
away, is supposed to pick them up within 1 mile of the end of the
runway.
The commercial pilot in this near mishap got no word from this
radar protection, although radar had picked up the other plane. It
was somehow not made available to the pilot.
Inasmuch as the mishap occurred some minutes after he left the
runway, I was wondering why it is that here is a field which is pro-
tected by radar-and I don't expect that you right offhand can have
the answer-why there should be a delay in getting messages like this
to the pilots ? . .
General MCKEE. I think Mr. Thomas is acquainted with the partic-
ular incident you are talking about.
Mr. THOMAS. I am acquainted with both of them. In the latter case,
the radar is at Miramar, and we operate a Navy radar there for the
benefit of the whole San Diego area. The American pilot, as I under-
stand it, had not changed his departure control frequency. He was
still working the local control frequency with the tower.
The radar did see both airplanes. They did pick up the light air-
plane. American passed almost immediately after takeoff. Neither of
them declared it .a near miss, although undoubtedly it was close. We
examined both of them.
In the case of the Western and the two Navy airplanes, Western
reported them as F4's. We followed them on radar until we lost radar
coverage and had the other Navy bases try to pick them up. El Toro
did pick up two A4's. There was not continuous radar contact and the
A4's claimed they were not in the area. We went back to the Western
PAGENO="0038"
I
34
pilot and he said they were F4's, and the Navy is still searching for two
F4 pilots in that area and we haven't found them yet.
But you do bring up the point of a need for continuous and almost
instantaneous frequency changes. That is an equipment problem we
are working on.
Mr. VAN DEERLIN. Do you find in general a reluctance on the part
of commercial pilots, possibly for commercial reasons, to refrain from
reporting near misses ~
Mr. THOMAS. This has been stated, and has been stated by the pilots.
Idon't think it has anything to do with the commercial reasons. I think
it is more a fear of punitive action in case they were in error, either by
location or altitude or something else.
We are working with the pilot groups to try to get all the informa-
tion we can and remove any possibility of punitive action. We want
the facts as much as they do, to see what corrective action can we take.
Mr. VAN DEERLIN. I notice in the second one, the Dallas-bound
flight, the pilot had refrained from recording it as a near collision,
yet the FAA seems to have reached a different conclusion and has so
logged it.
Mr. THOMAS. There was a surprise effect. There was a light fog
there. The American `727' was emerging out of it and the Navion was
on top of it. They both were surprised. I really don't know how close
they came. It is a situation that we would like to correct. Whether it
was an actual near miss or not. We would like to prevent surprises.
Mr. VAN DEERLIN. We have considerable military flights all over
southern California, in addition to an increasing commercial and pri-
vate flight capacity.
General MCKEE. As a matter of policy, we would like very much to
see all. real near misses reported because if we have the facts it gives
us a good line on corrective action to be taken. I don't believe in sweep-
ing any of this stuff under the rug.
Mr. VAN DEERLIN. Thank you.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Broyhill.
Mr. BROYHILL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
An airline pilot receives training and retraining in the course of
their careers as airline pilots. Are private pilots required tO take any
retraining or recertification at any time ?
~ Mr. THOMAS. No, sir ; they are not.
Mr. BROYHILL. Has the FAA ever gone into this, to see whether you
should require recertification?
Mr. Tnoa~rAs. Yes, sir ; we have several times in the past. As a matter
of fact, we are right now. Anything we would do in this regard ob-
viously has to be handled under rulemaking, where we go out for corn-
ment. We do think that reexamination by FAA or checking by an in-
structor, or some demonstrations of recent experience demonstration
would be helpful.
General MCKEE. I think your point is well taken, Mr. Broyhill. We
recognize it and are moving in this direction.
Mr. BRovrnLL. All pilots do have to take a physical examination
periodically.
General McK~n~. That is correct.
Mr. THoMAs. Yes, sir, and they must have had reieency of experienee
for any particular operation, such as landing, a takeoff, instruments,
and so on, before they can carry passengers.
PAGENO="0039"
35
Mr. BROYHILL. How is this enforced or how is it policed by the
FAA?
General MOKEE. The pilot statement. It is up to him to prove it in
case anything goes wrong. It is not something that we could conven-
iently enforce or police any more than we can the last time he drove an
automobile.
Mr. BR0YHILL. The controllers are also continually trained and re-
trained ? Do you have a program in this regard?
General MCKEE. Yes, sir. The controllers get a great deal of training.
They are checked frequently. They are checked for each position which
they operate. They are under constant supervision. This is an en-
tirely different situation than a case where a member of the general
public operates something, and not under direct supervision, as in
the case of a controller, or an airline pilot, for that matter.
Mr. BROYHILL. In the Asheville-Hendersonville case, are you in a
position at the present time to state whether or not you feel there was
any lapse in the procedures, the prescribed procedures?
General MCKEE. I don't think we should comment on that at all,
Mr. Broyhill.
Mr. BROYHILL. I have no other questions, Mr. Chairman.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Pickle.
Mr. PIcKLR. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
General McKee, I address this question to you, and to any represent-
~tive of the CAB who might be here.
Why is i*t that the special Commission which has been set up to
study airport congestion has not been more aggressive in making some
announcement of plans or in holding public meetings, or in making
recommendations either to us or to the Congress?
It seems to me that this special Commission has been both hesitant,
timid, and certainly secretive in making known to the Congress its
recommendations.
I will admit that you and Mr. Murphy, whom I assume head this
Board jointly, have done a lot of planning. But so far as I know you
have not given to us a plan or some kind of a concerted approach to
this problem.
Your Commission has been in existence now for 8 or 9 months. I know
that members of our subcommittee met with you and we know you are
sympathetic to the problem. You said early this morning that the
main problem here is airport congestion, and not just this one accident.
Though, of course, we are looking into that this morning. But the
biggest problem that faces us is a~irport congestion. That covers the
whole field.
Why haven't you all made some sort of recommendations?
General MCKEE. Sir, I think there is a little misunderstanding about
the Commission. This committee is cochaired by the Secretary of
Transportation, Mr. Boyd, and the Chairman of the CAB, Mr. Mur-
phy. I wanted to. get that straight on the record. I am not in very much
of a position to speak for those two distinguished gentlemen.
I can say that it is my understanding, and I have to underline that,
that Mr. Murphy and Mr. Boyd have made a recommendation to
the White House. It is further my understanding that their recom-
mendations are under review. As to when a report will be made on
these recommendations, Mr. Pickle~ I am not in a position to answer.
PAGENO="0040"
36
Mr. PIoKLi~. I do recall now it was Secretary Boyd and Mr. Murphy
who headed this Commission. I regret that neith6r one of them are
here. I will address those questions to them later. I can see why you
would hesitate to speak for them. But it is so secret we don't even
know who is a member of this special Commission. Why would that
be, gentlemen?
General MCKEE. I can't answer that question.
Mr. PICKLE. I sure am full of questions but I have the wrong man
to ask.
Mr. ROGERS. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. PICKLE. Yes.
Mr. RooERs. Dots the FAA have to wait for an outside commission
before you can make a recommendation concerning the safety of
airports?
General MCKEE. No, sir ; we don't
Mr. Rooiu~s. What recommendations has your agency made?
General McKi~E. We do all we can in terms of the appropriations
we have under the Federal Aid to Airport Act. There is an authoriza-
tion, as you know, of $75 million a year. I am sure you are aware of
the action Congre~s has taken on these appropriations. Within the
resources we have we are taking every step forward we can.
Mr. ROGERS. I am not very encouraged by that answer. I don't even
find a request for more radar and more towers in your budget to the
Congress. You are not even requesting them. I don't think that is a
very good answer.
I thank the gentleman for yielding.
. Mr. PICKLE. Mr. Chairman, I am going to address my questions
on this point to the CAB and the Secretary of Transportation, Mr.
Boyd.
The CiIAIRMAN. Mr. Watson.
Mr. WATSON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I am sure the gentlemen sitting at the witness table are as concerned
as I am. They say in golf that it is not only the way iou address the
ball or approach it but the followthrough that gives you a good shot.
I have been concerned about the interest that has been shown by
this committee and by your agencies whenever we have these tragedies
occur.
Perhaps the answer has been given to the chairman of the committee
or to the staff, but as I recall there was an extensive investigation
on several 727 crashes. So far as I know, I have never seen any follow-
through on the part of those making the investigation.
We are concerned about congestion, but as I understand it this crash
in Ilendersonville was not a question of any congestion, but simply
a matter of a plane in the process of taking off colliding apparently
with one in the process of landing. Is that a~bout it, Mr. Allen?
Mr. ALLEN. Yes, sir. You had one aircraft, the Piedmont flight 22,
departing Asheville Airport and the Cessna 310 was approaching for
a landing at the Asheville Airport.
PAGENO="0041"
37
Mr. WATSON. As I recall your reading some of the flight recordings,
:at one time was it not indicated that these planes were identified as
berng 3 to 4 miles apart?
Mr. ALLEN. No, sir, I don't recall that there was any distance given
in the transcripts that I read.
Mr. WATSON. Well, we will not pursue that. I am sure your investiga-
tion has not been completed.
I am sure all of you have read the book by Capt. Vernon W.
Lowell. I don't know the gentleman, but he makes some rather serious
and grave statements. He deals with this matter of midair collisions.
lie states, and I wonder if any of you gentlemen will verify it, that the
statistics on near collisions are shocking.
There are approximately 500 traflic-controlled near-misses in the
United States annually that reach the record books, and he would con-
dude that many are never reported.
Is that factual, according to your record, Mr. Thomas?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir ; there are between 400 and 600 a year reported.
We investigate those. How many that occur and are not reported,
obviously, we don't know. This is out of about 250,000 flights a day.
Mr. WATSON. Yes ; but over 500 reported is a rather grave matter,
isn't it?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir.
Mr. WATSON. He states further that when you have a midair col-
lision there are seldom any survivors. That would be your experience,
wouldn't it?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir.
Mr. WATSON. I wonder what, specifically, your agency has done ii~
trying to reduce this. This gentleman states further, and I do applaud
him for not only criticizing but making some suggestions, on. page 85,
that, "There is in existence now an electronic collision warning do-
vice," and he recommends that all aircraft, large and small, be equipped
with that.
Would youcom.ment on that statement ?
General MCKEE. I have already commented at length on the status
of the collisioii avoidance system, Congressma~n.
Mr. WATSON. Perhaps I was reading this book and didn't hear you.
I did hear some discussion about anticollision. I know the pilot would
have to avoid the collision. I am thinking about a warning device.
General McKEE. I made a complete statement on that, sir. I have
a piece of paper that I didn't use in talking to it, but I would be happy
to give it to you. It would give you the exact status of where that stands.
Mr. WATSON. I would behappy to read it. Is there or is there not such
a thing as an electronic collision warning device in existence today?
General MoKi~s. There is not. It is only in the research and develop-
ment area. There is not one in production nor is there one that has
been proved out.
Mr. WATSON. To your satisfaction or to whose satisfaction?
I
PAGENO="0042"
38
General MCKEE. To the satisfaction of the FAA, the industry and
even the manufacturers. They have made great progress, very great
progress. We are going to proceed into the actual hardware of making
three of these. Each company is going to do it. They will be proof-
tested to determine which is the best and to determine if it is really an
effective system. If it is, the airlines have agreed that they will put it
into their airplanes. FAA would have to come up to the Congress and
ask for some $50 million, which we are prepared to do, to put in the
ground system.
Mr. WATSON. We are all aware of the accelerated speeds at which
planes travel tday, and you cannot rely upon visual observations
You would be on top of one another by the time you saw the plane~
You would have to resort to some electronic or radar device for de-
tection of an oncoming plane.
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir. I just want to s~ty one more thing on the
collision warning device. The Air Transport Association within the
last 30 days has issued specifications for such a device. This is a result
of industry, government and the airlines all working together on it~
So all the brains that we know how to get on it have been on this
problem.
With regard to the speeds, obviously, there is a speed where see
and be seen is no longer valid. The only solution to that at the present
time is radar control. This is why we have positive radar control
at the high altitudes where those speeds are exercised.
Mr. WATSON. Thank you. I hope we can pursue this diligently. This
man further states that we have had 15 midair collisions in the past
20 years.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Rooney.
Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Chairman, I will direct my questions to General
McKee.
General, as you know, during the past 2 years of your adminis~
tration I have been trying actively to ~et radar installed at the Allen~
town-Bethiehem-Easton Airport. This airport is no different than
the Hendersonville Airport or any other airport in the country.
You speak about radar and you see the need for radar. You wish
you could establish radar facilities at every airport in the countryd
You made that statement, is that correct?
General MCKEE. I said it would be highly desirable, obviously, if
money was not an object.
Mr. ROONEY. Every reply I have had from your office is always in
dollars and cents versus lives. Last year, in fiscal 19~37, under the new
facilities and equipment, how much was requested by FAA?
General MCKEE. In fiscal 1967?
Mr. RoowEr. Yes.
General MCKEE. On radar?
Mr. ROONEY. Well, new facilities and equipment. Doesn't that in-
clude radar?
General MCKEE. The total for facilities and equipment that was re-
quested of the Congress was $28 million. Our request was $73 mil-
lion. That was to the Bureau of the Budget.
PAGENO="0043"
39
Mr. ROONEY. You requested $28 million in fiscal 1967 and you were
granted $28 million.
G*meral McKEi~. That is right.
Mr. RooNEY. This was $11 million less than you requested in fiscal
1966. So why don't you request more money?
General MCKEE. I think in that regard, Mr. Rooney, we have to
look at the overall situation in the U.S. Government. AU of the agen-
cies of the Government, obviously, would like to have everything they
think they want. Obviously, if everyone got what they thought they
wanted, we would have a budget many billions of dollars more than
the budget we have today.
I am only a part of an administration. We have to take into account
the other problems. We have a problem in Vietnam. We have prob-
lems of highway safety. We have problems of marine safety.
So there are a lot of things that are highly desirable but, neverthe-
less, in the priority system we can't justify them.
Mr. IROONEY. You are now talking like the Director of the Bureau
of the Budget. You told me that you needed the money, that we
needed the facilities, and yet you don't request the money to install
radar installations throughout the country.
Let's get back to 100,000 itinerant operations. That is a misnomer.
We at the Allentown-Bethlehem Airport have 103,000 itinerant opera-
tions, but unfortunately, 37,000 of those are local. What difference
does it make if you have a local plane landing and taking off to go to
Washington and return to the A-B Airport ? If you have 100,000
flights in and out of that airport, why can't they qualify for radar?
Mr. THOMAS. The reasoning behind it is that the local flights are
familiar with the area and by our definition are those that are gen-
erally within the traffic pattern. From our viewpoint, those that re-
quire more traffic handling, particularly a function of the Federal
Government, are those from away from that airport. Those in the
traffic pattern we did not count.
We have been giving consideration to counting those as well. At
the time they occupy the runway they look just like any other airplane.
Mr. ROONEY. I have two final questions.
General McKee, I would like to ask one other question about the
1966 request of $51 million for new facilities and equipment. You were
granted $49 million. How much of that was spent?
General MCKEE. This was in 1966?
Mr. RooNEY. Yes.
General MCKEE. We asked for $51 million and were granted $49.8
million. Do you want the status of the expenditures?
Mr. ROONEY. You were granted $49 million in 1966. How much was
unexpended?
General MCKEE. I don't have that figure with me.
Mr. ROONEY. It is in the neighborhood of $25 million.
PAGENO="0044"
40
General 1~iCIcEE. I will have to fiiinish that. for the record. I can
assure. you that we sI)encl it as fast as we ieasoiiably caii when we
get. it.
( The followiiig infoiinat ion was su I ~s~'q ii en t ly sl1l)In] t.t.ed :)
FEDERAL AvIA'i~oN ADMINISTRATION SiAT1~1I~xT ON TJNo1~LIoMED l3ArANCE o~'
FISCAL YEAR 1966 FAcILITIES AND EQUIPMENT APPRoPRIATIoN
Of the $49.8 million Facilities and Equipineiit money authorized for FY 1966,
obligations of $30.1 million have been incurred as of June 30, 1967. In regard
to the unobligated balance of $19.7 million, these funds are programmed for
completion of projects which have been started. Included in this amount is $12.7
million for automation and $3.8 million for air traffic control tower facilities.
Mr. R00NEY. I believe Mr. Alien made a statement about the physical
condition of the pilot in the geiieral aviatioii 1)1ai~e, and said his age
~and said that he did have corrective lenses and was told to carry
:aflOtheI~ i)air of glasses in the plane. 1-lave you any idea whether or
not. the l)ilOt had his glasses on at the time ~
Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Rooney, at; this point in time we have not been able
to determine whether or not the pilot was wearing glasses, nor that
he carried another pair in the aircraft. That does not mean that they
were not there. It is a very difficult and painstaking search to locate
these items.
Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Chairman, I have no fiuther questions, but I
believe something is wroig with our entire operation on how we get
to the formula for itinerant operations and I think something ought to
be (lone for the FAA to install more radar facilities in every airport
in this coui~t.ry that has an operatioii of 100,000, whether it is itinerant
operations or locally based operations.
The ChAIRMAN. Mr. Brot.zman ~
MI'. BROTZMAN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Time being what it is, I don't think we can go into all the areas
that this committee really needs to look into in the limited time we
have. I personally feel that the recent occurrences demand that we
proceed further i;o know more about the whole area of air safety.
I have one question specifically, however : Is there a definition of a
near-miss ? What are we talking about when we talk about a near-
miss?
I1~'fr. TT-ioxrAs. Yes. sir. The O1)vJOIls ciefimtjori is when a pilot reports
a near-miss. We spend a great deal of time on it. We have classified
them in no hazard, that is, when direction and altitude would have
made a midair collision improbable regardless of evasive action taken.
lYe get some reports of pilots watching for 2 miimtes and a near-miss
occins, or he was at least 1,000 feet away. We tend to discoimt those.
Then we classify as potential, an incident which would probably
have resulted in a collision if no action had been taken by either pilot.
A proximity of less than 500 feet would usually by reqmrecl in this
case ; that is where the pilot actually sees the situation and takes
~.ct.ion and avoids it.
Then we say critical is a situation where collision avoidance was
due to chance rather than the act on the part of the pilot. In other
I
I
I
I
PAGENO="0045"
41
words, he just saw something go by and took no action or didn't see
it in time.
Of these 500 or 600 reported a year, there are very few that fall
in the critical category. One of the reasons they may or may not,
and we don't feel too good about our own statistics because we rarely
get the other pilot's view, it is an unknown aircraft and we can't find
him, so we have one pilot's view. Sometimes we have two, as in the
case of the Navion-American flight. In the case of the Western and
the two Navy aircraft, we don't know, so we just classify that as either
potential or critical, because we don't know.
Mr. BROTZMAN. Are most of these near-misses occurring in airports
where they do not have radar?
Mr. THOMAS. No, sir. There are two reasons for that. One is a large
number of them occur en route where it is not a terminal situation
at all. In the terminal situation where we have radar, we have the most
traffic and, therefore, the most potential. Where we don't have radar
we have the least potential.
We have analyzed them. Quite often you will find that they are in
the terminal area with visibility of more than 5 miles. There will be
a slight preponderance either departing or taking off and not just in
the traffic pattern. So we find almost and equal number of them en route,
and it is very random.
Mr. BROTZMAN. I believe you mentioned a moment ago that there
seems to be some fear of reporting a near-miss, because of threatened
punitive action. Is this the company that penalizes the pilot for some-
thing he has done, or is it the FAA?
Mr. THOMAS. The penalty would come from us. Of course, as I
say, we are now trying to arrange to get the information without
any penalty. But a pilot reports a near-miss and we examine it.
The way the fear originated was that we examined and found out
that he was at the wrong altitude or hadn't followed his instruc-
tions or something else, some other violation. We then took some
action. This is reputed to have dried up the near-misses.
However, I notice that the critical ones that are reported continue
about the same. We are trying to encourage the pilots to give us all
the information they can. Even if we find them in the wrong, we
will not impose a penalty because we want to know the proper cor-
rective action.
Mr. BROTZMAN. It would seem for us to understand this problem
fully, . we have to be able to nail these statistics down more ac-
curately. I am just relying on a newspaper account that I read this
morning, stating that in 1966 there were 463 near-misses reported,
but that the average since 1960 has been 532.
This would indicate, if these figures are even in the ball park, that
either the situation is getting better, which I doubt, or that there are,
in fact, a lot of near-misses that are not reported.
Mr. THOMAS. Since the traffic is growing rapidly, the potential for
near-misses would be increasing. The actual number reported is going
down somewhat. I would suspect the situation is not improving, as
the reports would indicate.
Mr. BROTZMAN. I thank the chairman.
PAGENO="0046"
42
General MCKEE. The main thing, I think, Mr. Brotzman, is we have
to get to the bottom of this. That is the reason I am willing to take off
the penalty and get the pilot to report so we find out what the situation
really is.
Mr. THOMAS. Could I add one more thing?
We have tried anonymous reporting. They were so anonymous that
we had absolutely nothing. We just couldn't do anything with it.
The CHAIRMAN. The Chair notes that we have been in session now
for some two hours and a half. If it is all right with the panel, we will
resume at 2 o'clock.
We will stand in recess until 2 o'clock,
( Whereupon, at 12 :38 the committee recessed, to reconvene at 2
p.m., the same day.)
AFTER RECESS
( The committee reconvened at 2 p.m., Hon. Harley 0. Staggers,
chairman, presiding.)
The CHAIRMAN. The committee will come to order.
When we stopped the proceedings at noontime, Mr. Satterfield was
to question~
Mr. O'Connell, did you want to make a statement at this time that
perhaps would be pertinent?
Mr. O'CoNNi~u~. If you will permit me to.
Mr. Chairman, I have before me a summary of midair collisions
which have occurred in the TJriited States between 1956 and 1967. I also
have before me a breakdown of those indicating in some detail the
type of aircraft, the time of day, and pertinent information with re-
spect to them. The summary is readily available, and has already
been released, although not as up to date as this. The detail which ac-
companies it contains very valuable information, and it occurs to me
that it would be very helpful if it were included in these proceedings,
and I would like to offer it.
The CHAIRMAN. It will be included at this point in the record. Thank
you.
( The material referred to follows :~
MIDAIR COLLISIONS, U.S. CIVIL AVIATION, 1956-67
Year
Number of
Total
accidets
Fatal
Number
of*
fatalities
Number
Air
of accidents by segme
Air Air
carrier carrier
ts of aviatio
General
aviation
n involved
General
carrier
(general (military)
aviation)
(military)
aviation
1956
17
11
161
1
1 0
1
14
1957
1958
1959
1960
15
16
13
26
6
12
10
10
1 19
86
20
2 152
0
0
0
1
0 1
0 2
0 0
4 0
4
2
3
2
10
12
10
19
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966(preliminary
1967 (preliminary)
Total
20
19
13
15
27
14
11
10 22
9 27
3 6
7 12
14 30
6 21
9126
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
1 C)
21
0
5
2
2
2
0
2
20
14
11
13
24
13
6
206
107
682
3
8 4
25
166
Includes 3 persons on ground.
2 Includes 6 persons on ground.
Source: Department of Transportation, National Transportatins Safety Board, Bureau of Aiation Safety, July 20, 1967.
PAGENO="0047"
Kind of
Radar
Evasive
flying
serv.
action
5± None Traffic pat- Go-around~__ Practice No No.
tern.
-- _do do Level off! 1mg No Yes.
touchdown.
5+ ___do do Ldg. final ap- Air taxi No No.
proach. passg.
__do do Initial climb do No No.
5+ VFR 1 ml Cruise Solo No Unk.
None_~ 1 mi do Pleas No Unk.
5+ _~do Traffic pat- Final ap- Pleas No No.
tern. proach.
do do Pleas No No.
5+ _..do 2 ml Climb to Practice No No.
cruise.
2 ml do do No No
5+ _...do 2 ml Climb to Practice No No.
cruise.
_....do 2 ml do do No No.
5+ _..do Traffic pat- Initial climb~ DuaL No Yes.
tern.
do do Solo No No.
Docket Date
No.
toôation
MIDATh COLLISIONS, U.S. CIViL AVIATiON
PRELIMINARY INFORMATION, 1966
fcraft
~-O075
Mar. 10
2-0060 Feb. 5 MuscleShoals,AIa Aeronca L-16 None Day..... 573 VFR
Cessna 150 None
Fatalities
w
Day!
night
Alt
(feet)
Wx. Fit Phase of
cond. Vis. plan Arp. prox. operation
2-0091
Jan. 23
2-0107
Feb. 5
Day - - -
2-0178
150
VFR
June 11
Day.. - - -
2-0178
1,700
Venice, La Sikorsky S-62A
Bell 47G-2A
Rockton, III Piper PA-22 1
Cessna 172 3 1
Wappingers Falls, ~ Beech 23 1 1
Piper PA-22 1
Livermore, Calif Schweiger SGS-126
Pratt-Reid LNE-1
Livermore, Calif SchweigerSGS-126
Pratt-Reid LNE-1
Ann Arbor, Mich Cessna 150
Piper PA-22
VFR
June 11
Day.. - - -
None
None
4
2
None
None
None
None
865
2-0260
VFR
June 26
Day~_ 2,000
VFR
Day - - -
2,000
VFR
None Day......
None
860
VFR
PAGENO="0048"
Kankakee, III_ Cessna 150..
Beech 23
Warwick, R.I Piper PA 28 1
Cessna 150 2
Near Anchorage, Alaska_ Piper PA-18
do 1 1____
Santa Ynez, Calif Piper PA-iS
Cessna 150
Minden, Nev Cessna 150
do
Los Angeles, Calif Bell 47G-4 2 1
do 1 ~
Jacksonville, Fla Piper PA-23
Piper PA-28
MIDAIR COLLISIONS, U.S. CIVIL AVIATION-Continued
1966-Continued
5+ None_ - - - Trifaic pattern Final ap- Dual No No.
proach.
_do do do Solo N No.
5+ __do do Circling Air taxi No Unk.
passg.
_~do do Final ap- Dual No No.
proach
5+ do Beyond 5 ml. Cruise Pleas No Unk.
-_ do do Unk Ilunting No Unk.
5+ _do Traffic pattern Final approach Dual No No.
- do do do do No No.
5+ -- do do Circling Solo No Yes.
do do Dual No Yes.
5+ -- do Beyond 5 mL Cruise Police patroL - No No.
-- do do do do No No.
5+ ~do Traffic pattern Final approach Pleas No No.
do do Pleas No No.
June16 ColumbiaCity,IncI Curtiss C-46 2.~ 2 CargoD
Piper PA-23 i
Docket Date
No.
Location
Aircraft
2-0318 July 9
2-0350
Jan. 22
Fatalities
w
Day/
night
.
Alt.
(feet)
Wx. Fit. Phase of
cond. Vis. plan Arp. prox. operation
~5S
2-0355
Feb. 20
Day - - -
632
2~~0423
VFR
None
None
2
May 18
Kind of Radar Evasive
flying serv. action
Day.. - -
Unk.
2-04&4 July 2~
VFR
2-0479 Aug. 30
500
2-0515
Day - - -
Day
VFR
July 23
743
VFR
None
2
None
None
None
None
None
None
Day - - -
540
VFR
800
Day - - -
Day - - -
VFR
341
VFR
PAGENO="0049"
1-0033 Dec. 4 Near Carmel, N.Y - L-1049C - 3
B-707
2-0001 Jan. 1
5+ FR 5 ml. ~ Cruise Passg. D Yes___ Yes.
do Passg. D Yes_~. Yes.
5+ None - 5 ml. + do Pleas Unk...~. link.
__do Climb Pleas Unk___ No.
5+ ~do Traffic pattern Final approach Solo No No.
do ~do Pleas No No.
5+ ~_do do do Dual No No.
do do Pract No No.
5+ _...do 1 ml Acrobatics_...._ Show No No.
1 ml Cruise do No No.
5+ _do_... 2 ml do Pleas No link.
__do 2 ml do Pleas No Yes.
5+ ....do Traffic Final Pleas No No.
pattern, approach.
~do do do Pleas No No.
5+ ..~do 5 mi.+ Swath Aerial No No.
application.
....do 5mi. + do do No No.
5+ VFR 3 ml Climb Solo No No.
None ___ - 3 ml Desc Pleas No No.
5+ .....do 3~ mi Swath Aerial No No.
application.
....do 3/~ ml do do No No.
5+ ....do 5 mi.+ Cruise Dual No No.
S mi.+ çlo Pleas ~es._.... NQ.
Cs
I
1965
4 Day._.... 11,000 VFR
None
Folsom Lake, Calif PA-24 3 1 4 Day...... 3, 000 VFR
Beech 35-33 None
2-0017 Jan. 17 Nashua, N.H PA-22 None Day...... 223 VFR
Cessna 140 None
2-0069 Feb. 21 Fredericksburg, Pa PA-22 None Day...... 595 VFR
Aeronca 7-AC - None
2-0251 Feb. 26 Fort Lauderdale, Fla Boeing A-75 1 _~ 1 Day...... 2, 500 VFR
NAA-T-6 1 .~ 1
2-0256 May 2 Westerlo, N.Y Hughes 269A 1 1 2 Day._._. 1,700 VFR
T-craft BC-12D 1 1
2-0283 Mar. 6 Cable, Wis PA-20 None Day...... 1, 800 VFR
Fairchild M-62A None
2-0287 Apr. 16 Kaplan, La Grumman G-164 None Day_~ 42 VFR
None
tin
2-0292 May 14 Lodi-GarfIeld, NJ PA-22
Beech 23 1
2-0295 May 4 Garwood, Tex Funk F-23
Callair A-S
2-0335 July 3 Atlanta, Ga Cessna 150
- PA-24
None Day...... 1,800 VFR
None Day..... 129 VFR
None Day__
None Day...._ 2, 600 VFR
Nqne
CJe
PAGENO="0050"
Fit. Phase of
Vis. plan Arp. prox. operation
Kind of Radar Evasive
flying serv. action
5+ None 4 ml Cruise Duai No Unk.
_~do 4 mi do do No Unk.
5+ ~~_do 5 mi.+ Swath Aerial No No.
appiication.
~do 5 mi.+ do do No No.
5+ _do 5 mi.+ Cruise Fish spot No No.
~~do 5 mi.+ do do No No.
5+ ___do 5 mi. + Ciimb Towing No Yes.
~ 5 mi. + Desc Buss No No.
5-f- ~do 3~ ml Finai ap- Solo No No.
proach.
3~ mi do Dual No No.
5+ ___do 5+ Cruise Aerial No No.
approach.
5+ do do No Yes.
5+ ~ ~ ml Final ap- Pleas No No.
proach.
~do 3~ ml do do No No.
5+ VFR 2 mi Cruise 1mg No No.
VFR 2 ml do Buss Unk_ Yes.
5+ None - - Traffic pat- Final ap- Pleas No No.
tern. proach.
do do do No No.
Docket Date
No.
Location
i~iDAIR COLLISIONS, U.S. CIVIL AVIATlON-~ont~nued
2-0454 May 26
Aircraft
1965-Continued
2-0514
Aug. 31
Fatalities
~_
~- c~ 0
Day!
night
Alt.
(feet)
Wx.
cond.
2-0651
Sept. 2
2-0672
2
2
Day...... -
Aug. 15
2,880
VFR
None
2-0673
Day - - -
Aug. 29
250
VFR
2-0689
None
None
Day...... 1,850
July 12
VFR
None
None
Granite, Md PA-28 2 ~
PA-28 2 ~
Bonita, La PA-25
PA-25 1
Near Foxwells, Va Champ 7-ECA.
do
Near Fremont, Calif PA-18
Beech E-35_______________________
Northbrook, Ill Cessna 150
do____________________.______
Near Clements, Calif Cailair A-9 _________~ 1
PA-25
Neffsviiie, Pa Cessna 170
PA-24 ~ 1
Montgomery, Ala Lockheed 1-33
PA-28
Flushing, N.Y PA-23
PA-22
Day - -
2-0690
3,300
June 27
VFR
None
None
800
2-0693
VFR
Oct. 12
Day......
2-0698
750
Sep. 4
VFR
None
None
Day
577
VFR
Day
None
None
None
2,500
VFR
Day
None
14
VFR
PAGENO="0051"
None Day_...._ 9,000 VFR
30 VFR 5+ None_ - - - Traffic pat- Final ap- Instruct solo - No No.
tern. proach.
do do Pleasure No No.
100 VFR 5+ _do do do Practice No No.
do do do No No.
Unk. _do do do Business No No.
Unk. - do do do do No No.
5+ - - do Cruise Pleasure No Yes.
VFR 5+ Descending.. - Practice No No.
2-0822 Nov. 1 FortWayne,lnd Cestna 112 None Night_ 933 VFR
Cessna 150 None
2-0826 Sept.10 Louisville, Ky DC-3 None Day...._ 2,349 VFR
Cessna 150 1 1
2-0844 Dec. 5 Wheeling, Ill Beech 23 None Day_._. 996 VFR
Cessna 182 None
2-1030 Nov. 14 New Carlisle, Ohio PA-18 None Day_... 1,600 VFR
J_3 1____ 1
2-1033 Dec. 19 Knox, Ind... PA-23 2 1 _.~ 3 Day_~_ 1,714 VFR
Stinson 108 None
2-1039 Oct. 31 Pacoima, Calif Luscombe 8-A None Day...... 1,600 VFR
PA-28 1....... 1
2-1083 Nov. 7 Tulsa, OkIa C-124
Cessna 172 2 1 -
~+ ..dO ~ mi dO ~oló f1o yes.
- do 3( ml. do do No No.
5+ .~do 4 mi Climb Charter No No.
- do 4 mi Desc Prac No No.
5+ __.do Traffic pattern Landing Pleas No Yes.
~do do Climb do No No.
5+ _....do 1 ml Traffic pattern. Prac No No.
- _.do 1 mi Cruise Pleas No..... - No.
5+ ...._do 1 mi do Pleas No No.
- ....do 1 mi do do No Yes.
5+ - ....do 3 ml Traffic pattern.. Dual No No.
3 mi Climb Pleas No Yes.
N/R IFR 5+ Cruise Mil Yes_.... Yes.
N/R None --- 5+ do Pleas No No.
1964
2-0033 Jan. 4 Palo Alto, Calif Luscombe 8-A None Day._
Globe GC-1B None
2-0132 May 4 Baton Rouge, La Piper PA-22 1 - 1 Day......
do 1.... 1
2-0355 Apr. 30 Enid, Okla do None Dawn.... 1,470 VFR
Cessna 210 None
2-0363 May 16 Westminister, Calif Ercoupe 415-C 1 ~. - 1 Day...... 2, 500 VFR
Douglas A4-B None
PAGENO="0052"
Vis.
Fit. Phase of
plan Arp. prox. operation
Kind of Radar Evasive
flying serv. action
5+ None Cruise Pleasure No Yes.
__do 5+ do do No No.
5+ _~_do Traffic pat- Go-around do No Yes.
tern.
~do do Initial climb_ Instruct duaL_ No No.
5+ ~do Procedui~e Aerialappli- No Yes.
turn. cation.
~do 5+ do do No No.
5+ ~_~do Normalcruise Business No Unk.
5+ Climb to Practice No Unk.
cruise.
3 ~do Traffic Circling Instruct. No No.
pattern, solo.
do do Instruct. No No.
dual.
5+ ...do 4 mi Normal Air taxi, No No.
cruise, pass.
.~do 4 ml do Pleasure No No.
5+ - _do 4 ml do Instruct. No No.
check.
4 mi do Practice No No.
5+ ~do 3~ ml Final ap- ..~do No Yes.
proach
3~ do Pleagure ~o No,
Docket Date
No.
Location
MIDAIR COLLISIONS, U.S. CIVIL AVIATION-Continued
2-0476
Aircraft
July 8
1964-Continued
2-0544
Fatalities
-~ Day!
Alt.
Aug. 6
0. C,) 0
2-0645
Wx.
cond.
Sept. 3
Day - - -
2-0708 Sept. 9
VFR
7, 000
Unk.
Day - - -
2-0816
None
Nov. 25
VFR
None
Day.. -
2-0833
1,400
Nov. 9
VFR
Max, Nebr Slingsby Lark 4 None
Schleicher KA-6CR None
San Jose, Calif Cessna 170 None
Cessna 150
Near Quincy, Wash Boeing A-75
Piper PA-25 1
Near Victoria, Tex Beech D-18S 1
Grumman F-hA 1
Santa Monica, Calif Cessna 150-C
Cessna 150-D
Ponca City, Okia _.__~ Cessna 206
Piper PA-24 __________ 1 1
Anaheim, Calif Cessna 120_______________________
Cessna 150 i
Olathe, Kans Cessna 182___.________._____
cessna 170-B_________~_____~____
2-0938
Day.._ 16,000
Dec. 13
VFR
None
Night_ -
None
1, 000
2-0959
VFR
Dec. 12
None
Day___. 6, 500
2
VFR
None
Day
3, 000
VFR
None
None
Duslc
VFR
PAGENO="0053"
Apr. 13_ West Hollywood, Fla Cessna 172
Funk
Apr. 24_ Pacoima, Calif Cessna 150
Cessna 172
Nov. 5__ Warren, R.l Cessna 150
Cessna 182
Apr. l___ Near Las Vegas, Nev Navion 1
F-105 1
July 17 Lombard, Ill Bellanca
PA-15
None Day.._
None
None Day.._
None
None Day....._
None
1 Day......
None Day......
None
5+ ...do 3 ml Normal Demonstra- No No.
cruise. tion.
do 3 ml do Instruct. No No.
solo.
5+ _...do Traffic Final ap- Pleasure No No.
pattern. proach
- ..do do do Practice No No.
5+ .....do 5+ Normal Corporate_ - No No.
cruise.
5+ do Pleasure No No.
2-1032
3-0429
3-1517
Nov. 23 pomona, Calif Cessna 150-O 1 1
Cessna 150-A 1 -
Feb. 22 Albuquerque, N. Mex -- - Cessna 150
Piper PA-22
June 2 Lexington, Tenn Cessna 310-C
Piper PA-22
2 Day__.
1,850 VFR
5,470 VFR
2-0307
None Day......
None
None Day._ 3,500
None
2-0182
VFR
July 30... Allentown, Pa Stinson 108 1
Beech L-23 2
Jan. 30... Agawam, Mass Ercoupe
T-Craft
2-0875
1963
2-1120
1 Day......
None Day....
None
3-1606
2-1676
60
VFR
2-2064
250 VFR
Unk. VFR
2,000 VFR Unl._._ None___ 3 ml Cruise Pleas No No.
IFR 3mi App Trng No .. No.
150 VFR 23/s. None 3~ ml TP Bus No No.
._do ..~ 3~ ml Final Pleas No..... No.
approach.
NF .... do -...... On TO Practice No No.
.do ...._ Arp ._.......do Instruct _.... No No.
NF .._._ do J,~ ml Final ap- Practice No ..... No.
~ proach.
._do 3~ ml do Pleas No ...._ No.
NF do 5+ Cruise Instruct No....__. No.
5+ do link No ....._ No.
NF..._ link..___ 5+ Descent Bus link.... No.
link 5+ do Trng...... No.
NF None.. - -- On arp TO Pleas No No.
On arp do Instruct No.._...._ No.
1,100
VFR
15
VFR
PAGENO="0054"
VFR
VFR
VFR
VFR
Kind of
Radar
Evasive
flying
serv.
action
NF____ None__ __ 3( mi Final Business No No.
approach.
~do ~ ml do Instruct No.
2~/~- ~do TP do Publicfly No No.
3M
- ~~do TP do Business No
NF do TP Climb do No No.
~do TP Final do
~ ~ approach.
Docket
No.
Date
Location
2-2121
MIDAIR COLLISIONS, U.S. CIVIL AVIATION-Continued
1963-Continued
Aircraft
July 30
2-2332
Oct. 13
2-2487
Fatalities
.~
Day/
night
Alt.
(feet)
Wx. FIt. Phase of
cond. Vis. plan Arp. prox. operation
0_ C.) 0
~-.
June 2
2-2489
Aug. 25
100
2-2490
Sep. 2
Tulsa, OkIa Cessna 172
Cessna 210
Caro, Mich Beech 35
Cessna 172
Wheeling, III Aeronca 11
Cessna 140
Amityville, NY PA -22
Cessna 205
Gainesville, Tex Beech 1-24
Cessna 210
Tempe, Ariz N3-N
PA-22
60
2-2491
Sep. 12
50
1
Day~_
None
None
None
Day._
None
None
Day~_
None
None
Day__
None
None
Day__
None
Day_
2-0028
Feb. 1
NF____None --__-~ 3~ mi ~ Final ap- Bus No No.
proach.
do 3~ mi do do No No.
NF do ~ mi do do No No~
~do 3~ mi do do No No.
NF do ~ mi do ~ Pleas No No.
~do 3~ mi do do No No.
35 VFR
NF do ~,( ml Ao Instruct No No.
~do 3~ ml do Bus ~ No No.
Unk. VFR
NF do 34 mi do Instruct No No.
~do y~ ml do Pleas No No.
NF do 5+ Cruise Aerial appli- No No.
cation.
- ~do 5+ do Pleas N~ No.
Unk. VFR
2-0042
Jan. 18
1962
2-0212
June 18
Broomfield, Cob PA-24 1 1
Cessnal50 _______________ 2
Madera, Calif Cessna 172 1 ~
Piper PA-22 1 1 ~
Glendive Mont PA-24 1 ~
Cessna 170 1 -- --
2 Day~
200
2
1 Day~
TP
2
VFR
1 Day~ TP
VFR
PAGENO="0055"
2-1389 Oct. 2 St. Augustine, Fla - Beech G-18~ 2 2
USN F3H-2 1
2-2166 May 30 Sherman, N.Y Cessna 172 1
Aeronca 7 1 1
2-3489 Aug. 11 Steamboat Springs, Cob... Beech T-34 1
PB4Y
2-3952 Aug. 15 Sacramento, Calif Cessna 150 I
F9F
2-4760 Nov. 10 Daggett, Calif Cessna 320
Cessna 182 1 3 -
2-0219 May 8 Wichita, Kans Cessna 175
C-47
2-1118 Oct. 22 Chickasha, Okla Cessna 210
Cessna 170
2-3352 Mar. 31 Montgomery, Ala Cessna 172
Cessna 150
2-4098 Oct. 13 Fort Collins, Cob do
Beech 35
2-4220 Sept. 14 Buffalo, N.Y Cessna 172
Cessna 175
2-4447 Dec. 5 San Jose, Calif Cessna 140
Cessna 150
~-46O4 July 21 Moorpark, Calif.... Cessna 182
- centaur L-13
NF_...... IFR 2 mi Cruise Corporate_.._ No No.
FR 2 ml Climb Training
(mO).
NF_~_ FR -_---- 5+ ---------- Unk Corporate..... No ~ No.
Unk 5+ do _..~ Mib. Op
NF _ None.... _ 13j mi Approach _~ Pleas ~ No No.
- do 1~ ml ~ do do
NF do (ink Swath run~._ Fire control.... No
..do Unk do do No Yes.
350 VFR NF do On arpt Climb Stu. solo No..... No.
Mil On arpt do Training Yes..... No.
9,500 VFR NF._ VFR 5+ Cruise Business No No.
NE.... VFR 5+ do Pleas No No.
250 VFR 9M_ _ __ None.... .. 3'~ mi Approach...... Business No No.
VFR........ 3/~ ml do Military No No.
10 VFR NF........ None...... On arpt do Public flying... No No.
..._do On arpt do Business No No.
200 VFR NF.. -.. - None....... On arpt Final approach.. Training No No.
_..do On arpt do do No No.
50 VFR NF do 3( ml do Dual training.. No...._ No.
_....do 3~ ml do Business No No~
150 VFR NF do TP do Dual Instruct. No No.
.....do TP do Ferry No No.
Unk. VFR 5 do TP do.......__ Training~... No No.
...do TP Climb.. __...__ Dual instruct.. No No.
NF do 2 ml Flight Acrobatics.... No No.
2 ml do dQ No No.
2-0760 June 8 Tallahassee, Fba Lockheed 18 2 2 ....... 4 Day...... 8, 000 VFR
Lockheed T-33A None
4 Day...... Unk. VFR
1 Day..... Unk. VFR
1 Day..... Unk. VFR
None
None
None
4
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Day....
Night....
Day.......
Day.....
Day.....
Day......
Day......
Day......
Day....... lInk. VFR
PAGENO="0056"
Dec. 10
Dec. 3
Sept. 12
Jan. 7
Location
Aircraft
1962-Continued
Palm Springs, Calif Bell 47
None
Day~__
do
None
Grain Valley, Mo Mooney M-20
Piper PA-28
None
None
Day~
Middletown, Pa Beech 1-34
Curtiss C-46
None
None
Day~__
Boise, Idaho Piper PA-12 Day~_
Cessna 150
Hopkins, Mien Cessna 190 1 -___ I Day~_
Cessna2l0 1 ~ 1
Spanaway, Wash Cessna 195 Day__
Piper PA-18 1 1 ~ 2
Mar. 16 Pompano Beach, Fla Grumman G-159 Day~
Aeronca 7-AC 1 1 ____ 2
Apr. 4 Riverside, Calif Beech 1(35 I 1 ~ 2 Day~_
Cessna 172 2 2
Apr. 22 Amarillo, Tex do 1 1 ~ 2 Day_._
Cessna 170-B
15
400
Unk.
VFR
VFR
VFR
Fit.
Phase of
Vis. plan Arp.
prox. operation
Kind of Radar
Evasive
flying serv.
action
NF~__ None__ ~_ TP Finalapproach Construction No No.
work.
TP do do No No.
NF do TP Approach Dual instruct_ No No.
~do TP do do No No.
NF do Beyond 5 mL Gruise Experiment~ No No.
~do do do do No No.
NF__ None _ __ ~ mi Landing Practice No No.
~do ~ mi do do No No.
NF do 3~ ml do Air taxi No No.
~do 3~ ml do Pleasure No No.
NF do~~ Trafficpattern do do No Yes.
~do do do do No No.
NF_ ___ VFR Over arpt do Business No No.
None do do Pleasure No No.
15+ do Traffic pattern do. Bcsiness No No.
.~do do do lnstruction_ ~ No No.
NE Unk do Descending_ Business No No.
None do Landing Instruct solo~ No No.
Docket Date
No.
MIDAIR COLLISIONS, U.S. CIVIL AVIATION-Continued
2-4681
Fatalities
.
~o ~ ~
0. ~.) 0
I-'
Day!
night
Alt.
(feet)
Wx.
cond.
2-4744
2-3562
2-2798
2-0010
Feb. 21
2-1275
Feb. 21
1961
2-2704
25 VFR
2-0972
150 VFR
2-0959
450 VFR
15 VFR
75
VFR
100
VFR
PAGENO="0057"
80
10
VFR
VFR
2-0980
2-4466
May 11 Bishop, Tex Piper PA-18A
2-4465
2-0237
2-2847
10 VFR
..do
May 16 Troy, N.Y Piper J-3 Day~..
Luscombe 8-A 1 1 2
May 22 Near Chinitna Bay, Piper J-3 1 1 Day__
Alaska. Piper J-4 1 1
May 30 Spring Valley, N.Y cessna 150 Day....
Ces~pa 172
10 Palo Calif
2-3572
1,500
500
VFR
VFR
2-1587
2-1693
Day - -
10 VFR
June 21 Near Payson, Ariz Bee~b 1-34 Day.. -
Cesspa 180 1 1 2
June 29 Bishop, Tex Piper PA-25 Day.. -
Piper PA-18
Aug. 9 Friendswooil, Tex Cessna 150 Day..
2-4333
250
VFR
2-3329
2-4a82
NF ___ do 5+ Swath run~ Aerial appli- No No.
cation.
~do 5+ do do No No.
NF___ Unit 13~ ml Cruise Business No No.
Unk ~ 13/2 mi do do No. No.
NF_ _ None ___ Unk Low pass Hunting No No.
~do do do do No~ No.
NF do Unk Cruise Practice No No.
__do do do Pleasure No No.
NF do 3.~ ml Landing Business Unk~_ No.
__do do do Dual instruct Unk~ No.
NF _do Unk Borate cliop~ Fire Cont Unlc_ No.
._do do do do Unk__. No.
NF~ do do _ Swath Run_~ Aerial appli- No No.
cation.
_.do do~_ do do No No.
NF~ link ~ ml ___ Landing ___ Business No~ Yes.
_.do~ do do Dual Instruct No No.
NF.._... None Traffic _do Pleasure No No.
pattern.
~do do do do No No.
- - Unk Unk Cruise Business No No.
- ~_do.~____ - do do do. No No.
NF None Unk Soaring______ Pleasure No No.
do-~ do do lb No.
Sept. 22 Bellevue, Wash Aeronica 11 AC NighL
do
Oct. 6 Pittsfield, Maine Cessna 180
Piper PA-22
Oct. 15 Elsinore Valley, Calif__...._ Schweizerl-26
400 VFR
250 VFR
NighL
4,400 VFR
Day - -
Unk. VFR
PAGENO="0058"
Docket Date
No.
Location
2-3921
MIDAIR COLLISIONS, US. CIVIL AVIATtON-Continued
1961-Continued
Aircraft
None
2-3979
Fataflties
.~
Day!
night
Alt.
(feet)
Wx. FIt. Phase of
cond. Vis. plan Arp. prox. operation
~. () 0
I-
Nov. 5
Santee, Calif Cessna 140
1 ~
1
Day~
Taylorcraft BC-12D
2 ~
2
Nov. 22
Chia, Bogatã, Colombia~ Piper Comanche
Piper Cub
1 ~
2 ~
1
2
Day~
Dec. 2
New Meridan, Coon No American SNJ4
Day~
Luscombe8-A
200
VFR
2-0&03
Kind of Radar Evasive
flying serv. action
300
VFR
2-0656
1 ~ 000
VFR
2-0442
NF
None
Traffic Take off
Solo instruct_ No
No.
~__
pattern.
do do Dual instrucL No___ No.
NF ~_ do do Climbing Pleasure Unk~_ No.
-. do Landing Dual instrucL_ Unk~_ No.
NF link 5+ Cruise
Photography_ Unk No.
~_ 5+ do do Unk__ No.
1960
2-0315
2-0633
Jan. 27~ El Cajon, Calif Cessna 182 Day 6, 200 VFR
Douglas AD-5W
Jan. 31~. York, Pa Piper PA-22 Day_
Cessna 120
Feb. 3__ East Berlin, Mass Fairchild M-62A 1 1 ~ 2 Day~_
Piper J-3
Feb. 7 ~ Rosemont, Minn Piper PA-20 Day~_
Cessna 150
Feb. 28 Albuquerque, N.Mex Piper PA-22 Day~__
Cessna 140
Mar. 14 Deer Park, N.Y ---_~--_-_ Champion 7-FC Day__..
Aeronca 7-AC
2-148.3
150
Unk.
VFR
VFR
5
VFR
20
80
NF~__ None~_ More 5 mL~ Cruise dualinst No No.
Unk do _do Unk No.
NF~_ None~~ Traffic pattern Landing Air taxi No No.
~do do do Pleasure No.
NF do More 5 mi~ Cruise do No.~ No.
~do do do do No.
NF do Over arpt Landing do No. ~ No.
~do do do do No.
NF do do Takeoff do No.~ Yes.
___do do do do No.
NF do~__ ~ ml Landing Student soIo~ No Yes.
__do ~ ml do do No.
VFR
VFR
PAGENO="0059"
2-1913
2-2071
2-1146
2-2062
2-4691
2-4246
2-3902
May 22
May 27
July 4
July 7
July 24
Aug. 10
Sept. 4
2-1718
1 1-0061
2-1994
200 VFR
125 VFR
2-1515
June 26
50 VFR
700 VFR
2-0863 Mar. 14 Harvey, La Cessa 180 (Seaplane) Day~_
Cessna 180
Apr. 20 Hickory, ftC Cessna 310 3 1 ~ 4 Day~
Fairchild F-27
May 20 Lake Village, Ark Piper PA-18A Day~_
Madera, Calif DeHaviUand 60-GM Day~_
Davis DIW
Near Point Mugu, Calif_ Cessna 172 _______~____~_ Day___
Military F4D1
Plain City, Ohio _____~ Mooney MK-20A ___ 3 1 _ ~ 4 Day___
Fort Wayne, nd Pack & Associates "D"__ 1 _ 1 Day____
Kensinger ________________ 1 __ 1
Bishop, ~ Beech M-35 Day_~_
Cessna 150
Winthrop, Wash _~____ Mooney 20A Day__
Cessna 180
Dallas, Tex Cessna 182 Day_
Beech Bonanza (35)
Elmira, N.Y Schweizer 1-26
do
Orlando, Fia Beech A-35 I 1 Day~__
Martin 404
200 VFR
1,500
VFR
80
VFR
5
VFR
2-2750
1 1-0082
Oct. 1
100
NF do Unk ~ - - ~do Business NO t4o.
~do do~_ Cruise Unkn No.
NF do 3~ mi Landing Business No No.
FR do do Sched. px. Yes.
(air carrier).
NF ~ None _ _ More 5 mL Pull-up~-- Aerial app No No.
-- do do do do No.
NF ~ None_~ Within 5 mi Cruise Air show No No.
- - do do do do No.
Unk_ VFR Unk En route climb Dual inst. Unk~ No.
(inst. trg.)
__do On arpt unk - Takeoff climb Military Yes__ Yes.
NF_~ None Unk Climb Pleasure ___ No No.
- ~do On arpt unL - Cruise do No.
NF do Overarpt Airrace Airshow No No.
-- do do do ~ do No.
NF do On arpt Landing Inst/dual ~No No.
- ~do Over arpt do Business No.
NF do Traffic pattern do Pleasure No No.
.~do do do Forest Service No.
NF do do do Business Unk No.
~do do do Pleasure No.
NF do Unk Soaring do No No.
~do do do do Yes.
NF do Traffic pattern Landing Business Unk~ No.
Unk do do Sched/Px. No.
(air carrier)
Unk~ VFR do Unk Pleasure Unk_ - - No.
Unk do Landing Sched Px No.
(air carrier)
VFR
100
VFR
2-2686
11-0075
I Air carrier docket.
Unk.
VFR
Oct. 4 Sacramento, Calif Cessna 172 1 1 ~_ 2 NighL -
C-46
150
VFR
70 VFR
PAGENO="0060"
MIDAIR COLLISIONS, U.S. CIVIL AVIATION-Continued
1960-Continued
500
Unk.
30
15
VFR
VFR
VFR
VFR
Docket Date
No.
Location
2-2219
Oct. 21
Aircraft
1-0087
Nov. 17
2-3137
Denver, Cob
Nov 18
Fatalities
~ ~ ~;
.~
Day!
night
Alt.
(feet)
Wx. Fit. Phase of
cond. Vis. plan Arp. prox. operation
n_ C.) 0
2-3058
Dec. 2
2-3020
Dec. 3
Kind of Radar Evasive
flying serv. action
1-0083
Dec. 16
DC-6 ~ Day
Beech D-35
Washington, N.C Piper PA-17 0 1 0 1 Day____
Piper J-3A
Palm Springs, Calif Piper PA-23 ~_______~_____~____________~ Day___
Luscombe 8A
Vero Beach, Fla ~ Piper PA-22 Day_
Stinson 108
Near Staten Island, N.Y~ L-1049 ~ 39 5 6 50 Day
Constellation DC-8_ 77 7 84
600
IFR
FR
Hamilton, Mont Cessna 180 ~ I 1 ~_ 2 Day__
Taylorcraft BC-12 1 ~__ 1
Appr.
1, 300
VFR
2-1600
Dec. 20
Riverside, Calif Piper PA-24 1 1 Day___
Cessna 150
2,000 VFR NF___ None____ Within 5 mi__ Descending___ Business Unk___ No.
do ~______ Cruise lnstJDual ~____________ No.
NF____ VFR -____ Traffic pattern Landing SchedfPx Unk___ No.
None do ~________ do Business Yes.
NF do Unk Formation ~__ Pleasure Unk_ No.
flying.
~ do._ ~ do
Yes.
NF .~____ do ~____ Traffic Landing Business Unk_ No.
pattern.
~_________ do ~__~_______ do ~_~__ Pleasure No.
NF .__._ do do ~ do ~ do ~ Unk_ No.
~____~_ do do do
No.
~_~__~____~____
Unk_ IFR ~_~__ 20 ml ~ Descending Sched/Px ~ Yes_ No.
IFR ~ 20 mi ~ do do
Yes No.
UnI~~ None --~._ Unk Cruise Business Unk~_ No.
do do ~ do ~ Pleasure No.
PAGENO="0061"
1 Day.....
1 Day~...
None Day......
None
None
None
None
None
None
Day. -
2-0032
2-1631
2-2374
June 28
1959
2-4528
July 25
500
VFR
2-3159
Aug. 20
125
VFR
2-4485
Aug. 24
2-1350
Feb. 1 Buena Park, Calif Luscombe 8-A 1 -- --
Piper PA-16 1
Mar. 26 Miami, Fla Champion 7-FC 1
Cessna 150 1
llalfmoon Bay, Calif Beech 35
Cessna 140
Calipatria, Calif Boeing A-75N1
do 1__..
Chowchilla, Calif Boeing A-75
Callair A-5
Moorehead City, ftC Piper PA-18 1
Douglas A-4D
Near Cape Charles, Va__ Piper PA-12 1
Philadelphia, Pa Aeronca L-16A
Cessna 140 1
Mansfield, Ohio Piper PA-22 2
F-~84F
Fullerton, Calif. Piper PA-22
Bell 4-7J
Aug. 26
2-1408
Sept. 30
Day. --
20
VFR
2-1753
Day. - -
Nov. 7
2-4509
Dec. 1
NF None__ _ TP Takeoff Pract
- ~do TP do Unk No No.
N F do Over airport do ~ nstruct
.do do Landing do ~ No No.
50 VFR NF_. Unk TP do Pleas No.
~do. TP do Unk No No.
Unk. VFR UnL None.. ~ 5+ Swath run~~ Aerial applic
- .~do 5+ do do No~~ No.
NF do Over airport.... Takeoff do No.
_.do do Landing do No Yes.
1, 500 VFR 3 ml do 5+ Cruise Fish spotting_ No No.
Unk 5+ Descending~.. Military Yes..... No.
Day...... 300- VFR Unk.. .. .. None........ 5+ Cruise Fish spotting
1,000 ....do 5+ do do No No.
Day.... 50 VFR NF...... Unk ~( mi Final approach. Unk
3( ml do do No No.
12 None 2 ml Cruise Dual instr
VFR 2 ml Low pass Military 1*0 No.
Unk. Unk TP Landing Practice
-. .do..._.. TP Approch Business No No.
&ay..... 1,300 VFR
2
None
None
None
Day..... 1,000 VFR
PAGENO="0062"
MIDAIR COLLISIONS, U.S CIVIL AVIATION-Continued
1959-Continued
Docket
No. Date
Location
Aircraft
Fataliti
~
es
-
*
Day/
night
Alt.
(feet)
Wx. FIt.
cond. Vis. plan Arp.
Phase of
prox. operation
Kind of
flying
Radar
ser V.
Evasive
action
o_ C.) 0
~-
2-2964 Dec. 5 Palm Desert, Calif Beech M-35 1 1 Day~~_ Unk. VFR Unk...... None...._ Unk Cruise Demonstr No.
Beech B-95 3 1 4 Unk do. do Unk No No.
2-1774 Dec. 15 Cheyenne, Wyo Beech C-35 1 - 1 Day_.... 2,850 VFR UnL.... - VFR 43~ ml do Business
North American F-86L None VFR 43~2 ml do Military No No.
2-4565 Sept. 18 Fort Pierce, Fla Piper PA-Il 1 1 Day... Unk. VFR UnL None 3~ mi Final Photo
approach.
Cessna 172 None - ~do 3~ mi do Instruct No No.
NQte: NF-no factor; UnI.-unIim~t~c1
PAGENO="0063"
59
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Satterfield.
Mr. SATTERFIELD. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
General McKee, I gather from what has been said this morning
that what you are really saying is that safety in and of itself depends
upon a lot of different components, and that radar as such is only one
such component.
General MCKEE. That is correct.
Mr. SATTERFIELD. I would like to ask you some questions about radar~
since it seems to have been a center of discussion.
rphe radar that normally is employed at airports for control, control
of aircraft, exactly how good is it as a safety tool?
General MCKEE. I will let Mr. Thomas answer that question, be-~
cause he is more familiar with it than I am. It is good.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Satterfield, we use the best radar that we caii
buy, and it still is not perfect. As you know, and I think everyone
knows, there are some targets that are very difficult to see-T-33, head
on, some light aircraft, because it is dependent upon the airplane re~
flecting energy back to the radar and being picked up on a receiver..
In addition, precipitation, weather, also makes it extremely difficult.
to see on radar.
Mr. SArrERFIIELD. IS it possible to determine the altitude of the mdi-
cations on the type radar you use?
Mr. THOMAS. No, sir. We do not use the so-called height-fitiding
radar, because it isn't of much value in air traffic control.
Mr. SArrERFIELD. Ill other words, if you had two indications close
together, they could be at the same altitude, or they could be 20,00&
feet apart?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir ; this is one of the major deficiencies in our
radar system, ai~d we give out lots of traffic that really is of little in-
terest to the Other pilot. From a climb position, that is, if you were
up, looking down, the paths would cross or come near each other.
They may be separated by 10,000 or 15,000 feet. This is the sole aim of
our big effort on the automation of the airspace, to put a device in the
airplane that will read the altimeter, and then transmit the reading
to the radar, and show it on the scope, but we are some distance away
from that.
Mr. SAvrERFIEr~D. Of course, this radar is located in a tower. Is it
right where the tower controllers can see it, or does it require an in-
dividual to monitor it at all times?
Mr. THOMAS. No, sir ; due to the fact that we use a cathode ray tube
we are normally limited as to the light we can have, so we have
a separate IFR room. In recent years we have had some progress in
developing a so-called bright tube, and do have one scope in the tower
cab itself, but usually, it is a separate darkroom, separated from. the
tower cab.
Mr. SATTERFIELD. So there would have to be communication between
this room and the controller in the tower?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir.
Mr. SATTERFIELD. In order to work properly, would it require con-
stant surveillance, and would it not also require that every aircraft in
the area be under constant control at all times?
Mr. TrIo1~rAs. Yes, sir; in order to provide traffic control, this is so.
Now, we do provide radar advisory service, and I believe you heard
PAGENO="0064"
I
60
*some 9f this in the transcript that was read, where we point out that
~there ~s unknown traffic 4 miles away. That does not include altitude or
type, or anything more. It is an aid to the pilot so that he can look out
and detect the traffic with his eyes. However, in order for the radar to
provide for separation, the cOntroller must know the identity of the
airplane, must be m communication with it, must have a flight plan on
it, and the pilot must comply with the instructions from the radar con-
troller. Otherwise, it is not too valuable.
. Mr. SATTERFIELD. So simply equipping certain airfields with radar in
itself would not do much good, unless you had the other things to go
along with it, to make it work to the maximum extent possible.
Mr. THOMAS. It would take a lot to go with it ; yes, sir.
Mr. SATTERFIELD. I noticed some discussion was had earlier this
morning with respect to dense areas like Washington, D.C., and I was
interested in Mr. O'Connell'~ records that `he is offering for the record.
I w~n~der whether or not there is any indication in those records or
~of other statistics to show the percentage of midair collisions and
whether or not more of them occur in high-density areas, than in low-
density areas. `
Mr. O'CONNELL. I would hesitate to be too specific, on the basis of
what I have observed. A quick glance at the detailed information
would indicate that a very small percentage of the total number of 206
midair collisions in the past 10 years have taken place in so-called con-
~gested or densly populated areas. ~
Mr. SATTERFIELD. I asked the question for a purpose, because it cer-
tainly appears to m~, in my limited knowledge, that the higher the
density and the more potential the danger, the better the safety record,
:an~i it would `seem to' the that herein lies many of the answers that we
are seeking. I am not convinced in my own mind but what awareness on
the part of the pilots that they are entering a more dangerous area
might in some measure be refi e oted in the low incidence of collision in
these dense areas. `
Mr. THOMAS. I think that is true.
Mr. SATTERFIELD. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
`The CHAIRMAN. Mr. K~uyke~nda1L
Mr. KUYKENDALIJ. General McKee, and members, it is good to have
you here. You never know just how `close to home some of these things
we discuss on this committee may be. I noticed this morning in your
testimony you mentioned that the 82d person was identified by a
process of elimination, and about 20 minutes ago, I got word that this
person was one of my good friends from Memphis, my hometown, so
it gets pretty close.
General MCKEE. I can well understand.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. In your discussion this morning, I want to carry
on a little bit with what Mr. Satterfield was saying, that he noticed
some of these accidents were happening around the rather low-density
areas. You also mentioned one of your problems being the fact that
you have small country airports with, say, only four or six transac-
`tions a day from commeróial airlines.
In your present penetration of radar into your commercial airports,
do you have any idea what level of transactions that would be ~ Now,
earlier in your testimony,' General McKee, you, of course, pointed out
~that there will always be accidents, so we have to discuss here not the
PAGENO="0065"
61
total elimination of accidents, but just what praet~eal ~steps ~*e'cán
take to reduce them.
Ithink we agree here on this ; do we not?
General M0KEE. That is correct. .
Mr. KUYKENDALL. Now, approximately-and if you cannot give this
to us now, I would like to have an estimate in the record-~how many
transactions a day does the penetration of radar in ur ~irport~ govern?
Mr. THOMAS. I believe, Mr. Kuykendail, that on the hundred thou~
sand, this is something less than 300 operations a day, on the average.
They may or may not be air carrier. In the case of Asheville,, which
was just below the qualification, there are 30 ~ir carrier landings and
~o air carrier takeoffs. ,
Mr. KUTKENDALL. That would be 60 transactions?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes ; so, generally, you would expect better than 60;
somewhere between 50 and a hundred, depending on the mix of the
other traffic. .
Mr. KTJYKENDALL. Now here is something that I am sure you do
not have now, but I think this committee would be interested in, Mr.
Chairman. Would there be some cost * estimates to bring that down to
the level of 30 transactions a day, or the level of 20 transactions a day?
We know we cannot put in a radar service for six transactions a day;
no one thinks we can. But what would it cost to bring it down to 30,
or 20?
` I think this information would be something the committee should
have. . . .
General MOKEE. We can develop that, and would be happy to supply
it for the record. Obviously, you could have a scale of cost here, if you
look at airports in the same category of Ash~vi1le-how many of them.
are there, is it desirable to put in radar, what i~ the cost going to be
for that level of airport, and then for the next level. You can do this
~n a scaling basis.
(The following information was sub~eqnently submitted:)
FEDE~RAL AVIATIOi~ ADMINISTRATION STATEMJ~NT O~ ESTIMATED OOSr OF IN-
STALLING RADAR AT AIRPORTS SERYIi~G 20 TO 30 DAiLY COMMERCIAL ~IR CARRIER
OPERATIONS
The estimated cost of jnsta11~ng radar at all aiiiX~rts served Ii3r mmm.ercial
~aircraft which have 30 or more commercial aircraft . movements a day is $30.8
million. We estimate it would c~st an additional $39.8 million to establish radar
service at airports served b~ air carrie aircraft whft~h have 20 to 29 éommercial
aircraft movements a day.
Mr. KTJYKI~NDALL. You menfioned this morning a $750,000 cost of
installation of radar I have seen thes&portable radar trailers that the
Air Force owns, going around, where they ~a1i have a~ radai~ installa-
-tion in a matter of Th hotirs, let us ~y. ~ these thiñgs cost $750,000?
Mr.. THOMAS. If you are iooking~ at th~ normal, full-sized surveil-
lance radar, yes. The equipme~nt itself is not that much, but this in-
eludes all the installation and things to make it work. . The Air Force
~and the military did develop a cheap~r radar, but it is very limited
in range, something like 15~ ~nj1es, and ~ is limited in its activity, but
our problem is here that even if we only have two operations a day,
we should see them within th~ normal operating ranges and th~ aiti-
tudes. We are lookiflg at a radar th$ wuld see aboUt 50 miles, and'
up to, say 20,000 or 30,000 feet. 1
92-715-68-5
PAGENO="0066"
62
Mr. KUYKE~DALL. Certa~in1y. ~ . ~ ~ ~
Mr. TIwMAs. The price for the electronics itself is much less than~
a half a million, probably around $400,000. The rest of it is getting it
installed, and operating it, and the equipment that goes with it, to~
make it work; : ~ ~
Mr. KUYKENDALL. It is agreed that you are not in a position, since
you are in the process of evaluating this evidence, of seeing the evi-
dence that was involved in this accident, but those of us that heard
the chronology of the tape here realize that it happened after they
went off the radar here.
Now, a couple of quick questions. ILS does not require radar ; yes ?
Mr. THOMAS. No, sir.
Mr. KTJYKENDALL. GCA does require radar?
Mr. THOMAS. GCA is radar, sir. That is one form of it.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. So ILS even though it would speed up traffic, anct
would allow traffic in bad weather, really would not have a direct con-
nection to safety. .
~ Mr. THOMAS. No ; it would have a very positive relation to safety..
It is .a precision landing aid. It would not speed it up. It. is a precision'
landing aid to deliver an aircraft to a precise point on the runway..
We have, besides midair collisions, undershoots and overshoots and'
there is quite a bit of bad weatliei, so I think the ILS would have a
decided beneficial effect on air safety.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. It was my understanding if you did not have ILS,.
you just would not land.
Mr. THOMAS. We do restrict them on weather. The way we get eqmv-.
alent safety is not to permit them to land. You gee, with ILS, you can
land with 200 feet and a half mile.
Mr. KtTYKENDALL. For a technical point of information, t.I'ie collision
deterrent equipment that you are projecting for the future, is there a
counterreacting radar system?
Mr. TiioMAs. What we are thinking about is cooperating equipment,.
between two large airplanes, based on atomic principles ~ that is, a very
precise timekeeping device, with computers that would calculate the
distance, based on each airplane knowing the precise transmittiiig time
of all the other airplanes, and then the slant range between each two
airplanes. This is still dependent upon an altimeter and a computer
to tell the pilot what `tO do. . `.
Mr. K1JYKENDALL. Thathk you,. M1~ Chairman.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Adams.
Mr. ADAMS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Following through on that, has there been developed or is there
being used an extension of what used to be called the "friend or foe"
device in World War II ? This was simply an indication of an ap-
proacIiii~g plane which can be inexpensively placed on a plane. This
sends out a radio signal at a particular frequency which will indicate
a plane is within a certain range.
In other words, you have in efFect a i'adio umbrella around you of
500 yards, a thousand yards, 1,500 yards,, or 2,000 yards, whatever is
selected, which ,indicat~s to the pilot that a plane is within that.
proximity. Is this type of, device ejther being considered, or has it
beeii tried anyplace? . , ,` .
Mr. Tim~rAs.This is an integral part of the system. We call if. the
radar beacon. Its development now, and it is beyond the old 1FF, is
PAGENO="0067"
63
quite sophisticated, compared to that equipment, but the new ones2 and
one that is rapidly being installed in the fleets will give discreet iden
tity, 4,096 codes, and it will also read an altimeter, and translate that
altimeter reading back to the ground, so the controller can look on a
radar scope and ~et both the identity and altitude associated with the
radar targets. This is our so-called alpha numeric system. ~
Mr. ADAMS. I want to inquire on the alpha numeric system, too.
I have seen the operation, which i~ used regionally in several of the
areas, and I wanted to know whether or not this plane was still under
-what is your regional center there, at Atlanta?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir.
Mr. ADAMS. Was this still under Atlanta regional radar control in
its carrier operation ? I am talking now about the Piedmont carrier
and the Cessna. I also don't know whether the Atlanta PPI scope
would carry into the mountainous region there. Did it, or would it?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir ; under the air route ~ traffic control center.
I might explain for the benefit ~ of others, we have 21 air route traffic
control centers that cover almost the entire upper air space with
radar. The centers are equipped with long-range radar, which are not
located at the site of the center. We pipe radar signals in by tele-
communications.
Mr. ADAMS. Pipe them in from the various locations and then plot
them on your PPI scope?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir ; and that was a case here when he was under
radar. But lest I leave a misimpression that the alpha. numeric is with
us, we have it and it is operating, but it will be the early 1970's before
we will have the ground equipment in which will provide identity and
altitude directly on the rad~r scope.
Mr. ADAMS. Now, I wanted to inquire about this regional radar
because we have only talked about ground control radar. I don't want
this particular accident to obscure from us the overall problem. Now
do you contemplate in this to maintain a series of radio or radar
beacons that would feed your r~gional centers and give you an overall
traffic plot ? Now, I know at the regional centers that I have been in,
they can give you a plot of everything that is above the radar blank
spots, in the entire 200-mile range. ~ow, was that being done in this
area, or could it be done in thj~ area ? ~ ~ ~ , ~.
In other wQrds, did they pick up these p1ane~ on the Atlanta syst~m?
~ Mr. ~ THo3~s. It was being done, and can be done. We cover the
entire United ~States with radar from our centers, and they give an
indication of position, not altitude. ~ ~ ~ ~
Mr. ADAMS. N~t altitudes, I agree, but an indication of position.
Now, have you made any sort of anarraugemen~ with, or should
we be considering a tie into the military radar which, as I. understand
it, also coverg the entire United States in a similar type opei~ation.
Do you feel that this would be helpful?
Mr.THOMAS. No, sir. ~ ~ ` ~ . ~
Yes, sir, we have, but ;I think ope of the bi~ight ~ots is that hádf of
this radar is military. We use the same radar, sir. ~
Mr. ADAMS. That is what I was going t~ ~ next,. ~ ~ ~ .. ~ .~ ~
Mi THOMAS Of the hundred we aie using less t1~an 50 `ire FAA,
the rest are military, and they t~se our, i aclar, so this is a joint use of
these very ~heavy i~adar.
PAGENO="0068"
64
Mr. AbAMS~ NGw, I wantedto inquire thou~t another thing. Was the
Piedmolit flight 22 a re~u1arfiight ? I happen to have been in Asheville
the day after this accident and as I understand it aU those camps
break on Wednesday~ Was that a.special or an extra fligtht coming out
of that airpGrt, orwas this a i~egularly sôheduled section?
Mr. THOMAS. ~I thrnk it would be better forMr. O'Connell to answer
that question. ~ ~ ~ ` . ~ ~ .
.~ Mr. O'CONNELL. It Wa~ a regularly scheduledseotion.
~ Mr. ADAMS. Regularly seheduled. *
Now, to go back again to th~ question of whether Atlanta radar had
picked up the Cessna, I listened to the reports that were being read to
us of the radio contacts that took place, and also will it be possible for
you in the fairly near future-I know they were reported in the press
there-to produce for us a sketch of the radio beacons and the loca-
tions of the two craft?
Mr. ALLEic. Yes, *~ir. This activity will be performed in the groups
that will be participating in this activity,which will be the operations
~gronp, the air traffic cOnth4 grOup, and the flight recorder read out..
Mr. ADAMS. I flotice in your statement that there is a 10-day period,
within 10 days after a key event, a summary report will be made. When
will that be available ? ~
Mr. O'CONNELL. I might . answer that, Congressman. The summary
report that I referred to will not be made in this case for some time, be-
cause it is planned that we make them 10 days after the public hearing
~n each case.
Mr. ADAMS. All right. Now, while I have you for a moment, I no-
ticed in the record here, and you have indicated that you have a sum-
mary, starting on. page 6 of your rej~ort, Mr. O'Connell, there are listed
the five midair collisions, and four of the five, I notice, are in small
centers.
Mr. O'CONNELL. Excuse m~. Only two of the five are midair col-
lisions. ~ ~
Mr. ADAMS. . I see. Then only the ones at Asheville and Urbana are
midair collisions. Both are at smaller cities. Now, we have discussed
previously the prohibitive expense of trying to go to ftill radar opera-
ticns at the smaller cities. What have you contemplated, or what do
you suggest that we might be looking into to authorize in terms of a
sapplemental system for * the smaller fields which could be fed to
regional centers, so the regional centers can at least pr~tect commer-
cial aircraft in the areaby informing them of thetr~iffic even if they
cannot protect general aviation ? ~ * . ~ . ~
.1 am woi*lering, for example, in this case, whether Atlanta radar
can be alerting the pIah~s taking off at the smaller fields regarding
the traffic in the area and what is happening at that particular point.
I know they do this to some great degree, and I want to know whether
you have considered this, or whether `we need something else.
Mr. O'CONNELL. Well, I would like to say that our observation of
the two midair collisions which we are discussing here, particu-
larly- .. .
Mr. ADAMS. Asheville and Urbana.
Mr. O'Cq~~Lt. (contii~uii~ig). Do not lead us to a definite conclu-
sion that ~otfiEt ~uDpOrt a recommendation for a major expansion in
the radar operation, based on these accidents. In the Urbana case,
radar did exist.
PAGENO="0069"
65
Mr. ADA~tS. The Urban~a planes were on ~ Dayton radar~, weren't
they? ~ . ~ ~: ~ ~ ~
Mr. O'CONNELL. That is right.
Mr. ADAMS. And this one was on-well, the; plane itself was nc1~ on
Atlanta rad~r, but the Cessna would be on Atlanta radar, so. that the
plane, as it is~ taking off, could be given information. as th what the
air traffic in the area was.
Mr. ~ O'CONNELL. Well, it was on radar frornAtlanta when it took
off, but it had been turned over to Asheville, which had no radar, before
this accident took place, so we have no radar at Asheville.
Mr. ADAMS. No. One more question, Mr. Chairman, and then I will
desist.
Mr. THOMAS. May I, sir 9
Mr. ADAMS. Yes.
Mr. THOMAS. The radar, as you know, emanates from the ground
and goes out like an inverted cone.
My belief is that the coverage at Asheville on raw radar is around
~T,OOO or 8,000 feet. This will be determined by the Board, and the ques-
tion is, can we use center radar to give more protection to smaller air-
ports 9 You ~an within the limits of coverage.
Mr. ADAMS. Well, this is the last question that I had, and perhaps
you gentlemen can submit a reply in writing, because I don't want to
take any more time. But I want to pay my compliments to the regional
control centers. I frankly don't know how the men manage to keep
their minds with the tremendous amount of traffic they have to keep
track of. But with the commercial airliner, which at this point we are
dea1in~ with, carrying large numbers of people, I want to know if it
is possible to establish supplemental radar beacons which will feed to
your center section information from the 400 airports that are using
commercial traffic, and at that point, with whatever expansion of
facilities is necessary, have these centers maintain contaët with the
commercial carriers to give them traffic reports in each area, whether
or not they are flying in the metropolitan areas.
Now, that is the question that I have, andif you gentlemen want to
submit it in writing that will be fine. I don't want to take too much of
the committee's time now.
Mr. TIIOMAS. Sir, this is a matter of radar coverage, down low, and
if we had the radar coverage down low, then we could give the infor~.
mation to all traffic. Generally, atthese airports, we do not have radar
coverage from the center down to low altitudes.
Mr. ADAMS. That is what 1 am inquiring of you.
Mr. THOMAS. If we could put it in-~---
Mr. ADAMS. I am not talking now about a full radar coverage in
the general sense, but actually a supplemental radar beacon feed. In
other words, all you have at the small field is a radar tower, which
feeds by co-ax cable into your regional center. In this we are talking
about the 400 airports that are now involved with commercial traffic
and yet are below the present FAA cutoff p:oint for full radar.
. Mr. THOMAS. Sir, that is the $750,000 per site we are talking about.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Brown.
Mr. BROWN. Mr. Allen, Iwould like to direct my first question to you.
* You have given a pretty thorough appraisal of the investigation
done by your group, of everything from the psychology and health
of the crew. of the planes to the design and maintenance of the planes.
To what extent do you investigate the adequacy of the performance
PAGENO="0070"
66
of FAA pGrsonnel under the regulations that are covering. the cirmm'
stances of the crash, and the activities of that day in connection with
them ? . ~
~ . Mr: ALLEN; Well,Mr. Bixwn, first. of all, 1 would say that we
think quite adequately. `I would say, firstofall, that when you consider
the method that the investigation is conduct~d, that this assures you
that you go into just these aspects that you enumerated. First of all,
you have representatives ~ from every segiñent of the industry that
is participating. I think that this assures you that you go into just
these areas that you suggest. ~
Mr. BROWN. Have you had the authority to make recommendations
with reference to FAA regulations?
Mr. ALLEN. Yes, sir.
Mr. BROWN. And do you frequently do this?
Mr. ALLEN. Yes, sir ; we have. I cannot give you exact numbers as
`4 today, but I think that over the years, our recommendations will
nun'~ber something on the ~ órdèr of approximately 80 to 100 a year.
Mr. BROWN. Would you be in a position, if this proved to be the
case, to make a recommendation with reference to radar at that par-
ticular airport with reference to this particular accident?
Mr. ALLEN. If the recommendation in our judgment was justified,
we would be in a position to do so.
Mr. BROWN. General McKee, I don't want to engage in an argument
with you on the degree Øf congestion around Urbana, Ohio, but I
would like to point out to you that you have within that area, as you
are well aware, much airport space : Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati
airports, wherein there is the beginning of descent or taking off climb
to altitude of planes serving all those airports, fairly sizably trafficked
airports, plus four military installa±ions within .a few miles, Wright-
Patterson `Air Force Base, Lockbor~, Clinton Sherman Air Base, and
Springfield, plus a~ number of small city airports.
~ Now, the `reason I point this out is that I would like to ask you the
question of what constitutes high congestion areas ? Are we talking
about the numbers of~plahes that, at any one time, are in the area?
Are we talking about the number of lahdings that you suggest with
reference to National Airport ? How do we assess congestion, and is
there any measure thM'you ~ha:v~e that you think would be adequate to
give me for, as an example, the top' 50 regions in the country, or airports
in the country, with reference to congestion?
General MCKEE. I think we can give you the picture in the number
of operations in any ` particular area, and I, having lived at Wright-
Patterson for 9 years, understand the conflict out there. There are a
large number of individual operations, even though you may not have
a tremendous number of commercial operations, but from an air traffic
control point of view, we look at it in `terms of managing the air
traffic, whether it is military, civilian, or general aviation, as you well
know, and in that areathey are, obviously, a lot of operations going on;
and that area, as you know, does have radar coverage.
Mr. BROWN. Well, would you suggest that this area is still not a
congested area?
General MOKEE. Looking at the overall problem, I would not term
that area congested. Maybe `Mr. Thomas has a different idea on the
congestion business, but I would not say that was a congested area.
Mr. BROWN. Not inthe'xinge `that perhaps National Airport or La
Guardia or JFK or O'Hare are congested.
PAGENO="0071"
67
General MCKEE. I wou1d~ sh~ it i~ a busy area ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mr. BROWN. Where does this range in the 527 commercial airports,
~the Dayton Airport ? Do you have any idea ? High ? ~ Low ? ~ Middle?
Mr. ThOMAS. Mr. Brown, all the airports you mentibnecl do have
radar now. ~ ~ .~ .~
Mr. BROWN. ~ I am not questioning the existence of the.radar. I am
tall~ing about the fact that I thinkithat the one at Dayton handles an
*awftil lot of traffic.
General MCKEE. Dayton is a busy place, as we well know. But I
still don't think it would range high on . the list of congested areas.
Mr. BROWN. Well, is it possible for you to give me the top 10 percent
of the airports in the country with reference to whatever congestion
means in your terms?
General MCKEE. I could not give them to you offhand.
Mr. BROWN. No. I don't mean now. But in written form.
General MCKEE. Oh, yes; we would be happy to.
(The following information was subsequently stthmitted:)
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION COMPILATION OF ANNUAL AnI TRAFFIC VOLUME
AND INSTRUMENT OPERATIONS AT 35 U.S. AIRPORTS, IN RANK ORDER
Herewith submitted is a list of the 35 U.S. airports having the greatest nnm~er
~of annual instrument operations. These airports represent slightly more than
10 percent of the airports having FAA traffic control service. Also attached
is a~1ist of the top 35 airports in terms of total aircraft operations.
1. Ohicago (O'Hare) , Til
2. Los Angeles, C~if
3. ~ohn F. Kennedy (International) ~" V
4. Washington (National) , ~
5. Atlanta "~~` ~ * . `
6. Miami, ~la
7. Oakland, O~1if
~ ~. San Francisco, ~~~n141!
9. Detroit (Wayne) ,
10. Dallas (Love Field) , ~
:i~i. Denver, Co1~~
12. Boston, M'~
13. La Guardia, NY
14. Newark, V T
15. Philadelphia, ~ Pa
t6. Cleveland-Hopkins, Ohio~
iT. Pittsburgh (Greater) , Pa.
18. Honolulu, `~ `~
19. St. Louis, ~"
20. Houston, Te~
~1. San Axitonio (Intl.) , Tex_
22. Minneapolis (W. Chamberlain),
23. Phoenix, A
24. Kansas City (Municipnl ~ Mn~
25. Seattle-Tacoma, W~h
26. Norfolk, VQ
27. Columbus, OI~
28. New Orleans (Moisant) , La
29. Oklahoma City (Rogers), (~k1~
30. Dayton, Oh~n
~31. Memphis, rr~~
32. T'~'~ ri.~
33. Covington (Grtr. Cincinnati), Ky
34. Baltimore (International), l'vtal
.35. Long Beach, (iQlif
fiscal year 1961
532, 889
350, 131
339, 213
299, 500
269, 237
252, 928
243, 707
216, 107
200, 854
196, 546
176, 298
173, 994
171,124
165, 254
163, 545
162, 885
162, 735
153, 951
143, 418
142, 302
133, 318
127, 313
124, 355
122, 879
119, 562
113,088
110,878
109, 126
104, 603
104,540
104, 537
102,140
101, 534
96,562
96,261
ATTACHMENT No. 1.-R.aHk order, total instrument operations,
~~rnclpaI),
riawan
Minn
PAGENO="0072"
68
ATTACHMENT No. 2.-Rank order, tota' aircraft operations, fiscal year
1. Opa Locka, Fla .~ ~6, 949
527
2. Chicago (O'Hare), Ill . ~--~ - - - 588,
3. Van Nuy~,cOa1if 543, 324
~, 724
4. Long Beach, Calif
5. Fort Lauderdale, Fla 451, 910
6~ Johu F. Kennedy Ii~t., N.Y 451, 533
7. ~ Miam4, Fla .~ 441, 156
8. Los Angeles, Calif 437, 777
~ 9. Denver, Cob 436, 105
10. S~tn Jose, GaUf 382, 548
211
11. Tami~m~, 1~'1a 382,
12. Santa Monica, Calif 37~, 015
13. Torrance (Municipal), Qa1i~__ - 372, 831
14. Minneapolis (Flying Cloud) , Minn 308, 916
15. Santa Ana, Calif ~` 109
071
16. Phoenix, Ariz -----~ 359,
17. Dallas (Love Field), Tex. 344, 779
18. Oakland, Calif 343,
19. St. Louis, Mo - 341, 918
20. Seattle (Bo~ethg), Wash 332, 806
21. Atlanta (Munie~ipa1), Ga 380, 279
304
22. I~Iip, N.Y 319,
23. Washtngton (Nati&na~I), D.C 318,241
24. La Guardia, N.Y_~.__~-. ,.. ~ 316, 246
25. HawUiorne, C~t1U~ `~ 314, 159
26~ San ~rancis~cQ, Oa1L:~ ~ ~ --~---~-- 298, 908
325
27 Bedford Mass .~ .. ~
28. Honolulu, Hawaii 291, 816
2~9. Oieveland-Jlopkins, Ohio .~ 291, 090
30. Ooncc~rd, Calif 290, 946
307
31. Widilta,. Kan~ ~ - ~--- 285,
32. Columbus, Ohio_ ~ - 28~, 103
~33. Kansas City LFair~fax), Kans ~ 281, 187
84. Detroit (Wayne), Mich ~ - 279, 763
35. Ohieag9 (Midway), Ill ~ ~ ~. 278, 939
Mr. BROWN. ~ Now, I"would like to suggest one other thought to you,
You mentioned segreption by altitude, and segregation by airport
I think there is a possibility, also, of segreg~tionby time, is there not?
General MCKEE. The problem that we have in midair collision is
thattwo planes try to occupy the same space at the same time. Is it
possible that there cou ~d be some place in theregulations which~ you
set up a segregation bytime ? ...
~ . Mr~ TH~oM~s. Yes,sir, this ~ is one of the methods of separation that
air traffic control uses, but that is- for~the aircraft under the controller.
Mr RROWN Has that ever been thought of as a means of segregating
use of the facility ~
Mr. THOMAS. I am not-certain that I understand the question.
Mr. BROWN. U:se of th~ facility by commercial piaiies for the 45
minutes after the hour, and `use of it by private planes for 15 minutes
befpre the hour. ~ ~ ~ ~ . ~ .
Mr. Tnoi~s. No, sir. ~ .
Mr. BROWN. Would this have any practical possibility ? ` ~ ~
. Mr. THOMAS. ~ I don't believe it would, Mr. Brown, `because even if
you segregated them b~ 45 and 15, they J~ave that airport, and then
`they cross someplace else. ... ~
, Mr. BROWN. Well, it would control the airspace in that particular
`locality, wou:Edit not? `` ~" " ~ , , ~ ` , , , `
PAGENO="0073"
69
Mr. THOM4S. Yes, sir, but I thiiik you could do ~ it , more advan-
tageously and more efficiently by controlling the aircraft and not sep-
arating them by their class of operation, ~
Mr. BROWN. As I understand, y.u indicated that the last change in
material on number of operations relating to insulation of radar was
examined in 1965, and the last change was made in 1960. Now, I ha~re
some testimony that was made before another committee of the (Jon-
gress just in 1963-November 1963-which would indicate that we
had a 55 percent increase from the testimony you gate today in the
last 3½ years of the number of operations which are being handled
on a daily or annual basis byFAA. * ~ ~ ~
Now, don't you think this calls for some change in the criteria
under which you operate?
General MoKEi~. I would like to state ~ as a matter of policy, Mr.
Brown, that this is now ~ 1967, and we are reexamining this criteria
now.
Mr. BROWN. The one that you established in 1960 and examined
in 1965?
General MCKEE. Right.
Mr. BROWN. General, have you any knowledge of something called
AIM, a research project at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base that is
supposed to create a low-cost anticollision avoidance device?
General MCKEE. Yes. I know about it. I don't know about it in
detail. I think Mr. Thomas has been into that.
Mr. BROWN. It is under the control of the Air Force, I believe.
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir. We are part ofthat effort.
Mr. BROWN. Does it hold any promise that you are aware of in this
field?
Mr. THOMAS. The work by this effort~-and we are a p~trt of it-
has to do with the use of the radar beacou, for getting more informa-
tion to the ground and trying to get a cheaper addition to the radar,
which would read off altitude and identity, if the aircraft were
equipped, and you have the basic radar on the ground, plus some
other equipments. We are very much a part of that. It is not a funda-
mental anticollision device, by itself.
Mr. BROWN. You think it offers some promse?.
Mr. THOMAS. It offers a great deal of promise.
Mr. BROWN. For noncommercial aircraft, that. i~, for private air-
craft?
Mr. THOMAS. Oh, yes, sir, because we are doing a lot of the work,
working with them up at Atlantic City in our own laboratory.
. Mr. BROWN. General, I would like to ask a question about con-
gestion. On the ground, around the airports, again, using the example
of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, there has been an effort to control
the development, through zoning, of the land aroundthis military air-
field, particularly with reference to runways. Is there any effort like
this across the country generally to control the use of land at the end
of runways, or where it is possible that a plane might have a collision?
General MCKEE. Oh, there is a major effort, not only from the point
of view of safety, but also from the point of view of noise. We are
working on this with Housing and Urban Development, HEWS NASA,
and we consider it a major problem, and one that requires a major
effort, not only on the part of the Federal Government, but on the
PAGENO="0074"
70
part of the local communities, and' an awareness of the local corn-
munities of the importance of the problem.
Mr. BROWN. Has the FAA established any numbers of occupancy of
the ground per square mile that is desirable in this?
General'MoK~E. No, not by numbers per square mile.
Mr. BROWN. How do you establish your zoning regulations, then?
` General MCKEE. We have no authority `to establish zoning regula~
tions. We can oniy make recommendations.
Mr. BROWN. What recommendations do you make to HTJD in this
area?
General MCKEE. I cannot give you `the recommendations. But take
New York, for example, around JFK and some of the other airports.
After we have made recommendations, and this has happened in other
areas, the local authorities have permitted housing developments to
go up around airports that we strongly objected to, mostly from a
noise standpoint, I must say ; but, nevertheless, if you are going to
get developments going up out at the end of runways, you obviously do
have a safety hazard, and I think communities, would be well advised,
particularly in building new airports, or modernizing airports, to take
all of `these things into consideration.
This is being done very vividly down in Texas, where they are pro~
posing to build a regional airport, and those people are wise ; they are
buying up 10,000 acres for the airport, and then buying up 10,000 acres'
around the airport in order to protect it.
Now, Mr. Jarman'~ place, down in Oklahoma, at Tinker Air Force
Base, they have done the same thing.
Mr. BROWN. We are getting a little deeper into this than I would
really like to get.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask for some specific information,.
again submitted in writing, if we can get it. The discussion earlier in-
cluded the number of commercial airports that have radar, and the
number that have towers.
Are these the only two criteriathat you established, or the only two~
facilities for which you have established criteria ? How about high
intensity lighting?
General MCKEE. no, also for lighting, also for ILS. Mr. Thomas'
pointed out earlier, we really have more accidents on takeoff and land-
ing than, by a considerable degree, midair collisions. We have to estab-
lish criteria for all these facilities and equipment, to be sure that the
money we spend goes to the places where it is most urgently required.
Mr. BROWN. Would it be possible, Mr. Chairman, for the FAA to'
submit the facilities at airports for which they have established cri-
teria, the number of airports which have these facilities for which
criteria have been established, and the number which meet the criteria
but do not have the facilities ? Now I am including, I am broadening
the expression of interest that was evidenced earlier beyond radar, and
beyond towers to include high intensity lighting, anything else that
you may have.
General MoKi~. I think this is important. We have to look at the
whole package and not get diverted that radar solves' all of our
problems.
I
I
PAGENO="0075"
71
(The information requested follows:)
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATIpN STATEMENT ON CRITERIA ESTABLISHED FOR
AIRPORT NAVIGATIONAL FACILITIES
Submitted herewith is a copy of FAA Handbook 7031.2 dated May 11, 1965,
entitled "Airway Planning Standard Number One-Terminal Air Navigation Facil-
ities and Air Traffic Control Services". (The handbook referred to has been
placed in committee files.) That Handbook contains the current criteria for the
establishment of air navigation facilities and air traffic control services. The table
below indicates the extent to which FAA, at the end of the Fiscal Year 1967, has
installed in accordance with that criteria four of the major types of terminal air
navigation facilities and air navigation services at airports served by air carrier
aircraft.
Facility or service
Airports
where
installed
Airports which meet
criteria but where
not installed
Control towers
Airport surveillance radar
Instrument landing system
Approach lighting
238
109
206
187.
29
10
- 35
56
Mr. BROWN. General, I could not agree more with you, and I think
if the chairman will give me just 1 minute to make a personal corn-
ment, I think we have got to go into this thing in depth, not just to
the idea of excluding noncommercial aircraft frOm commercial air-
ports, but, rather, with an idea to finding out all of the factors which
contribute to air safety, or the lack of air safety ; and then seeing
whether or not the job being done by FAA. and those facilities over
which the Congress has some control are adequate, including, I would
hope, to come to a comment that you made earlier, today, whether or
not you have legislative authority to change regulations in certain
areas, because I wa~ under the impression that the FAA had pretty
broad authority to change regulations with respect to air safety, and
it comes to me as a shock that you feel that you don't have that
authority.
General MCKEE. I don't think we said that we didn't have authority
to change regulations where it is strictly a matter of air safety. 1%
all depends, of course, on what regulation you are talking about, but
we do have authority to change regulations with regard to the opera-
tion of aircraft, and all of the rest of i~, which is a very broad man-
date that we have under the law. As far as the authority that we have
under the law is concerned, the 1958 act, to the best of my knowledge
and ability, we are discharging the mission that was given to us with
that act.
Mr. BROWN. Well, if there is any area, General, in which you do
not have the authority to establish air safety regulations, and this corn-
mittee can give you that authority, or can see that that authority is
conferred upon somebody, so that action can be taken in some of these
areas, I would certainly urge that the committee give it consideration.
General MCKEE. Thank you, sir.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Kornegay.
Mr. KORNEGAY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
General McKee, ~$hat is the history of the air traffic control?
General MCKEE. The history of the air traffic control?
PAGENO="0076"
72
Mr. KORNEGAY. The history of it, with reference to when it started.
General MCKEE. I would like to ask Mr. Thomas to give this, since
he grew up with it. He sitartedout with it~
Mr. KORNEGAY. All right.
General MoKi~E. And hassuifered through the whole business.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Chairman, when particularly the airlines started
flying on instruments, that is~ in clouds, in the early 1930's, they oc-
casionally would arrjVé over the same fix at the same time, such as at
Chicago. The first aittempt in the early 1930's was a combination of
the airlines. They got together and would simply exchange informa-
tion, and agreed that planes coming ttp from the south would be at
3,500 feet, and from the west, would be at 5,500 feet, and then they
would make their descent. It soon was evident that just an exchange of
information was not enough, and some direction would have to be
included, so the airlines started an air traffic control system in 1935.
This was taken over by the Federal Government in 1938, and by the
beginning of World War II, there were eight centers established with-
in the United States, controlling traffic within a radius of roughly
50 to 100 miles from the centers. These were places like New York,
Cleveland, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta.
During World War II, it became obvious with the buildup of the
milithry traffic that this system should be vastly expanded, and should
include the airport traffic control towers, as well as the en route op-
eration. It was expanded to cover the entire United States at that time,
and after, aud it was operated on a manual basis, simply by filing a
flight plan, people exchanging information, until the Grand Canyon-
essentially until the Grand Canyon collision of 1956.
There was impetus put on then for major expansion and radar, en
route, and since that time, it has grown ; equipment has been added to
it, computers have `been added. It has become highly sophisticated
since that time.
Mr. KORNEGAY. Well, how many control centers do you have at the
present time?
Mr. THOMAS. If we limit ourselves to the 48 States, and this is easier,
there are 21.
Mr. KORNEGAY. Within thecontinental United States.
Mr~ THOMAS. Within the continental United States. That is the en
route traffic.
Mr. KORNEGAY. And 21 control centers?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir. These are the regional centers that were men-
tioned.
Mr. KORNEGAY. The regional centers, and you referred to Atlanta as
a regional center.
Mr. THOMAS. Atlanta Air Traffic Control Center ; yes, sir.
Mr. KORNEGAY. An area that covered western North Carolina?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir.
Mr. KORNEGAY. Now, do you feel, Mr. Thomas, that the system needs
to be expanded? .
Mr. THOMAS. We are in the process of putting rn-
Mr. KORNEOAY. Over what we talked about, including equipment
and a larger system-putting more equipment in smaller airports. Do
you need to expand thesystem itself?
PAGENO="0077"
73
Mr. rrnoMAs. Well, we have about a $300 million effort going on
right at this moment to automate these large centers, so that they can
get altitude and identity information directly instead of by means of
the pilot speaking and the controller remembe~Hng it. We have grad~
ually been enlarging the radar service that is supplied by th~ airports
that are now equipped,'ancl, obviously, moreairports will be equipped
with radar. We have been trying to work ` on a priority basis, where
the most need is, to put our efforts there first, and as I mefitioned this
mQrfling, about 90 percent of the passengers are now covered at the
airporth with radar service. And the en route environment is essentially
covered as far as their air carrier operations are concerned.
The base of th~ en route coverage may vary from 5,000 above the ter-
rain to 8,000 or 10,000 feet above the terrain, as you move away from
the system.
Mr. KORNEGAY. The farther you get-
Mr. TuoMAs. The higher, and in the Far West, there ar~ places that
we are up to 15,000 or 18,000 feet above sea le'~el, before we have-radar
coverage.
General MCKEE. I think it is very interesting to note, Mr. Korne-
gay, that since 1959, the Congress has -appropriated over -$1 billion in
the area of facilities and equipment, directJy traced to air traffic con-
trol, and to air safety. My guess is overthe next 10 years they will ap-
própriate a significant sum, probably greater than -this.
Mr. KORNEGAY. Even greater than that-, I would think, with the in-
-crease in air traffic.
General MCKEE. So the Congress is well aware of the problem.
Mr. KORNEGAY. And the complexity of the system, ~and everything
-else.
Now, let me ask you thi~, Mr. Thomas : I don't believe it has been
touched on in the hearings by any of the questions. With -reference to
paint and lights, in other words, the abi]ity of on-c aircraft to see and
detect another aircraft in the air, in the vicinity, there -are rules and
regulations, I am sure, on those developments, are there not ?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir. Well, not on paint. We ~ have had a lot of
experience and experiments with `paint, as ~ has the military. A few
years ago, we tried fluorescent paints to seeif'this would -attract more
attention. We have run tests- on patterns 6f painting that. -would be
most susceptible of being seen.
Actually, if you have- contrasting colors- ~n the airplanes, it does
somewhat increase their conspicuity. -One of the problems here is that
color, though, fades out with distance ye - .ryrapidiy, and one is depend-
ent more than not on the silhouette j-of the - airplane and- its contrast
with its background. This led us -into lights, and the rotating beacon
that you are so familiar with -is one -of -the most useful things, if the
sky is dark, and you are not in bright sunlight. We have tried condenser
discharge lights. We are going to do thore work -on that.
- One of the things that we are working at cross purposes on, smoke
emitted from an airplane, is the be~t anticollision device I know, be-
cause you can see the smoke trail, and then see the airplane. We have
an .anti~ollution problem, so we are trying to get rid of the smoke, so
depending on the p-roblenl,- we work at crOss~purposes. But, actuaily~
we are doing a lot of work, trying to improve conspicuity, and my own
PAGENO="0078"
74
belief is that lights off8r our best promise, despite the fact that in
bright sunlight, they are very difficult to see.
Mr. KORNEGAY. What about the strobe light ? I think you referred
to it by a different name.
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir ; the strobe light or condenser discharge is
very efl~ective. Some of the airlines have them on, and if you see them,
they attract your attention.
Mr. KORNEGAY. Would they be visible much longer than the rotating
beacon would be?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir. We are going to try some light aircraft with
those and see if they work. The problem with those, even the con-
denser discharge, high power lights, is that they are not visible in
strong sunlight. We are also looking at reflective devices, thinking we
can get some reflection from the sun. This ground has been ploughed
over ; we are going to plough it again, because we may have left some
stone unturned.
Mr. KORNEGAY. That is all, Mr. Ohairinan.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Ottinger.
Mr. OTTINGER. ThanJ~ ~ou,Mr. Chairman.
I must say, General McKee, that I am not as sanguine as some of my
`colleagues about the way the agency has exercised its responsibilities
in the area of air safety. I really think you have been derelict in your
duty in terms of actively pursuing the reasonable things that might be
done to improvö air safety.
For one thing, while you are not an independent agency-~
General MCKEE. I am not an independent agency, Mr. Ottinger.
Mr. OTTINGER. Right.
General MCKEE. I am a part of the Department of Transportation.
Mr. OTTINGER. You are a part of the Department of Transporta-
tion, but still you are the only technical agency in the Government
that is responsible for air safety.
General MCKEE. That is correct.
Mr. OTTINGER. And it seems to me that your responsibility is to de-
fine the needs for improvements in air safety, whether or not you can
get Bureau of the Budget approval for them. You are the one agency
`of the Government to which we in Congress and to which the public
can look for a definition of what is reasonably needed.
If you need more radar, if you need more control towers, if you need
more landing lights, if you need more airports, whatever it may be,
you should come here and ask for them. It is your duty to do so. It is
really no answer to. ~ay, "Well, the. Bureau of the Budget would not
approve an additional request for funds." ` . .
The same thing whenit comes to authority. You say that with respect
toseparatin'g general aircraft from comthêrcial aircraft, you don't have
the authority. Itseems to me it is your responsibility to ask for the au-
thority, if you need it, and 1 think we would consider it very seriously,
if you did. You made this remark specifically with respect to moving
general aircraft from National Airport to perhaps Anacostia, or some
other area.
It seems to me that is your definite responsibility, to set out for this
committee and for the public what is needed to improve air safety. We
look to you, ~as the expert, for this information. You, as the experts,
PAGENO="0079"
75
~shou1d define for us what is needed and what could materially im-
prove air safety in the United States.
Now, I will just tick off some areas in which I am particularly con-
~cerned about lack of sufficient FAA pursuit of safety procedures and
devices. I have asked about some of these matters before and gptten jt~st
wague assurances such as : "We are working on it," or "We are study-
ing on it." I think more action, more active steps, are required, because
;i: think there are very serious problems.
One area of concern is the matter of continuous ground control of
~all aircraft in the Northeast corridor, which is very congested at the
Vresent time. As I understand it, at present there is only intermittent
ground control. I think that action is needed to see that aircraft are
under continuous control during the entire area.
Another area of concern is the aspects that have been discussed
here of introducing ILS and radar and lighting to commercial airports
~that don't have them. I think it's outrageous that the FAA didn't ask
for one penny for these purposes this year.
Also I would mention an item about which I wrote you, having sec-
~ondary radar installations available to protect against the radar fail-
~ures we have had recently at Kennedy Airport, and we have had often
at La Guardia Airport.
Another concern is development of new kinds of radar, especially
~three-dimensional radar. An article in the July 24 issue of Electronics
says that there are four. companies at the present time that can
produce three-dimensional radar, Maxon Electronics Corp., the
~Hughes Aircraft Co., AVCO Corp., and ITT-Gilfihlan. The artjcle
~says:
Any of these companies could install a three-dimensional radar backup system
.at any U.S. airport for less than $2 million.
I also have indication that the Navy has presently three-dimensional
radar. It seems to me that you should be more aggressive in seeing to
it that if this really makes a difference to safety is pursued.
Still another area of concern is the proliferation of small aircraft
~around commercial airports. This would seem to me to be clearly a
threat to safety. Whether you separate small aircraft by requiring them
~to use different airports, or whether you separate them by time, or by the
experience of the pilots or equipment carried by the planes, it seems to
me greater action is required.
Control tower problems have been written about a great deal, and the
difficulty a controller has todity to keeptrackof all the planes in the con-
gested areas. This is another area that seems to require greater correc-
~tive action. ~ ~ ~ ~
You testified this mornin~ there á,re no recertification procedures
for noncommercial pilots. This ~rtainly requires~orrection.*
The question of cockpit visibility, the question of control over air
:taxis; are two other items. I understand that whil~ your regulations
i~nd requirements for commercial carriers are complete and very strict,
-there are virtually no controls over air taxis.
These are just some of the things that, as a nonprofessional, have
~come to my attention, where it seems to me ,your action is inadequate.
Your answer is always, "We are studying it; we are looking into it.
Maybe we will do something in the far future."
PAGENO="0080"
76
In view of the real erisis tha~t we are confronting, it would require
action now. I think you have been derelict in your duties in pursuing
thesem&tt~rs mOre diligently.
. ~enerai McK~E. I do not' accept your languagethat I have been
derelict. Neitherl normy o~her people in FAA have been derelict in
~their duties. I~ din't ktiow of any 43,000 people in the United States
who work aromttd the clock and work harderthan the people in FAA.
And in defense of those people, and you can give me all the hell you
want to personally but I stand up forthose people, every speck of the
way. We have got 14,000 controllers working in this control work and
working in these centers, and I am proud of them. There are not a finer
bunch of men in this country, and if everybody in this country did
the job those people are doing, this country would be a hell of a lot
better off, and that is my speech, Mr. Ottinger, and I will stand by
it.
Mr. OmNGEii. Well, I'd certainly agree that your controllers are
doing an outstanding job under the most trying circumstances. But
that misses the point, which concerns the diligence of your agency in
pursuing new safety devices and requiring new safety procedures. Here,
the editors * of Electronics magazine certainly don't agree with you~
They say:
of all the thousands of Government agencies, it would seem almost impossible
to rate one as the worst, yet technical mei~ who have sthdied the air traffic con~
trol problems are ready~ to give that malodorous distinction to the FAA. The
agency born to perform great feats of technical inno*~ation has turned out to be
weak, ~ ineffectual, unimaginative, and apathetie~ The threat of midair collision
hanging over the United States when the FAA was formed is still with us, only
worse than ever. And the FAA is as far from coping with this threat as it was on
the day it was founde4.
That certainly isn't a very glowingapproval.
GeneralMCKEE. I. would like to answer that, too.
The CHAIRMAN.. Just a moment. I will allow the gentleman to
answer that, then that will be all. You may gO ahead and a~iswer iL
General MCKEE. AliT wanted to say is that if I just read the critic-~
. isms directed at me and FAA, I would do nothing else, and the FAA
wouldn't. . We wouhi not even have an air traffic control system. I
consider that an irresponsible article, and the aviation community
will back me up 100 percent. I am surprised you even bring it up.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Blanton.
: Mr. BLANTON. Thank yc~i, Mr. Chairman.
Ge~n~ai McEee, I am nbtgoing to try to put you on the spot, be~
cause .1 realize. that the administration has other things in mind, but.
I would like to ask you this one question. Do you think, if the Ana~
costia stripwas m~le available to private. aircraft, it ~vouid ease some
of the congestion at National Airport ?
General McKi~. Yes, we sai~l:this, last summer. Obviously., any
airplane, or numbe~ of airplanes, that you take out of a particular
iiirport servetoreli4we the.ecaigcstion.
Mr. BLANTON. Now, I am Jeaving out the directive that you-you
wo~ild not have to direct tb~m over there.. They would willingly use
it, provided it wasavailabie. .
General McK~, I think that is true, a lot of them would, and a lot
of them would not. . . .
PAGENO="0081"
77
Mr. BLANTON. I know that without a dir&~tive, that some of them
would not ~ *
General MCKEE. This is true. Well, of course, even if it were avail-
able, Mr. Blauton, it would only be availthie* on a completely VFR
basis, and for airplanes in the Piper Cub category, and very light air-
planes, because you are quite circumscribed, as you know, in the area.
It would not be available for the heavier general aviation aircraft,
or for business jets, or for private jets. So it surely would relieve con-
gestion somewhat.
Mr. BLANTON. It would not be available for business jets?
General MC1(EE. They could not operate there, Mr. Bianton. You
see, you have a very limited runway at Anacostia.
Mr. BLANTON. 5,000 feet, isn't it
General MCKEE. ö,000 ; but there is a lot of building, as you know,
going up at Bolling, and there has been a misunderstanding. They
talk about Anacostia-Bolling. Boiling is building right now, and there
is nothing available at Boiling.
Mr. BLANTON. There is one questioti I would like to ask you on these
near misses. How do you investigate this?
Mr. THOMAS. If they are reported in the air, and they sometimes
are, we will try to follow, if we see the other airplane oh the radar,
we will try to follow him down, and chase him down to his point of
destination, and get the story from ~ both pilots, get whatever infor~
mation that we can. It is very difficult. There are ho tracks left in the
air, as you know, and we normally are not that lucky, and the report
is some time later, so we have the one pilot's story of what happened,
and we do the best we can byexaminingany record we have of traffic
at that time, and try to get all the information we can. It is a very
difficult and usually unrewarding job.
Mr. BLANTON. Well, isn't it true that the majority of these critical
near misses occur while under radar surveillance?
Mr. THOMAS. No, Sir. There are some that do, however, and-
Mr. BLANTON. The majority is not under radar surveillance?
Mr. THOMAS. I will have to look at the statistics. My recollection is
that more than half are not beyond the radar surveillance. *
Mr. BLANTO~T. But if they are ui~der radar surveillance, and you
have a man on duty on the radar, he can very easily see these near
misses, provided it is reported?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir.
Mr. BLANTON. I know he cannot see the altitude, but he can see the
flight path.
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir.
Mr. BLANTO~. Let me ask you this : These feilcw~ that are on radar,
I know they are busy, to saythé least, from hearing jhst th~. center's
report recording read this morning before us, you can see they are
busy. * How much extra would it cO~t to have an extra i~uan on duty
looking for these collisions rather than in `~i'ctttal dirëètion of the
traffic at these centei~? *
Mr. THOMAS. I cannot answer that directly. You have about 8,000
people in the celiters now, and let's say that it ifi~reased that by 25 per-
cent. I don't know whether this is right or not. That would be about
$20 million a year, $30 million a year. But I hope that the present
controllers ~re seeing the traffic, and I think that they do, and I am
92-715-68---6
PAGENO="0082"
78
not sure that the increase in personnel just for that purpose is war-
ranted, but we will have to give you-it would help. I don't know
whether it is2,000.or not, butit would be in that order, I would think.
Mr. BLANTON. Ofcours~, the thing over in North Carolina this past
week not being under radar surveillance would not make any dif-
ference, if you had 20 people standing there.
Mr. THOMAS. No, sir.
Mr. BLANTON. But it is my opinion that the majority of them do
occur under radar surveillance, because they are in congested areas,
which are under radar surveillance. And I cannot see why that an
extra man for this specific job, a monitor screen of his own, to look
for these things, project them, and warn of the possibilities, as I
understand it, you have no such men as this, other than the ones that
are actually in direct control of the traffic at the present time. Is
that right?
Mr. THoMAs. That is correct.
Mr. BLANTON. Well, I would like to propose this as being iniresti-
gated, as ~a possibility for some safety as far as collision is con-
cerned, and I realize that as you said before, that the collisions are a
minor part of our accidents. I mean, as far as numbers and dollars
and cents and so forth.
Who gets the reports whenever you make a report on these critical
near-misses ?
Mr. THOMAS. The report2 if it is given by radio, is given to the con-
troller. He gives it to our flight standards people, if it is an air carrier,
the nearest air carrier, and then it is immediately forwarded into our
office here in Washington. We have on duty 24 hours a day communi-
cation duty officers who take all irregularity reports, and the in~
vestigation starts usually with someone meeting the reporting pilot
at the point where he taxis into wherever his point of destination is,
to get the freshest information we can.
If we are successful in detecting or the other airplane reports, some-
times both report-rarely, .bat this sometimes happens-then we will
meet the other plane and get the information. I think there may
be a little bit of misunderstanding about the radar surveillance. It
may occur in areas where we have radar, but they may be outside
the radar coverage.
Mr. BLANTON. I will address my last question to your report of your
investigation, not the reporting of the near miss.
Mr. THOMAS. Oh, our report. ~ , ~
Mr. BLANTON. And you give out excellent reports on crashes, and so
forth. I read them myself, but I never see any reports on investigation
on a near miss. Now, who gets these reports ? Are these.just kept for
your records, or do you give the report to the pilot reporting, them,
or the airlipe, or the carrier,, or whoever is involved?
Mr. THOi~&AS. We ~il1 let whoever is involved know, and then we
keep them for our~ ~ own information, and then-we do not publish
them, no, as a matter of a published document on them. The informa-
tion is available.
Mr. BLANTON. I raised this question before, about whenever a pilot
goes into a~ congested area, about equipment requirement arid pilot
requirement.. Has there. been any study mi~de about congested areas,
as to what General McKee said this morning that a bunch of people
I
PAGENO="0083"
79
cannot `óome into this airport unless there is a safety problem, but
could not this be a possibility as far as safety, as far as equipnaent
and pilot qualifications ? ~ * ~
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir, there are, depending on the airport, some
requirements. Most generally, if there is a tower, there is a require-
ment for two-way communications, and there is not, for locations
where there is no tower. Some airports will not permit, for e~campie,
student instruction, I know of no airport tha1~ will not permit the
current private pilot with two-way radio to land under good weather
conditions. As a matter of fact, a private pilot can `follow a flight
path to the runway, successfully.
Mr. BLANTON. Thank you.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Stuckey.
Mr. STUCKEY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
General McKee, first I would like to say that I think your flight
~servioe people, your air traffic controllers, do a fine job, and I, for one,
am very appreciative of the job that they do, and I am real familiar
with your flight service operation parlücularly in our area, and I would
like to say in Georgia, I think we have got the finest that you have
~nywhere.
A lot has been said concerning the general aviation and excluding
~them from a lot of our congested airports, and I realize that we have
50 private or general aviat~ion planes for every commercial plane, but
let me ask this question of you : Particularly with our private air-
~craft, private business, coming into airports such as N~ational, aren't
most of these pilots basically rated ver~y similar to your commercial
`pilots, most of t~hem ; don't they have an IFR ticket ~
General MCKEE. I don't know the percentage. Do you have any feel-
~ing for the percentage of them ~
Mr. ThoMAs. No, sir. The busier the airport, though, the higher the
~percentage, because we run into a very high percentage ~f air taxis
and corporates, and they may be better equipped than the airlines.
Mr. STUCKEY. Right. So this point I am trying to make, is just-
take a pilot with a private certificate. Very very few of them would
come into an area like National Airport, right ?
Mr. THOMAS. I suspect they are very minimal. ~
Mr. STU0KEY. So let us say that you banned general aviation from
National Airport. Your congestion there really is not the problem as
much as it is your ramp space and facilities like that, isn't it ?
~General MOICEE. That istrue.
Mr. STUCKEY. Well, anyway, the point I am getting at is by exelud-
~ing general aviation, and for some reason, it looks like they have to
make general aviation the whipping boy here today, I don't see where
this answers any of our problems. And, as far as safety is concerned,
-take a small pilot, he stays within ageneral area of, say, 200, 250 miles,
~and he does not.venture into an airport like National Airport, so I don't
think really that by banning general aviation from these airports
~that you are really going to improve your safety factor.
Mr. BROWN. Would the gentleman yield?
Mr. SnIOKEY. Yes.
Mr. BROWN. Didn't I understand you to say that the segregation by
airport is largely voluntary; that general aviation itself tries to stay
away from these high congestion areas, as much as possible? Wasn't
that the thrust of your testimony?
PAGENO="0084"
80
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir, th6 thrust was that this is the way it works,
and those tha~t.do cx~ipe into: the' highly congested area are, as Mr.
Stuckey said, either the air taxis, bringing peop'e in, or the cor-
porates, who themselves are very well equipped.
Mr~ BROWN; Is th~re any involuntary segregation ? Do you limit any
airports at the presenttime from use by general aviation?
Mr. PHOMAS. No, sir, except for radio requirements.
Mr. &rucici~Y. JFK has tried to eliminate general aviation.
Mr. TITOMAS; There are some places that do it by dollars, by landing
fees.
Mr. STUCKEY. Yes, sir.
Mr. BROWN. But not by any safety regulation, other than the two-
way radio?
Mr. THOMAS. No, sir, because the general said, if we had an involved
safety problem, we could take action. I think we are dealing with the
convenience problem more than anything else.
Mr. STUOKRY. The point I am trying to make-and I would like to
hear you, if you agree with this, say so-is that just by banning gen-
eral avia~tion from our largest airports, this. is not going to improve
our safety factor, is it?
. . Mr. THOMAS. No, sir, but by the same token, we would like to see
more airports built that are. equipped and suitable, so that therewould
be a diversion of aircraft to other airports, as our traffic goes up. Our
concrete ig yet so limited.
Mr. S~ruci~i~i~. Wouldn't this also apply to your commercial?
Mr. ThOMAS.. Yes, sir.~
Mr. STUCKEY. So we need moregeneral airports.
Mr. THOMAS.. Yes, sir ; weneed them.
Mr. STUOKEY. And for general aviation-I agree with you, but the
point I am trying to make, it looks like in a sense we have tried to make
general aviation the whipping boy, from what I have heard so far, and
I don't think the: separation has affected the safety of the airports we
have talked about. ~
Mr. BROWN. Would th~ gentleman yield ? I don't want to intrude
on your time, if you have another area of inquiry, but we have hit this:
point earlier today, and that is the relationship between National,.
Dulles, and Boiling Field, Anacostia. Now, does the FAA have within
its jurisdiction the opportunity to require commercial aircraft to use
Bolling or Dulies, and exclude them from National on any basis,
either a flat exclusion, a requirement for certain devices, or on any
basis?
General MOKEE. I have no authority to require any general aviation
aircraft to use Anacostia, bëc~u~ise I don't have any authority to use
Anacostia, even if I wanted to.
Mr. BROWi~. Well, now, with Dulles.
General . MOKEE~ Unless I could make a safety rule and just say,
\ "General * avii~t~on cannot use * Washington National, because it is.
definitely unsafe, and, therefore, you can't go in, and I don't care where
you go," whether you go to Dulles or whether you go to Friendship,
or whether you go to Fairfax, or wherever you go, but I am unable to~
make that determination.
Mr. BROwN. There was an effort made, was there not?
PAGENO="0085"
81
General MCKEE. We ha~ve~ e~ncouraged, and; as a ~ matter of: fact~
I think we ought to commend the business community, a great many of
the leading firms in the country. I wrøte to each one of them, wrote
each one of them a letter, and a great many Of~thexn have moved their
business flights to Dulles. A lot o~f them are using it. General Motors
:and-~-oh, there are any number of them that use Dulles, and prefer
Dulles.
Mr.~ BROWN. Wasn't there an efl~ort some mouths ago to require that
~on1y planes that would land within 500 miles use ~ National, and
that other longer haul planes use Dulles?
General MCKEE. Sir, that was the hot summer of 1966.
Mr. BROWN. Yes, sir. But you did have that authority to make that
regulation, if you had wished to, in view of the heat that you received,
did you not?
General MCKEE. In view of the great heat I received.
Mr. STUCKEY. Let me ask one other question concerning the Pied~
mont airplane, and the Cessna 310. Were both of them equipped with
transponder equipment?
Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Stuckey, the `~27 was transponder equipped. I do
not have information concerning the 310 at this time as to whether it
ivas transponder equipped or not.
Mr. STUCKEY. We have also spent a lot of time today talking about
your radar, and the cost of it, and the safety factors with our airplanes.
Don't you think that the transponder has gone a long way ~ as far as
making it a lot safer for flying if it was utilized more?
General MCKEE. Yes, sir.
Mr. STiJOKEY. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Friedel.
I might say this before you start : that any of these genth~men that
have a question or two to ask, I am going to ask them if they will give
it. I hope they won't take their 5 minutes, any of them, because I think
most of the questions have been asked, and I don't see any sense in re-
peating questions that have been asked, so with that understanding, I
am going to go around again.
Mr. Friedel.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I assure you that the qttes-
tion I have has not been asked yet, and the first question is:
I have received some mail about aircraft accidents caused by the
pilot drinking. For the record, will you tell us about any regulations
prohibiting pilots from drinking before takeoff?
General MCKEE. They are quite extensive, and spelled out. That has
been a major subject of concern to us, and I will ask Mr. Moore o~ Mr.
Thomas to spell out the regtilation.
Mr. ThoMAs. Mr. Friedel, most of the airlines have their own rules,
and most of them prohibit drinking for 24 hours before a trip, and as
far as I know, these rules are quite rigidly followed. In the case of gen-
eral aviation, there is the normal legal regulation against operating
under the influence of-that is alcohol or drugs, or any other adverse
effect. There is no particular provision as to the number of hours before
the flight. We tried number of hours, once, but enforcing it, actually
finding out whether or not they did drink within a certain time period
is almost impossible and also, the varying effec~t of the amrnmt of the
PAGENO="0086"
82
drink and what it was is difficult to determine. So we rely on operating
under the influence.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Well, I understand the commercial pilots are watched
very rigidly, and there is no question in my mind that they are all
right. But in general aviation, in so many hundreds of airports all
over the country where they `don't have towers or anything, is there any
thought being given to how they could be regulated ?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir ; we have given it a lot of thought, but this is
an extremely difficult one to enforce, or actually detect, whether or not
they have been drinking, so we have gone the education route, or des-
ignated medical examiners to g~ive out the information on the diffi-
culty of flying after drinking, and particularly the effect of oxygen,.
which is cumulative over the longer effects of drinking. But princi-
pally, we are trying to get at it by education, and enforcement is ex-
tremely difficult, because we do not want to follow the pilot, or have
no way of following him immediately before he takes off.
Mr. FRIEDEL. All right, now one more question. A very prominent
citizen of Baltimore and a pioneer in aviation safety, Mr. Charles
Adler, invented an "airplane proximity indicator" in 1951 and obtained
a patent on it. lie turned this device over to the Government for
$1. Some time after that I went up to an FAA installation in Atlantic
City to witness some experiments they were conducting with this
device. It could warn the pilot if a plane was too close from the right,.
left, forward,or rear within a distanceof 25 miles. I would like to know
if anything more is being done to perfect this device, or what did you
learn from your experiments?
Mr. THOMAS. Yes, sir ; I am sorry, Mr. Friedel. I didn't recognize
it immediately. Yes, sir, we are pursuing this, if it is the one that
I am thinking of, but I think to be more accurate Mr. Blatt should de-
scribe it. I believe it is altitude coded light.
Mr. JOSEPH P. BLATT (Associate Administrator for Development,
FAA) . It is both a split quadrant from the tail section and an altitude-
coded light Mr. Adler has developed and we have recognized Mr.
Adler's contributions to aircraft exterior lighting by giving him an
agency award, and his work is being pursued at Atlantic City.
Mr. FRIEDEL. I understood they can tell if a plane was 5, 10 miles,
up to 25 miles away, but they couldn't give the altitude, and that was
the part you were trying to correct.
Mr. THoMAS. This depends on the ambient backgrounds, how well
one could see lights.
`Mr. FRIEDEL. Thank you.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Springer.
Mr. SPRINGER. General McKee, I would like to pursue my ques-
tion this morning. I didn't have a chance to finish.
With reference to Washington National Airport, now there were
an average of 876 landings and takeoffs last year per day. You made
the statement, I believe, and if I didn't get this correct, would you
correct me? You said it was safe.
General MCKEE. I said what?
Mr. SPRINGER. You said Washington National Airport today is safe.
General MCKEE. I say it is as safe as any other airport we have with
a like number of operations.
PAGENO="0087"
83
Mr. SPRINGER. Well, that is a pretty general statement, because
most of the airports are pretty well alike.
General MCKEE. That is correct. Just a degree of ~ safety, there is
no 100-percent degree of safety at any of them. ~
Mr. SPRINGER. I know that, but the problem is, I think, ~ should
it be made safer ? General McKee, do you believe it ought to be made
safer ? Or more safe, I should say.
General MoKm~. I would like to make it so safe that we could be
sure we would never have an accident there, if possible.
Mr. SPEINGER. All right.
General MCKEE. But on the other hand, as you know, we have taken
action to severely restrict the number of operations there per hour~
And you can imagine the pressures that have been on me to increase
the number of operations.
Mr. SPRINGER. All right. Now, the ones that the pressures have been
on have been chiefly, I presume, every commercial airline. Is that
correct?
General MoKm~. Well, everybody would like to use it. Not only the'
commercial airlines like to have more operations.
Mr. SPRINGER. Well, the commercial aircraft want to run more.
They want to schedule more carriers coming in. Isn't that about the
sizeof it?
General M0KEE. Well, last ~ summer, yes ; they didn't want any re-
striction, which I can well understand, but they did volunteer, when
I talked to the presidents of the various airlines about the seriousness
of the problem confronting us, they did volunteer to put in this 40-an-
hour limitation.
Mr. SPRINGER. All right. Now, General, let's just assume, if we took
this, the way I figure it, of 876 per day average, and I don't know how
that is, but that is the only way I can come about it, is an average, if
you take the number of private aircraft, and take those out, you come
to 233, to be exact, 222.9-223 landings and takeoffs average a day. If
you took those out to some other airport, you would have a landing of
only 653 per day.
Now, that is not only a safety factor, that is a reduction in the number
of ifights, the controllers, that the equipment there has to take care of,
of probably a third, roughly.
Thirty percent, that is almost a third. If you take 30 percent of 87~
and take it out of that airport, you will have removed from that an
average of 223 per day. Now, that is a sizable reduction, isn't it?
General `MCKEE. It is.
Mr. SPRINGER. Now, it would be reasonable, would it not, to assume
that if the controller, whoever is in charge of all their equipment, did
not have to log in and out and keep track of those 223 which were
going to some other airport, it certainly would make it considerably
safer, wouldn't it?
General McKEE. Not necessarily make it safer. It would certainly
reduce the workload on the controllers.
Mr. SPRINGER. All right.
General MCKEE. We have controllers at other areas handling more
operations by far than they are handling at Washington National.
Mr. `SPRINGER. Well, we are back to this thing, though, of where you
don't allow any more commercial aircraft to come in out there, isn't
PAGENO="0088"
84
that true, because. oi~ the~factor that there is a danger of too many
comingin? ~
~ General McKi~z.. No ; thatisnot the reason. . . ~
Mr. SPRINGER. What is the reason ?
General MCKEE. Thereason is congestion in the terminal, congestion
in the parking lots, congestion on the ramps. We just can't physically
handle them. ~ .
Mr. SPRINGER. All right, now, is that the reason that you are not
allowing any more ~
Is it not because of the safety factor, of those coming in and going
out~ ~
~ ~ General MCKEE. The primary reason is congestion in the terminal
facilitics, parking facilities, and all the rest of them.
Mr. SPRINGER. Then it is not safety factor.
General MOKEE. We do iiot have a significant, a real safety factor.
~You always have the safety factor. Mr. Springer, even if you have two
airplanes.
Mr. SPRINGER. I understand, I am not trying to pin you down to im-
rossible situations.
General MCKEE. We did not do it on the safety basis, we really did
it on the basis of actual congestion and physically being able to handle
the people, not only on the ramps and in the terminals, and the park-
ing areas, the access roads, the whole thing.
Mr. SPRINGER. I have got a very few minutes ; I have got to get all
this in the record. Your reason, then, for restriction is not-let's qualify
it to see if I can get a correct answer-primarily safety.
General MCKEE. No.
Mr. SPRINGER. All right, I just want to be sure. Now that is your con-
sidered opinion as of today.
General MCKEE. As of today.
Mr. SPRINGER. All right. Well, then, I will have to admit that the
Information I am getting is not the same information you' are getting,
but you are in a better position, I say, better qualified than I ani from a
technical standpoint to judge this, but I am getting what I think is
substantial opinion, from whom I would consider qualified people that
there is a safety factor, and I am not trying to put you on the spot, if we
have an accident, but I will have to admit when I go out there and
watch this thing, and I am not affecting, that I haven't experience on
this thing, and I have been through a lot of accidents in those 1'T years,
and as I watch those landings and takeoffs, I can't help but come to a
conclusion that there is a safety factor to all those people coming in and
out, and I will admit I have thought twice a month, I go through the
`same thing, but that i~ not nearly as bad as some of the airports I have
run into, I will admit that, as far as the parkingand getting my bag-
gage, isn't as bad as some other airports, but I have a sort of feeling
that there is a danger, and I can't express it to you any better than that,
but if you say, and it is your considered opinion, taking in all of the
factors that you know about, that safety is not the primary reason for
your not allowing for commercial aircraft to land, then I will take your
word for it.
General MCKEE. If the number of operations at Washington
National were up to a point where We ifl the FAA. thought that there
PAGENO="0089"
85
~ais asaf~ty faetor, I wouldn't hesitate one spec to further~restr~ct the
a~rport, , ~ ~ . ~ , ~ .
`. Mr. SPJ~IN~ER. All right, uow ~ppar~ntiy I didn't `read your release
very well, and I didn't thsorb that, last~I~ielie~e~ it was in January~
when you out back to 300 miles around Washin~gton ? Was that in
January ? ~ * ~ ~ ~
General MCKEE. Oh, that was last summer.
Mr. SrRIi~az~R. All right.
~ General MCKEE. I hoped you wouldn't bring up last summer.
Mr. SPRINGER. I am not, I am just trying to find out and fOllow
through if I can. I thought that was the safety factor.
General McKEE. No, that was to try. to limit the number of opera~
tio~s, ~and again, in .tern~sof the terminal, in terms ofall of the fadili-
ties. We just had too many people coming in and more airplanes an&
more people than we c~uld handle onthe ground. `
Mr. SPRINGER.All right, let me get this straight in the record, then
your reason for cutting heck to 800 miles on the allowance of 1~he air~
craft landing and takeoff, at Washington, was due to internal factors,
not safety ?
All right. I just want to be sure thatthis was on the record, because
I certainly did not understand it this way~General McKee, and I am
glad to have that matter cleared up. ` ~
I will say that, that I hope you will inform the newspapers, because
as I understand it~ and I talkedto some of them, it isn't their belief of
what the situation is. It mentioned this question only the other day,
but they don't believe this is the primary factor, they believe that that
is a danger factor. ~
Mr. BROWN. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. SPRINGER. Yes.
~ General McKEE. I read the newspapers all the time, and people
prognosticate a terri'bie tragedy at Washington National, and you can
predict, or I can .sit here right now and predict that we are going t&
have a tragedy in the next year someplace, whether it is at Washington
National or some other place. ~ .
Now, if it doesn't occur, nobody pays attention to it ; if it does occur,
the guy that makes the great prediction, he becomes a hero and I
become a heel.
Mr. SPRINGER. I don't think you are going to get too many like hap-
pended down at Hendersonville, because there is apparently this field
which does not have `much traffic.
General McKEE~ Certainly wasn~t congested.
Mr. SPRINGER. I don't think the danger of two aircraft coming
together is as high as it would be here or at Chicago, or New York, or
Los Angeles. ~ `
Anyway, I thank you for your answer.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. SPRINGER. I had promised to yield to Mr. Brown.
Mr. BROWN. If `I may reverse the question, at what point would
congestion become a `safety factor, or perhaps to `ask the question more
directly, what would `be the area of breakdown, if you just increased
with unlimited degree the traffic at an airport?
PAGENO="0090"
86
Geñera1McKEE~ My point is that when th~ air traffic control systei~, I
including the air traffic controllers, can no longer reasonably and seri-
sibly handlethe~ traffic, andthey Urnit them right now. When they
reach the limitpthnt at La Guardia or .J. F. K., that the reason a lot
of airplanes at Washington National, when the weather is bad in New
York, just sit on the ramp out here, because they can't handle them
in New York. . ~ . ~ ~
Mr. BROWN. How many flights would that be a minute?
General McKin~.Wou1d all dejend on what the airport is, what the
weather is, and if you have got a better answer, Mr. Thomas, YOU are
controller.
~ Mr. THoi~tAs. No, sir ; it depends entirely. upon the operation. For
example,~ just for noise reasons alone, ~ JFK can go down to half
its normal operations under one wind condition as opposed to another.
Washington National can drop down to half, depending `on weather,
and whether you land to the south or north, so this is why we have
empowered the controller to impose what we call full control, and
when he says that he has no further room for the airplanes, or it is
getting out of land, he just skirts the flow off. He does this all over
the United States ; he does it right now.
Mr. BROWN. I am not sure that answers my question. Is the critical
factor the aircraft traffic controller and the capacity of the air traffic
controller to handle the traffic, depending upon the situation?
General McKi~xs. That is right. And he judges, and he shuts it off,
and he is the umpire.
Mr. BROWN. But it is the controller.
General MCKEE. Yes, sir.
Mr. BROWN. Who is the critical breakdown point. Is that right?
General MOKEE. Well, he is the one that determines it. It may be
a blocked runway. It may be an instrument landing system out. It
may be the weather went to low minimums, hut he is the one that
determines when capacity has been ` reached, and he needs to divert,
or to stop traffic. ` ` ~ ` `
Mr. BROWN. If I could just pursue the pointone step further, Mr.
Chairman, what Tam really asking is that without radar, the air traffic
controller may have `a certain point at which congestion becomes too
great for him to handle.
With radar, that point may be a little higher. In other words, an
increased amount of traffic, with radar, and bad wind conditions, or
something else, but the critical factor is. the air traffic contröllèr, in
his capacity to handle the traffic; is that right? Under the circum-
stances? `
General McKEE. I think we are plnying on words. If we have no
radar we will operate 10 to 15 per hour. With radar, the wind in the
right direction, we will go 90 an hour. It is the same controller; he is as
capable and is as `busy under one `timeas he is the other.
PAGENO="0091"
87
He handles the traffic, depending upon what the fa~i1ities will take.
It is not the man that breaks down, it is the . facilities that break down;
it is a lack of a runway. It is `a lack of an ILS, and the controller is the
~one that pulls the plug-"It won't take anymore." Because the facilities
broke down, not the man.
The CITAIRMAN. Mr. Rogers.
Mr. ROGERS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Now, Mr. O'COnnell, do you
have any responsibility at all to see after youhave made recommenda-
tions and findings of:violation of safety that some corrective measure
is taken., or does your group make any recoinmexidations at aU?
Mr. O'CONNELL. My responsibility is prinmrily to make recomm~n-
dations, after the investigations of accidents.
Mr. RoGERs. Do you follow through to see if any action is taken?
General MCKEE. He sure does. I have to `answer. I write letters every
clay. It used to be the Chairman of the Civil Aeronautics Board, and
now to Mr. O'Connell, describing in detail exactly what action we took
on every recommendation they make.
Mr. O'CONNELL. ~ongressman, I might amplify that by pointing
out that under the statute under which we operate, we are required to
make public every recommendation which we make to the Adminis-
trator or to any other agency in Government with respect to safety.
They are expected to respond to report what action, if anything, is
taken, that always becomes a matter of public record.
Mr. ROOERS. Suppose the action is not taken that you thought should
have been taken?
Mr. O'CONNELL. We have no power to go beyond the recommenda-
tion.
Mr. RocEns. Who would act in that event ? For instance, suppose
you made recommendations and the FAA told you what they did
about it, but there is another plane crash where the same thing hap-
pened, where if a change had been made, perhaps~-
General McKEE. They get a new Administrator of the FAA. That
as the action that is taken on that one.
Mr. ROGERS. Who does that ? The Secretary?
General MCKEE. The President.
Mr. RoGERs. The President oniy.
General MCKEE. I guess the Secretary of Transportation would re-
quest that they get a new Administrator.
Mr. ROGERS. If we could have for the record, then, a list of therecom-
inendations, I would like to see it to give us an example, say, in the last
.5 years, and the changes that have been broughtabout to carry out
those recommendations.
I think it would be helpful for the committee to have it.
Mr. O'CONNELL. I would be very happy to submit that for the
record.
(Following is a list of contents of aviation safety recommendations,
1963-67, submitted by the Natio~ai Transportation Safety Board in
response to Mr. Rogers' request. The page numbers refer to the file
copies of such recommendations, which are in the committee files.)
PAGENO="0092"
88
SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITT~D ~URING FISCAL YEAR 1967
Reference No, Recommendation subject Submitted Page No.
7-RE-i _~L~ Issue ADBeech King alt model 90 re fuel switches, flap electrical system July 12, 1966
and fuel crossfeed system.
7-RE-2 Insure compliance with applicable provisions CAR's re Hawker-Siddeley Aug, 1, 1966
aileron and elevator control lock
7-RE-3 Nord 262 oil pressure .waniing light system Aug. 9, 1966
7-RE-4 Aero Commander 200; elevator trip position Indicator, trim tab limits and Aug. 19, 1966
- ~ inspection access. ~
7-Rl-5 CL-440 crosswind component limitations do
7-RE-6 Replacement Delrin stem aIlaircraft equipped with Bendix RSA-5AD1 fuel Sep. 1, 1966
injector system (PA-30?.
7-Rl-7 Explore possibility improving quality-intelligibility cockpit voice recorders~_. Sep. 19, 1966
7-RE--8 ___~_ Reevaluate P-5 pitot system BAG-i-il and insure reliability in rain and Sep. 23, 1966
below freezing temperatures
7-RE-9 Improve fuel manifold on P. & W. J.T.4A engines (B-707) Sep. 28, 1966
7-RE-b Revise maintenance handbook and establish definite time interval for in- Oct. 3, 1966
spection main rotor driver transmission Hughes 269B helicopter.
7-RE-1L__~_. Fuel selector system Piper PA 32-260 and PA 28-235 Oct. 12, 1966
7-RE-ia Engine failures, Nord 262 Oct. 14, 1966
7-RE-13 Emergency gear extension system, Beech D-185 do_~
7-RE-14 Carburetor float clearance, Marvel-Schebler carburetors, Bell 47G hell- do
~ copters.
7-RE-15 Relocate cockpit voice recorders on aircraft with aft-mounted engines Oct. 28, 1966
7 RE 16 Design safety criteria BAG i-li Oct. 31
7-RE-17 Adequacy and distribution of manual material and other service information Nov. 9, 1966
high performance, general aviation aircraft (Turbo-Commander).
7-RE-18 Modification inner blade bearing installation-main rotor system brantly . Dec. 22, 1966
7-RE-19 Reevaluation qf fuel system Beech model 95-B55 and alert pilots regarding Jan. 12, 1967
uncoordinated maneuvers With minimum fuel.
7-RE-20 System for det~cting explosives.. do
7-RE-2i Electrical system, aircraft heater, Convair aircraft, Allegheny Airlines do
7-RE---22 Replace rotorblades A. & S. model 18, gyroplane Jan. 18, 1967
7-Rl-23 Approach zoneobstruction lighting Jan. 20, 1967
7-RE-24 Clarify bench test procedures, propeller governor, Piper PA--30; also Feb. 10, 1967
single-engine emergency procedures.
7-RE---25 Positive locking device, rudder pedal mechanism, B-707 and 727 aircraft Feb. 17, 1967
7-RE--26 immediate inspection Hartzell HCB34302E propeller blades; also similar Feb. 20, 1967
model propellers. ~
7-RE-27 Standardize basic operating proteduresfor ground equipment Mar. 3, 1967
7-RE-28 Manufactures production, repair and inspection of yaw damper coupler, Mar. 10, 1967
Boeing aircraft, be reviewed and improved testing procedures be imple-
mented.
7-RE-29 Require mandatory. inspection lower spar cap outboard outer wing panel Mar. 13, 1967
attach point, BEECH C-45H.
7-RE-30 lncludeeontents AD66-2-4 in an additional ADto adequately cover.inspec- Mar. 23, 1967
tion and rework wood and glue joining Mooney 18.
7-RE-31 Revise flight manuals for Hillet IJH-12 to include proper procedures for Mar. 27, 1967
~ epgaglng ~ercury drive clutch. `
7-RE-32 Allison Aeroproducts j*opeller pitch lock Mar. 30, 1967
7-RE-33 Issue airworthiness directive requiring internal inspection main integral .~ do
fuel tanks Piper PA 28/32.
7-Rl--34 Aircraft evacuation hazards caused by certain seat arrangements and sign.. Apr. 17, 1967
7-RE-35 Review in depth manufacturing process and ~ quality control system at Apr. 18, 1967
Allison.
7-RE-36 Need for immediate corrective action re inflght wing structural failures May 5, 1967
Beechcraft -18.
SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED DURING FISCAL YEAR 1966
Reference No. Recommendation subject Submitted
Page No.
6-RI-i * Inspection reqdireitients-Excess fuel landing To FAA July 16, 1965
6-RE-2 FAA review adequacy all airline takeoff abort procedures aijd To FAA July 19, 1965 5
FAA's abort certification test procedure to encompass captain
to copilot. ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~
6-Rl-3 Display of limitation information re radar vector service To FAA July 23, 1965, and
~ ~ ~ ~ Sept. 24, 1965.
6-RE-4 Pratt & Whitney turbine engine modification and overhaul pro- To FAA Aug. 20, 1965
cedures.
6-RE--5 Inspection of outboard engine fire extinguishing lines on Boeing ~ To FAA Aug. 24, 1965
707 and.720 aircraft. ~ ~ ~
6-RE-6 Alert field insjectors and operators of DC-7 aircraft of'potential do
~ wearcondition in aileron attachments~ ` .
6-RI-i Failure cam drive gear, P. & W. engine in DeHavilland Beaver To FAA Aug. 27, 1965
(Australian). ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
6-RE-8 ______ Inspection of tail rotor blades P/N B2-ili-ii, Brantly model To FAA Sept. 2, 1965
aircraft.
6-RE-9 FAA assure that air carrier flight crews are adequately trained on To FAA Sept 16, 1965
systems they control and operate. (Nose gear retractions,
Boeing 707 and 720 aircraft.)
6-RE-iO C-46 landing gear drag strut To FAA Sept .20, 1965 45
6-RE-li CV-240 wing gap straps do 48
6-RE-12 Be alert to condition of excessive wear, elevator torque tube To FAA Sept. 24, 1965 52
attach pivot point, DC-6 aircraft.
6-RE-l3 Improve instructions re inspection of 727 landing gear wheels for do 54
cracks and corrosion.
6
91
18
22
25
29
32
38
42'
47
5i~
57.
60
63
6~
73,
82.
87
90
92
96
100'
102
106
109'
112'
115'
117'
9
122'
128'
130
134
137'
140
143
12
22
27
30
33
37
39
PAGENO="0093"
89
SAFE1'Y~ECOMM~N1MTIO1~'SUBMtTTED DURING IISCAL YEAR 1966-~-Oon~Inued
Reference
No.
Recommendation su bject
Submitted
Page
No.
6-RI-14 Aircraft Foacling under pt. 135 ~ i~o ~AA Sept 24, 1965____
6-RI--15 Suggested revisions to Convair 240/340 cheCk list atd training To FAASept.28, 1965
procedures (updating Allegheny Air Lines operations manual)
£-RE-16 Require improvements in fuel manifolds of JT3D engines per To FAA Oct 8, 1965
P. & W. SB. 369635.
6-RE--17 _____ Require compliance with Boeing SB. 1178 to bring to safety stand- _ ____do
ards those 707/720 series aircraft not modified.
6-Rl--18 Misleading labeling in electrical wiring diagram in Piper Twin To FAA Oct 12, 1965_._.__
Corn. service.
6-RE-19 Recommend survey of air carrier seatbelt installations To FAA Oct 13, 1965
6-RE-20 Alert all owners and operators of Piper PA-30 existence of fuel To FAA Oct 20, 1965
injection vapor problem.
6-RE--21 Examine and reevaluate lifejacket provisions of PAWA now and in To FAA Oct. 22, 1965______
time all air carriers.
6-RE-~22 _____ Give additional cnsideration to requiring installation of sound To FAA Oct. 29, 1965
transmitters on flight recorders.
6-RE-23 _____ Require improved inspection of impeller assembly or limit service To FAA Nov. 2, 1965_______
life, Martin 404.
6-RE--24 _____ All F-27A aircraft incor. Fairchild SB. 27-26; provide more ade- To FAA Nov. 18, 1965~_____
quote landing flap warning light test circuit, etc.
6-RE-25 _____ Rerouting fuel lines Boeing 727 and similar aircraft To FAA Nov. 30, 1965______
6-RE-26 Require emergency lights be turned ou during all takeoff and land- do ~___ . .
ing operations of Boeing 707, 720, 727.
6-RE--27 _____ Action be taken to modify Hughes 300AG electrical wiring to pre- To FAA Dec. 2, 1965 and
vent shorting magneto leads. Feb. 21, 1966.
6-RE--28 ___.- Inspect all 2d stage P/N 421602 fan disks on JT3D-1 engines for To FAA Dec. 3, 1965.____._
radial cracks.
6-Rl--29 ___.~_ Recommend maximum age requirement be considered for pt. 135 _____ do_~___~______~___..~
operations.
6-RE-30 ___-- Suggest exploring overtemperature problem, GTC-85 auxiliary To FAA Dec. 13, 1965
power unit as installed inGrumman Gulfstream. ~ * ~
6-RE-31 _____ That combustion testing of materials used in aircraft interiors be To FAA Dec. 16, 1965
expanded to provide for testing of various combinations of
materials. .
6-RE-32 .___. Installation of additional spacer under pawes to arrest runaway To FAA Feb. 15, 1966
stabilizer in brake assembly on B-727.
6-RE-33 _.__- Inspection of quality control procedures in instrument overhaul of To FAA Feb. 21, 1966.____.
vertical gyro assembly (AAL-B-727).
6-RE-34 _____ Appropriate action be taken to prevent used connecting rod bolts To FAA Feb. 24, 1966
being installed in Lycoming engines (Brantly).
6-RE-35 ___-_ Investigate quality control procedures of EAL regarding altimeter To FAA Mar. 7, 1966_.~.___
installations and maintenance.
$-RE-36 ___-_ Action be taken regarding fatigue failures in Bell 47 tail rotor To FAA Jan. 18, 1966, and
blades in grip section. ~ ~ Apr. 21, 1966.
6-RE-37 ____. Require precautionary inspection for cracks in vertical stabilizer To FAA Mar. 29, 1966.____.
~ rear spar attachment fittings; B-707, B-727 aircraft
6-RE-38 _____ Speed restriction and flutter charaOtthstlcs of Piper PA-30 __~~_ May 2, 1966_ _ ~ __..~
6-RE--39 _____ Improved detection methods for cardiovascular disease be em- May 5, 1966
ployed during airmen's medical examidation.
6-Rl-40 ___.__ That air carrier pilots receiveinst~uction on hazards of aquaplan. May 11, 1966
ing and techniques to use when encountered.
~-Rl--41 __~__ Amendment to FAR pts. 23 and 135 to provide for wing~flap~ May 20, 1966___.~__~___._
actuated gear audible warping device for general aviation air~
craft. ~
6-Rl--42 _.____ Amend pt. 23 to specifically provide fuel selector control must be May 25, 1966
located in fuif view of pilot and accessible to him. * ~ ~ ~
6-RE-43 _____ Revise FAR pt. 23 to aid in prevention of ground loop type accidents. ____ do
6-RE--44 _.___ 1 he recording of additional flight data parameters through use of June 1, 1966 __.~_. ~
improved flight records.
6-RE--45 ___-- Improve drive coupling assembly of Thompson Products model June 9, ~
TF-1900 fuel pump. Beech G-35 aircraft.
6-Rl-46 ______ Evaluate Piper PA-24 and PA-30 landing gear systems ye electrical ._.~_do ~ ~_..._
current load and rigging.
SAFETY RECOMMENDAtIONS SUBMITTED DURING FISCAL YEAR 1965
Reference
No.
Recommendation subject
Submitted
Page
No,
5-RO--1 __~_ Clarification of language of FAR and FIM __~~_._. To FAA July 10, 1964
5-RE-2 _____ Make appropriate inspections. on all. Beech 18 wing spars as To FAA July 13, 1964__.~..
rapidly as possible. . . .
5-RO--3 _____. Provision of adequate number of visiLnili~y reference poiiits and To USWB July 20, ~
maintenance of durrent visibility reference charts. ~
5-RO--4 ____. Clarification of special weather observation criteria-Tahoe Valley To USWBJuJy 23, 1964___.~
Airport. ~ .
5-RO--5 _~_~ SAWRS imprqvement program ~-~---~.- ~ ~ do ..~.__________._ 14
5-RO--6_ -__~--- lmprovemenf of comnlunlc'ation of Tahoe Valley obsdrvatlons _______ do _._._____...___.. 17
5-RO-7 __._ Review of operatioqs. similar to Paradise Airlines. .~._____.~___ To FAA July 24, 1964 _____. 20
5-RO-.8 ~_~_ Emergency smoke-reIflovillg procedures .______.___:_____ To FAA July 30, 1964 _____. . 24
5-RO--9 ___. Modification of air traffic control procedures re transmission of To FAA Aug. 4, 1964 ___._. 30
flight identification.
.57
60~
65
69
73
77
81
85
88
92
96
101
107
113
117
121
123
127
133
136
140
144
151
157
159
163
174
177
185
189
193~
197
202
4
8
11~
PAGENO="0094"
90
S1~FETY RECOMMEftDATIONS SUBMITTED DURU'IG FISCAL YEAR 1965-Continued
Reference Recommendation subject
No.
Submitted Page
No.
5-RE-lO ___._ Reevaiutation of tail rotor service life on Bell 47 To FAA Aug. 17, 1964 35
5-RE-il Improve accuracy and survivability of flight recorders To FAA Aug. 21, 1964 38
5-RE-12 Installation of lowercoupling drive shaft on Hughes 269 helicopter_ To FAA Sept. 1, 1964 45
5-RO--13 Depiction of towers and obstructions in attention-drawing manner~ To FAA Sept. 9, 1964 50
5-R0--14 Designation of Alpena, Mich. control area extension on year- To FAA Sept. 23, 1964 52
round basis and provision 01 ATC services.
5-RE--15 Advise owners through FAA general aviation inspection aids to To FAA Sept. 28, 1964 56~
insure proper cleaning oil filter cover on Cessna 205 aircraft.
5-RE-16 Reassess structural integrity of Hughes tail rotor drive shaft in To FAA Oct 1, 1964 5~
models 269A and 269B.
5-RE---17 Modification to fire extinguishing system for lower cargo compart- To FAA Oct 9, 1964 71
ment.
5-RA--18 Transistor watches-Potential source of interference to aircraft To FAA Oct. 15, 1964 76
navaids.
5-RE-19 Action re self-sealing fuel tank cells Convair PB4Y-2 and World To FAA Oct 20, 1964 79
War II aircraft.
5-RO---20 Charting of Navy student jet training areas do 82
5-RO-21 Correction of USAF flight information publication (approach chart) To USAF Oct 23, 1964 85
5-RE-22 Evaluate adequacy of S-62A fuel quantity gaging system design To FAA Oct 26, 1964, Dec. 88
30, 1964, and Feb. 17,
1965.
5-RO-23 Team aerial agriculture application by 2 or more aircraft To FAA Oct 29, 1964 98
5-RE-24 Require use of shoulder harness and crash helmet, agricultural To FAA Nov. 3, 1964 99
flying and other operations involving low and slow flying.
5-RE-25 Review maintenance and inspection procedures of Hawthorne- do los
~ ~ Nevada Airlines.
5-RO-26 Standardization of in-runway lighting at John F. Kennedy Inter- To FAA Nov. 5, 1964 lit
national Airport
5-RE--27 Study be initiated to determine defective weld inspection method To FAA Nov. 17, 1964 113
in center section truss assembly, Bellanca aircraft
5-RO-28 Use of smoke masks in Viscount aircraft To FAA Nov. 16, 1964 118
5-.-RE--29 Require suitable modification for Brantly B-2 helicoptershock strut To FAA Nov. 18, 1964 120
design. ~ ~
5-RE-30 Reevaluation of icing of Kollsman pitot head To I~AA Nov. 19, 1964 123
5-RE-31 Effectiveness of FAA's surveillance pol~c~esofair carrier operatgrs To FAA Nov. 20, 1964 127
and methods of certificating approved repair stations.
5-RE-32 Appropriate inspection and rework procedures for B-707 main To FAA Nov. 23, 1964 133
landing gear aft axle be made mandatory.
5-RE-33 F-27 emergency exit door, aft right side, require compliance with To FAA Nov 24, 1964 136
regulations; also establish inspection schedule to detect fretting
~ of Wing.
5-RO--34 That the depiction of altitude restrictions on the plan view of ap- To FAA Nov. 25, 1964 143
~ proach plates be included on the expanded profiles. ~
5-RE--35 Determine possible use of reinforced polyesters for protection in To FAA Dec. 1, 1964 147
commercial aircraft and feasibility of such material.
5-RO-36 Revision of Jeppensen approach chart To Jeppensen Dec. 24, 1964. ~ 148
5-RE--37 Consider a ~ redesign of B-707 electrical system to prevent pro- To I~AA Dec. 30, 1964 159
~ ~ longed interruption of essential power- ~ ~ ~
5-RE-38 Modify Lockheed Jetstar landing gear emergency extension system. To FAA Dec. 31, 1964 164
5.-RE-39 Advise operators Bell 47G-i3 rq power lag in Fraoklin 6VS-335 en- To FAA Jan, 8, 1965 170
gines.
5-RE-40 Reevaluation nose gear mechanism design of emergency system To FAA Jan. 15, 1965 173
B-720 and all other aircraft usingsimilar systems.
5-RE-41 Use of lift strut as a step undesirable re Cessna 140, 150 170, 180, To FAA Jan. 27, 1965 178
~ 210- ~ . ~ ~L* ~ ~ ~ ~
5-RO--42 Hazards to air carrier personnel during handling of large jet air- To rAA Feb. 2~ 1965 183
~ ~- craft. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
5~RE43 linprovem~nt in fuel systems Convair~3k0 airccaft To FAA Feb. 9, 1965. * 187
5-RE-44 Modification of Brantly B2A fuel pump drain I me To FAA Feb. 18, 1965 192
5~-RE-45 _ _ -_ Formatton~6f indIjstry-governmevtt task force to reassess cprrent do 197
passenger safety procedures. .
5-RO-46 Markings on aerónauticatchartslo f wire installations pver land or To C. & G. Mar. 4, 1965 201
water. .
5-RQ-47 Promulgation of information.onlocation of emergency exits To FAA Mar 12, 1965 202
5-RE-48 Issue AD re B-727 inboard trailing edge flaps To FAA Mar. 18, 1965 ~ 204
5-RE--49 Equip l-~ugties~69A havingVertx ll-lPQsfiray kitwith baffle.~ ~ . To FAA Mar 22, 1965 210
5-RO-50 Radar air traffic control procedu~ds ~ ~ To FAA Mar 30, 1965 213
5-RE-51 Improvements `in'service time for R-2800 cylinders-Allegheny To FAA Mar. 31, 1965 222
~ Airlines. ~ ~
5-RQ-52 Installation of computer-based digital displays of RVR informatlon To USWB Apr. 1, 1965 229
5-RO--53 Revision of pt 3 of the CAR's with record to landing gear visual To FAA Apr. 5, 1965 232
. position indicator and stallwarning aural signal. ~
5-RE-54 Changesinfuel selector system, Lockheed 18 To FAA Apr 8, 1965 250
5-RE-55 Expedite FAA~approvaI arid mandatory req~uired fuel surge, tank do 255
detedlion, and suppressIon s~Pstem for B-707; reorient FAA~s ~ ~
~ lightning groapp. ~ ~ ~ . ~ - , ~ . ~ ~ ~
5-RE-56 Require mandatoiy installation of reverser in transit light to 4sslst To FAA, Apr. 21, 1965 259
crew detect~p~u~of hazardous asymmetriç'aJ thrust condition, . ~
5-RO-57 :::.: Revision of flight madual for Hughes helicopter to include informa- do 265
tion on `low fqel" warning light.
5-RE--58 Conduct fleet campaign to determine if contaminated Ledex relays To rAA Apr 22 1965 269
are installed mother 1-10491-I aircraft. ~ . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~.
5-RE-59 Classify certatn sprays as hazardous both in general and alt ro t~AA Apr 26 1965 276
carrier aviation,
PAGENO="0095"
91
SAFETY REC MMENDATIONSSUBMITTED DURING FISCAL YEAR 196~-Continued
Reference Recommendation subject
No.
Submitted Page
No.
5-RO--60 ___~_ Revision of Hughes 269A helicopter preflight inspection checklist. To FAA Apr. 26, 1963 279
5-RE--61 Spectrometric oil analysis To FAA, Apr. 27, 1965 284
5-RO-62 Modification of Brantley B-2 helicopters ~ . To FAA, May 4, 1965 287
5-RE-63 Action to insure good security of spacer block of Schempp-Hirth To FAA, May 17, 1965 292
models S, SH and SH1. ~
5-RE-64 Inspection requirement for J-T3D 2d-stage fan dIsks; revise over- To FAA, May 25, 1965 296
haul manuel.
5-RO--65 - _~ Minima applicable to special VFR To FAA, June 3, 1965 302
5-RO-66 Revisions of pilot examinations re human oxygen requirements_ To FAA, June 14, 1965 324
5-RE-67 Redesign of the stator vane pilot valve assembly on General Electric To FAA, June 18, 1965 327
CT-58-100 engines.
5-RO-68 Require carriage of a battery-powered transceiver on all air-carrier To FAA, June 22, 1965 332
aircraft.
5-RE-69 Mandatory inspection of Piper aircraft To FAA, June 29, 1965 342
SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED DURING FISCAL YEAR 1964
Reference No. Recommendation subject Submitted Page
No.
4-RF-1 That steps be taken to advise flight service To USWB July 5, 1963 1
personnel In regard to use Of the term VFR.
4-RF-2 Development of a standard means of making do 5
and maintaining a record of information
provided pilots in weather briefings.
4-RF--3, M1A63-114 Provisions to include weather radar informa- To FAA July 5, 1963 7
tion derived from W/B WSR-57 equipment
in ATC facilities.
4-RF-4-FTW63--119 Provide for establishment of minimum alti- To FAA July 17, 1963 11
tudes for air carrier training maneuvers.
4-RE-5, MKC63-85 Design rear spar upper plant fitting and To FAA July 12, 1963 14
quality machining L1049G be reviewed.
~ Determine extent corrective action neces-
sary.
4-RE-6, NYC63-189 All CV 240, 340, 440 operators be required to To FAA July 24, 1963 20
perfprm one-time inspection landing gear,
to insure proper length screw in locking
~position ~l~nd nut.
4-RE-7, Cll163-182 Immedia~e arid recurring in~pectfon of Corn- To FAA July22, 1963 25
mingyand SenderS CS-9400 segt belts. ~ ~
4-RE-B, DCA63-8 Overhaul facilities be alerted to potential dan-, To FAA July 30, 1963 29
~ ~ ~ ~ gers improper piagnaflux techniques. ~
4-RE--9 Recodimend issuance AD on connecting rod do 32
bolts, Lycomipgengipe, model VO-540.
4-RE-b, FTW63-159 Modify Beeôh 3~ to incsrporate 4 removable To FAA~Aug. 8, 1963 _ 34
inspection pan~Js. ~ .
4-RE-li Care n use c~f 4340 hteel used in main landing To FAA Aug. 21, 1963 37*
gears.
4-RF--12 Gover,nrpentresponsibility for private naviga- To FAA Aug. 22, 1963 45
. . tional facilities. .
4-RE-13, SEA62-12 Reevaluate front seat safety belt attach- To FAA Sept. 18, 1963 47
ments, Cedsna 172 and 182. . . ~
4-RE-14, MKC64-20 More extensive mandatory inspections on To FAA Sept. 19, 1963~~_ 54
Hiller UHI2 D an~l E rotor blades.
4-RE-i, CH164-32 . Reduct~or~ of . in~pection time Cesspa 195 To FAA Sept. 26, 1963~~_ 57
. . main spar from 450~ hóurs to 1000hoUrs. ~ ~ . . -
4-RE-16, NYC63-159 Investigate leading edgefa~ilure trendpossi- ~ 60
bility of Aero Commander, ~ . ~ ~
4-RE-17, FTW64-1~. Issue AD or alert to replace OIl She. Piper, do 65
. PA23 from engine to cooler ` with more . `
durable type. , ` .,
4-RE-18 FAA r~quire all mo~l~s of Ae'to Commander To FAA Sept. 27, 1963 67
with ~uel booster a'nq prime,r sy~tem con-
trol switches be retrofitted. ~
4-RF-19, DCA64-1 Revision of dispatch regui~tions To FAA Sept. 30, 1963 7Z
4-RF-20, M1A62-56 Early consideration be ~iyen to requiring the . To FAA Oct. 3, 1963 75
~ installation of. runway distance mariners a~
, all äir~arrierairportC. , ~
4-RO-21 Recording of in-flight briefing ~ To FAA Oct. 8, 1963 7&
4-RE-22, M1A64-36 AD do HS JFC25 fuel controls rdquirliig. re~ ~ do 83
design of throttle yalve asse~db1~r plus
interim improvements. , .~ . , . . . , , ,,. .
4-RO-23, MIA63-fl4 Amendment of inptnictionp rethsuahce' ~t"To IJSWB Oct. 17, 1963 92
. SIGMET àdvisO~ies. ` ` : . .
4-RE-24 ~ Improvepients of e~nergency,rqdio sigda1ih~ TQFAA Oct. 17, 1963 9~.
devices ~ ~ ` ~ ~ . ~
4-RE--25, DEN62-39 Discrepancy in Cessna 310C owner's manual To FAA Oct. 21., 1963 101
be brought to attention of FAA.
4-RO-26 Revision of regulations regarding wearing of To FAA Oct. 25, 1963 104
seat belts.
PAGENO="0096"
92
SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED DURING FISCAL YEAR i964-~C6n1inuèd
Reference Nô~ Recommendation subject Submitted Page
4-RE--27, LAX64-2L .~. Pneumatk~ lockingof extended ejector To FAA Nov. 4, 1*63
4-RO--28, CH164-46 _________~ Hazards involved with use of plastic sheeting To FAA Nov 6, 1963
~ in vicinity of aircraft operations. ~
4-RE-29, DCA64-2~ ~ ~ ~ .Conditiofls for ungrounding Vertol 1O7~ ~ re- . do
view procedures for establisbing overhaul
. time& ~ : ~
4-RE-30 _____-_____-____.______ Review maintenance and inspection depart- To FAA Nov. 27, 1963_~~_~_
~ ~ ments and procedures in order to improve
. airworthiness standards.
4-RE-31, LAX64-33 ---_-_-------~ Navion Rangemasterwlngflutter To FAA Dec. 12, ~
4-RO-32 Discrepancies in weight and balance data do
. contained on the repair and alteration form
337.
4-RE-33, DCA64-3 ________-_---_ Provide protection from igniting turbine fuel T~ FAA Dec. 17, 1963
vapors.
4-RE-34, DCA64-3 __-_-___----__ Improved crash resistance of flight recorders __~~ do
4-RO-35 _--~_~___-_-_-___-~-___ Rescheduling of general and business aviation To FAA Dec. 20, 1963~_~._~
flight activities.
4-RE-36, 0AK64-28 ___~~_ Review maintenance procedures policies of To FAA Dec. 27, 1963~_~~_~
AAXICO Airlines.
4-RE-37, NYC64-56 __-____~_-_-_ Improvement of emergency evacuation pro- ~ do
cedures and stowage of carryon baggage.
4-RE-38, FTW64-51 Incorporation of strengthened compressor ____ do
spacers.
4-RO--39 ~ Misleading climb instructiohs issped by To FAA Jan. 9, 1964~____~_
Great Falls Center.
4-RE-40 __*_____~~______-__*_____ Fire hazard Boeing 707/720, quicker .com- To FAA Jan 20, 1964
pliance requirement for proposal AD.
4-RE-41 _______________-_______ Inspection schedule for Boeing 707/720 at To FAA Jan.24, 1964_~_~__
early date re cracks In wing spar.
4-RE-42 _________-__________-__ Inspection and overhaul procedures at Pacifit To FAA Jan. 30, 1964___~__
. Airmotive.
4-RO-43 Departure procedures authorized due to To FAA Feb. 4, 1964
terrain clearance considerations.
4-RO--44 Removal of IFR traffic from and publicity To FAA Feb. 11, ~
aboUt area of parachute jumping.
4-RE-45, 0AK64-47 FAA evaluate integrity of the 47-620-485-9 To FAA Feb. 24, 1964
. shear screws on Bell helicopter.
4-RE-46, NYC64-97 Interim inspection be performed of com- To FAA Feb. 25, 1964
pressor exit vanes on JT-4 engines prior to
overhaul.
4-RE-47, M1A64-70 Redesign fuel selector cockpit control to To FAA Feb. 27, 1964
preclude inadv. oper. modify aux. fuel
tank filler to~eIiminate water seepage into
tank.
4-RE-48, ANC64-12 ~ Fix for landing gear warning system on C-46 To FAA Feb. 28, 1964
- . aircraft.
4-RE--49 . Boost system filter caps be changed from do
. . ~ . aluminum to steel
4-RE-50, MKC64-55 Redesign of landing gear position Indicafors do
. .. to pteveiitfalse indication of gear position
to crew. ,
4-RO-51, M1A64-75 Reevaluation of regulations concerning air do
taxi certification and operation.
4-RE--52 Revise AD 59 14-2 to include recutring in- To FAA Mar. 30, 1964
spection of, ~valve core on fuel selection
valVe at deaignated periods on Mooney
. M-20--A. .
4-RE-53 Additional measurements qeóossary on 0/H To FAA Apr. 2, 1964
for pr*per . Clearances between * turbine
discs and Inner aealtng ring assenib~ies. S S S
4-RO-54 Revisionof ~ero Commander Flight Mapuals To FAA Apr. 3, 1964
4-R0-55 Ground.resti~eriods and duty time limitations To FAA APT; 22, I~64______
forillglit crbws. . S
4-RE-56 .. _~_~ _, Pertinent5 maintenance and overhaul , pro- do
S ~ cedUres be reviewed iffdus~rywide fqr
adéc~uacy of inspectiqq ~ and assembly
regulation. ~ ~ S S
4-RO-57 ~. Adequacy of nighttime ylsibility reference To USWB `Apr. 23, i964~__,
S. markers and' charts depicting same. * S
4-RO-58 Specific responsibilities for ~o~ilots durjng To FAA Apr. 23, 1964____~_
S instrument approaches.
4-R0-59 _________:~___.~_________ Modification of instructiônC re dissemination To FAA Apr; 24, 1964______
ofStGMET's . `S
4-R0--60 Formulation 01 ~riteria re time r~terence and `Fo USWB Apr. 27, 1964_ - -
.cooclinationwjtI~ FM~ -
4-RO--61 Restrktion of InteOtional parachute jumping To FAA Apr 29 1964
ope~atjons
4-RO--62 _________-______ tipdatina 1~1O0's' supply of USGS ~uàd'raagle TbFAA May 6, 1964
charts. ,.
107
110
113
119
123
132
137
144
149
158
162
170
175
180
188
193
197
202
206
221
225
230
237
241
247
250
255
258
264
265
268
273
276
282
288
290
\
PAGENO="0097"
Reference No.
Recommendation subject
Submitted
Page
No.
4-RO--63 Amendment of WB Form 652-16A To USWB May 6, 1964
4-RE--64 Fleet assembly inspection on all DC-8 stabi- To FAA May 6, 1964
lizer drive assemblies to assure proper as-
sembly.
4-RE--65 _______________________ FAA change procedures to prevent SIC with To FAA May 8, 1964___~___
back-dated effective date; FAA change
procedure to prevent installation of in-
compatibleSTC's; change in CARto prevent
certifying aircraft having dangerous loading
characteristics.
4-RE-66 _______________________ Inspection and protection of landing gear To FAA May 13, 1964______
skids.
4-RO--67 Relocation of sensing equipment at Hilo, To USWB May 22, 1964
Hawaii.
4-RE-68 _______________________ FAA consider modification of B-720-B hon. To FAA May 27, 1964______
zontal tail to preclude stick force lightening.
4-RE-69 Recurrent structural lnspections of Mooney do
e~~Ji M18C.
4-RE-70 ___-___________________ 1,000-hour retirement life on idler pulley, do
Hughes 269A/B, be reduced.
4-RO--71 Replacement of control valve on crew oxygen To FAA June 5, 1964
bottles.
4-RE--72 AD be issued for immediate inspection of To FAA June 12, 1964
S-1OK Fafni r bearings.
4-RO-73 Change in wording of par.265.12 of AirTraffic To FAA June 16, 1964
Control Procedures Manual re special VFR
operations.
4-RO--74 ~ Equal application of VFR landing standards To FAA June 18, 1964~_____
to all carriers.
4-RE--75 Periodic inspection on crankshaft of Piper To FAA June 19, 1964______
Twin Comanche.
4-RO--76 Maintenance of Navaids in condition existing To FAAJ une 22, 1964______
at time of accident
4-RO-77 Briefing on location and operation of life rafts - - _do
and preservers.
4-RO--78__~_..__.. Inclusion of appropriate provisions of pt 42 To FAA June 26, 1964__
in air taxi operators' operations specifica-
tions.
4-RE-79 ___ ____~. Helm rod end failures on Cessna 310 airplanes do -
4-RE-80 ____~~ Landing par failures, Cessna 120/l40aircraft do
4-RE---81 _ ______~~ FAA review quality of work performed by _do
certified repair stations.
Recommendation
July 3, 1962 To FAA: Compliance with service bulletin A-Ty 79-15 at an early date be made
mandatory to guarantee an ample warning margin in operating engines. (B-96)__~
July 20, 1962 To FAA: Advising FAA of the engine overhaul irregularities found during our investi-
gation and recommending that the overhaul practices and procedures of the Pacific
Airmotive be reviewed by FAA. (B-96)
~_do _~____ To FAA: FAA conduct survey to determine number and type of old emergency escape
slides in service and to require removal of such slides from service within a
reasonable length of time. (B-96)
To FAA: Recommending correction of discrepancies in flight information publications
and charts. (B-93)
To FAA: Advising them that the detailed examination of the landing gear fitting die-
closed that the source of the fracture was fatigue
Require routine engine instrument logbook entries at WAL be considered; examine
WAL procedures and practices with respect to EGT indicating system checks
Reduce current overhaul period at Avalon Air Transpwrt from 1,500 to 600 hours;
conduct field check of blade slippage within retaining clamps; reevaluate clamp
design for retaining and indexing blade in subject model of Hartzell ~
Call attention of the Administrator to need for design changes in landing gear door
ard hinge beyond the manufacturer's change to steel replacement hinge
Calling to attention of Administrator failure of section of anti-ice air duct in fuselage
near aft baggage compartment which was weakened by severe intergranular corro-
sion caused by improper pickling
1-time inspection be made of all Cessna CH-1C tube braze assemblies and if FAA
approves new design AD be issued requiring new assembly on all CH-1C's
Consideration be given to establish shorter periods between inspections and between
parts replacements than previously established for such components as landing
gears and flaps -
Page
No.
93
SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED DURING FISCAL YEAR 1964-Continued
293
295
301
309
312
314
320
325
329
332
338
342
344
349
352
356
359
363
368
Recommendation
No.
Date
SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED DURING FISCAL YEAR 1963
63-1
63-2
63-3
63-4 July 21, 1962
63-5 July 24, 1962
63-6 Aug. 10, 1962
63-7 ~do
1
8
63-8
63-9
63-10
63-11
Aug. 14, 1962
Aug. 22,1962
Aug. 23, 1962
Aug. 24, 1962
9
12
13
15
20
25
29
31
34
92-715-68-7
PAGENO="0098"
94
Recommendation
No.
Date
SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED DURING FISCAL YEAR 1963-Continued
63-12
Aug. 24, 1962
Recommendation
63-13
63-14
Aug. 28, 1962
Sept. 5, 1962
63-15
Page
No.
Sept. 11, 1962
63-16
Sept. 24, 1962
37
48
54
58
63-21
Oct.
11, 1962
63
66
68
72
63-22
Oct.
18, 1962
63-23
Oct.
24, 1962
63-24
Oct.
25,1962
63-25 Oct. 29,1962
63-26 Oct. 30,1962
74
63-27
63-28
Oct. 31,1962
Nov. 5,1962
77
82
86
89
92
63-29
63-30
63-31
63-32
95
99
Shifting system be revised to allow operation of bypass valve before mechanical
control linkage is shifted
Conversion to `frequency recording" as opposed to `position recording" at ATC
facilities
FAA take a look at configurations to be used in new 3-class passenger service in
Boeing 707 type aircraft to assure that proper access to over-wing exits is main-
tamed
Review quality of welds by manufacturer to insure that other Mooney aircraft are not
being operated in an unsafe condition
Operators of C-46 aircraft be required to inspect, lubricate as necessary and make
functional checks of the fire extinguishing system at intervals of approximately
6 months
63-17 Sept. 25, 1962 AD be issued requiring temporary deactivation of the Spartan electric trim system_
63-18 Oct. 4, 1962 That action be taken by Administrator to assure that radar personnel and facilities
atShemya meet FAA standards
63-19 Oct. 8, 1962 That the term "true bearing" be substituted for "true radial" in designation of
airways, based on true north reference
63-20 ----- do _____ FAA investigate accident procedures, alarm system, fire fighting, rescue, and medical
facilities at McGhee-Tyson Airport. Also FAA provide technical assistance and
cooperation to fullest extent possible at said airport _~____ .
Recommend design change in fore and aft cyclic system, Bell 47G--2, and subsequent
models. Conduct 1-time inspection of fore and aft cyclic as interim safety pre-
caution
Inspection procedures Flying Tiger Line be reviewed and improvements be required
to eliminate fuel contamination
FAA examine maintenance and operating practices, Flying Tigers, in detail to assure
acceptable level of airworthiness~_________________--_________-_--_~_-----_---
Recommend FAA expedite matters to issue official stand at earliest possible date
re recap requirements either by a ISO or MSO
CAB endorses FAA efforts to develop flight recorders, measuring added parameters___
Recommend FAA conduct research to determine proper operational height for
anemometers, preferred location(s) of wind measuring equipment on runway
complex
Pilots' examinations relative to flight characteristics and emergency procedures-
single-engine, high-performance aircraft
Abbreviated departure message be transmitted by service B teletype on all nonair
carrier a/c for delivery and action required by ATS facilities serving destination
airport
-__ _do FAA req4jire repetitive special inspection, Bell P/N 47-642-020--i blade
- _- do Mandatory corrective action be taken to modify door hinge mechanism
Nov. 7, 1962 Consideration be given during FAA study of flight time limits to need for clearly
defined criteria in adequacy of airbOrne rest facilities and duty time limits
Nov. 8, 1962 Weather Bureau consider revising delineation system, aviation forecast areas to
facilitate proper interpretation of forecasts
63-33 ----- do __---- Improvements be made in area of liferaft stowage, lights on rafts and jackets: TSO-
C13 be reviewed; adequacy of seat tiedown; emergency information be issued
63-34 Nov. 15, 1962 FAA provide that data re effective altitudes on this airway be displayed more prom-
inentaly on all aeronautical charts. Provide special Notams and alert bulletins as
means of alerting unsuspecting pilot of danger in this undesignated airspace___~~_
Nov. 20, 1962 Appropriate procedural documents of ATC be amended to require ARTC radar con-
trollers indicate positively to pilot when radar handoff is to be employed in connec-
tion with his flight _________--_---__-___-__-___________-_____ _
Cited approach plate remarks be amplified to include statement that no centerline
guidance may be available during final stages of approach. See LTR Sept. 9, 1963
ATC personnel be authorized to refuse approach clearance to aircraft in weather
conditions below lowest minimums applicable to requested approach
FAA arrange with DOD to provide periodic scheduled lectures by FAA ATC personnel
re ATC operating procedures at military bases where undergraduate jet~flight
training is conducted
Immediate action be taken to effect changes outlined in letter. Discrepancies in
Airman's Guide, ILS
ATS procedures be revised to require operationally significant weather information
pertinent to approach areas involved be transmitted routinely to approaching air-
craft.
Study be made by FAA of physical layout of RVR readout displays at Idlewild and
other locations where PAR installed
63-42 do ~_-_- Runway visibility observing program be initiated at such locations when measure-
ments not available and prevailing visibility or pilot reported visibility is 1 mile or
less. Runway visibility observers should be certificated by USWB
63-43 do Consideration be given to development of staffing plans and work schedules so de-
signed that during periods of adverse weather, one of the observers on duty at
airport stations is relieved of all responsibility other than that of maintaining con-
stunt watch on weather and recording observations.
That Weather Bureau consider revision of current aviation weather observing in-
structions regarding ` `partial obscuration"_
Duplicate letter to FAA urged matter be discussed jointly by Weather Bureau and
FAA. Representatives of BOS will be available for consultation
Recommend current airworthiness requirements for automatic flight control systems
in sec. 4b.612 of CAR and related CAM policy material as applied to high-speed
swept-wing design turbojet aircraft be reevaluated for establishing realistic-per-
formance criteria
63-35
63-36
63-37
125
130
132
135
138
140
Nov. 21, 1962
Dec. 19, 1962
63-38
Nov. 28, 1962
63-39
63-40
145
Dec. 13, 1962
Dec. 19, 1962
63-41
148
152
154
Dec. 26, 1962
162
165
171
175
63-44
63-45
Dec. 27,1962.
Dec. 26, 1962
63-46
Dec. 31, 1962
177
179
181
183
85
PAGENO="0099"
95
SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED DURING FISCAL YEAR 1963-Continued
Recommendation Page
- . - Recommendation No.
No. Date
. . 63-47 Dec 31 1962 Recommend that newly designed bellcrank (steel) be evaluated and, if found satis.
factory, its use be made mandatory on all existing and future Brantly B-2 hell-
copters 193
63-48 Jan. 4, 1963 Recommend bird strike be reviewed for information to expand general background
on bird ingestion and for data which may warrant revising the tentative programs
of FAA currently scheduled bird ingestion tests 198
63-49 do Recommend FAA seriously consider conducting tests on stabilizer surfaces of aircraft
of manufacturer other than the Viscount 745D's, one of which was in subject accident 202
63-50 Jan. 18, 1963 Evaluation be made structural integrity latest configuration main rotor blade Brantly
B-2 209
63-51 Jan. 16, 1963 Action be taken to assure written record is made of all tower visibility observations
and effective means of coordination and centrol be established assuring responsible
units at A/B are recording and reporting the same values of visibility at all times_ 212
63-52 Jan. 18, 1963 Equivalent level of protection be afforded users of areas having FR approach pro-
cedures as is provided to designated airspace 215
63-53 Jan. 24, 1963 Consideration be given to amending pts. 40, 41, 42 of CAR to require flotation devices
on overwater flights 225
63-54 ~ _do FAA thoroughly evaluate interference to glide slope reception at airports and take
whatever steps necessary to preclude this possible hazardous condition 227
63-55 Feb. 4, 1963 That the term "forecast" as used in pts. 40, 41, 42, and 60 be defined so that the
paragraphs wherein this term is employed will become truly regulatory in nature _ 231
63-56 Feb. 14, 1963 To Administrator, FAA: DC-8 operators and FAA maintenance inspectors be alerted
to corrosion and lubrication problem DC-8 bogie beam 234
63-57 Mar. 5, 1963 FAA consider modifying alert bulletin to require immediate inspection bolts and flap
track area; magnaflux inspection or replacement of bolts below torque; check for
excessive clearance due to wear in bolt holes 237
63-58 Mar. 7, 1963 That joint review referred to in Mr. Thomas' letter (Jan. 8, 1963) (encompass the
areas outlined in our letter of Mar. 7, 1963, and that consideration be given to
consolidating FAA procedures governing radiotelephone dissemination of aviation
weather information by ATC personnel into one area of FAA internal procedural
publications 240
63-59 Mar. 11, 1963 Recommended that the USWB in cooperation with FAA arrange to provide appro-
priate means of measuring cloud height at New Orleans Airport. Also recommended
that provision of suitable visibility reference marker charts for use of observers at
that location be made 241
63-60 Mar. 12, 1963 Recommend action to eliminate apparent ambiguity by amplifying SR-445 to include
all IFR operations wherever they may be initiated 246
63-61 Apr. 9, 1963 Consideration be given to promulgation of procedures advising controllers to with-
hold information re turbulence when providing services outlined In ATF 7110.1A,
par. 352.1, except that reported by aircraft traversing same route 248
63-62 do 1-time inspection carburetor air duct actuating arm all MK-20--B aircraft. Review
fabricating and brazing techniques, Mooney aircraft, where necessary require
improvements 250
63-63 Mar. 19, 1963 Recommend that maintenance and overhaul procedures of Trans Air Lines be reviewed 254
63-64 Apr. 24, 1963 Recommended that phraseology sequencing beestablished to identify the fix, inbound
course and direction of turn, etc, ; that such standardization would reduce the prob-
ability of ambiguous interpretation, more likely when the reciprocal value of the
inbound course is given or reference to cardinal points of the compass is made~~ 257
63-65 Apr. 24, 1963 Recommended that in order to enhance safety in operation of such aircraft the
manufacturers furnish an FAA approved Airplane Flight Manual with all future
certificated aircraft 259
63-66 Apr. 24, 1963 Convene FAA/industry meetingtoexplorecauses of and corrective measures for false
fire warnings on turbojet-powered aircraft; require compliance with Boeing S/B
1788 263
63-67 May 3, 1963 Flight recorder installation approvals for United Data Control and LAS be reevaluated 270
63-68 May 2, 1963 Immediate inspection be made of elevator hinge bolts all CL-44 273
63-69 May 8, 1963 That the Flight Services Quality Control staff be alerted to the situation outlined above
and that appropriate corrective action be initiated 276
63-70 May 14, 1963 DC-8 main landing gear design be modified and adequate inspection system be set up. 279
63-71 May 15, 1963 Conduct reevaluation shimmy dampener and nose wheel fork design Cessna 285
63-72 May 22, 1963 Require 1-time mandatory inspection Hiller UH-12E4 tail rotor drive assembly;
continue frequent inspections until modification or other permanent corrective
measures established 288
63-73 May 24, 1963 Consideration be given by FAA to establishment of restricted airspace within
boundaries of existing caution area, coordination be effected with U.S. Air Force
to determine mutually acceptable ceiling on this extension to avoid unduly penalizing
other users of the airspace 294
63-74 May 29, 1963 Require compliance with Piper service letter No. 356; FAA initiate study to consider
relocating circuit breaker and identification panels 300
63-75 .~.__do 1-time inspection of scissors arm assemblys; retirement schedule for swashplate
scissors arms and link assemblys after accidents on Bell 47 310
63-76 ~_.do Establish operating rules to assure ground personnel are aware materials being
carried aboard which could be hazardous to persons on ground in event of an
accident 313
63-77 June 10, 1963 Maintenance and overhaul procedures and practices ofStanclard Airways be reviewed~ 321
63-78 June 14, 1963 Mechanical low pitch stop assembly be incorporated in Curtiss electric propellers as
expeditiously as possible 323
To achieve the desired improvement with respect to methods for observing and re-
cording visibility and clouds and the operational use of such information, following
actions are recommended:
63-79 _--- -do (a) Locate a ceilometer in the approach area to each instrument runway and
whenever practical at middle marker
333
PAGENO="0100"
Recommendation
No. Date
Recommendation
Page
No.
Mr. FRIEDFL. Would the gentleman yield?
Mr. ROGERS. Yes. Don't take all my time.
Mr. FRIr~ni~i~. I just want to make a statement here. I remember
back when General McKee issued his orders for Washington National.
And he did order a lot of flights out of Washington National, and
diverted them to Dulles and Friendship. And then there was a howl-
not by the public, by the Members of Congress, who wanted the con-
venience of using National to go to their homes regularly, and under
that pressure the order was changed.
I hope that the Members of Congress will realize they are going
to have to go a little bit farther to get to the airport, if Washington
National is to be safe for all people.
Mr. ROGERS. If the gentleman would permit me, I don't agree with
him. I think the Washington National Airport should provide service
other than just a shuttle service to someplace close. I think it should
be a terminal where you can go to Florida, or California, or somewhere
else, and properly so, so long as the safety is concerned.
Now, let me ask for the record, too, for a list of cities which do not
yet have radar, if we may have such a list furnished for the radar.
I realize you wouldn't have this now, and also a list of the cities,
of airports, that do not have the control towers, and then a list, if you
would, of those which have qualified for radar or for control towers,
under the criteria set by FAA, so that we may compare those, ILS,
lighting, or whatever safety features that they may qualify for, but
do not yet have them.
General MCKEE. I will be happy to provide that, Mr. Rogers.
(Information requested follows:)
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION COMPILATION OF AIRPORTS WHICH ARE
SERVED BY COMMERCIAL AMICRAFT WHICH Do Nor HAVE RADAR, CONTROL
POWERS, ILS, LIGHTING; AND AIRPORTS WHICH HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THESE
FACILITIES UNDER FAA C~cITERIA BUT Do No'r HAVE THEM
Submitted herewith areS lists of such airports as follows:
1.-Airports without r&1~ar.
2.-Airports without control towers.
3,-Airports without an ILS.
4.-Airports without approach lighting.
5.-Airports qualified for, but without radar.
96
SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED DURING FISCAL YEAR 1963-Continued
63-80 June 14, 1963
63-81 do
63-82 do
63-83 do
63-84 do
63-85 June 17, 1963
333
63-86 June 26, 1963
(b) Provide transimissometer at end of each instrument runway and at center of
runway complex
(c) Report cloud heights in terms over a specified time interval with an lndica-
tion of significant variations from the average or, as a preferred alternative,
report "Approach light contact height"
(d) Report runway visual range or runway visibility in a manner similar to that
described for cloud heights (average and significant variability over a
specified time ~
(e) Employ runway visual range or runway visibility as a sole criteria for estab-
lishing airport meteorological minimums
(f) Rely upon separation from cloud criteria and height of terrain criteria in the
establishment of VFR flight conditions
Consider requiring placard to alert pilot to possibility of fuel-tank outlet becoming
uncoveredonCessna2lO
That renewed emphasis be placed by FAA on compliance with the provisions of AF1O
supp. 11, by Air Defense Command personnel and that this document be updated
to reflect current situation and procedures applicable in the upper airspace
63-87 do That a requirement for communications recording equipment be established, appli-
cable to those military facilities responsible for the control of aircraft operating in
accordance with the joint FAA~USAF agreement for fighter interceptor operations
(AF1O)
333
333
333
333
341
348
358
PAGENO="0101"
Community
Anniston
Decatur
Dothan
Gadsden
Huntsville -
Muscle Shoals
Tuscaloosa
ALABAMA
Airport
Municipal.
Pryor Field.
Dothan.
MunicipaL
Huntsville-Madison County.
Muscle Shoals.
Van de Graaf.
Annette Island -
Clear
Corclova -
Homer
Juneau -
Kenai
Kodiak -
Kotzebue
McGrath
Nome
Unalakleet
Yakutat -
Flagstaff
Grand Canyon
Kingman
Page
Prescott -
Winslow
Yuma
Annette Island.
Clear AF Auxiliary.
Cordova Mile.
Homer Municipal.
Juneau Municipal.
Kenai.
Kodiak NAS.
Ralph Wein Memorial.
McGrath FAA.
Nome.
Unalakleet.
Yakutat.
Pulliam.
Grand Canyon National Park.
Kingman Municipal.
Glen Canyon.
Prescott Municipal.
Winslow Municipal.
Yuma International.
Goodwin Field.
Fayetteville-Drake.
Municipal.
Boone County.
Memorial.
Municipal.
Grider Field.
Municipal.
97
6.-Airports qualified for, but without tower service.
7.-Airports qualified for, but without ILS.
8.-Airports qualified for, but without approach lighting system.
1.-Air carrier airports without an airport surveillance radar, calendar year 1966
ALASKA
ARIZONA
El
Fayettev11'~
Fort S-~-
Harrir---
Hot 5r~fno~
ARKANSAS
PAGENO="0102"
Comm~4nity
Arc~t~~
B1ythe~.
Chico-
Cresent City
Fresno
Imperial
Inyokern
Lancaster
Marysville
Merced
Modesto -
Monterey
Oxnard
Palm Springs
Paso Robles
Reddine~ -
Santa Barbara
Santa Maria -
Santa Rosa
Stockton
Tahoe Valley -
Visalia -
San Bernardino -
Alamosa
Aspen
Cortez
Durango
Grand Junction
Hayden
Lamar
Montrose -
Pueblo
Arcata.
Meadows Field.
Blythe.
Chico MunicipaL
Jack McNamara Field.
Fresno Air Terminal.
Imperial County.
Inyokern-Kern County.
Gen. Wm. J. Fox Airport.
Yuba County.
Merced Municipal.
Modesto City-County.
Monterey Peninsula.
Ventura County.
Palm Springs MunicipaL
Pasco Robles County.
Redding Municipal.
Municipal.
Santa Maria Public.
Sonoma County.
Stockton Metropolitan.
Lake Tahoe.
Municipal.
Apple Valley.
Municipal.
Aspen-Pitkin County.
Cortez-Montezume.
Durango La Plata County,
Walker Field.
Gunnison County.
Yampa Valley.
Lamar Municipal.
Montrose County.
Pueblo Memorial.
Bridgep~
Groton_
New ~
CONNECTICUT
Bridgeport Municipal.
Trumbull.
Tweed-New Haven.
DELAWARE
Greater Wilmington.
Daytona Beach
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Myers
Gainesville
Key W1~t
Panama City
Sarasota
Municipal.
Fort Lauderdale.
Page Field.
Municipal.
Key West International.
Cape Kennedy RegionaL
Ocala International.
Panama City-Bay County.
Sarasota-Bradenton.
Municipal.
J~glin AFB.
Municipal.
Palm Beach International.
98
1.-Air carrier airports without an airport surveillance radar, calendar veer
1966-continued
CALIFORNIA
Airport
COLORADO
FLORIDA
Tallahassee_________________ -
Vero Beach
West Palm Beach__~~________ -
PAGENO="0103"
99
1.-Air carrier airports without an airport surveiflance ratiar, caZendar year
1966-Continued
Community
Albany -
Athens
Augusta -
Brunswick
uolumbus
Rome
Waycross
Airport
Albany Municial.
Athens Municipal.
Bush Field.
Malcolm-McKinnon.
MuscQgee County.
Moultrie-Thomasville.
Russell Field.
Waycross-Ware County.
Hana, M~i 111
TTilim
HAWAII
Hana.
General Lyman.
Molokal.
Kahului.
Kona.
Kamuela.
Lanai.
Libue.
Boise
Burley
CoeurD'Alene -
Hailey
Idaho Falls -
Lewiston
Twin F'~11~
Boise Air Terminal.
Burley Municipal.
Coeur D'Alene Air Terminal.
Friedman Memorial.
Fanning Field.
Lewiston-Nez Perce.
Pocatello Municipal.
Twin Falls Municipal.
ILLINOIS
Bloomington-NormaL*
University ocf Illinois-Willard.
Vermilion.
Decatur Municipal.
Galesburg Municipal.
Williamson County.
Coles County Memorial.
Quad City.
Mount Veriion-Outland.
Greater Peoria.
Quincy Municipal Baldwin Field.
Greater Rockford.
Capital.
Whiteside County.
IN~~ANA
Monroe Clonuty.
Dress Memorial.
Kokomo MunicipaL
Purdue University.
Marion Municipal.
t~elaware County-Johnson Field.
St. loseph County.
Hulman Field.
GEORGIA
Kailua, Kona
Kamuela, Hawaii _______
Lanai City, Lanai____________
Lihue-~~-_-----___-_-_~_~___
IDAHO
Decatur__________~__________
Galesburg
Marion
Mattoon-°'~ ~ -~
Moline
Mount ~
Quincv
Rockfov~1
Sterling-Rock Falls
l~bransville__________________~
Mun~
South Ben~1
Terre T~T~~iitc.
PAGENO="0104"
100
1.-Air carrier airports without an airport surveillance radar, calendar year
1966-Continued
Community
Burlington
Cedar Rapids
Clinton -
Dubuque
Fort Dodge
Iowa City
Mason City
Ottumwa
Sioux City -
Waterloo
Dodge City
Garden City
Goolland -
Great Th~iit1
TiI-~....1
Parunriu
Salhm
Airport
Municipal.
Cedar Rapids Municipal.
Clinton Municipal.
Dubuque Municipal.
Fort Dodge Municipal.
Municipal.
Do.
Ottumwa Industrial.
Municipal.
Do.
Municipal.
Garden City Municipal.
Remier Field.
Municipal.
Hays MunicipaL
Hutchinson Municipal.
Liberal Municipal.
MunicipaL
Tn City.
Sauna Municipal.
Phillip Billard.
Bowling Green
Lexington
London
~wen~boro
KENTUCKY
Bowling Green-Warren County.
Blue Grass.
Corbin-London War Memorial.
Owensboro-Daviess County.
Barkley Field
LOUISIANA
Esler Field.
Ryan.
Lafayette.
MunicipaL
Fort Polk AAF.
Monroe Municipal.
Auburn-Lewiston_____.._._____ -
Augusta__________._______~_
Th.
Bar
~ ..A
Presque Isle________________~
Rockiand
Aubunn-Lewiston MunicipaL
Augusta State.
Dow AFB.
Bar Harbor.
Portland Municipal.
Presque Isle Municipal.
Rockiand Municipal.
MARYLAND
Hagerstown Municipal.
Salisbury-Wicomieo County.
MASSACHUSETTS
Municipal.
Martha's Vimeyani.
Nantucket Memorial.
New Bedford Municipal.
Worcester Municipal.
IOWA
KANSAS
fl~fiv~i I?Aiio'~
Lake
MAINE
Martha's Vineyard
New BeforiL.____._________.
PAGENO="0105"
Commuwity
Alpena
Battle ~ -
Benton Harbor
DetroiL
Oadttllac/Reed City -
1~)scanaba -
Flint
Grand Rapids
Hancock
Iron Mountain
Lansing
Manistee
Marquette
Menominee
Muskegon
Peliston
Saginaw
Sault Ste. Marie
Traverse City
Bemidji
Braineird
Fairmont -
Hibbing
International Falls
Thief River Falls
Winona
Worthington -
Greenville
Greenwood
Gulfport -
Hattlesburg
Laurel
Natcbez
Oxford
Pascagoula
Tupelo
Vicksburg
Cape Girardean -
Columbia
Jefferson City
Joplin_
Kirksville
Moberiy
St. Joseph
SpringneluL.
Airport
Phelps-Collins.
W. K. Kellogg Regional Airfield.
Ross Field.
Pontiac.
Munidipal.
Escanaba Municipal.
Bishop.
i~e~t~unty.
Iloughton Cuunty Memorial.
Ford.
Gogebic C~mnty.
Reynolds Municipal.
Kalamazoo MunicipaL
Oapital City.
Manistee.Blacker.
Marquette COunty.
Menominee Chunty.
Muskegon County.
Emmet County.
TuE City.
Sault Ste. Marie Municipal.
Traverse City Municipal.
MINNESOTA
MunicipaL
Brainer&Crow Wing County Municipal.
Municipal.
Ohishoim-Hibbing.
Falls luternatlonial.
Mankato Municipal.
MunicipaL
Do.
W!nona Municipal-Max Conrad.
MunicipaL
MISSISSIPPI
Columbus-Lowr~des COunty.
Greenville MunicipaL
Municipal.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Hartly-Anders.
University-Oxford.
Jackson County.
Municipal.
Vieksburg Municipal.
MISSOURI
Cape Girardeau MunicipaL
Munidi~aL
Jefferson City MemoriaL
Joplin Municipal.
Clarence Cannon Memorial.
Omar N. Bradley.
Roseerans MemoriaL
Springfield Municipal.
Forney AAF (Fort Leonard Wood).
101
1.-Air carrier airports without an airport surveiliance radar, calendar year
1966-Colitinued
MICHIGAN
PAGENO="0106"
Havre~ -
lTelena_
Ka1~spe11~.
Lewistown
Miles City
Missoula
Sidney
West Yellowstone
Wolf Point
Logan.
Gallatin.
Silver Bow County.
Glasgow International.
Glendive.
Havre City-County.
Helena.
Fli~thead County.
Lewistown Municipal.
Miles City.
Missoula County.
Sidney-Ricliland Municipal.
West Yellowstone.
Wolf Point.
Alliar'~
~hadrnn
Columbus.
Grand Tc~1~mt1
HasUr"~
Kearne~
Norfolk
North Platte -
Scottsbluff -
Sidney -
Alliance Municipal.
Municipal.
Columbus Municipal.
Municipal.
Do.
Kearney MunicipaL
Lincoln MunicipaL
MunicipaL
Karl Stefan Memorial.
Lee Bird Municipal.
Municipal.
Do.
Elko
Ely
Berlin.
Keene
Laconia.
Lebanon.
NEVADA
Elko Municipal.
Ely Yelland Field.
Reno Municipal.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Berlin MunicipaL
Dillatit Hopkins.
Laconia Municipal.
Lebanon Regional.
Grenier Field-Manchester MunicipaL
Prenton
WiidWood
Alamogordo _________________.
~
Clovis______________________~
Farmington _______________
Hobbs
Santa ~ -..
Silver City____.
NEW JERSEY
Mercer County.
Cape May County.
NEW MEXICO
A1a;mogordo Municipal.
Municipal.
`Olovis Municipal.
Farmington Municipal.
Senator Clarke Field.
Lea County. *
Roswe1I Municipal.
Santa Fe Couut~ Municipal.
Silyèr City-G~ant County.
102
1.-Air carrier airports without an airport ~ sw~vei1laacc radar, ca'endar year
1966-Continued
Community
Bfflir:~
Butt'~
MONTANA
Airport
NEBRASKA
PAGENO="0107"
103
1.-Air carrier airports w~tho~t an airport si~rt'eiZlance radar, caIe~dar y~ar
1966-Continued
NEW YORK
Community Airport
Elmira - Ohemung County.
Glens Falls Warren County.
Isliip Long Island-MacArthur~
Ithaca . Tompkins County.
Jamestown Jamestown MuniQipal.
Massena Richards Field.
Ogdensburg Ogdensburg MunicipaL
Oiean Olean Municipal.
Plattsburgh Municipal.
Pough1~eepsie Dutchess County.
Saranac Lake Adirondack.
Watertown Municipal.
White Plains . Wes~chester County.
NORTH CAROLINA
Asibeville Asheville.
Eiiza~eth City CGAJS.
Fayettevillie Grannis Field Munic4pal.
Goldsboro . Seymour Johnson AFB.
Hickory ilickory Municipal.
Kinston ~ Stailings Field.
New Bern Simmons Nott.
Rocky Mount Itocky Mount Municiipal.
Southern Pines . Pinehurst-Southern Pines.
Wilmington New Hanover Clounty.
Winston~Salem Smith Reynolds.
NORTH DAKOTA
Bismarck Bismarek Municipal.
Devils Lake . Devils Lake Municipal.
Fargo Hector.
Grand Forks . Grand Forks International.
Jamestown . Jamestown.
Minot * Minot International.
Williston_ Sloulin Field Intiertnatiomal.
OHIO
Lima Allen Oounty.
Mansfield - Mansfield Municipal.
Portsmouth - lSeiOto County.
Zanesvilie Zanesvllle Municipal.
OKLAHOMA
Bartlesville - Frank Phillips.
Duncan Halliburton.
Enid `Woodring Field.
Guymon - Municipal.
Lawton . Do.
M'dAlester Do.
Muskogee Davis.
Ponea City `Ponca `City Municipal.
Stillwater Sea'rcy Field.
PAGENO="0108"
104
Community
Astoria - -
Baker-
Oo~aiis
Eugene
Medford -
North Bend -
Ontario
Reidmond
RosE~burg
Saleni
Du Bois -
Erie -
FranJr'~
Laneaislter
Martinsbu'rg
Phi.Itiptburg -
Reading
Wihiamsport
OREGON
Airport
Olatsop County.
Munieipal.
Do.
Mahlon Sweet.
Municipal.
Do.
Ontario MunicipaL
Pendirton Municipal.
Roberts Field
IRoseburg Municipal.
McNary Field.
PENNSYLVANIA
Alieritown-Bethleilem-EaStOfl.
Btrandford-MeKeafl `Oounty.
Du Bbis-Jefferson County.
Port Erie.
Chesu-LaaniertOfl.
ilazieton Muniolpat.
Johnstown~Oamhria County.
Lancaster.
Blair County.
Mid-State.
Cen. Carl A. Spaatz.
Williamsport-LyComing County.
PUERTO RICO
Mayagnez
Pence
Mayaguez.
Mercedita.
Columbia -
Crescent Beach
Florence
SOUTH CAROLINA
Anderson County.
Coiumbitt Metropolitan.
Myrtle Beach.
Municipal.
GreenWood County.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Aberdeen
Brookings
Pierre -
Rapid City
Sioux Falls -
~TatertO%vfl
Yankton -
Agana, Guam -
Wake Island -
Olarksville
Aberdeen Municipal
Brookings Municipal.
W. W. Howes Municipal
Mitchell Municipal.
Pierre Municipal.
Rapid City Municipal.
Joe Foss Field.
Watertown Municipal.
Chan Gurney Municipal.
SOUTH PACIFIC
Agana NAS.
Wake Island.
TENNESSEE
Outlaw Field.
MeKellar Field.
Bonier Field.
1.-Air carrier gArports without an airport surveillcrace radar, caiender
year 1966-Continued
PAGENO="0109"
Oommuaity
Beaumont-
Big ~p~ring~.
Borger
Brownsville
Brownwood
College Station
Galveston
Harlingen
Laredo
Longv1ew
Lufkin
MeAllen -
Midland
Paris
San Angelo -
Temple -
Tyler
Victoria
Waco
Wichita Falls
Cedar Cfty
Moab
Vernal
Barre-Montpelier
Newport
Rutland
Charlottesville -
Danville
Dublin
Hot Springs
Lynchburg
Newport News
Staunton
Charlotte Amalle
Christiansted
Ephrata -
Hoquiam
Olympia -
Pasco
Port Angeles -
Pullman -
Seattle
Tacoma
Walla Walla
Wenat~hee
Yakima
TEXAS
Airport
Jefferson County.
Howard County.
Hutchinson County.
Rio Grande Valley International.
MunicipaL
Easterwood Field.
Scholes Field.
Harlingen Municipal.
Municipal.
Gregg Oounty.
Angelina County.
Miller International.
Midland Air Terminal.
Ccx Field.
Mathis Field.
Draughon-Miller Municipal.
Pounds Field.
Victoria County-Foster.
Municipal.
Wichita Falls-Sheppard AFB.
Cedar City Municipal.
Oanyonlands Field.
Vernal.
VERMONT
Barre-Montpelier Municipal.
Newport Municipal.
Rutland Municipal.
VIRGINIA
Charlottesville-Albemarle.
Danville Municipal.
New River Valley.
Ingalls Field~
Lynchburg Municipal-Preston Glenn.
Patrick Henry.
Shenandoah Valley.
VIRGIN ISLANDS
Harry S Truman.
Alexander Hamilton.
WASHINGTON
Ephrata Municipal.
Bowerman.
Olympia Municipal.
Tn-Cities.
Clallam County.
Pullman-Moscow RegIoi~al.
King `County-Boeing Field.
Tacoma Industrial.
Walla Walla City~County.
Pangborn Field.
Yakima Municipal.
F
105
1.-Air carrier airports without an airport sttrveillanoe radar, c~endar year
1966-Continued
UTAH
PAGENO="0110"
i06
i.-Mr carrier ct'irpo'rt$ without a~ itirport 8urveillance radar, calendar
year 1966-Continued
Community
Beckley
Bluefield
Clarksburg
Elkins
huntington -
Martinsburg
~\horgantown -
Parkersburg -
Wheeling -
Eau Claire
Green Bay
Janesville
La Crosse
Land O'Lakes -
CiintonvHle
Madison -
Manitowoc_..
Oshkosh -
Rhinelander
Stevens Point
Wausau
WEST VIRGINIA
Airport
Raleigh County Memorial.
Mercer County.
Benedum.
Elkins-Randoiph County.
Tn-State.
Martinsbung Municipal.
Morgantown Municipal.
Wood County.
Wheeling Ohio County.
WISCONSIN
Eau Claire Municipal.
Austin Straubel.
Rock County.
La Crosse MunicipaL
King's Land O'Lakes Municipal
Clintonville Municipal.
Truax Field.
Manitowoc Municipal.
Winnebago County.
Rhinelander-Oneida County.
Stevens Point Municipal.
Municipal.
Caspr~~
Cheyenne
Cody -
Jackson
Laramie____~_________~_.
Powell
Riverton
Rock Springs
Sheridan
Worland
Casper Air Terminal.
Cheyenne MunicipaL
Municipal.
`Jackson's Hole.
General Brees Field.
Powell MunicipaL
Municipal.
Do.
Sheridan County.
Municipal.
Community
Decatur____________________~
Dothan
Muscle Shoals
Tuscaloosa
Clear________-_------~------.
Coruova ________---~----__-- -
Homer __~---.-------------
KenaL__~----------------
Kodiak -
ALABAMA
MunicipaL
Pryor Field.
Doth'an.
Municipal.
Muscle Shoals.
Van do Graaf.
ALASKA
Clear AF Auxiliary.
Cordova Mile.
Homer Municipal.
Kenai.
Kodiak NA'S.
Ralph Wein Memorial.
McGrath FAA.
Nome.
lTn'alakleet.
Yakutat.
WYOMING
2.-Air carrier airports without an eccisting airport traffic control tower,
calendar year 1966
Airport
Nome ~-
TJnalakleet
PAGENO="0111"
107
2.-Air ca'rrier airports without a~ e~tiist4~ng airport traffla control tower, calendar
~ year 1966-Continued
AEIZONA
Co~nmunity Airport
Flagstaff Pulliam.
Grand Canyon Grand Canyon National Park.
Kingman Kingmau Municipal.
Page Glen Canyon.
Prescott - Prescott MunicipaL
Winslow . Winslow Municipal.
Yuxna Yunia International.
~ ARKANSAS
El Dorado ~ Goodwin Field.
Eayetteville . Fayetteville-Drake Field.
1-larrison Boone County.
Jonesboro ~ Municipal.
Pine Bluff - Grider Field.
TeKarkana ~ Municipal.
CALIFORNIA
Arcata Arcata.
Blythe ~ Blythe.
Chico Chico Municipal.
Crescent City Jack McNamara Field.
Imperial ~----. Imperial County~
Inyokern Inyokern-Kern County No. 8.
Marysville - Yuba C~unty.
Merced - Merced Municipal.
Oxuard . Ventura County.
Paso Robles Paso Robles County.
Bedding - Redding iViunicipal.
San Bernardino . Apple Valley.
Santa Maria . Santa Maria Public.
Visalia Municipal.
COLORADO
Aiamosa . Municipal.
Aspen - Aspen-Pitkin County.
Cortez ---. Cortez-Montezunia County.
Durango . Durango La Plata County.
Gunnison - GUflfllSOll County.
Hayden Yanipa Valley.
Lamar Lamar Municipal.
Montrose Montrose County.
CONNRCTIC~JT
Groton Trumbull.
New Haven TWO~dNOW Haven.
FLORIDA
Fort Myers - Page Field.
Gainesville Municipal.
Ocala Ocala MunicipaL
Panama City Panama City Bay County.
Vero Beach . Municipal.
GEO1~GIA
Albany Albany Municipal.
Athens Athens Municipal.
Brunswick . Malcolm-McKinnon.
Moultrie . Moultrie-Tbomasville.
Rome Russell Field.
waycross . Waycross-Ware County.
PAGENO="0112"
Community
Hana, ~
1?
Kailua, Kona~ -
Kamuda, Hawaii
Lanai Ctity, Lanai
Lihue
Burley
Coeur d'Alene
Hailey
L*ewiston
Twin Fails -
Hana.
Molokai.
Kona.
Ka.muela.
Lanai.
Lihue.
Bloomington -
Danville -
Galesbur~
Marion -
Mattoon-Oharleston
Mount Vernon -
Quincy
Sterling-Rock Falls
.bIooImng:Lon -
Kokoino
LaLrayette
Marion -
Burlington
Clinton -
Fort Dodge
Iowa City -
Mason City
Ottumwa -
Bloomington-Normal.
Vermilion County.
Galesburg Municipal.
Williamson County.
Coles County Memorial.
Mount Vernon Outland.
Quincy Municipal Baldwin Field.
Whiteside County.
Monroe County.
Kokomo Municipal.
Purdue University.
Marion Municipal.
IOWA
Municipal.
Clinton Municipal.
Dubuque Municipal.
Fort Dodge Municipal.
Municipal.
Do.
Ottumwa IndustriaL
Dodge Oity -
Garden City -
Goodland -
Great Bend
Hays
Liberal___-_------------------ -
Parsons
Bowling Green
London____----------~------ -
Owensboro
KANSAS
MunicipaL
Garden City MunicipaL
Renner Field.
Municipal.
Hays MunicipaL
Liberal Municipal.
Municipal.
Tn-City.
KENTUCKY
Bowling Green-Warren County.
Corbin-London Memorial.
Owensboro-Daviess County.
Barkley Field.
LOUISIANA
~sler Field.
Fort Polk AAF.
108
2.-Air carrier airports without an euisting airport traffic control tower,
calendar year 1966-Continued
HAWAII
Airport
IDAHO
Burley Municipal.
Coeur d'Alene Air Terminal.
Friedman Memorial.
Lewiston-Nez Pence.
Twin Falls Municipal.
ILLINOIS
INDIANA
Alexandria
Leesville
PAGENO="0113"
Community
Auburn-Lewiston -~
Augusta
Bangor
Bar Harbor
Presque Isle
Rockland -
MAINE
Airport
Auburn-Lewiston Municipal
Augusta State
Dow AFB
Bar Harbor
Presque Isle Municipal
Rockland Municipal
Hagerstown
Salisbury
Martha's Vineyard -
MARYLAND
Hagerstown Municipal
Salisbury-Wicomico
MASSACHUSEPTS
Martha's Vineyard
Alpena
Benton Harbor
Cadillac/Reed City
Detroit -
Escanaba -
Hancock
Iron Mountain -
Manistee
Marquette
Menominee
Peliston
Sault Ste. Marie
Traverse City
Bemidji
Brainerd
Fairmont -
Hibbing
International Falls -
Mankato
Thief River Falls
Winona
Worthinston
Columbus
Greenville-
Greenwood
Hattiesburg
Laurel
Pascagoula
Tupelo
Vicksburg
Cape i*iraraeau_~-------.---- -
Columbia -
Jefferson City
Joplin -
Kirksville
Moberly
MICHIGAN
Phelps-Collins.
Ross Field.
Municipal.
Pontiac.
Escanaba Municipal.
Houghton County Memorial.
Ford.
Gogebic County.
Manistee-Blacker.
Marquette County.
Menominee County.
Emmet County.
Sault Ste. Marie Municipal.
Traverse City MunicipaL
MINNESOTA
Municipal.
Brainerd-Crow Wing County MunicipaL
Municipal.
Chlsholm-Hibbing.
Falls International.
Mankato Municipal.
Municipal.
Winona Municipal-Max Conrad Field.
Municipal.
MISSISSIPPI
Oolumbus-Lowndes County.
Greenville Municipal.
Municipal.
Do.
Do.
Hardy-Anclers Field.
University-Oxford.
Jackson Oounty.
Municipal.
Vicksburg Municipal.
MISSOURI
Cape Girardeau Municipal.
Municipal.
Jefferson City Memorial.
Joplin MunicipaL
Clarence Cannon Memorial.
Omar N. Bradley.
Forney AAF.
109
2.-Air carrier ~ airports without an ecoisting airport traffic control tower,
calendar year 1966-Continued
92-715-68-8
PAGENO="0114"
Community
Bozeman -
Butte-
Glasgow -
Giendive
Havre -
Kalispell
Lewistown
Miles City -
Sidney
West Yellowstone -
Wolf Point -
Airport
Gallatin Field.
Silver Bow County.
Glasgow InternationaL
Glendive.
Havre City-County.
Flathead County.
Lewistown Municipal.
Miles City.
Siciney-Ricliland MunicipaL
West Yellowstone.
Wolf Point.
Alliance -
Chadron -
Columbus
Grand Island -
Hastings
Kearney
McCook
Noreolk
North Platte
Scottsbluff
Sidney
Berlin.
Keene_
T
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Berlin Municipal.
Dillant-Hopkins.
Laconia MunicipaL
Lebanon Regional.
NEW JEESEY
Cape May.
Clovis ---- -.
Gallup
Silver City
Glens Falls -
Ithaca - -
Jamestown -
Massena
Ogdensburg
Olean
plattsiburgb
Poughkeepsie -
Saranac Lake -
Watertown
NEW MEXICO
Alamogordo Municipal.
Municipal.
Clovis Municipal.
Senator Clarke Field.
Silver City-Grant County.
NEW YORK
Warren County.
Tompkins County.
Jamestown Municipal.
Richards Field.
Ogdensburg Municipal.
Olean Municipal.
Municipal.
Dutchess County.
Adirondack.
Munitipal.
110
2.-Air carrier ~ airports without an evisting airport traj~1lc control tOwer.
calendar year 196W-~Continued
MONTANA
NEBRASKA
Alliance Municipal.
Municipal.
Columbus Municipal.
Municipal.
Do.
Kearney Municipal.
Municipal.
Karl Stefan MemoriaL
Lee Bird Municipal.
Municipal.
Do.
Elko.
NEVADA
Elko Municipal.
Ely Yelland.
PAGENO="0115"
Community
Elizabeth City-
Goldsboro
Hickrn'-
New Bern
Rocky Mount
Southern Pines
OGAS.
Seymour Johnson.
Hickory Municipal.
Stallings Field.
Simmons Nott.
Rocky Mount Municipal.
Pinehurst-Southern Pines.
Devils Lake
Grand Forks
Jamestown
NORTH DAKOTA
Devils Lake Municipal.
Grand Forks International.
Jamestown.
Minot International.
Sloulln Field InternationaL
Lima
Portsmoutn
Zanesvme
Bartlesville
Duncan
Enid -
Guynion -
McAlest~r
Ponca City
Stiliwater
Allen County.
Scioto County.
Zanesville Municipal.
OKLAHOMA
Frank Phillips.
Halliburton.
Woodring Field.
Municipal.
Do.
Davis Field.
Ponca City Municipal.
Searcy Field.
israuioru -
Du Bois
FranEnu
Hazieton
Martinsburg -
Philipsburg -
Clatsop County.
Municipal.
Do.
Do.
Ontario MunicipaL
Roberts Field.
Roseburg Municipal.
MeNary Field.
PE]~NSYLVANIA
Bradford-McKean County.
Du Bois-Jefferson Cbunty.
Qhess~Lamberton.
Hazelton MunicipaL
Johnstowri-C'ambria County.
Blair County.
Mid-State.
PUERTO RICO
Mayaguez Air~leld.
Mercedita.
SOUTH CA~ROLINA
Anderson County.
Myrtle Ueach.
Municipal.
Greenwood County.
111
2.-Air carrier airports without an ewisting airport traffic cOntro' tower,
caZendar year 1966-~Continued
NORTH CAEOLINA
AirpOrt
OHIO
OREGON
Astoria
Baker -
Corvallis
North Bend -
Sn1i~m
Crescent
F1orenc'~
PAGENO="0116"
112
2.-Air carrier airport8 without an eceisting airport traffic control tower,
calendar year 1966-Continued
SOUPH DAKOTA
Community Airport
~berdeen~ Aberdeen Municipal.
Brookings Brookings MunicipaL
Huron . W. W. Howes Municipal.
Mitchell - Mitchell MunicipaL
Pierre . Pierre Municipal.
Watertown Watertown Municipal.
Yankton . Ohan Gurney Municipal.
SOUTH PACIFIC
Agana, Guam ~ Agana NAS.
TENNESSEE
Clarksville - Outlaw Field.
Jackson . McKellar Field.
Shelbyville Bomar Field.
TEXAS
Big Spring Howard County.
Borger * Hutchinson County.
Brownwood Municipal.
Galveston - S~holes Field.
Harlingen Harlingen Municipal.
Laredo ~ Laredo Municipal.
Lufkin ~ Angelina County.
Paris - Cox Field.
Temple Draughon-Miller Municipal.
Victoria Victoria County-Foster.
UTAH
Cedar City ~ Cedar City Municipal.
Moab - Oanyoniands Field.
Vernal . Vernal.
VERMONT
Barre-Montpelier Barre-Montpel'ie'r Municipal.
Newport - Newport MunicipaL
Rutland Rutland Municipal.
VIRGINIA
Charlottesville Oharlottesville-Albemarle.
Damrille - Danville Municipal.
Dublin . New River Valley.
Hot Springs Ingalls Field.
Staunton Shenandoah Valley.
WASHINGTON
E~phrata Ephrata Municipal.
Hoquiam Bowerman.
Olympia Olympia Municipal.
Pasco . Tri-Oities.
Port Angeles . Olallam County.
Pullman - Pullman Moscow Regional.
Tacoma Tacoma Industrial.
Walla Walla * Walla Walla City-County.
Wenatehee - Pangborn Field.
PAGENO="0117"
Community
Beckley -.
Bluefield -.
Ciarksburg
Elkins -
Martin~burg
Morgantown
Parkersburg
Clintonville -
Eau Olaire
La Crosse
Land O'Lakes -
Manitowoc -
Rhinelander
Stevens Point -
Wausau -
WEST VIRGINIA
Airport
Ra1eigl~ County Memorial.
Mercer County.
Beneduni.
Elkins-Randoiph County.
Martinsburg MunicipaL
Morgantown Municipal.
Wood County.
WISCOIISIN
Clintonville Municipal.
Eau Claire Municipal.
L.a Crosse Municipal.
King's Land O'Lakes Municipal.
Manitowoc Municipal.
Rhinelander-Oneida County.
Stevens Point Municipal.
Municipal.
WYOMING
Cody
Jackson
Laramie -
Powell
Riverton -
Rock Springs -
Sheridan
Worland -
Pago ~°~"
Municipal.
Jackson's Hole.
General Brees Field.
Powell Municipal.
Municipal.
Do.
Sheridan County.
Municipal.
AMERICAN SAMOA
Pago Pago International.
3.-Air carrier airports withoat instrument landing systems, calendar year 1966
Community
Anniston
Decatur
Dothan
Gadsden
Huntsville
Muscle Shoals
Tuscaloosa
ALABAMA
Airport
Municipal.
Pryor.
Dothan.
Municipal.
Madison.
Muscle Shoals.
Van De Groff.
Clear AF Auxiliary.
Corciova Mile No. 3.
Homer MunicipaL
Juneau Municipal.
Kenai.
Kodiak NAS.
Ralph Wein MunicipaL
McGrath FAA.
Nome.
Unalaklett.
Yakutat.
113
2.-Air carrier airports without an ecisting airport traffic control tower,
calendar year 1966-Continued
ALASKA
Clear
Cordova
Homer -
Juneau
Kenal
Kodiak
Kotzebue
McGrath
Nome
Ijnalakleet
Yakutat
PAGENO="0118"
3.-Air carrier airports without instrument landing systems, calendar year
`1966-Continued
ARIZONA
Airport
Pulliam.
Grand Canyon National Park.
Kingman MunicipaL
Glen Canyon.
Sky Harbor Municipal.
Prescott Municipal.
International.
Municipal.
Yuma MCAS/InternationaL
El Dorado
Fayetteville
Harrison
Hot Springs
Jonesboro -
Pine Bluff
Texarkana
Blythe
Chico
Crescent City
Imperial
Inyokern
Lancaster
Marysville
Merced
Modesto
Oxnard
Palm Springs
Pasco Robles
Riverside
Redding
Santa Ana
Santa Maria
Santa Rosa
Tahoe Valley
Visalia
Alamosa
Aspen
Cortez
Durango
Gunnison
Hayden
Lamar
Montrose
Bridgeport
Groton
New Haven
ARKANSAS
Goodwin Field.
Fayetteville/Drake.
Boone County,
Memorial.
Municiptd.
Grider Field.
Municipal.
CALIFORNIA
Blythe.
*Chico Municipal.
Jack McNamara Field.
County.
Inyokern/Kern County.
Gen. William 3. Fox.
Yuba County.
Merced Municipal.
City~County.
Ventura City.
Municipal.
Paso Robles County.
Municipal.
Do.
Orange County.
Santa Maria Public.
Sonoma County.
Lake Tahoe.
Municipal.
Municipal.
Aspen-Pitkin County.
Cortez-Montezume.
Durango-LaPlata.
Gunnison County.
Yampa Valley.
Municipal.
Montros~ County.
CONNECTICUT
Municipal.
Trumbull.
Tweed-New Haven.
114
(lomnwnity
Flagstaff
Grand Canyon
Kiugman
Page
Phoenix
Prescott
Tucson
Winslow
Ynma
COLORADO
PAGENO="0119"
115
3.-Air carrier airport8 without instrument ktnding sys.tem$, eaZen~ar year
1966-Continued
Community
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Myers
Gainesville
Key West
Melbourne
Ocala -
Panama City
Sarasota
Vero Beach
Airport
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.
Page Pield Municipal.
Municipal.
InternationaL
Cape Kennedy Regional.
Municipal.
Bay County.
Sarasota-Bradenton.
Municipal.
Municipal.
Do.
Malcolm McKinnon.
Moultrie-Thomasville.
Russell Field.
Municipal.
Waycross-Ware City.
HAWAII
Hana.
General Lyman Field.
Malakai.
Kona.
Kamuela.
Lanai.
Lihue.
Bloomington -
Danville
Mattoon-Charleston
Mount Vernon
Sterling-Rock Falls
Burley Munb~ipaL
Coeur U'Alene.
Friedman MemoriaL
Fanning Field.
Lewiston-Nez Perce County.
Twin Falls Municipal.
ILLINOIS
Bloomi~gton-Normal.
Vermilion County.
MunicipaL
Gale~burg Municipal.
Williamson County.
Cobs City Memorial.
Mount Vernon-Outaant.
Whiteside County.
FLORIDA
GEORGIA
Albany
Athens -
Brunswick
Moultrie
Rome
Valdosta
Waycross
Hana, Maui
Hilo
Kaunakakai (Hoolehua)
Kailua, Kona
Kamucia
Lanai City, Lanai
Lihue
IDAHO
Bur1"~
Cocur ~
Halley
Idaho ITh:~11~
Lewi'st~
Twin 1~'~.11~
INDIANA
Bloomington -
Kokomo
Lafayette1
Marion -
Muncie -
Partial ILS.
MonroeOount~y.
Kokomo I~iunicipal.
Purdue University.
Me~ion~lu*jpal.
Delaware County-Johnson Field.
PAGENO="0120"
Community
B~r1ing~n~.
Clinton - -
Di~buque~
Fort ~ -
Iowa City
Mason City
Ottumwa
IOWA
Airport
Municipal.
Clinton MunicipaL
Municipal.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Ottumwa Industrial.
Dodge City
Garden City
Goodland -
Grt~t Rt~nd
Libei'~
Man1"~
KANSAS
Municipal.
Do.
Renner Field.
Municipal.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Tn-City.
Bowling Green
London
Owen~boro
Paducah
Alexandria
Leesville
Aubuirn-Lewiston
Augusta
Bar Har~bor
Presque Isle
Rockland
KENTUCKY
Bowling Green-Warren.
Corbin London W~tr Memorial.
Owensboro-Daviess Clounty.
Barkley Field.
LOUISIANA
Esler Field.
Fort Polk AAF.
MAINE
MunicipaL
Augusta State.
Bar IIai~bor.
Municipal.
Do.
MARYLAND
Municipal.
Sali~buny~Wico~mico.
Hyannis1
Martha's Vineyard_~.__.____
Beaten Harbor______________.
Hancek~_.....
Iron Motain_~.~. -
Ironw~o& -
Jackson
Manistee
MASSACHUSETTS
Barustable-MunicipaL
Martha's Vineyard.
MICHIGAN
Pbielps~Oollins.
Ross Field.
MunicipaL
Houghton Cowity Memecial.
Porci.
Gegebic.
Reynolds Municipal.
Blacker. ~
Marquette County.
Mencndnee.
Emmeit County.
Tn-City.
Municipal.
Do.
116
3.-Air carrier airports witiwut instrRment landing syttems, calendar year
1966-Continued
Peirston___~~_______________~
Saginaw____________________.
Sault Ste Marie_____________
Traverse ~
1 Partial ILS.
PAGENO="0121"
Community
Bemidji
Brainerd
Fairmont
Hhbhing
Initeri~ationa1 Falls
Mankato
Thief River Falls
Winona
Worthington -
Columbus
Greenville
Greenwood
Hattieshurg
Laurel
Natchez
Oxford
Pascagoula
Tupelo
Vickshurg
Cape Girardean -
Columbia
Jefferson City *
Kirksville
Moberly
Tribune
Bozeman
Butte
Glasgow -
Glendive
Harve -
Helena
Kalispell
Lewistown
Miles City
Missoula
Sidney
West Yellowstone
Wolf Point
Alliance.
Chadror
Colunib
Hastings.
Kearney,~
McCooL
Norfolk_
North p~a+4*~
1966-Continued
MINNESOTA
Airport
Municipal.
Brainerd-Oow Wing.
MunicipaL
Ohishoim-Hibibing.
Falls International.
MunicipaL
Do.
Max Conrad Field.
Municipal.
MISSISSIPPI
Columlbus-Lowndes County.
Municipal.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Hardy-A~ideTs.
University-Oxford.
Jackson County.
Municipal.
Do.
MISSOURI
Municipal.
Do.
Memorial.
Clarence Cannon Memorial.
Omar N. Bradley.
Forney AAF.
MONTAI~A
Gallatin Field.
Silver Bow County.
InternationaL
Glendive.
Harve City-County
Helena.
~Flathead County.
MunicipaL
Miles City.
County.
Sidney-Richmond Municipal.
West Yellowstone.
West Wolf Point.
NEBEASnA
Municipal.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Karl Stefan.
Lee Bird MunicipaL
Municipal.
Do.
NEVADA
MunicipaL
Ely-Yelland.
McCarran.
117
3.-Air carrier airports without instrument landing systems, calendar year
Elko.
E1y -
Las `~`~"~
PAGENO="0122"
118
3.-Air carrier airports without instrument landing systems, calendar year
1966-Continued
Community
Berihi
Kee~
Laco~
T ~
Wildwood
Alamogordo
Carlsbad
Clovis
Farmington
Gallup
Hobbs
Roswell
Santa Fe
Silver City
Glens ~
Ithr'~"
Jamestov--
Massena
Og~'~
O1e~
Poughkeepsie.
Saranac Lak~~
Elizabeth City
Hickory
Kinston
New Bern
Rocky Mount
Southern Pines
Devils Lake
Grand Forks -
Jamestown
Minot
Williston
Lima -
portsmouth
Bartlesville -
Duncan
Enid
Guymon -
McAlester
Muskogee
Ponca City
Stillwater
Lawton --
NEw HAMPShIRE
Airport
Municipal.
Dillant Hopkins.
Municipal.
Lebanon RegionaL
NEW JERSEY
Cape May County.
NEW MEXICO
MunicipaL
Do.
Do.
Do.
Senator Clarke Field.
Lea County.
MunicipaL
Do.
Silver City-Grant County.
NEW YORK
Warren County.
Tompkins County.
Municipal.
Richards Field.
MunicipaL
Do.
Do.
Dutchess County.
Adirondack.
MunicipaL
NORTH CAROLINA
Coast Guard Air Station.
MunicipaL
Stallings Field.
Simmons Nott.
MiuiicipaL
Pinehurst-Southern Pines.
NORTH DAKOTA
Municipal.
~ International.
Jamestown.
International.
Sloulin InternationaL
O~Io
Allen County.
Scioto CGunty.
Municipal.
OKLAHOMA
Frank Phillips.
Halli Burton.
Woodring Field.
Municipal.
Do.
Davis Field.
Municipal.
Searcy Field.
Municipal.
PAGENO="0123"
3.-Mr carrier airports without instrument landing systems, calendar year
1966-Continued
Community
Asoria
Baker -
Corvallis
North Bend
Ontario
OREGON
Airport
Clatsop County.
Municipal.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Roberts Field.
Municipal.
Bradford
DuBois
Franklin
Hazieton
Johnstown -
Lancaster
Martinsburg
Phillipsburg
PENNSYLVANIA
Bradford-McKean County.
DuBois-Jefferson County.
Chess-Lamberton.
Municipal.
Jolinstown-Cambria County.
Lancaster.
Blair County.
Mid-State.
Mayaguez
Ponce
San Juan
Anderson -
Crescent Beach
Florence
Greenwood
Aberdeen
Brookings
Mitchell -
Pierre
Rapid City -
Watertown
Yankton -
Agana, Guam
Samoa
Wakelsland' -
Olarksville -
Jackson
Shelbyville
1 Partial ILS.
PUERTO RICO
Mayaguez Airfield.
Mercedita.
Puerto Rico International.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Anderson County.
Myrtle Beach.
Municipal.
Greenwood County.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Municipal.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do
Chan Gurney Municipal.
SOUTH PACIFIC
Agana NAS.
International.
Wake Island.
TENNESSEE
Outlaw Field.
MeKeiler Field.
Bomar Field.
I
119
*1
PAGENO="0124"
120
3.-Air carrier airports without instrument landing systems, calendar year
1966-Continued
Community
Big Suring -
Borger
Brownwood~ -
Galveston_
Harlinger
Houston -
Laredo -
Lufkin~
McAllen -
Paris
Temple -
Victoria
Cedar City -
Moab
Vernal
TEXAS
Airport
Howard County.
Hutchinson County.
Municipal.
Scholes Field.
Municipal.
Intercontinental.
Municipal.
Angelina County.
Miller International.
Cox Field.
Draughon-Miller.
Victoria County-Foster.
UTAH
Municipal.
Canyonlands Field.
Vernal.
Barre-Montpelier -
Newp.rt
Rutland
Charlotte Amalie -
Christiansted
VERMONT
Barre-Mon'tpelier.
Newport Municipal.
Municipal.
VIRGIN ISLANDS
Harry S Truman
Alexander hamilton
Charlottesville1
Danville -
Dublin
Hot Springs
Staunton -
Roanoke -
Olympia
Pasco
Port Angeles
Pullman
Tacoma
WallaWalla~
Wenatchee
VIRGINIA
CharlottesVille-Abeman.
Municipal.
New River Valley.
Ingalls Field.
Shenandoah Valley.
Municipal.
WASHINGTOX
Municipal.
Bowerman.
Municipal.
Tn-Cities.
Challam County.
Pullman Moscow Regional.
Industrial.
Walla Walla City-County.
Pangborn Field.
Beckley--_~-_____-_--_~__~~_.
Bluefield___~_____________~__
Clarksbur~__________________
~
gt1
~
Morgantown
Parkersbur~ _______ ~
WEST VIRGINIA
Raleigh County Memorial.
Mercer County.
Benedum.
Elkins-Randoiph.
Tri-State.
Martinsburg Municipal.
Municipal.
Wood County.
I Partial ILS.
PAGENO="0125"
121
3.-Air carrier airports without instrument lan,ding systems, calendar year
1966-Continued
Community
Eau Claire
Janesville
La Crosse
Land o' Lakes -
Manitowoc
Rhinelander
Stevens Point
Wausau
WISCONSIN
Airport
Eau Claire Municipal.
Rock County.
Municipal.
King's Land o' Lakes Municipal.
Manitowoc Municipal.
Rhinelander-Oneida County.
Stevens Point Municipal.
Municipal.
Cody
Jackson
Laramie
Powell
Sheridan
Worland
ALABAMA
Airport
Municipal.
Pryor.
Dothan.
Municipal.
Madison.
Muscle Shoals.
Van De Groff.
Clear
Cordova -
Homer
Kenai -
Kodiak
McGrath
Nome
Unalakleet
Yakutat -
Clear AF Auxiliary.
Cordova Mile No. 3.
Homer Municipal.
Kenal.
Kodiak NAS.
Ralph Wein Municipal.
McGrath FAA.
Nome.
Unalakleet.
Yakutat.
Flagstaff
Grand Canyon -
Kingman
Page
Phoenix -
Prescott -
Tuscon -
Winslow
Yuma
Pulliam.
Grand Canyon National Park.
Kinginan MunicipaL
Glen Canyon.
Sky Harbor Municipal.
Prescott Municipal.
InternationaL
Municipal.
Yuma MOAS/International.
WYOMING
Municipal.
Jackson's Hole.
General Brees Field.
Powell Municipal.
Sheridan County.
Municipal.
AMERICAN SAMOA
Pago Pago - Pago Pago International.
Community
4.-Air carrier airports without approach lighting systems, calendar year 1P66
Decatur
Dothan
Gadsden
Huntsville
Muscle Shoals
Tuscaloosa
ALASKA
ARIZONA
PAGENO="0126"
Uo~mmunity
El Dorado~
Fayettevi11e~.
Harrison
Hot Springs -
Jonesboro
Pine Bluff -
Texarkana
Blythe
Chico
Crescent City -
Imperial
Inyokern
Lancaster
Marysville -
Merced -
Modesto
Oxnard
Palm Springs
Paso Robles
Santa Ana
Santa Maria
Santa Rosa
Tahoe Valley -
Vis~ilia
Blythe.
Chico Municipal.
Jack McNamara Field.
County.
Inyokern/Kern County.
Gen. William J. Fox.
Yuba County.
Merced Municipal.
City-County.
Ventuçra City.
Municipal.
Paso Robles County.
~`1'icip'~l
Do.
Orange County.
Santa Maria Public.
Sonoma County.
Lake Tahoe.
Municipal.
AlamoT
Aspen
Cortez
Durango
Grand Jur-~---
Gunniso
Hayden
Lamar
-*-`-`~,`
Brideport
Groton
New Haven
Fort Lauderdale -
Fort Myers -
Gainesville
Key West
Melbourne -
Ocala
Panama City
Sarasota_
Valpariso
Vero Beach
CONNECTICUT
Mt~nicipal.
Trumbull.
TWeed-New Haven.
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood.
Page Field MunicipaL
Municipal.
InternationaL
Cape Kennedy Regional.
Municipal.
Bay County.
Sarasota-Brandenton.
Eglin AFB.
Municipal.
122
4.-Air carrier airports without approach lighting systems, calendar year
1966-Continued
ARKANSAS
Airport
Goodwin Field.
Fayetteville/Drake.
Boone County.
Memorial.
Municipal.
Grider Field.
MunicipaL
CALIFORNIA
COLORADO
Municipal.
Aspen-Pitkin County.
Oortez--Montezume.
Durango-La Plata.
Walker Field.
Gunnison County.
Yampa Valley-
Municipal.
Montrose County.
FLORIDA
PAGENO="0127"
123
4.-Air carrier airports without * approach Zighting systems, calendar year
1966-Continued
GEORGIA
Community Airport
Albany Municipal.
Athens Do.
Augu~sta Bush Field.
Brunswick . Malcoin-McKinnon.
Moultrie ~ Moultrie-Thomasvffle.
Rome Russell Field.
Valdosta ~ MunicipaL
Waycross * Waycross-Ware City.
. flAWAII
Hana, Maui . lana.
Hilio ~ General Lyman Field.
Kiaunakakaj (Hoolehua) Molokai.
Kahului, Maui K'ahului.
Kailna, Kona Kona.
Kamiieia Kamuela
Lanai City, Lanai Lanai.
Lihue Lihue.
IDAUO
Burley Burley Municipal.
Ooeur D'Alene Cocur D'Alene.
Hailey Friednian Memorial.
Idaho Falls . Fanning Field.
Lewis1~on Lewiston-Nez-Perce County.
Twin Falls Twin Falls MunicipaL
ILLINOIS
Bloomington . Bloomington-Normal.
Champaign University of Illinois-Willard.
Danville Vermilion County.
Decatur . Municipal.
Galesburg Galesburg Municipal.
Marion . Williamson County.
Mattoon-Charleston Coles `City Memorial.
Mount Vernon Mount Vernon-Outland.
Quincy Quincy Municipal Baldwin.
Sterling-Rock Falls Whiteside County.
INDIANA
Bloomington - Monroe County.
E~ansville - Dress Memorial.
Kokomo Kokomo MunicipaL
Lafayette' . Purdue University.
Marion - Marion MunicipaL
Muncie - Delaware C'ouiity-Johnson Field.
Terre Haute - Hulman Field.
IOWA
Burlington Municipal.
Clinton - Clinton Municipal.
Dubuque MunicipaL
Fort Dodge - Do.
Iowa City Do.
Mason City - Do.
()ttumwa - Ottuniwa Industrial.
PAGENO="0128"
124
4.-Air carrier airports withont approach lighting systems, calendar year
1966-Continued
Community
Dodge City -
Garden City
Goodland
Great Bend -
Hays
Libera' -
Manhattan
Parsons
Bowling Green -
London
Owensboro
Paducah
Alexandria
Baton Rouge
Leesvflle
Auburn-Lewiston
Augusta -
Bangor
Bar Harbor
Presque Isle
Rockland -
Hagerstown
Salisbury
Hyannis
Martha's Vineyard
Worcester
Alpena -
Benton Harbor
Escanaba
Hancock
Iron Mountain -
Ironwood -
Jackson
Manistee
Marquette
Menominee
Peliston
Saginaw
Sault Ste. Marie
Traverse City
Bemidji
Brainerd
Fairmont -
Hibbing
International F'alls -
Mankato
Thief River Falls
Winona
Worthington --
KANSAS
Airport
Municipal.
Do.
Renner Field.
MunicipaL
Do.
Do.
Do.
Tn-City.
KENTUCKY
Bowling Green-Warren.
Corbin London War Memorial.
Owensboro-Daviess County.
Barkley Field.
LOUISIANA
Bsler Field.
Ryan.
Fort Polk AAF.
MAINE
Municipal.
Augusta State.
Dow AFB.
Bar Harbor Airport.
Municipal.
Do.
MARYLAND
Municipal.
Salisbury-Wicomico.
MASSACHUSETTS
Barnstable-Municipal.
Martha's Vineyard.
Municipal.
MICHIGAN
Phelps-Collins.
Ross Field.
Municipal.
Houghton County Memorial.
Ford.
Gogebic.
Reynolds MunicipaL
Blacken.
Marquette County.
Menominee.
Emmet County.
Tn-City.
Municipal.
Do.
MINNESOTA
Municipal.
Brainerd-Crow Wing.
Municipal.
Chisholm-Hibbing.
FRIIM international.
Municipal.
Do.
Max Conrad Field.
Municipal.
PAGENO="0129"
Berlin --
Keene -
Laconia
Lebanon
Manchester Gr~
125
a4rports wit1vou~t q~pproac1?~ ~ig1j~t~n~g SyS~em8, çaZencZat~ year
1966-Continued
1
MISSISSIPPI
A~rpor~
Columbus-Lowudes County.
Municipal.
D~.
1)0.
Do.
Key Field,
Hardy-Anders.
University-Oxford.
Jackson County.
Municipal.
Do.
~oula
vicks ~g
Cape Girardeau
columbia
Jefferson City
Joplin
Kirksville
Moberly
Tribune
MISSOURI
Municipal.
Do.
Memorial.
Municipal.
Clarence Cannon Memorial.
Oinar N. Bradley.
Forney AAF.
Bozeman
Butte
Glasgow
Glendive
Havre
Helena
Kalispell
Lewistown
Miles City
Missoula
Sidney
~West Yellowstone
Wolf Point
MONTANA
Gallatin Field.
Silver Bow County.
International.
Glendive.
[lavre City-County.
Helena.
Flatbead County.
Municipal.
Miles City.
County.
Sidney~Richland Municipal.
West Yellowstone.
West Wolf Point.
Alliance ____~____________~.,~
~Chadron
Columbus
flastings
Xearney
McCook
Norfolk
North Platte________________
SeottsbThff
Sidney
NEBEAS~A
Municipal.
Do,
Do.
Do.
DO.
Do.
Karl Stefali.
Less i~ird Municipal.
Municipaj.
DO.
NEVADA
Municipal.
Ely-Yell~nd.
McCarr~tn.
Elko
Ely
Las `~`~`~
~Wildwood
92-715-68---9
PAGENO="0130"
Lhnfl
Port~inoulf
NEW T~4K
Warren C~nty~
Long Island MeArthur.
Tompkins County.
Municipal.
Richards Field.
Municipal.
Do.
Do.
Dutches~ County.
Adi~oxic1ac~,
Municipal.
*NOkTH. DAKOTA
~w~iicipa~1.
International.
Jai~to~~.
International.
Sloulin International.
OHIO
Allen Oo~ity.
Scibto C~u~I1y.
Mui~ipaL
OKI4AHOM4
Frank Pbiflips.
Haffi Burton.
Woodrthg Field.
Munthe~aL.
Munietpa~..
MunicIp~L
Davis Field.
Mi~pa~.
Searuy Field.
OREGON
Ol~ts~p Cou~ity.
Mun1ci~âl.
Mi~wi~aL
Mumapat
Ro~órVs FIeJiL'
MunietpaL
126
4.-Air eói*~#E~r a~rpd~ts wit1trn~t approte~ ~çj1tting 8y$tem$, CaieMdar year
i9~6-~Cbntlnued
Cotnmunity
Alamogordo
Carlsbad
Clovis
Farmington
Gallup
Hobbs
Roswell
Santa Fe
Silver City
imw ~tis~xco
Airport
Municipal.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Senator Clarke Field.
Lea County.
Municipal.
Do.
Silver City-Grant County.
Glens Falls_________________
Islip
Ithaca
Jamestown
Massena
Ogdensburg
Olean
Plattsburgh
Poughkeepsle
Saranac Lake__~___________~
Watertown
Elizabeth City_______________
Goldsboro
Hickory ______-~._______~.___
K~inston
New Bern
Rocky Mount_____~_________
Southern Pines
NQRT}~ OAEOI~INA
Coast Guard Air S~ation.
Seymour ~ohnson AFB.
Municipal.
Stallings Field.
Simmons Nott.
Municipal.
Pinehurst-Southern Pines.
Devils Lake__~__~_________~
Grand Forks_______~________
Jamestown
Minot
Williston
Enid______________~_________
~
Lawton~~_---_-~-----___-___.
MeAlester
Muskogee___________-_______.
Ponca City______.~___________
Astoria~-------__-----------.
Baker-~______-____--_-~-_-_~-
Corvallis
North Bend
~
PAGENO="0131"
127
4.-Air carrier airport8 without approach l~ighting 8y~tem8, caiendar year
19fJ6-~Continued
Agana, Gi~am -
Samoa
Wake Island1
PENNSTLVANLt
A~rport
Br d-MeKeian Corunty.
Dii Bois-tefl!ers~n Oounty.
Oh'es~L~unberton.
Mun~ieipai1.
Jotstôwn-Oani~rIa Oounty.
I~a~ic~ster.
~ia4r ç~eirnty.
Mid~State.
Gen. Oart Spaatz.
~U~RTO EIOO
Ma~aguez Airfield.
Mercedlita.
Puerto R1~o International.
SOUTH RQ~N~&
Anderson county.
Myttie Eeaitth.
Municipal.
Greenwood ~unty.
SOUTH OAI~ODA
Municipal.
MunicipaL
W. W. wes Municipal.
Muulcjpal
MunicipaL
MunicipaL
Municipal.
Chan Gurney MunicipaL
TENNESSEE
Outlaw 1~1iei~1.
Mc~eJ~r ]~`ielc1.
Bomar l~ielcL
~
HowaPd * County.
Thitchin~on County.
£1L~ . , R1& Grarsie Valley InternationaL
~ `~. Mun1~aL
~- .,- ~- ~ Meacitarn.
Scholes E~ieid.
uariinger . Municipal.
Houston - Intercontinental.
Laredo MunicipaL
Lufkin Angelina County.
McAllen - Miller International.
Paris . Cox FIØkL
Temple - Draughou-Mill~r.
Victoria V~ctqcia county-Foster.
Cedar City . MunicipaL
Moab Canyonlands Field.
Vernal Vernal.
1Partial ILS.
Community
Bradf~~w~
Du Bn~
1~~ii,ii~~
Johnstown -
Lancaster
Martinsburg
Philipslsirg -
i~eading -
Pono'~
San
Anderson
Crescent B~ach
Florence
Huron
Mitchell
Pierre
Rapid City
Watertown
Yankton
SOUTH PAOITIQ
Agaua ~AS.
InternationaL
Wake Island.
Clarksvllle
Jackson
Shelbyville
Big Spring
Borger
Brc~wnsv~'1~'
Brownwoed
Fort W~~vth
Galveston.
UPAH
PAGENO="0132"
128
4.-Air carrier airports without approach llghting systems, calendar year
1966-Continued
VERMONT
Airport
Barre~Montpelier.
Newport Municipal
MunicipaL
VIRGIN ISL&ND
Charlottesville1 -
Danville -
Dublin
Hot Springs
Staunton
Roanoke
Charlottesville-Abeman.
Municipal
New River ValleLy.
Ingafla Field,
Shennndoah Valley.
M~inlcipal.
Ephrr~'
PaSc(
Port Angeles
Pullman
Tacoma
Walla Walla~-~ -
Wenatehee
WASHINGTON
Municipal.
Bowerman.
Munieij~aL
Tri..Oities.
Ohaliam County.
Pullman Moscow Regional.
Ii~dnstVial.
Wailla Wathi City-County.
Pangborn Field.
Beckley
Bluefield
Clarksburg
Elkins -
Huntington'
Martinsburg
Morgantown
Parkersburg
Eau Claire
Janesville
La Crosse -
Land 0' Lakes
Manitowoc -
Rhinelander
Stevens Point
Wausau
Cody-
lackson -
WEST VIRGINIA
Raleigh County Memorial.
Mercer County.
Benedum.
Elkins-Randoiph.
Tn-State.
Martinsburg Municipal.
Municipal.
Wood County.
WISCONSIN
Eau Claire Municipal.
Rock County.
Municipal.
King's Land 0' Lakes.
Manitowoc MunicipaL
Rhinelander-Oneida County.
Stevens Point MunicipaL
MunicipaL
WYOMING
Municipal.
Jackson's Hole.
General Brees Field.
Powell Municipal.
Municipal.
Sheridan County.
Municipal.
Community
Barre~-~--1~--
Newp
Oharlotte Ama1te~
Ohristiansted
Eai~ry `S. Truhian.
Alexander Eaaiilton.
VIRGINIA
Laramie -
Powell
Rock Springs
Sheridan
Worland -
`Partial ILS.
PAGENO="0133"
129
4.-Air Car~'ie~ airports without approach lighting systems, calendar yea~
1~6e-continlied
AMERICAN SAMOA
Community 4i~port -.
Pago Pago Pago Pago International
5.-Air carrier airports with traffic counts equal to or greater thM the airport
sur'reillance radar criteria establishment minimums
ALABAMA
West Palm Beach
Columbus.
South Bend
Lexington
PAT~A
71-.~4-~. t~1,..
CALIFORNIA
Monterey Peninsula.
FLORIDA
Palm Beach InternationaL
GEORGIA
Muscogee County.
INDIANA
St. Joseph County.
KENTUCKY
Blue Grass.
NEVADA
Reno Municipal.
NEW YORK
Westchester County.
Community
Dothan
SOUTH CAROLINA
Columbia Metropolitan.
WISCONSIN
Truax Ji~ield.
Kenai.
ARKANSAS
Payetteville-Drake Field.
Grider Field.
Municipal.
Community
Airport
Huntsville-Madison County.
6.-Air carrier airports without tower8 which have met the criteria establish-
meut miuimums
ALABAMA
/ AirpOrt:
Dothan.
ALASKA
Pine Bluff~
PAGENO="0134"
.-#~
New Haven
Fort Myers
Gainesville -
Panama City
130
6.-4ir ~ar~i~' ~ tow~ zvkiok have met thç critør4i~ ~8t~blish-
~ ~ ment rniwinutn~-CGntinued
OAUFO1~NIA
Community 4irport
ImperiaL. ~ ~peri~U ~uuty.
Marysvi11~ Tuba County.
Trwnbull.
Pweed-~Tew Haven.
Page FtelU Municipal.
Municipal.
Pitnarna Otty~Bay Cewity,
Municipal.
GEORGIA
Albany _____________________ - Albany Municipal.
HAWAII
Lihue ~ Lihue.
INDIANA
Lafayette ___________________ . Purdue University.
KENTUCKY
Owensboro __________~ ~ Owensboro~Daviess County.
MAINE
~oW AFB.
MICHIGAN
Ross Field.
MISSISSIPPI
Greenville Municipal.
MISSOURI
Municipal.
NEW YORK
Dutchess County.
NOEP~ CAflOLINA
Hickory Municipal.
NORTH DAKOTA
Grand Forks..._____..~___..__ Grand Forks tnternat!onai.
PUERTO RICO
Ponce_.______....____________ Mercedita.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Crescent Beach______________. Myrtle Beach.
Benton Harbor_~..._..._______.
Greenville
Columbia
Poughkeepsie
Hickory
PAGENO="0135"
Community
~
Parkersburg_
~La Crosse
Oomn&un~ty
Dothan
Huntsv111e~~. -
;i~~tusc1e Shoals ~___~__
Juneau -
~Tucson
Albany
Bib
Louisville
Benton Harbor -
~J~ackson
t'ontiac
Saginaw -
Colum us1
~u1fpc~
1 Programed for a partial XLS.
)~L
131
..1
~6.-Air carrier a~rports~i$thast towers whick 1&ave met ~the crit~ria establis1~
~ ~ ~4n~ m1ninwms~-~Conthutei~
WEST VIRGINIA
Ai~~~port
~1orga~ow~ Municipal.
Woo~l County.
WISCONSIN
La Crosse Municipal.
`1.-Air carrier a~rport8 witl&outinstrument landingayatem8 but wMcl& meet the
etabUshrnent c~Uerta
~L&BAMA
44rport
J~than.
`Madison.
Muscle ~S'hoais.
At)A~SKA
Ju~a~i Mttn4~fpal.
~ ~
iner~a~1k~M:t.
ARKANSAS
Hot Springs . I~enióf~al.
~Texarkana . Mnni~ipal. *
CALWOWIA
Paimoaie - ~ ~ AF13~.
Santa Ana - Orange County.
CONNECTICUT
Bridgeport * ]Th~t~Ll.
~Groton Trumbull.
GEORGIA
MunicipaL
HAWAII
General Lyman Field.
. ~E~UO]~Y
Bowman.
MI~GAk
Ross Field.
Reynolds rield.
Municipal.
Tn-City.
MISSISSIPPI
Oolumbus-Lowndes County.
Muilleipal.
PAGENO="0136"
132
7.~L~Aircarri~er airports `Uiitho~1,nstrvmentZa4zdin9j~/$temg ~t which ~ncet th~
est~bli~h~ient OriteHa~!Oo11tiflned
NE\kADA
Community
Las Vegas ~ ,McCai~an Field
NORTH OAROLINA
Hickory' MunicipaL
NORTH DAKOTA
~ %~ ~
Grand Forks `IhteriiationaL\
NItW YORK
Farmingdale
Ithaca
North Bend'
Bradford
San Juan
Rapid City -
ziouston
Republic.
Tompkins Gounty.
OREGON
MunleipaL
* PENNSYLVANIA.
Bradfoi~d-McI~ean Oounty.
PUERTO RICO
Puerto Rico International.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Municipal.
T~xAS
Intercontinental.
VIRGINIA
MuniëipaL
Shenandoah galley.
WASHINGTON
IndustriaL
WEST `VIRGINIA'
c3larksburg Benedum.
MunicipaL
8.-Air carrier airports without approach lighting system but meeting the
establi~hmeiit criteria
ALABAMA
Roanoke________~. -
Staunton'
Tacoma
Community
Dothan -
Huntsville
Musetle Shoals
Juneau
Airport
Dothan.
Madison.
Muscle Shoals.
ALASKA
Juneau MunicipaL
ARIZONA
International.
Tucson
`Programed for a partial ILS.
PAGENO="0137"
COLORADO
Walker Field.
CONNECTICUT
MunicipaL
Trumbull.
FLORIDA
Eglin AFB.
GEORGIA
Municipal.
Bush Field.
HAWAI]~
General Lyman FMd.
Eahuiui.
ILLINOIS
University of IUinols-Wlflai~d.
Quincy Municipal Baldwin.
INDIANA
Dress Memorial.
KENTUCKY
Mulman Field.
LOUISIANA
MAINE
Dow Field.
MASSACHUSETTS
Municipal,
MICHIGAN
Ross Field.
Reynolds Field.
Municipal.
Tn-City.
133
I
Community
Uot'Springs
8.-Air carriez~ airport~ without approaQh ~ig1~ti~g sy~te~ b~t~eetisg t!~e
eétal)Ushme.nt cr#eria~Qi1j~tu~.il
ARKANSAS
Airport
Memorial.
Municipal.
CALIFORNIA
Edwards AFE.
Orange County.
Puhlic.
Palmdr1~
~aiita Ailio
Santa Maria -
I
Orand J"'~44"~
Bridgeport
1,-.... -~
Albany
Augusta
Ililo
Kaliulul, Maui
`Terre Iioiifa
Baton Rouge
I~yaai.
Worcester
r~-~-~--~ Barbor___~
PAGENO="0138"
MISISSIPPI
Air~bo,~t
- )lurnbus-
Munleipal.
Key ]~lield.
MISSOURI
MunicttpaL
NEVADA
M~Oarran ~1E~kL
NKi~ HAMPs1rnu~
Gi~enier Ptel&Mm~icfpaL
NEW t~ORIC
Republic.
Long Island-MdArthur.
Tompkins.
NORTH CAROLINA
Seymour Johnson AFB.
MunicipaL
NORTH DAKOTA
International.
OREGON
MunicipaL
PENNSYLVANI4
~ County.
(`en. Carl Spaatz.
PUERTO RICO
~u~rto Rico International.
SOUTH DAKOTA
MunicipaL
Muuicj~pa1.
TEXAS.
Rio Graude Valley InternationaL
Mea~hah~i.
Intercontinental.
VIRGINIA
Municipa1.
Shenandoah Valley.
WASHINGTON
Industrial.
WEST VIRGINIA
Benedum.
Municipal.
WYOMING
Municipal.
134
~:-Air carrier airporis wU1&oa~t approa&b I,tgh~tin~, ~istein bat meeting tha
Community
Ooilumimr
Gulfport
Field.
Las ~
Far
IsiJip..
T~4hn~
GotLd~bor
Grafld F'~-1-'~
North Bend
Brai&'~'1
D,~. ~
San ~
Huron
Rapid `Guy
Brownsville.
Fort W'~
Boane1- -
Tacoma
Olarksburg
Morgantown
Rock ~
PAGENO="0139"
135
Mr. Ro~ns. Thank you, Mr. Qhairman.
The CITAIRMAN. Thós~ ha~r~ been requested before, but L am sure
they will comply with ~ that request. Some other m~mb~rs have re-
quested it.
Mr. R~ii~s. Thank you.
The 4~I1AXRMAN. M!r. Devthe. ~
Mr. DEviNL Thank you, Mr. Ohairma~.
General McKee, I am not ac~using you or your organiza~tiofl of dere-
liction of anything, I would join in yoii~ remarlçs of commendatioii,
particularly for your air traffic controllers. I would ask you or any
men4er on the panel right now if you wouldn't agree that in the in~
t~rests of air safety, and the interesth of the public, and of the public
understanding, might be well served if we would have additional pub~
lie hearings in which we gave the representatives Qf the Air Line
Pilots' Association, Aircraft Own~s & Pilots' Association, air traffic
controllers, perhaps members of the public, an oppQrtunity to testify
and air this thing ~ ~ ~:
Do you think you could gain any infô~ination or insight by such
hearings ? ~ ~
~ General McKi~. Well, as you knOw, we certainly have no objection
to any hearings the committee wants to hold. But as you know, w~
have frequent meetings with the Air Line Pilots' Association, and with
all these associations, and I have urged, for example, the Air Traffic
Controllers Association, these other a~ociations, to giv~ us their ideas,
any ideas that they have Qnimproving safety. , ~ ~ ~
A lot of their recommendations we take, ~ and some of them are
just impracticable to take for one reason or another. They are beyond
our capability. , ~ . . ~
Mr. DEVINE. Yes ; but that is true of y~u as the Administrator and
within your organiaztion ; but' 1 am conceri~d with' the public im~ge
of comnier~iai and general ~viation. I' think there ar~ to~ rnany mis-
understandings. I think if these `things are aired, that maybe th~
public would have more coñfideh~.. ` , ` ~ ` `~ ` ` ` ` . ~
~ ~ We a~re told every time there is an air crash, whether it is a midair~
collision, or something else, there are i~nmediate cancellations of
reservations, and then `these people get courage again, and 2 or, 3 days
later, they start flying again. , ~ ~
` General MoKEc1~. That is tri~e ; but th~i~ they pi~ckup' next week. The
thing keeps ~ growing. I am concer~ied about the ~a~idity with which
air traffic is growing. It is fantastic. ` `
Mr. DEVINE. Again, talldng about lack of faç~ilities, when these
jumbo jets like the 747 come in, I understand `that you are not as eon-
cerned with the air safety problem as you are with how you are going
to handle them when they get on the ground, with parking ` facilities,
both for the aircraft, haMling the bags, and thing's like that.
Isn't that a great problem ? ` `
General ~foKi~. Froi* the ~ir ` safety point of view, we can handle
th~ juz~~ j'~t just as ` easily as we ~an handle present airplanes. Ob-
vio~is1~i, if~u happen to be sq unfortunate as to ha~è an accident, in
one ~cid'ent,' you obviously would kill more people; hilt the big prob~
lern confi~ou~ing th& avi~tioii ~ommiinity and various ~omrnunities in
the country is providing the facilities at thC airport to handle that
many people.
PAGENO="0140"
136
Yo'u*c~n imagine wha~t woi~id happen to New York if at 5 o'eipok-
and this is one of our problems, again-~three jumbo jets oame in from
Paris or London. And this is a problem they have got.
Mr. DIWINE. That is true.
Let me put an unrelated question to that. Is drinking by ~pilots in
general `aviation at this time considered a major air safety hazard?
Ha$ it grown to any proportions that you have . great concern about
this problem?
~ General MOKEE. I don't think, Mr. Devine, that it is major, but we
do have a problem there, and I think that everybody recognizes it, and
that it is the reason that we are oonducting, and so are the various*
associations, a very vigorous ~duca1tionai eampaig~ as to what is in-
volved when a pilot `takes a drink before he takes off, or a few hours
`before he takes off. We do consider it a problem.
~ Mr. DEvINE. Not a major one at this time?
`General MCKEE. I will say it is a significant p
call it a major problem.
Mr. DEVINE. Finally, recognizing that th
lisions, one at Urbana, Ohio, the other one
lina, did nc~t occur in a hi 1 1 ~sted ~
that I recall was United and .
proaching JFK-what one thin
panel suggest `or r~cmmend as a
ing midair coliisiou~s ? Is there ~
General MoKm~. The one p
this morthng, and I think it
problem, ~a.n effective, anticollision `C
Mr. DEfiNE. On the aircraft.
General MoKi~E. On. the aircraft.
Mr. DEVINE. Thank you, `Mr. Chairman.
General MoKi~E. And I think we have to drive as fast as we can
to get it. First on all the commercial airliners, airplanes carrying pas-
sengers ; and then we have got to drive at getting ~o'me kind of a
device that is economically feasible for all the general aviation
aircraft.
it would be the biggest breakthrough we could get.
`Mr. DEVINE. Thank you.
General MoKi~,. And we need the help of all of the industi
getting this done.
Mr. DEVINE. That is in a public hearing, maybe with all good intents,
that might show up here.
~ General MCKEE. I would sure like to see them.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Kornegay.
Mr. KORNEGAY. Thank you, Mr. Ohairman.
Mr. MCKee, is it an FAA. rule that small passenger commercial air-
craft have been equipped with radar on the plane?
General MCKEE. Will you answer Mr. Moore?
Mr. GEORGE S. MOORE (Associate Administrator for Operations,
FAA). All aircraft that were certificated after a certain date. To give
you an example, the DC-3, or C-46, being manufactured sometime
back, do .not have to have airborne radar; but all of your modern
equipment today, your turboprops and your jets are required to have
airborne radar.
PAGENO="0141"
137
Mr. KORNEGAY. ~ A lot of planes ~ do have it now. Is that radar
equipped to aid tim pilot in determining `altitude, weather, other air-
craft, or what?
What can he see on that radar, in other words?
Mr. MOORE. it is primarily a weather avoidance device. In other
words, it keeps him from flying into-
Mr. KORNEGAY. In other words, he can see a thunderstorm up ahead.
Mr. MOORE. Yes, sir.
Mr. KORNEOAY. Now, could he see any aircraft out there, 10 miles, ~
miles?
Mr. MOORE. No ; it is not designed for that, sir.
Mr. KORNEOAY. Ill other words, insosfar as collision, air collisions
are concerned, this is not any real help to the navigator or the pilot.
Mr. MOORE. It is primarily a weather avoidance device and you can,
of course, use it for picking up land masses, and things like that, when
you are approaching a mountain, or something of that sort, yes, sir.
L Mr. KORNEGAY. A mountain. Do you foresee now an instrument,
radar instrument that could be used, adapted to pick up other air-
cra~ft?
Mr. Mooin~. No, sir ; as General McKee pointed out, the way it
looks to us the `collision avoidance device as such, as a separate unit, is
the best hope for avoiding other aircraft.
~ Mr. KORNEGAY. Now does that collision avoidance system send a
signal out 360 degrees, in other words, in all directions ; or will it be
funneled out as a radar beam goes?
Mr. MOORE. As Mr. Thomas mentioned this morning,, it is a time fre-.
quency proposition, using what is known as an atomic clock. It is a
cooperative system. It would require all aircraft to be so equipped, be
on exactly the same time and, in that way, be able to exchange intel-
ligence with those equipments on aircraft in the system.
Mr. THOMAS. It does cover the complete volume, there is an antenna
on top, and an antenna on the bottom. For all practical purposes, it is
like a basketball, complete volume around it. In all directions.
Mr. KORNEGAY. In all directions. Now, I noted in the press that
they speak particularly of the collision at .llendersonville, N.C., that
the Cessna 310 was 12 miles off course.
Now, has your investigation got to the point where any statement
could be made with reference to why that airplane was that far off
course, and if anyone in the system knew that it was off course?
Mr. ALLEN. Sir, I don't think that we have said that the aircraft
was off course.
Mr. KORNEGAY. No, sir ; I didn't say. I said it was reported in the
newspaper, and it was not according to the FAA officials.
Mr. ALLEN. Well, going back to the transcript I read this morning,
I think that the following summary could be made in that transcript.
The information, from the information, we determined that .3121
Sierra was under radar surveillance from the time of departure from
Charlotte to within 10 miles of Asheville VOIR. And the clearance was
to the Asheville VOIR, and Nan 3121 Sierra reported "21 Sierra just
passed over the VOR. We are headed for-nh-the Asheville now."
And that time was at 1558 hours and 19 seconds.
I
PAGENO="0142"
138
Mr. KORNEGAY~ Well, that was some 3 minutes before the collision.
Mr. ALLEN. Yes, sir ; the collision occurred at 1601 and approxi-
mately 15 seconds. We know that the Piedmont flight 22 departed
Asheville airport approximately 1558, and 40 seconds, and shortly
thereafter, was observed by two control towers about 5, approximately
5 miles south on the southeast heading.
Now, after impact, the aircraft came to rest on the ground at a~ point
approximately 10 miles southwest of the Asheville VOR or about 10
miles out on the 230° radial of the VOR.
Now, after collision, your aircraft becomes a free-falling object.
We do not know at this time whether impact occurred precisely over
the impact spot or not. I think that during the course of the inirestiga-
tion, we will run a trajectory analysis, and this will tell us more
precisely at what point displaced from the VOR, such as the case
where the actual midair collision occurred.
Mr. KORNEGAY. Thank you very much.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Broyhill.
Mr. BR0YrnLL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
General McKee, has the FAA considered, and if so, would it be
practical to require that all aircraft who operate under IFR conditions
be equipped with transponders?
General MCKEE. I don't think so. I would like to ask Mr. Thomas.
He has been into this at some length. I asked him the same question.
. Mr. THOMAS. No~ sir ; we do nGt. In the so-called positive control air
space, air space high altitudes `occupied by the fast aircraft and. the
heavy aircraft, we do require it.
At the present time, we do not find it necessary for all aircraft op-
erating IFR to be so equipped. The cheapest installed version now is
about $5~500, and much of the IFR operation occurs in areas where it
would not normally be considered necessary.
We may at some time require this for operations in very high density
areas, but we have come to no such conclusion yet.
Mr. BROYJJrLL. I want to ask one other question, concerning the pro-
cedures of your controller. Now, Mr. Allen, read the transcript. I don't
remember which controller it was, gave `the pilot of 3121 Sierra an
instruction, and then said "Correction," and made a correction in this
instruction, and as I recall in reading this transcript~ the pilot ac-
knowledged that with his number.~
Now, is it usually the procedure followed that he acknowledges his
instruction this way, or would he be required to repeat this instruction,
or make sure that he has it correctly?
Mr. THOMAS. He normally would read it back.
Mr. BROYHILL. But there is no-
Mr. THOMAS. They are encouraged to read back. There is no ab-
solute requirement to read back.
. Mr. BROYHILL. Would this-
Mr. THOMAS. That is, repeat the clearance instruction he has been
given.
Mr. BROYHILL. Would this be something that could be done, to re-
quire that they read such instructions back, clearances?
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Broyhill, the problem that we have had, and we
have discussed this at quite some length, in the very busy locations,
such as Chicago, or New York, we could completely congest the radio
PAGENO="0143"
139
frequencies, and if there is any requirement to read back, it would be
more urgent in those locations than any other locations. It is normally
a better thing to read back, because then there is some assurance that
the pilot and the controller have the same ideas in mind.
Mr. BROYHILL. I might ask one oti~er question. Your. agency, the
FAA are both in the Department of Transportation. Your agency has
the ~responsibility for inve~igating air accidents. Is your agency inde-
pendent of the FAA, or do you have, are you under the FAA control,
or what is the exact status?
Mr. O'CONNELL. Well, we are very pointedly made independent
by virtue of the statute under which we operate. We inherited the Civil
Aeronautics Board function of investigating aircraft accidents, but in
the Transportation Act which created the National Transportation
Safety Board, there is specific provision requiring that we exercise
our responsibility and duties independent of the Secretary of Trans-
portation, or any of the administrators, so that we are directed to op-
erate independent of General McKee and of the Department as a whale,
in our responsibilities of investigating accideiats.
That is a continuation of the longstanding separation that existed
between CAB and FAA in the same area.
Mr. BRoi~iiILL. You also have authority to investigate the near~misse~
which we have been talking about today?
Mr. O'CONNELL. Yes, yes ; we. do.
Mr. BROYHILL. I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee.
Mr. K1JYKENDALL. General McKee, I want to follow just for a mo-
ment the line of questioning of Mr. Devine, in the matter of holding
extensive public hearings. In my~ very short tenure on this committee,
it seems that in the witnesses from the various technical~ and I believe
three or four gentlemen have described your function a~ primarily
technical, it seems to me that the function of the committee; among
many other things, has been largely one of, should I say, translation
from technical into more layman's terms.
I find that many times, the supposed superficial misunderstanding
between you a~d one of us is only a matter `of the difference between
your technical terminology and our layman's terminology.
i: know this discourse between you and Mr. Sprh~ger a fe~ momenits
ago, pretty well brought this out.
Would you not. think, if for no other r~ason excepts to bring this
whole problem out `into the public into the language which ~e as Con-
gressmen `speak, which obviously, has to be the lan~age of the gen-
eral public, if for no other reason, don't you thi~k that would be
advantageous?
General MoKE~. I am not sure whether it would or not. Lots of
times, in these things, a lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings
occur, but we h~e ncthing to hide, and before `any bearing that this
committee wants to hold, we will sit up here and tell you the truth
the best we know it, a~ long as you want to hear it.
Mr. KUYKJ~tDATJL. I realize this, but I k .. no~r that~-~I am not ~en
going to ask you the qnestion~ I will niake the statement-~-yo.u are
not impervious to public opinion. I know that.
General MoKEE~ Oh, no~ no.
Mr. KUrKENOALL. And I was just suggesting an idea. I know that
the few times I have heard you testify, there are cases where the public
PAGENO="0144"
140
had misunderstood you, and this committee did understand you, and
11 think it would have been better off if there had been this under-
standing all along.
This was my only statement. I know you feel the same way.
General McKi~. I certainly do.
The GEJAIRMAN. Mr. Ottinger.
Mr. OrrINGER. Mr. Chairman, I think our last exchange generated
perhaps more heat than light, and I wonder if you could answer a few
of the specifies that I raised. I will just pick ~ out two or three that I
think are of most concern that haven't been covered by the committee.
I am told it would increase safety substantially in the northeast
corridor from Washington to Boston, if pl~anes were under continuous
control of the towers. I understand they are not, `at the present time.
What are the disadvantages or difficulties in instituting that kind of
control?
Second, is there a three-dimensional radar ~vailable ~t less than $2
million as E]ecitronies magazine states?
General MCKEE. This question of three-dimensional radar has come
up a number of times, and I believe `this committee, I am no expert
in three-dimensional radar, but I have asked that this be looked into,
because it has been raised a number of times, and I would like for
Mr. Thomas to talk to the three-dimensional radar, and maybe shed
a little light on this great thing that is supposed to solve all the
problems.
Would you talk to the three-
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Chairman, L
Hughes and I.T. & T. efforts. We 1
City. I have seen the Hughes system with
with the I.T~ & T. system. The object of al
radars is to get altitude information into the
The military services ob~ I with a
doen
ype
an esti-
~rceptor,
17 precise
is one `of just geometry. In the `air traffic con-
___1 the lower air space 1,000 feet of vertical `separa-
ird, and in areas close to the radar antenna, we
if we are more than 40 miles from the radar
miles `as the lateral separation standard ; that is,
` 1 not be closer than 5 miles, not because the wing
eoause this is the resolution of the radar. If we
ion `in the horizontal plane `and put it on end in
nen we would deal very well with airplanes that
~ration at 40 miles and 25,000-foot separation at
. - we used the same standards.
~ ~ ~ ~pts to do something `about this, and in the
since ~ the one we bought, it was a series of anten-
., `one s~a ked upon the other, varying from each other by `a fraction
and then the radar will look at `all these `antennas, `select
ut it thought had the strongest return, make `a calculation
- centroid would be, `and then estimate this a's `the height.
seek ou't `a
~ormati'on
interc
it.
trol s'
tion
use 3 mil
`antenna,
) airpli
s and
PAGENO="0145"
141
i~. THOMAS. It O~
have a transmitter th~
obviously, you can't
the wrong information
is to write technical si
ployed; as a matter of fact, tI
This works pretty good, within very short ranges, but it is a corn-
plicated sort of device. We had a Presidential committee look at this
whole problem, about 5 or 6 years `ago, its name was Projec4 Beacon,
and they came up . with a `contrary recommendation, and we have
been embarked on its recommendation since.
And that is, we would like a rather constant measurement of alti-
tude, and not dependent upon a fraction of a degree resolution of
radar, which is not available either in military or civil. And the sim-
plest thing would be, since the altimeter measures altitude regard-
less of its distance from an antenna, is simply to have it broadcast what
that altitude information is.
We had another fortuitous circumstance going for us, because
we were then using, as was mentioned earlier, the grandson of the
old World War II 1FF in the radar beacon, which would reinforce
the target.
This was susce
one couldp~
radar s
plane.]
and dis ~ iden
ItheaL
1r~ has no ~ ~ttions in i~
vertical separation t we can use, and
If we put in c~. ~s-ii radar to cover the'.
know at one time i it would cost, we would
40-, 50-mile intervals in order to get the accuracy tha~
Now, the military have quite a different problem. ~
with a cooperative environment, one where you want t
sion, one that ~rate with don't
quite a number of c
~o we went the route o
* off a beacon on
Dn, one a, pc
Piedmont I
1flfl(
~itii~iuchm~,~
¶12-715--68----1O
PAGENO="0146"
142
tró~ics ` industry in this area `than with almost any other thing in
the past ~ years. , `
~ And mtüth o:f the general aviation equipment now coming off the
line is ofexcellent quality. But we do have minimum standards for
the performance. of the ai~draft.
This is uot how you build it. That is their problem. But how it
operates, within the system.
Mr. OrrINGER. What is the situation with respect to air taxi?
Why don't you have the same kInd of severe controls on them as
you do on carriers?
Mr. THoMAS. There is confusion over `the air taxis, even in our
statistics. We categorized them as general aviation, but as a matter
of fact,. they `are common carriers. I would `suspect the air taxi opera-
tors would tell you we have quite severe controls over them. We have
even tighter control's under a notice of proposed rulemaking that is out
for public comment right new, but we have some real difference's in the
operation that we must recognize. Many of them `are small, three, four,
five place aircraft, `operating with `a single pilot under visual flight
rules, that is good weather conditions, and iiever under instruments.
Some of them actually operate heavier aircraft with two pilots,
and essentially under the same type of rules. But fundamentally there
are difference's in `their operating environment, `there is a difference in
their capacity `as to where they go, and we try to apply the most
rigid safety regulations that we can to them, but obviously, we do not
want to destroy that industry.
If we required them to have dispatchers, two-way radio ground sta-
tions, two pilots, this `sort of thing, we could put them out of business,
real quick.
Mr. OTTINGER. You are sure it would put `them out of business ? They
are in the business of `carrying people for pay. That i's the basis.
General MCKEE. Well, we wouldn't mind putting them out of busi-
ness, if we thought it wa's necessary from a safety point of view,
but we are tr~ying to get the equivalent safety with the requirements
that we do put on them without it being identical to the same require-
ments for the big airplane going between New York and Paris.
Mr. OTTINGER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Brotzman.
Mr. BROTZMAN. Thank you.
Having listened to about 4 or 5 hours of testimony, I am impressed
by the fact that you `have some very great problems, and I say, I think
we have some very great problems. ` .`
I certainly look charitably upon the comments of the gentleman
from OhiO, Mr. Deviiie. I think a broad gage type of inquiry would
help to resolve some of these problems. When I say that, I don't be-
lieve we can resolve these matters by turning the faucet on and off,
and I think that we in the Congress have a need for `more expertise and
knowledgeability about the specifics of `these prc~blems to enable us
to work with you and carriers, and the pilot's association and the
various people that are concerned with air traffic safety, in the interests
of the general public. I certainly feel this has been a very beneficial
day, to hear these matters discussed, but I don't think it has gone far
enough.
I
PAGENO="0147"
143
I might say one thing, Gen~ra1,. That ~y clqsest ~ ~Qeiation with
your agency happens to be w~tli the group oJ~; people that operate
the air traffic control center, the Longmont, Cob., and I would be
remiss if I didn't say publicly that they are a dedicated, har4-work~
ing group of people, and I think they doan excellent job.~ . : ~
Certainly, all of us can improve in the performance of the tasks we
assume for this Government, but I want to clearly be on recor4 ~ that
I think they are doing a good job there. I have taken the time `to go
and inspeottheir operation, and to find out what kind of people they
really are. ~ ~ ~
~ If you will recollect, the last time we ~ea1iy got together which un-
fortunately, once ~gain, was at the time of the major c~tastrop~ e in
New Orleans, and I think we ought to be getting `together in between
times.
General MCKEE. I agree.
Mr. BROTZ~&AN. We get together after something tragic has hap-
pened, but I think thei~ should be continuity of purpose here, on all
of our parts, and certainly, when I say that, 1~ am talking about our
committee, but if you will recall, as a result of the Delta crash at New
Orleans, I made a suggestion relative to your checking upon the
possibility of acquiring surplus Air Force bases in remote areas, as
sites for emergency training exercises.
I think you made some progress on it. ~ Is that not correct ~
General M0KEE. Some. Not as much as we would like, but as yoi~
remember this morning, we covered what we had done as a result of
that accident, to try tc ensure that we didn~t have a similar recurrence
in terms of maneuvers, where they would be conducted, and as I said~
we went into some detail, in a letter to the eommittee as to just what
we had done.
I pointed out in a letter to you what is being done at surplus air-
fields, or airfields that are becomingsurplus.
Mr. BROTZMAN. The reason I suggested that, of course, was that
often in this Government, one hand doesn't know what the other
hand is doing. We have surplus Air Force bases that might be in a
good spot, to augment training exercises, taking them out of areas
of congestion. I think we should be moving on that, prior to the time
that we dispose of them.
General M0KEE. Well, we are certainly `aware of anything that is
surplus that comes up through GSA. We work very cl~sely with GSA.
Obviously, Mr. Brotzman, you hare a problem. You take a huge miii-
tary installation that becomes surplus, just to operate that military
installation costs a tremendous amount of money, and then you are
asked to settle the question, "Well, would you like to use this for
training purposes ~" Who is going to pay for it ? The Federal Govern-
ment is not ~orng to pay for it. There is nothing in our funds to pro-
vide for training bases, and so you go to the airlines, and they say,
"We are going to do our training down iii New Mexico, because we
have `a base down there, and we can't `afford t~ do this."
On the other hand, we try to ~noourage the airlines, and we `are do-
ing it in `a couple of oases right now, where there are facilities that
have become available, to use them, and some o~ them are,
For ezample, P~n American is very interesthd in training at one
PAGENO="0148"
of the bases in the southwestern part of the United States that is be-
coming `surplus, that has fine runways and fine facilities.
Mr. BROTZMAN. Well, these are practical things that must be con-
sidered.
General MCKEE. I think that if you look-
Mr. BROTZMAN. And we would understand the whole situation.
General MCKEE. If you look over the record of this particular corn-
mittee over the ye'trs, I think this committee has made an outstanding
and sigrnfioant contribution to the advance of commercial aviation in
this country.
And I agree with you. I would like to get together more frequently.
We need help in lots ofareas. We do need understanding.
Mr. BROTZMAN. Thank you.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Van Deerlin?
Mr. VAN DEERLIN. Thank you.
You testified, General, that the utilization of Bolhng and Ana.
costia strips would relieve the congestion `at National Airport, but it
really wouldn't do anything, would it, to relieve the congestion and
the backup airspace overhead ? Wouldn't the problems-wouldn't the
major problems that you have in parking space remain with the use
of those nearby fields?
General MCKEE. This is true, Mr. Van Deerlin. Actually, we could
have used An'acostia on a limited basis, as we said, but that is not
the solution for the Washington area. Washington needs, I am not pre-
pared to state how many, but at least several well-located general
aviation airports. And I would hope someday we will be able to get
them.
Mr. VAN DEERLIN. But they shouldb&-
~ General MOKEE. Anacostia, even if it were to be used, is a poor solu-
tion to the problem.
Mr. VAN DEERLIN. So I take it your overall recommendations would
be against their utilization for as an adjunct to National Airport.
General MOKEE. Well, certainly not as an adjunct. The only purpose
it would serve would be to take some of the light airplanes off of Wash-
ington National.
And we suggested it last year, when we were having the crisis in
congestion, as one action that might tend to some extent to relieve the
congestion at Washington National. But for a sensible, long-term
answer, we needed adequate, general aviation airports in the Washing-
ton area, to handle not only these light airplanes I was talking about,
but also the tremendous amount of business aircraft that come in,
heavy piston-planes, turboprops, and jets. They are going more and
more and more to jets, so this whole fleet of business aircraft is very
rapidly changing into a jet fleet, and if you could take those airplanes
into a convenient airport, other than National, I think we would be
that much better off.
Mr. VAN DEERLIN. Thank you.
The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Keith.
* Mr. KEITH. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I am sorry that I haven't been able to be here, General, for most of
your testimony. Over the weekend, I had occasion to enter into a dis-
cussion with somebody about the overall safety of flying, and p~rticu-
larly commercial flying.
144
PAGENO="0149"
to be proud
regrettable as ti
Mr. THOMAS. `~
Aviation Organizai
ones that you just read,
countries, the accident r
e the international
- ~e no acc
145
internation~
~rab1e statistics
~verage of all the
rate is one~
country'
any other country.
Mr. KEITH. I am far fr
I-fl
m satisfied,
Iwas
- Neve
-mu~
Congress.
olli-sions in
PAGENO="0150"
146
of your personneJ iiith various ~ areas of study, including structures,
systems~ powerp1a~ts,'flight recorder, i~aintenánce records, operations,
air traffic control, andtliese human factors.
Now I would like to ask you a similar question to one that was asked
earlier. this afternoon, and tha~t is, don't you feel that this committee
would benefit from testimony from those organizatipns which you
have listed as being ttwited to participate in the irn~est~tion, and
perhaps some others, mt~mifactur~, ai~id so forth, relating to struc-
tures, systen~s, and the like, ~ to see if th~y might ha~ anyti~ing to
contribute to this que~tion of air traffic safety, or air safety ? *
Mr. ALu~N. Mr. Brown, I ~Wott1d i~t be so ~pi~esumptiioüs as to pre-
dict what benefit might accrtte to the committee. I make `i~ a practice
to visit safety forums wherever they are conthicted, and I have attended
them in the past from ~rari$s organizatiOns and ~iidustri~.
~ Mr. BRow~. Well, I wOüiti høp&that the committee and the FAA
would both benefit from thi~ kind of testimony, and as the general
has testified, the FAA has the opportunity t'~ hear from these people
from time to time. ~
However, we don't always have that opportunity, so `I think that
some benefit might accrue to us.
Let me ask you, Mr. 4ileft, again with reference to the human factors
involved here, do you do any ps~çhological evaluation after an acci-
dent of the air traffic control personnel, as you do with the pilots ii~
volved in an accident ? ~ ~ ~ . ,
Mr. ALLI~N. I can't recall of an instance~ where we have conduoted
psychological tests. ~ ~ ~
Mr. BROWN. I math that, ~rhen you~aid that you did an evaluation of
~sycho1ogical f~ctdrs, I would presume this ~woul4 iiicludè. whether
or not the pilot had ~ somp. reason. to' b~ ie~s th~n safe in flying his
airplane. ` ` ` ~ ~ " . ` :~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ` . ~: * ~ `~
Mr ALLEN What I had reference to in that partit~ilar instance,
Mr. Brown, was the number ~ ~thcidents ~ in the past ; ` it has come ` to
our attention that the pilot ~s're'ceiving ps~hiatric tr~tment, and
we proceeded to that phase of investigation. , ~
Mr. BKOWN. My' qu~stion includes air traffic control personnel and
the other personi~eI iuvotved in this whqle fabric of air safety. Do you
do any evaluation of `the air traffic ` control personnel, ` whether the
guy was at an all-night party b~fore, or anything of that nature?
` Mr. ALLEN. We h~venot.
Mr. BRowN. And I make tio implication, general, because ~ I have
great admiration for the air traffic control personnel, too, but they aie
part of this scheme a~d in some instances have greater control ovei
the, circumstances than the individual' pilots' might have.
` Mr. ALLEN.' I tbi~k, sir, that I would `respond `to' that b~fr saying that
we go where the investigation leads' us. J~f, `during the course of an
investigation, ~e.~fi~deviden~ that this `faótor n'~ight be. involved, we
would purs~ it. ` ~
Mr. BROWN. Let me ask you one other question related to a question
asked earlier, and that is on the matter of alcohol. In the case of the
Hendersonvilie or Asheville crash, how are you , going to' find out if
alcohol was'a factor~ DOestl~i~-
Mr. ALLEN. Ate you relating this to crew members, sir?
Mr. BROWN. I' am relating it to `anybody who `might be involved in
the significant safety aspects of this' e ccident.
PAGENO="0151"
147
Mr. Au~EN. The only time that we conduct tests t~or alcohol is in the
~L~se of a ~1eceased pilot, ~r~w member,~ a~id. we do not obtain blood
samples from people who survived an a~cide~it.
Mr BROWN Is there any way that in the policing of J~'AA regula
tions, that such fa~tOrs ar~ checked oi~ a regular or ~t~rmittent or
spot-check basis~
Mr. Aip~N. I am not sure I understand your question.
~tr BRoWN Such factors as the he~dth factor, po'~sibi1ity cf flying
while under the influence, and so forth ? Are there regulations which
prohibit this ? . ~ ~ ~
Mr. ALLEN. Well~ the regulation, .1 think, as Mr. Thomas pointed out
earlier, is prohibiti~ against flying under the influence.
Mr. BROWN. That is right. New, how do~s anyone know whether
there are any pilots in the air at the. n~Oment flying under the influence,
unless they have a o~ash ? ~
. Mr. Ai.ra~N. I ddn'1~ think that y~u would know, sir.
Mr. BRowN. There is no way of policingthis problem?
Mr. ALLEN. Poliáing of that particular type of regulation would be
a tremendous task.
Mr. BROWN. The health factor? ~ ~ .
Mr. ALLEN. Their health factor, too; yes, sir.
Mr. BROWN. That js a precheck or a postcheck. In other words, that is
the pilot's certification program in comthercial airlines, butnot in the
noncommercial or the o!en~al. aviation. ~ ~ . .
Mr ALLEN %Vell, ~f~'T understand your question coi r~tly, sir, we
have had accidents in the past where pilots have suc~cessfu11y concealed
me4ical deficiencies during the course of their periodic i~iediqa1 exami
nation, and as I understan& it, they are as such, that tliese deficiencies
can't be d~tected, and uñ1es~ the pilOt reveals it, ~ou *&~E have no way
of.knowing, and th~ pilot will continue to fly with that ~fioiency, until
something happens to him
Mr BROWN, W~l1, I would like to return to General McEe~ with that
safue questiôñ; b~it before I 1~w~ M~. Alien, I would like to ask ~ruc-
tural factors Is there a way we c~in build airplanes safer ~
ror instance, w~hen a sthall plane hits one of these )ets tlmt is c~iF~y
mg, however many people we are going to have in the maximum size
jet, is there any way we can build that big plane so that it will not
explode in the air, or will not completely consume itself in flames,
whefl It crashes ? ~ . . .. .
Mr Ai~r,i~iN Mr l3rQwn, you have posed a very difficult quesiion I
suppose you could say that you could build an airplane like an anvil
and it ~vc~ouldn't disintegn~te, but then I doi~bt very seriously that it
would get off the ground. . . ~
~ Mr. BROWN. Well, I don't want to build one like an anvil, but I would
like one that isn't ~oing to be an incinerator when it lands.
Mr. 4r.u~. I rnisun~Ierstood your question. I thought tha1~ you had
reference to midair collisions rather than emergency evacuations.
Mr BROWN I do have reEerence to midi~ir collisions, to this extent
If a small plane brushes a big plane, I would hope that~ perhaps the
skin of that plane might be such that the small plane might not make
it, but th~t th~ big one would, but I am talking about such accidents
as we have `had in the aircraft, or the airlines in recent years, where
PAGENO="0152"
of ~
state of art, w
the control surfaces o~ the
aircraft would then lose its c
demic whether it crashes as
it is, out of control ~nd
I just don't believe it i~
Mr. BROWN. Now we Ii
engine, and so forth, a~
bringing the plane into a
My question is, is there any
likelihood of the plane bursting
passengers can be reduced by any structurs
I only mentioned this because you menti
investigation.
Mr. ALLEN. Yes, sir. Well, I think that
structures in this ~articular acc
as you know, they have to have
*e to meet very high standards.
rogram of certificating general avia-
a medical examination.
~ subject of alcohol, which is a problem,
Tto lipe it. We do. have ocoasional. reports from
rule has been violated, and upon getting reports; we
make an investigation, but it is a very hard thing to
148
Lt might,
ae whether
or systems
e maneuvers.
uy,questiQn on
we are trying
Well, first I
rcraft control
scherne -
you
~ been VE
been subjecte~
we are vei icerned about t.
mental well-boin
they have in the'
autho
PAGENO="0153"
t to ~
a to duty, ~
iat h come
149
. Mr. 13i~ow&~ Some effort. wa~ appaieiit.ly ma(Ie to 1)OliCe the two Navy
1)ianes, to find out about the two Navy phuies, but there is no spot
check done of general aviation.
General MCKEE. `IOU mean, when we have an accident ~
Mr. BROWN. No ; under normal conditions, routine procedures, occa-
sional spot check of either.
General MoK1~E. Go up to, say, Mr. Brown flyinga pri vate airplane
from Dayton, Ohio, to Washington, and what do you think would
happen if I sent an aviation nispector out to find out if Mr. Brown
had been drinking before flying his airplane?
Mr. BROWN. You do on an airline pilot, don't you?
General MckEE. No, we don't..
Mr. BROWN. I thought you had FAA inspectors occasionally ride
planes?
C ~ral MCKEE. Yes, occasionally ride planes; but we don't go up
- LL -i alcohol test.
~. Gentlemen, this completes this phase of the
e~that ~u have served the
a a little more quickly,]
ngress have to go back ~ ye an
- for your patE
t
and
)eneu, ana
~s nappening,
PAGENO="0154"
150
of the committee want to. thank all of you, and say that I think you
have done an excellent job.
General Mc1~. Thank you.
Mr. O'OoNrn~u4. Thank you very much, sir.
The O~I~JIRgAN. That ends this pIi~se of the hearings. Tomorrow
morning, this committee will begin executive sessions on other busi-
ness.
Mr. BROWN. ~tr. Chairman, will we have a chance to resun~e with
other witnesses at a later date on this subje~~t ~
The CHAIRMAN. I will talk to you about that.
The committee will stan4 adjourned at this point~
(Whereupon, at 4 :~35 p.m. the committee adjourned.)
PAGENO="0155"
AVIATION SAFETY
MONZ~AT, AX~G~1S~ 28, 1967
HouaF~ OF RFAI~RESEN~ATIVES,
Sui~coMMrm~ ON TRANSPORTATION AND AERONAUTICS,
Co~1Mrrri~E ON INTERSTATE AND FoREIGN COMMERCE,
Washington, D.C.
`flie subconiiriittee met at 10 a.rn., pursmtnt to notice, in room 2128,
Rayburn House Offlee Building, Hon~ Samuel N. Friedel (ohair-
man of the suboommitt~e) presiding.
Mr. FRIEDETA. The subcommittee will be in order. Today the Sub-
committee on Transportation and Aeronautics of the Committee on
Interstate and V'oreign Commerce resumes hearings on aviation
safety. These hearings oorn~nenced earlier in the session by Chairman
Staggers, before the full committee.
From the list of organi~ations and persons who have indicated
their interest in these hearings, it is apparent that there is ~ great
deal of concern and effort in the pursuit of maximum aviation safety.
The unachievable goal is a 100-percent assurance of safety in flight.
The closest realization of that goal is the desire of each one of us who
has an interest a~nd responsibility in aviation.
lTe have earlier heard from the Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration, Gen. William F. McKee ; his deputy ; and other
experts in the FAA. We have also received testimony from chairman
.Joseph J. O'Connell, Jr., of the National `IFransportation Safety
Board and the Director of the Board's Bureau of Aviation Safety.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Avia-
tion Administration are the two Federal agencies primarily responsi-
hie for aviation safety. Safety is their duty every day. It is the func-
tion of the Committee on Interstate and F~oreign Oomm~rce, and
this subcommittee, to consider proposed legislation in the field of
aviation safety. It is also our function to make ~ertaiu that the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration and the National Trai~sportation Safety
Board are carrying out their present legislative duties in cotnplete ac-
cordance with their mandate under the Federal Aviation Act and the
regulations issued pursuant to that act.
It is apparent that the numerous organizations with interests in
aviation safety can lead to some duplication and controversy. Just
from the witness list that we have for Monday and Tuesday of this
week, it is obvious that there are many separatc interests in aviation
which have given rise to associations and organi~at~o~is to foster
sometimes conflicting programs. But, I believe that nil of these and the
numerous other ones would do well to coordinate their safety e~orts.
An increased communication between industry and private organi-
zations and the Federal agencies should be encouraged. An example
(151)
PAGENO="0156"
STATEMBNTS O~ CHARLES RUBY,
ASSOCIATION; TED LIN~fl~RT,
SAFETY DEPARTMENT; AND
ilots Association
ry. We do, from
we get an accomplish-
I
1_~ .v can ri of i new
and present airports? The best ~stimate from people who are knowl-
152
of this came out when changes in flight training procedures were
effected, by the prompt cooperation of the air carriers, the airline'
pilots, and the FAA as a direct result of the earlier hearings held by
this committee. As we proceed, I would like all of the responsible
parties to consider furthwir~g their efforts to attain a higher degree of
safety through cooperative effOrts rather than through any single-
minded approach to the problem.
The organizations which will appear as we carry these proceedin~s
forward should cover the entire spectrum of aviation interests in
safety. I would hope and expect that individuals who have similar
interests would communicate their interests through responsible rep-
resentative~ Organizatk!n5. I will have to guard againstundue repeti-
tion in oi~der to complete the recordin a reasonbie time period.
Our first witness this morning will be Mr. Charles Ruby, president,
Air~ Line Pilots Association.
Mr. Ruby, I see that you have a lengthy statement and some charts.
If you wish, you may `summarize it, and your `full statement will be
included in the record.
PAGENO="0157"
153
of our summary you w:
dules2
train I
Francisco is
I remembe
ment ma
r from:
`~ passer
is toda~
t
t
tion ~hat~s~.
approximatei
PAGENO="0158"
154
We are not opposed to adv~ncernent. All we are saying Is that with
the apparent increase in total aviation tra~fllt~,, we must come up with a
better mousetrap. it is going to take time to do it. The total flow
requirements far exceed ou~ capacity now in the high-density areas..
It will get worse, gentlemen, before it gets better.
Now we have also gotan werlapping situation in terms of collision
avoidance equipment as opposed to the air traffic control system. We
and no one else that I know of advocate that the collision~-avoidance
system will displace the air traflic control systeni. C olhsion avoidance
would simply be a supplement to the air traffic control system. So we
cannot under any circumstances consider that we can rest on our oars
with the present air traffic cohtrol syst~th and depend on a collision-
avoidance device to make up foi~ the deficiencies,
~ Now the collision-avoidance system, which is item 3 on the index on
page 1, the present estimates are that thi~ system after it is developed
and is proven sa~é will cost appr~xirnately $30,000 to $~O,OOO per air-
craft. Now the airlir~es and some of the business aviation can probably
afford this có$t. Thl~ dissertation is found on page 1". However, to make
this system re~liy do the job that it must do~ we must talk about all
aircraft beiiig so equipthent-military, gent~aI aviation, an~d commer-
cial airlines. ~ ~ . ~
It goes witho~it sa34ng that gei~rai aviation cannot afford a device
that óosts $30,000 to $~iO,OOO. A man cöulcjbuytwo or three airplanes
for that kind of thoney. So, we must pi~o~id~ some means of develop-
ing a ccvllision avbidai~ice sysC~rn that is either from ~ coat standpoint
acceptable to gen~ra1 aviatio~i or provide somç~ means of a lease for
the equip~ent ~er ñight-hoür on ait~ as-needed basis. I cjo not profess
to stfl~te; `wh~i~h is the more likely or possible solutio~i t~ the problem,.
butT ~th~yitigthat you canii~t have a portion of the aircraft equipped
~with co~llithon avoidance system and have full effectiveness from the
standpoint `of its total utilization and maximum results in terms of
safety. W~ must exert enough effort to develop this system to have it
work. This `Is one Of *~ our big rroblerns today. There is no question
about it; I ~ thhik every pilot ~itthig~h~ tW ~oôm can' verify this,
probably with experieñ~ofhisdwi~afid iirrn~y ~asE~s of rather recent
origin. . . . ~ . .~ I ~ ~ . : ~ ~ ~ ~ ~` ~ ~ ~ ~ . ~
Also on page ~ t'oferr4ng to tbe ti4nsport aircraft crew require-
ments, we have made ~ pre~ntatio~i to the Federal Avbttion Adminis-
tra,tion on~ this subject. We h~e delivere4' a copy of a book with a~
blue cover. ` ~ ~ ` ~ ~
(The publication referred to, "The Need for a Three-Man Crew on~
Jet Transports," has been placed. in the committee flIes.)
Mr. RUBT. Wehave deliveredoôpics to the Air Transport Associa-
tion and th~ Aircraft I.ndustr~ Association ; we are making no secret
of our viewpoints. We do *n~t contend that a three-man crew can
eliminate all accidents, midair colIisioii~. We are making no such
contention. We are, however, stating that we do believe that a three-
man crew is an essential element to help minimize this exposure. Why
i~ this so~ As we get into high~speed airpl~es that operate short.
d~stances, the major portion of the operating life of this airplane will
be consumed in takeotF, climb, descent, and landing. We do not have
a displacement yet for the see-and-be-seen principle, even though that
PAGENO="0159"
155
is a poor crutch. Somebody has got to be looking outside when the
weather is such that you c~'ua see other airplanes. With a two-man
crew, you simply cannot attend to the inside of the airplane including
the checklist items and look out at the same time.
WTe are not stating that positive control is a possibility at tins time,
because in our judgment the air traffic control system simply could
not take on this total requirement because they simply don't have the
capacity. So, you are going to have to depend on the see-and-be-seen
principle for some time to come. This is only one link of the total
chain. We fully expect other segments of the industry to disagree with
us, either in whole or in part, but we are prepared to stand up and be
counted with. respect to the problem. .
Now on paoe 8 you will find a heading entitled, "Communication Fa-
cilities and 1~quipment." This also ties in very directly with the air
traffic control requirements in this particular aspect. At the busy
terminal today the utilization of time on the communications fre-
quencies are such that you `simply cannot handle the communications
requirements for the total number of airplanes that are trying to use
them and complete the communication. For example, many clearances
~vill bg~ issued and the receiving pilot will not be able to repeat back
the clearance to assure the traffic controller that the proper airplane
has received the clearance and, if he has, that he has received it
correctly.
Wh~t we are stating is that there must be a considerable reduction
in voice communications. This will require some additional research
and development tQ reduce the voice communications, and it will re-
quire the implementation of facilities and equipment that will provide
certain information to the ground controller and to the pilot in the
air that does not require voice communication on the radio.
Now the evolution of this industry started back in the days when
the radio communication was handled by Morse code. You can readily
understand that ~f today we were trying to handle communications
with Morse code we couldn't handle one-tenth, probably not even one-
hundredth ~ of the traffic that we do with voice communications today.
What I am now sayin~ i~ that the voice communications have reached
the saturation point in the liigh-de~isity areas, so we must develop
a system to impart certain information that does not require voice
communications. We simply must do this, if we are going to accom-
modate the traffic demand that e~ists today. `
On page 9, the heading entitled ` "Weftther Minimums," you will
find' a position taken by the member~hip of this associatioti with re-
spect to the reduction in operating minimums. They have taken a
stand that they do not wish to oo to 100-foot decision height and 1,200-
foot runway' visual range at t~is time. They take the strong position
that we should stay with the 150-foot decision height and the 1,~l00-
foot runway visual range t~nti1 we have acquired enough experience
and competence at that setof minimums to then consider going lower.
Now why is this a situation that takes considerable time ? Gentlemen,
the answer is really quite simple. Tip to this point we do not have simu-
]ation that accurately simulates these restrictions in visibility. I think
this is coining, but it is not here as of this instant. Secoiid]y, the actual
experience is quite limited, because there are very few times that any
sizable number of crews can actually operate the airplane with this
PAGENO="0160"
156
e record so far,
~dicates that the
ithet""~
power
~h does it cost to get
you turn to page
is really what
Bennett J
~aphica11y
alone, to
~ air traffic controi ~tuation. Someday, somehow
PAGENO="0161"
157
to become federalists rather than States righters in terms of the avia~
tion business. Now if you ~ drive an automobile today cross-country
. you probably violate a hundred laws a day. Why ~ Because every
hamlet, county, city, State has some variation in its traffic rules. We
simply cannot permit this to develop in the aviation business because,
unless w~ have one total system to operate under, one set of rules and
one entire philosophy, all we are doing is building complete chaos;
and we are also going to develop a built-in accident system the likes
of which no one will be able to overcome.
Now I have talked to some of the people who operate in Western
Europe and the individual countries there are spaced geographically
as close or closer than. many of our States, and the conglomerate rules
that apply in Europe are one of the greatest headaches. They have
finally come up with a device called "Eurocontrol," which is a ` corn-
mon air traffic control system which is going to be inipléi~nented,. that
will cover the Western European countries.
The problem really is this : With the jet transport or jet fighter
you can cross some of these countries in less than 2 rninut~s, others in
5 to 10 minutes. It is obvious you cannot have a different set of rules
for an operation of this kind, or a different air traffic control system.
What I am saying, gentlemen, is that we must have standardization
and the same rules apply all over. If we do not, we are missing the
entire boat. Now this will take `a pretty bold approach ; but if we are
unwilling to take the bull by the horns, all we have done is perpetuated
a bad situation which will become worse. So, let us develop a system
that applies to everything from an airport on up. ~
We no doubt are going to have to depend ~ on the individual cities
to handle their ground transportation problems. Thatis a little diffi-
cult for the Federal Government to get into, but you will find a copy
of a map (see p. 15) right behind the page numbered 18 entitled
"Conclusions," which shows the Interstate Highway System which is
a 9O~percent Federal `and 10-percent local government. Gentlemen, this
is `something that we are for and for 100 percent. If this had not been
started 10 years ago and the accomplishment as it is today, we would
have chaos on the ground much worse than we have now.
What we are really saying is, that the airpoi~t system is going to
have to get into the sam.e bailiwick but more so. The interstateHigh-
way System is a shining exanipie of what you are going to have to4o
for a system for aviation, and if ~ve do not do ~t this way we are
destined for more trouble than *e can solve. ~ ~
Essenti~dly that covers the high spots of the conclusion portion. We
could spend a week on this subject. I do not expect to take your tjme
or the other's here in going into greater detail, but ~ve will be pleased
to an'swer any questions that we possibly can.
We have included two previous appearances that deal with this
same general `subject, and they `are attached, so that your reference
material will be readily available tO you and you won't have `to hunt
it
up.
(The material referred ix~ has been placed in committee files.)
(Mr Ruby's prepared statement, with attachments, follO~Ws)
92-715-65------11
PAGENO="0162"
158
TII1~ AIRPOET
STATEMENT OF CHARLES H. RUBY, PRESIDENT, AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION,
INTEENATTONAL
. The Air Line Pilots Association is grateful for the opportunity to appear before
you to express our views on matters involving air safety which we strongly feel
must be considered if all areas of flight safety are to be improved.
We believe ALPA's interest in air safety is well known. It has existed since our
organization was first formed which is somewhere in excess of 36 years ago.
To coorthnate the air line pilots' activities to increase air safety, the Associa-
tion employs a professional staff in Its Engineering and Air Safety Department.
We believe "ALPA's Organization for Safety" is well-known on the Congressional
level and, in order to save time, therefore, will not go into further detail, although
additional information can be readily supplied if it is desired.
In the past, we have appeared numerous times before various Congressional
Committees on essentially the same subject matter. The statement we are present-
ing today is essentially an updating of our previously expressed views and covers
the following subject matter:
1. The Airport.
2. Air Traffic Control.
3. CollisIon Avoidance Systems.
4. Transport Aircraft Crew RequIrements.
5. Communications Facilities and E~uipmeiit.
6. Weather Minimums.
7. Pilot Training.
8. The Systems Approach.
The Nation's airports have not kept'pace with the public demand for air trans-
portation be it private or corporate flying or commercial public carriage It has
been estimated that approximittely $ bil1ioi~ would be required to' enabletthis
important link in the chain to just adequately meet present requirement and
current demands.
Obviously this sum of money. cannot all come from the United States Treasury
nor can it come entirely from pnivate sourc~s or local governments. To further
substantiate our commentu on the need for airport improvement, there is attached
a copy~of our olatem~nt to the Senate Aviation Sub-Ctmmittee on May 3, 1966.
We are éonvincedef the continued validity of that testimony.
(Tue material referred to has been pla4~ed in committee files.)
Thefñncling for the airport and its related facilities in all probability will. have
to come from a number of combined ~oprces, but it is essential that an adequate
system for this funding must be found very promptly if we are to avoid complete
ehaQs. Positive action was required to realize the U.S. highway and road building
program. Ninety per~ent of th~i.s program is funded by. the Federal GOvernment
as approved by Congress. As attached map ~attachment A) illustrates the extent
and importance of our highway system which at times required ruthless action
for successful implementation. Asimilar apprsech Is needed jf an adequate safety
updating of the airport system is to be realiaed. ~ ~ . .. .
The airports of this . nation~ must haverunways that will accommodate the
largest and heaviest type of aircraft that will be using the facility ip both fair
weather and foul within the foreseeable future This means adequate weight
bearing strength of the runway surfaëe ij~eif, adequate leu~th with compacted
underrun and overrun ares,'thad wilP extuhdbeyo.nd the runway ends fOr a dis-
tance of at least a thousand feet. It als~ meahs that instrttment landing systems,
including appropriate approach lighting must be ~provided In addition, there
must also be suitable terminal facilities to acôommodate passengers as well as
cargo and mail. And last but not least, there must also be ground transportation
capable of handling the traffic to and from the airport to one or more city ~enters
and their environs.
This Is all urgently necessary because of the increasing reliance being placed
on air transportation as the primary means of moving people and things from
place to place. Long-haul passenger trains are diminishing at a rapid rate and
the demand fer medium to iong~haul bus service is not what Is oSce was. This
leaves essentially two methods of passenger transport: personal automobiles or
airplanes, with the time element creating a public preference for flying The fol-
PAGENO="0163"
159
lowing is a representative comparison betweeti train, bus and air travel times
and costs : . ~
~ TRAIN `
Chicago-Miami
Washington, D.C-Los Angeles
New York-San Francisco
$48. 32
108. 14
114. 55
~
31 hours.
53j/~ hours plus 6 hours con-
necting time=59~ hours.
623'~ hours plus 6 hours con-
necting time=683~~ hours.
.... ~ ...............
BUS
...,..~.....,........, ~ .~.
..~ .... ~ .,. ....... -...
1-way fare
Approximate time
Chicago-Miami
Washington D.C-Los Angeles
New York-San Francisco
$42. 90
84. 65
88. 35
35 hours.
73 hours.
73 hours.
AIR
.
,
1-way (jet coach)
Ajiproximate time
Chicago-Miami
Washington, D.C.-Los Angeles
New York-San Francisco
$78. 44
144. 11
152. 36
23~ hours.
4 hours 48 minutes.
5 hours 37 mInutes.
International surface transportation has lost its attraction for passengers who
are turning to flying as witness the fact that the Cunard Line is removing the
Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth from passenger service by the end of this
year.
Air freight likewise faces a rapid growth because many items that in times
past were normally warehoused are now shipped by air with overnigbt delivery
in many cases. As the aircraft manufacturers develop aircraft that are more
attractive from a ton mile cost standpoint, the growth of air freight ~an be ex-
pected to multiply at a rapidly increasing rate. .
This all boils down to the fact that an explosjve growth itt air transportation
is not soi~aethlng that is stiI~ on the horizon, but is something that we must recog-
nize as being with us now; If this nation is to continue its p~rogress, we must gear
o~.ir services to the demand which is already an accepted fáct~
. . . . , AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
Air traffic control is the second aspect in this over-all requiñ~ment for ex-
pansion of services if any acceptable semblance of air'safety is to be `maintained.
The noise abatement procedares are still with us around certain airports
and contribute materially to the problems of air traffic control. ` Only recently
have the Federal Aviation Administration, `the Air Transport Asso~iation and
the A~ir~ Line Pilots Association, reached tentative' agreement on `a standardized
noise abatement take-off procedure calculated , to produce ~ the least possible
amount of objectionable noise to ~ommunities On the ground, It will, however,
-probably' create son~e problexn's in the air traffic control system In terms of routing
flexibilities and theeflicient utilization of limited airspace. ~ .
Present requirements for 5,000 feet mhiimuiñ separation'. between parallel
i~unways where simultaneous instrument ` approaches and' landings are occurring
create certain restrictions from an air traffic control standpoint, but this too is
the best that can be done at the. present time. This all means that the location
of airports must be geographically compatible with airspace limitations and
navigational facilities for aircraft using that specific aia~port as well a~ those
over flying it. ` `
Much research and development has been done but much more will be required
if we are to attain an efficirdit and safer air trathc control system.
With the advent of total radar coverage, the enroute portion of the air traffic
control system has shown `some improvement over the past few years. However, in
many areas of the country this system is now reaching its peak load capacity
PAGENO="0164"
160
and, if the forecast of aircraft utilization Is anywhere near accurate, will
soon be in a saturated condition. The most critical areas of the enroute functions
now appear to be in the hand-off from one fadlity to another. Although many
others will disagree, we do not believe that the addition of the alpha r!umerics and
altitude reporting beacon can provide as much relief as is necessary by the time
it is implemented. These systems to give a perhaps overly simplified explanation
of the reasons for this belief, produce on the controller's radar scope light,
small block numbers and signals wbjch identify the aircraft radar target. At
the root of the problem is the fact that radar scopes are actually cathode ray
tubes very similar to your television screens with the aircraft target being a
source of light as is the alpha numerics grouping. In high-density areas, these
sources of light tend to conflict with one another and may, in fact, obliterate
necessary intelligence.
There is little doubt that in the future the demand for air service by the
citizens of the country will, in and of itself, create press~ure for some reduction
in separation between aircraft being flown under instrument flight rules. In
fact, such pressures have already been created but `the air line pilots have success-
fully resisted efforts by some segments of the industry to reduce separation until
adequate safety devices are available. One example of this was the effort to
reduce lateral separation over the North Atlantic last year. Another example is
the current effort `to reduce separation between aircraft approaching parallel
runways during low visibility conditions in the same airport. The speed of
today's aircraft, to say nothing of the future supersonics, is such that it just
isn't possible to make significant reductions in IFR radar separation and still
be able to avoid collisions should something untoward occur. This is due to the
physical aspects of the current radar program under which a controller on the
grdund must first observe some deviation, then evaluate it and trau~init infer-
mation to the pilot of the aircraft who in turn must evaluate it and take appro-
priate action. When we are operating airplanes a mile or ~o apart at 150 knots,
there simply is not time for two independent minds to assimilate information
and take appropriate action. The Air Line I'ilots Association has, therefore, con-
eluded `that we must have an electronic or other automatic device which is able
to perform the function of extending the pilot's normal vision to a point where an
aircraft on a potential collision course can be noted in time to execute an avoid-
ing maneuver. The device must provide warning sufficiently in advaiice to avoid
injuring passengers through abrupt mane~ivers or~ entering the vortices wake
of the other aircraft.
In addition to the preceding the Association J~as long reeonunehded increasing
the safety alid eflidiency of air traffic centror by more thstkllatións and commis-
` sioning of facilities such as : (a) ILS's, (b) ëontrol zones, (c) control towers,
(d) other approach facilities.
The foregoing are broad areas each o~ which could be gone into In considerable
detaiL No research is required to gain the, safety provided by the preceding items,
` but additional funds are vitally needed to expedite action for installing them.
We do not feel that we can stress too strongly that with the increased use of
the common airspace by transport and military aircraft~ as well as all types of
general aviation aircraft, It is clear that air traffic cotitrol problems and the
collision threat are on the increase.
Again, funding to make immediate use Of all ~kneimv ways and means to
improve air traffic control will help, but fundingfor research and development
is also required to complete the job of providing safe air traffic control.
The foregoing draws. only a broad general picture of the over~all air traffic
control problem. We have not attempted to set forth specifically . detailed solu-
tions to all aspects of it for ` the simple reason that no one knows all of the
answers necessary to' provide `the solutions. Advancements must come' necessarily
through evolutionary rather than `revolutionary processes.
COLLISION AVOIDANCE "
The industry has spent considerable time, money and effort to try to develop
a collision avoidance system. It appears' that such a system can bear fruit in the
foreseeable future (approximately three to five years) for those who fly ~nd
can afford equipment costs t~iat are estimated to' `range from $30,000 to $50,000
per aircraft. Obviously, such ~ sys'teni is beyond the,re~ch~of the general aviation
segment of the indu.~try . with the possible exception of some corporate users of
the airspace. Much more development is required-first, to prove the system
\and second, to develop a system that will meet the economic level for general
~iviation. It may be possible, once a collision avoidance system Is developed and
~roved satisfactory to wire all airdraft to utilize the system and then rent the
PAGENO="0165"
161
"black boxes" to general aviation at so much per flight hour on an "as needed"
basis.
It goes without saying that ~ colljsion avoidance system must be available and
in use for all aircraft if we are to really acc~omplish the ultimate in air safety.
&ich a system though must he considered as supplementary to an emcient and
competent air traffic control system and not a replacement for it.
TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT CREW REQUIREMENT
The Air Line Pilots Association at its November, 1966 Board of Directors
Meeting adopted a resolutiou which in the main stipulated that a minimum of
three flight crew members are needed for flying twin-engine jet airline aircraft
in order to assure safe operation. One of the greatest areas of safety concern
is the workload within the flight compartment distracting the pilot and prevent-
ing him from. scanning the skies through the windshield to minimize the possi-
bility of mid-air collision.
In its evaluation of flight crew workload the Association has pointed out that
the new twin-engine jet airplanes have essentially the same number of flight
controls, instruments, systems, switches, etc. as the three and four-engine Jets
which have a minimum crew of three pilots. Furthermore, these twin-engine
jets have approximately the same cruising speed and maneuvering speed. Be-
lieving the Committee will benefit from ALPA research which resulted in the
Board of Directors' resolution on the minimum flight crew complement, a copy
is submitted as attachment B for ready reference.
Another concern relating to flying twin-engine jets with only two pilots is
incapacitation of a pilot due to a number of known causes not necessarily either
fatal or of long duration, none of which c~tn be forecast by the medical profession.
In the event of incapacitation of one of the two pilots on a twin-engine jet, the
remaining pilot may not be able to safely operate the aircraft, particularly when
pilot incapacitation may occur undetected close to the ground during a take-off or
landing. How to prevent a humanbeing from becoming suddenly incapacitated is
something which is not known and which is not likely to ever be. Proper crew
complement requirements, flight compartment design and operational procedures,
can in combination minimize or eliminate this hazard.
Flying as a mode of public transportation which operates In the third dimen-
sion and at high speed requires "fall safe" human and mechanical redundancy to
provide for an acceptable level of public safety, both in the air and while the
airplane lain motionon theground.
On June 29~ 19fiT, and Augast 8, 1987, the Association made a presentation to
the Federal Aviation Administration on this subject. This presentation, in book
form, Is supplied and considered a part of this stntement. We think you will find
this to be of more than passing interest.
(The publication referred to, "The Need for a Three Man Crew on Jet Trans-
ports,~r has been placed In committee file.)
COMMUNICATIONS FAdUiTIES AItD EQUIPMENT
With the rapid expansion in flying, voice communications have overloaded the
available frequencies to the point where it is practically impossible to assure
timely communications requirements being accompliah~d between the pilot and
the air traffic controller. The foregoing, it should bepoiniedout, isnot true in low
density operational areas but Is a glaring fact in high density area~. It Is essen-
tial that considerable research and development be . instituted immediately to
provide ether means of displaying infOrmation, both in the cockpit and on the
ground, Which will reduce demands far voice communications and operational
control can be maintained on a safe level by direct reading ipformation air-to-
ground as well as ground-to~air. This would leave the voice communications chan-
. nels open for the operational areas that require clearance modifications or changes
assoclal*d `with traffle conflicts, change~ In altitudes, ~reather detouring and. for
thos~oceasióI~wheii radar veetortng may~become anec~git~ As I pointed out in
respect to some of the previouS subjects, the foregoing does not represent the
entire scope of the sUbje~t but does point out some examples.
PAGENO="0166"
162
Taking this industry back to the day when Morse Code was used as the corn-
munications medium, imagine, if you will what would have been the state o~
things if it hadn't been replaced by voice communications. If we were still obliged
to conduct~our communications b~ Morse Oode we could not accommodate one-
tenth of the traffic that is now being handled. Relatively speaking, we're about
at the stage we were when Morse Oode b~eame autonloded only now it is voice
communicaUon~ ~ whIch are becoming too ` laborious and slow. It is, therefore,
obvious that imagination, associated with serious research and development,
must be used immediately. ~
WEATIfl~R MINIMUMS
ALPA representativesand All-Weather Flying Committee have worked diii-
gently ` over~tha ..~ years with induatry: tc~ help e~t~blish safe ~rocedures for ~tab-
lishing ~1oWer minimumsc * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ .
We strbngly recornthend that approving operations to the lowest Category II
minimums be delayed until the Interim OAT II miliimtims of 150' ceiling 1600
RVR have been in effect for an extended period of time to gain service experience.
The present FAA minimum rec~uired period of si~ months is considered tota~ly
ipadegnate. A more realistic requirement would be approximately two yeara-or
more. In this. way publie~ safety would be served~ At its Fotirteenth Air Safety
Forum ALPA safety representatives adopted this resolution:
Whereas several air carriers have. been ~approved for operations as low as a
decision height otl5O feet and an RYR 1600 feet for over a year ; and
Whereastlie number of actual approaches.at theseininima have been very few,
and little practical exposure and operatienal experience has been gained in this
low visibility environment ; and . .
Whereas these carriers contemplate further. reductiOn of these minima as low
as a decision height of 100 feet and RVR 1200.feet; and
Whereas, in . addition to flight operation problems, there exist many serious
unsolved problems, such as ATO, trainingycoti~imunications, simulation, human
factors, ~ etc~ Tberefo~e, be it . . ~ ~ . . . . . ..
Resolved, That it is ~the cQnsensus 01 1thE~ delegates to the ` Fourteenth ALPA
Air Safety Forum, that landing operatiot~s with less than a decision height of
150 feet and an RVR of 1600 feetwonid be premature at this time ; therefore be it
further ~ . ~ ,
Resolved, That thedelegatesto `this Forumstrongly~recommend that no' ALPA
member s~a1l conduct any approach to minima lower than a decision height of
150' and an RVR at iflOOfeet, at.this time. . . ; ~ ~, `~ ` ..
There are extreme hazards associated with premature operatiOns at . low
minimums which wakes~t prudept not to hu~rry the acceptance of lower mini
niums until everyone is entitely comfortable conflde~t itnd ready ta tise them
This will assure progre~~ while th~use of~the available imp~oved*atd~ at present
~~eather miiilmums for an extended pe$od. of time will assure safety and
schedule i~eliability. . ,, , ` . .. , ` ~
Probing into the Oategory II area must be done with more safety than hereto-
fore, not less. We must have fewer, not more, missed approaches in Category II
weather. If equipment and aids,will not pi~ovide this safety factor, we should not
be conducting the approaches.
. . . . PILOT ~FRAINING ` . . ` : ` ~ .
ALPA has long s~ssed the concept~of "traiping to proficiency rather, than
checking fo~proflcieney~'. 4~pparent1y~w~ are pot in accord on this i~ia;tter with
the FAA who regards recurrent: assessn~ient of an airline pilot's proficiency as
being in the public jnterest and essential t~ the proper ~iseharge of FAA's
statutory responsibility. Wa do not 4isagrne with this In principle, but rather
in the manner ~t is implemented FA~& s fiuieton is to assure safety in the public
interest and this can b~ assured J~y spo.t~cbecking and monitoring of the airlines'
flight and ground sebeol training prog~'ams. We contend. that this is the FAA
and the air carriers' responsibility. by ~egi~la.tion. * . `
Most professional , people In a certain . field of endeavor attend formal aca-
deniic courses in preparation for their final examination . or "check", and sucess~
ful completion will terminate their expo~ureto a~y. additional type of "checking
during the remainder, of their professi~nai career. They are never reqwtred to
again demonstrate the level of knowledge and skill which they had attained at
the completion of their training. The professional pilot is unique in that he is
constantly reqv~ired, by current regulatory language, to suceessfuUy comp1et~ the
equivalent of another "check" or final examination every 6 months for the
PAGENO="0167"
163
captain anct 12 months for the c6pllot. The regulatory language should be revised
111 a mauner which will eliminate the adverse psycho'ogical effect created by
such a ehe~k' Consideration mt~t be give~i to the number oi~ times an airline
pilot is i~equired to succes~ftlly complete this check during his career 1~ or
example; assume a pilot jointh an airline at age 23 and is advanced to Oaptain
btatns at age 80 If he is only qualified on one type of equipment he will. have
completed 97 "cheeks" diiring:Iifs. career. ~
We point out that funds are greatly needed to improve other areas of aviation
safety and that the public interest would best be served by so ut~lizrng the money
now spent on excessive and unnecessary FAA air carrier flight inspection activi
ties We stress this because the next ten years will indeed see great expansion
in airline ~perations and certainly it is hot necessary or iii the public inteiest
to increase FAA flight thspectlon activities ~omme~urate with such airline in-
dustry expansion. We emphastze that the industry requires o~t~y that J~AA pro-
~ ide surveillance and moilitoring to assure that regulatiOns are complied with by
the airlines. This procedure is approved~ by FAA aud. i~ sittisfactorily practiced
by using FAA deaignees in many other ciltical areas of FAA responstbility for
safety of airline `operation, as well as idr~lané manufacturing and jnaint~nance
Our position on this matter is shared by other segments ~ the industr3t.
Another problem which must be faced is that accidents ~ontinué jd occur during
pilot training which shows the need for an immediate rO~riew to assure that this
training is realistic, meaningful and conducted without undue exposure to
hazard by occupants in the airplane or people and property on the ground.
Over the years the ALPA has participated with the industry to provide the
airline pilots' contribution in regard to training requirements and to assure that
the pilot can cope with normal and expected emergencies.
Some progress has been made in updating pilot training regulations recently.
However, further and continuous review is in the public interest.
The state of the art of flight simulators has progressed to the point where
virtually all in-flight emergencies can be practiced and demonstrated in this
ground installed training aid. The maneuver to a landing with 50 percent of the
airplane's engines inoperative can 1e safely practiced in an approved flight
simulator and several airlines are proving this during the current 6-month mora-
torium on the two engine out asymmetrical landing maneuver on 4-engine
airplanes.
TIlE SYSTEMS APPROACH
If you were to drive your automobile from New York to San Francisco or
Chicago to Miami before the interstate highway system was developed, you
could probably have broken a hundred laws a day for several days. Why? Be-
cause every Village, Hamlet, State and County had a sizable variance in their
local traffic laws. Highway design was not necessarily realistic from the stand-
point of accommodating low-speed, automotive traffic, much less high speed.
Intersections were loaded with obstructions, the surface constr~uction may have
been extremely slick when wet, now warning signs existed in most instances, turns
were sometimes flat or banked away from the turn rather than into it. It was
not uncompion to come around a sharp turn obstructed by hills or buildings
and immediately cross one or more railroad tracks, bridges were commonly
narrower than the highway itself, and we could go on and on.
To a degree, our airports and related aviation facilites have grown like
Topsy, too. This cannot be permitted to continue unless we wish to build-in
accidents, inefficiency, general chaos and delay.
The entire aviation system must be ~ust that : A SYSTEM. This runs the entire
gamut of the industry, starting with the airport, followed by the navigational
facilities and equipment, the air traffic control system, registration and licensing
of aircraft, registration and licensing of airmen, and, above all, standardized
traffic rules of the air, the latter of which, incidentally, should be international
In scope by agreement with the other States of the world.
The foregoing may sound quite Utopian and it is. On the other hand, If we
are unwilling to think, act, plan, construct and implement realistically, then we
are, in fact, preparing for calculated chaos and not too well calculated risks from
here on out.
CONCLUSION
The foregoing remarks constitute a cursory evaftiation of a few of the safety
problems we and the Industry face in an era of growth which is staggering to
the imagination. There are many problems which this Association has docu-
PAGENO="0168"
164
mented for FAA and Congress over the. years. Problems in airworthiness, per-
formance crashworthiness rescue and fire aeromethcal flight time/duty time
aircraft instruments fuel explosion fire prOtectio~i and powerplazits are a few
that affect the overall safety o1~ pilots and the flying public Of all of th~ problems,
prevention of the mid-air ~Ollisioñ is fór~nost in the minds 0± the air line pilot
as well as other pilots and the industry Expeditious solution of this problem
mflst not be hampered by lank of funds At ALPIWs i967 Air Safety Forum In
Washington June2O-21, mid-air collisiOn prevthtiói~, airport development and
pilot trainingwere featured panels. . Panelists were the most knowledgeable and
experienced representatives O~ndustry and ~&LPUA.
ALPHA shall continue to press fOr improvements in all these areas Many of
them do not require research Or develQpnient The ~ol~ttioiis are well known t~nd
can be attained at a minimum cç~~ Several sub~eets j~eferred to in this state
ment fall In this ~atego~,y
Air Safety Is the pri~a~,y respon~ibi~ity of every aii~ line pilot and Is therefore
a principal concern of the Air Line Pilots Association The air line pilots by the
very nature of their contimlous uaer' experience provide an input of I~nowledge
to the aviation Industry w~leh cannot be 4uplie~ted. We offer this knewledge.and
experience to your Committee and will be pleased to thipport or assist you In
any manner that will accelerate Implementation of the many safety programs
we have strived to attain.
PAGENO="0169"
p-s
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PAGENO="0170"
166
[ATTACHMENT B]
RESOLUTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
I
Whereas current trends in . turbinepowered transport *desigii indicate there
is virtually no limit to the size, weight, speed or passenger capacity of future
designs, and .
Whereas the trend in the industry is to fly transport aircraft ~ to ever lower
weather minimuws as evidenced by the Oategory II progHtin nOw inaugurated
and the planned Category III A and B and Category IV programs and
Whereas t~ramc congestioft in the low and intermediatá levels will increase
at an extremefr~igh rat~ and ~ ~ ~
Whereas the inadequacy of radar coverage at these flight le~ el~ will not permit
reUef ~frcST1 the necessity ~ to . rely on the "see and be seen" principle for traffic
and collisiOn avoidance in~t1ie~foreseeable future, and
Whereas tile operating experience of two pilot crews flying turbine-powered
transports indicates the need for a continuing review of Association philosphy
on minimum crew requirements, and
Whereas a definite guideline for the. benefit of the aircraft manufacturers and
the air line companies would enable them to design aircraft and specifically
cockpits to a well-known parameter thus benefitingthe pilots as well as the manu-
facturers and aii~ line companies ; therefore be It
Resolved, That~t1ie following shall become mandatory policy of the Air Line
Pilots Association as such policy relates to crew complement and crew require-
ments on turbine-powered fixed wing transport aircraft:
:1. That all mómbers of the flight deck operating crew excluding navigators
shall be pilots except that job protection may be provided for currently employed
non-~llot operating crew members;
2. That all future turbine-powered transport aircraft certificated after the
adoption of this policy, excluding "stretched" basic models of turbine-powered,
twin-engine aircraft presently certificated, will be manned by a minimum crew
of three pilots;
3. The third crew member requirement on present aircraft shall be continped
and nothing herein shall prevent the addition of pilot crew members to presently
certificated aircraft.
Mr. RuBy. Miss~Peterson has a statement that she will summarize.
If you have questions on what I have stated, either I or any of the
working pilots here will be most happy to try to answer them.
Mr. FmEDBL. Miss Peterson, you may proceed.
STATEMENT OP IRIS PETERSON
Miss PETERSON. Thank you, Mr. Friedel.
My name is Iris Peterson I am a vice president of the Air Line
Pilots Associated Steward and Stewardess Division, currently em-
ployed as a flight a~ttendant for a~ large U.S. carrier. * This statement
has been prepared fromexperience as a flight attendant, a~ a safety
repiesentative for my turline, and from experience in accident investi-
gation. In addition, for t~proximately 3 years I have been a member
of the Society of Automotive Engineers ~ a flight attendant repre-
sentative on the A-200 Committee and in that capacity have con-
tributed a great deal of wdrk towaM th~ goal of successful passenger
evt~cuation from disabled aircraft
Based on this background the foIio~ing statement is submitted in
the interest of safety for the airline passenger.
The flight attendant's job is multifaceted and has been defined to
include responsibility for the comfort, enjoyment, and safety of the
passenger. Of the three, the most important element is that of pas-
senger safety. Toward this goal the training of the flight attendant is
focused and during conditions of emergency, if lives are to be saved,
PAGENO="0171"
167
not oniy must procedures be known, but the means must be pro vided
for their immediate and effective implementation. Successful handling
of an emergency and successful evacuation depends upon many facets.
Among others it, depends Oil fire and toxic fumes being kept at a mini-
iiium, and there being sufficient lightino so that crewmeinbers can
properly use emergency gear. * Sufficient Tighting is also necossary to
permit the passenger to orient himself both in terms of danger and in
terms of lifesaving equi~pment.
Historically, approximately 80 to 90 percent of all aircraft acci-
dents occur without warning during either takeoff or landing, with no
t illie for the crewmembers to prepare the passengers to survive impact..
Yet, surprisingly, most of the passengers do survive impact, with I he
vast majority of loss of life occurring from other accident-associated
causes.
This paper is directed toward care of passenger and crew during
times of emergency and for simplification of the overall aspects of
accident survival which has been divided basically into three cate-
gories:
( 1 ) Cabin lighting and electrical equipment;
(2) Cabin environment as it applies to safety ; and
( 3) Emergency evacuation.
Lighting during normal flight can be categorized as the general
overall illumination within the confines of the cabin, including illumi-
nation of emergency equipment location areas. Light during an emer-
gency can be categorized as the amount of light that is "necessary"
to permit the flight crew to perform required functions in the imple-
mentation of egress systems, to permit the passenger to oHent himself
with means of egress from disabled aircraft, and that amount of light
that would be required to adequately illuminate the emergency equip-
mont, emergency equipment location, and emergency equipment in-
struction placarding in order that rapid and efficient passenger evacua-
tioiTl would be possible.
General cabin lighting needs in the primary areas of the cabin and
the secondary areas of the small enclosures or semienciosures such as
the galley, closet, and lavatories, should provide sufficient candlepower
to permit the reading of instruction placards and to permit vtsual aids
in the handling of unlocking devices on all emergency . equipment lo-
cated in these areas. ~ .
Emphasis isplaced on adequáte lighting of the exit areas wit~h special
attention given to increasing that light should an emergency arise.
This aspect of cabin lighting will be discussedin more detail later.
Area locations for ~mergency equipment such as the slides, fire ex-
tthguish~rs, axes, toggle switches for the ~ main oxygen supply, life-
vests, liferafts, lifera~ft compartment lock, and frrst aid kits should be
illuminated sufficiently to permit rapid handling and use. ~ The sur-
rounding area should be well lighted without the light shining directly
into the eyes of the passenger attempting to use these items. Yet it
should be located between the item and the, person so ~ as to avoid
causing either crewmember or passenger' to be working in his own
shadow. There should be sufficient ,bri~htness to permit visual aid in
handling as well as in reading the operational instructiotis.
Regular or normal lighting of the cabin during a routine flight does
nOt provide sufficient lighting for~ai~ emergency. Because of the proba-
I
PAGENO="0172"
168
bility of heavy smoke within the cabin. during an other-than-normal
landing, it is felt that consideration should also be given to a low-
level mounted dual or multidirectionál type of,light, one that is both
self-actuating upon failure of the main power supply and one that can
be manually controlled from either the cockpit or ffi~ht attendant area.
The light might also be operated from a self-sustaining rechargeable
power unit or battery. of a type similar to the present-day recharge-
able-type flashlight. This low-level location of light could come from
under the seats ~nd could be either of the type mentioned abOve or it
might be the new much high~ light le~el radioactive type of light that
will be visible at all times. The location of the light under the seat
would definitely aid passengers who would be either bending over or
crawling along the aisles toward an exit area through dense smoke.
These lights, if they are to serve any useful purpose, must survive im-
pact and operate during emergency.
These lights should be armed to an "on" position prior to each take-
off and landing regardless of time of day. They should be so designed
that they will operate in spite of cabin breakup. The light available
from this source might or might not be used as part of the general
overall cabin lighting. However, because of the necessity of light dur-
ing an emergency, it should be available.
Because of the importance of being able to locate exits in an emer-
gency, it ii suggested that action be taken to provide additional light
in the exit areas so that the exit will be visible during an emergency in
which smoke is pi~se~t rn the cabin. This would mean that there be
sufficient light so that the directions for operation of the doors and
slides will be readable and that the handles on the doors and the activa-
tion levers on the slides would be visible. In addition to the regular
light, it is suggested that a chemical light stripping be installed as an
outline aronud each exit. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . ~
Additionally, as a further means of identification ofthe exit area, the
strobe or flashing light should be used in conjunction with a constant
light located at the exit and focused outside the plane when the door is
open. It is believed that the passenger, once within visual range of the
light, would be drawii in:that, direction. The function of these iights is
not only to guide thepassenger. once outside,a~way from the plane, but
to serve as a beacon for would-be rescuers.
Because of its intended dual function, the light placement:should be
such that it would not be submerg~d in ~ w*at~r landing and such th~t
it would be above tl~ generalinud and dirl spatter level duriu~ a
ground ernerg~ncy. Because of the second ~spèct of serving as a guide
to rescue teams, thelight should have a life expectancy of no less than
36 hours in order to cover two nighttim~ periods. These lights could
be armed on a block-to-block basis so that if any landing or takeGif were
other than normal, the light would be actuated simply by the cabin
attendant opening the door or exist. If the plane is carrying an auto-
matic radio direction fhider, then perhaps a 36-hour light life is not
necessary.
Further, it is possible, upon requirement, that the strobe light can
be equipped with a sonar sounding. device that will operate if the
plane is completely submerged during a water emergency.
The ground area at the bottom of the slide should be well lighted to
prevent passengers from stumbling on rough terrain and to enable
\
PAGENO="0173"
169
them to get away fron~ smvke ~rnci Th~e cb~u~ger zpi~es.. This c~xi be ac~
complished p~rtia11y by the strobe and constant light, and parti ~11y
bythe use of a them .. ical light strippiug on t~ie slic~s. AJ1slides should
be securely, but not perman~ntly~ anchored to the exits, as they float
and can be used in water emergencies as liferafts, If the design of the
slides is such that it has to be inverted to be us~cl as a~ raft, then the
chemical stripping should be visible on both the underside and . the
top. As a matter of standardiz~tiqn, each emergency equipment item,
including the slides, that ~ is designed for passeflger use in a water
landing should be equipped with ~both a battery-sustained light and
the chemical stripping. These items include the liferaft, baby bassinet,
seat and seat cushion. Having two systems of light would provide
means of backup in case one or the other failed. If the plane does not
carry a radio directional finder, then these lights, too, should have a
3~-hour life. *
In addition to the above, the cabin environment must be such that
both passengers and crewmembers can survive the rather violent
kinematics leading to impact and immediate poaterash circumstances.
The following suggesticms are made:
All fabrics in the cabin area should be of the most fire-resistant ma-
terial available. All lighting: and electrical circuits used in equipment
storage areas, passenger coatroom, and overhead bin should be so
installed as to prevent them from coming in coutact with the garment
bags, clothing, and other fabric items.
There should be a lifejacket under each seat with a supply of
infant jackets on board. These infant lifejackets should be given to the
mothers prior to takeoff.
It is recommended that a. built-in coutainer be installed under each
seat constructed in such a manner that the passenger may enclose his
baggage under the seat in front of him. Baggage that will not fit into
this space or other specific contained areas should not be in the cabin,
Presently, hand baggage is so excessive that it might easily block
evacuation. ~
It is suggested that there be no overhead rack baggage storage, as
twisting of the fuselage can snap restraining bars and break locks,
thus causing heavy cases to fall from the racks, onto the passengers
with resultant serious injuries. .
It is recommended that a study ~ be made to determin~ a ~ realistic
width of cabin aisles in order that there be a steady flow of passengers
to each exist. A great deal of effort has gone into the production and
installation of the 42- by 76-inch exit to promote rapid evacuation
without an equal amount of concern being given to the provision of
aisles that would permit sufficient traffic to fully and effectively utilize
the large exit. A suggestion is made for a minimum aisle width of 24
inches ; however, it is suggested that so~iie realistic planning be done.
It is further suggested that partial seat rowe u~ be installed ad-
jacent to the large exits, thus reducing the value of such exits.~
Engineers are busily engaged in trying to design. the fuselage of
tomorrow's aircraft in such a manner that even at maximum altitudes
a pressure leak will not deve]op to such magnitude that the'cabin pres-
sure would rise above 12,000 feet before descent would be made to a
livable level of oxygen in the atmosphere. Should this prove possible
and hence result in such fuselage structure, then there is no need for
PAGENO="0174"
170
the elaborate oxygen system used in the present-day jet, although first
aid oxygen-for medical purposes-would still be required However,
until such time that the fuselage structure fulfilling the above specifi-
cations has become a reality and ~ long as there can be decompi~ëssion
that would result in oxygen loss below a livable level, the following
is submitted for consid~ration : ~ ,
There be an oxygen system in all future aircraft similar to that
carried on the present-day jets with the addition of a light locat~d in
each oxygen housing compartment that will be automatically actuated
by the opening of the cômpartmeiit. This light would serve to get the
attention of the passenger and would also aid him in getting the mask
into operation.
It is suggested that a design of overhead racks be such that they
will contain items stowed therein during the unusual motion of the
aircraft during an emergency landing. Present racks are so designed
that blankets and coats fall from them, covering the passengers, thus
causing unnecessary and perhaps fatal delays in evacuation.
The large exits are extremely heavy and it is suggested that a power
type of gear be installed in the opening mechanism-one that is sirni-
lar to the power steering of an automobile. Without a power unit to
assist in the opening of these exits, it is quite conceivable that valuable
time needed for evacuation will be used in the opening of the exit.
The aircraft manufacturers report that numerous exits or openings
in the fuselage weaken the structure. A means of obtaining the neces-
sary exits may be the explosively created passenger egress system. It
can be armed by the cockpit, activated by the cabin crew, works with
almost 100 percent reliability, deploys a slide as it is activated, can be
replaced by a simple and foolproof method, and does not compromise
structural or aerodynamic integrity. An explosive-powered implement
cuts an exit in a prescribed area, following a prescribed outline, and
as the newly cut out exit falls to the grOund, the slide is activated. This
system would seem to be worthy of investigation and study.
It is suggested that fabrics used for crews' uniforms, both pilot and
flight attendant, be made of the clothing fabric that is the most fire
resistant obtainable. This is important not only for the crew survival,
but for passenger survival, as the passengers must look to the crew-
members for directions. Additionally, suchiterns as fireproof gloves for
the erewmembers should be considered, as well as other late develop-
ments in this area. It is felt that crewuniforth fabric is so important
that if need be perhaps uniform ~fabrics should be regulated to the
same degree as cabin in%erior fabrics. .
Based on the following, suggestions are made for more realistic
evacuation plans alid crew coordinatidn : ~
Currently, plans are to have 10 exith 4~ by 70 on a htrge aircraft that
is soon tO be in operatio .. n. Also, curtent plans are that the plane will
carry ~; maximUm~ of approximately 490 passengers plus a crew of
15 to ~O. Based ~DT~ present thinking and past experience, during an
emergency appro~i~mately one-half ~of the exits will~be unusable. Con-
sidering this craft and th~ probable availaliility çf exits, this sets a
probable number of ~ëvacuees :frbffi e~tch exit at somewhere over 100
peopl~ in 90 seconds.~he 90 seco~id~ mi~stinclude siid& inflatiOn tin~e-
ma~imum ~f 10 ~e~ondsçpliis an allowable time Of'5 tO ~ sOconds ~or the
flight attendant to get out of her seat, open the dooi ~nd activ'ite the
PAGENO="0175"
171
inflation meehanisth, This allowable time will appreeiably increase if
the slides are not hooked up on a block-to-block basis. Depending on
where the slide is loca ted, it would take an additiohal 5. to 1~., se~nds
to get it into operation. This wGuld leave ~ maximum of `75 sé~cqnds
for th& aettial evacuation, and a minimum of 60 seconds, necessitating
an average rate of evacuation of 1% passengers t~ 12/3 passengers. per
slide per second in order to meet the 90-second stafidard. Thisdoes not
seem possible. ~ : ~
The doors and slides on this aircraft are designed t~ accommodate
two rows of passengers at the same time, which possibly may reduce
the number of exits needed, provided the aisle width will permit the
steady and rapid flowof passengers to the exits. It should also be borne
in mind `in attempting an evacuation in this area, that it will be al-
most an impossibility for one flight attendant at one exit to keep two
rows of passengers evacuating at a time; As a further consideration,
evacuation based on DC-8 tests have shown that it takes approxi-
mately 90 seconds overall to evacuate 122 passengers from four exits.
As it is possible for aircraft to burn through in from 10 to 12 5cc-
onds up to 60 to 70 seconds, it seems that the 90 seconds allowable for
evacuation should not be extended for a longer period of time. Per-
haps consideration should' be based on a more realistic evaluation and
thought should be given to getting the passenger load evacuated in
even less time than the 90 seconds if our goal is to prevent loss of life
and serious injury. It is suggested, however, that before final approval
for the number of exits being made on any type of aircraft, a series
of evacuations should be conducted using the FAA recommended per-
centages of an old-young, male-female simulated passenger'group. It
is further recommended that no employee `be used of either an airframe
manufacturer, an airline-except the crew members-or any Govern-
ment employees who might be more knowledgeable as to aircraft
nomenclature and egress systems than the average passengexs: of an
average passenger load. Perhaps in this group there might be con-
sideration given to using some simulated incapacitated passengers or
foreign-speaking passengers who do not understand English. If we do
not run realistic demonstrations, we prove only that a healthy group
of industry-knowledgeable people who are ready' to go and are~aware
of all facets of the experiment can, on a partial load basis, evacuate
the aircraft in 90 seconds or less from partial allowable `number of
exits. This proves `little other than that , perhaps we have devised a
paper-approved way of permitting circumstances to exist that would
possibly Fesult in unnece~sar~7 injury or ` death. It "does not promote
rapid nor ~ efficient actual passenger `evacuation during serious emer-
genciea `
As a point of further c~onsideratioi~,: may I ~here note that during all
evacuation tests that are run t~ evaluate the plane and the potentiM
for evacuation, the entire flight crew-~both ~ pilots and cabin attend-
ants-are alerted to awing into action ~t a gis~en signal and the entire
crew complement is used to run the evacuation proce~drng This is far
from fact in an act~ai `émcrgencyevacuation. Byfact, part of the crew
may be completely incapacitated and be iii need of assistance thefa-
selves It is also possibh~-and has happened on a number of occasions
in the past~-4hat fax~ from being alerted ~to act simult~ously, the
entire crew was not evexj aware of tho existence o~f~ an ~m~rge~icy n~r
PAGENO="0176"
172
of the need for immediate implementation of the evacuation pro-
cedures.
on th~ larger aircraft of the future, picture if you will, a plane the
1&igth of a football field, tho~h some will be longer, with a wing
span equal to the approxirnale width c~f the football field, while the
fuselage is ~O feet or more in diarnetör. Then compartmentize this 20-
~foot wide and 200-foot length and you can perhaps have some idea of
crew communication problems once the main power supply has been
cut, should they tryto coordinate evacuation procedures from exit and
off the wing tail assembly.
Emergencies have arisà on the comparatively small present-day jet
equipment where ~ only a part of the flightcrew knew of the need to
evacuate the plane. On the ktrger aircraft, th~ . possibility, and more
specifically probability, that a similar condition of emergency might
arise in one are~L without being lthowiito all flighterew members simul-
taneouslyincreases i~' direct proportion to the increase in size o~ the
aircraft. Because of the probability of a situation of this type, it is
suggested that a crew emergency signal be installed on all future air-
craft. It can be any type Of sund the Government, airframe manu-
facturer, or air carrier should want.
A signal serving the above function can be and has been developed.
It can be triggered from any crew station to sound an alarm at all
crew points. it can be radio contro1led~ sonar controlled, or operate on
an interconnection 28-vblt closed line that when broken actuates the
signal. Disruption of power due to plane breakup would also acti-
vate it. It can be operated independently on any of the systems de-
scribed above on it can be tied into the passenger alarm system and
*be either battery op~rated or operated from a self-sustaining power
unit, rechargeable from the main powerplant. A signal of this type
would opera~te instantaneously under conditions of emergency when
the' main powerplant is inactiv~ated, though it `could be tripped by the
pilot so that it wouldnot `aotivate ex~ept by manual tripping. Or~e of
the two main functions of this signal would be to alert the entire crew
that aui emergency ~had ariseti and that everyone was to leave the air-
`craft. , ` `
As a second ftmetion, this signal could further be tied into the open-
ing of tiheexits along ~with the strobe andc9nstarit light and with an
amplification of tone would then serve as `ant important means of fur-
thering passenger exit awareness. The sigiial would automatically stop
at those exits that were not open.
A signal of this description should, in the opinion of this `witness,
be a standard part of all types of futnre `~ireraft ahd should be con-
sidered as a "no-go" item meaning that if, on the preflight check of the
aircraft it did not work, the trip would be delayed until `the malfunc-
ti'on was corrected. The sig'nai `should be armed or set in the ready po-
\ sition on a block-to-block basis on each flight segment.
Signals fitting the above description are "a~iailable and' unless the
\`aircraft of the futtire are equipped with just such a warning signal
to alert all crew' members simultaneously of ` immediate danger, it is
~aImost a foregone conclusioii that the aircraft of the f~ure will never
`be successfully evacuated. Because of the si~ of future aircraft and
the complications of getting passengers froth the fuselage on to the
ground, this signal is cori~idered an absolute must.'
PAGENO="0177"
173
. You will note that no specifics of evacuation for the supersonic
have been given. Due to the structure of the plane and partiou1a~r1y
of the wing tail area, and due to the height of the fuselag e frOm the
ground, the subject has proven to be too complicated ~ to develop in
a statenient such as this. However, extensive work should be done and
comprehensive procedures est~biished while remaining practh~able of
accomplishment.
. In summary, the aircraft needs fromthe flight attendai~ts' point of
view are:
1. Provision of adequate and~ dependable lighting sufficient for im-
plementation of an effective emergency evacuation system.
*2. Passengers must be given effective orientation prior to each take-
off wilih possible use of placarding in the cabin interior.
3. The interior design of the cabin and exits must be such that
passenger egress to and through the exists is r~ot in any way hampered.
4. Cabin environment sho~ild be given careful consideration. Cur-
rently much emphasis is put on kindness to the passenger to the extent
thathe is permitted to practice many hazardous pursuits.
5. Cabins must be kept free o~potential baggage missiles.
6. Endeavors directed at keeping fire, lioxic fumes, and superheated
air at a minimum should be ix~iplementhd.
7. Flight crews must be adequately protected from physical harm
or death-no one else can direct effective evacuation.
8. A crew signal such as describe4 herein should be a standard part
of each plane.
I offer my sincere thanks in having `been given the opportunity of
presenting this statement.
Mr. FiuDDEL. Thank you, Miss Peterson, for a very fine statement.
Mr. Ruby, you mentioned in-flight training procedures and the use
of simulators in some detail. You said that has been greatly improved.
Was that at the direction of this committee? .
Mr. Ruirr. I can't answer whether or not i~i was at the direction of
this committee. The FAA, the Air Trai~port Association, and the re-
spective pilots associations. had ~evertti meetings in which~a~ working
group was set up th ~try to estt~blish a~ soi~ttion to this pi~oblem, and
in fact a working group is still functioning and will continue to re-
view and set out solutions to the problems.
So, I can't tell you personally ~ whether or not what occurred be-
tween this committee and the FAA, because I don't know,
Mr. Fiinr~EL. You remember the heai~ings we had after the Delta
accident in New Orlea~iis, I think it was at that hearing that we sug-
gested:it andlater it became effective. . ~ . ~ ~ .
Theother thing mentioned w~s~that this was on a trial basis. What
i,s the basis of the trial? What time do they have on. it?
Mr RUBY It was set up ~o run for a 6 month period in which each
carrier would develop a training program that w~s to be used in the
case of the two engines' out on a ` side or a 50-percent power loss on a
side, so that this would either be dOne in a simulator or would b~ `done
at altitude, and that during the `transftion training for a pilc~t that is
coming' from one type of aircraft to another, then the instructor would
be permitted the latitude of selecting the. airport `he was going to use,
the wind conditions of the pa~rticular~day, in order for the instructor
to have the pilot make at least one such approach and 1anding~
92-715-68-12
PAGENO="0178"
174
But the purpose of t~isw~s~ ~o that you wotild not, through i~he
press of time, be con~rônthd *ith ~ttémpting to do this f~rtype-rath~g
purposes in the most adver~ ~*~si'b1e condition, beèatis~ `if the pilot
enoounters jh'is kind M! situation he is going to~ seleot the airport in
whioh he is going to attemptto htnd, whie~h is going to be s~rnething
befter than the poorest possible: conditions, suth ~ts 1c~w~ ceilings, slick
runway surfaces, crosswinds, et cetera. ~ ~ ~
Mr. FRTEDET~ Wasn't one rec&miuendation a proposed requirement
that training flights be kept away from heavily populated areas?
Mr. Rm~r. Yes. However, aga~in one of the purpc~ses in going to
simulators is because you can do thTh in'heavy populated centers close
to the ground and in fact on the ground, and it creates no risk to
anybody. Those who are equip~d to do this with simulators can, in
my judgment atleast, do ~ better job ; they exp~se nobody in the air,
and in a total concept of this thing they have removed a loft of traffic
from any airport area in t~rm~ of trainin~. ~
Now those who don't have simulation capability obviously are going
to have to do this in the actual airplane and at ~airports tha~t canmore
or less accommodate training operati~ns. ~ `
Mr. Fnn~nr~i~ ;J have one other question. As you mentioned, the col-
lision avoidance systems are tinder ~tive discussion. Can any sub~
stantial improvement be made in ~hisarea at this time?
Mr. Rrn~y. Not on an instantaneous :basis~ no ; because the research
and development work has been dOne to a point. Now the actual
breadboard `hardware is going to have to `be built and put on a few
airplanes to determine if this thing can actuidly work under highS
density conditions, `after which then you can start building the hard-
ware, that is as an available product. And the best guess estimate is
3 to 4 or 5~ years before you have any `appreci~ble segment of the
equipment ~nstalled in `thrlin~ aircraft: and military aircraft.
Mr. FRIEDEL. I know `for ft fact we `have been stndying this fOr over
7 years. They'were e ` xperimentingon it 7 years ago in Atlantic City.
I'think they httve been slow and l~x on this. `
Mr. ` Rtm~. To be honest *ith you, some `of the best brains in the
electronic' field started researching the so~-caiied ~ proximity warning
system, and' their conclusion was that you could not build such a
device and have it work. Then wegot into the space business and~we
can get to the moon, but we still can't land under zero-zero conditions.
So, there ar~ a lot of things' that dDn't `really make sense as far as
research an'cl development ~rs concerrted. On ~ the other hand, ~ with
enough per~e~tterence we ~an finally `aeco rnp l'ish it, I believe. As I said,
the best brains in the electronic industry statedno less than 10 years
ago that you couldn't bt~ild a pro~imity `warning system that would be
successful. Now, there is a device that at. ~least looks like it has the
capthility of handling collision av~idance. 1 think at least the airline
pilots are much more interested in a collision avoidance systeim than
they are in a proximity warning indi~ator. The difference is that the
proximity warning indicator can light a light or start a klacker going,
or buzzer, and tell you that you have a risk of an accident. or a con-
ifict with another a~irplan~. `The ooilision avoidance system i's designed
for thepurpose of ib~ing able to~h~ve an arrow show you turn right,
turn left, climb or d~~cend.~ Thi~:eMcui~t.ion'is then supposedto elimi-
nate your confliot with tbe other~ traffic, `where~ the p~o~imity warn-
PAGENO="0179"
175
ing system just tell you th&e is a pot~utia1 accident or conflict. It does
not tell you what direction or ~hich way to go. rFh1~s is why I say the
airlitLe pilot would prefer the avoid~nce system rather than the prox-
irnity warning indication.
Mr. FRIEDEL. What aibout the cockpit ? Do they have enough~visi-
bility in the present pJa~nes ~ ~ , ~ ~
Mr. Rui~. No. We do not at this moment know how to do. mudh
better. You cannQt even see the hemisphere in front of you.. You can
see nothing behind you. The cockpit ~ cutoif is a fairly narrow range
of vision. It is almost a physical impossibility to improve this. to any
great degree. ~
Now there has been some slow evolution in. this and the cockpit vlsi-
bility is better today, at least on some airp1a~es, than it was, on an
earlier vintage, but you still are quite limited in the angles of vision
thatyou have available to you.
Mr. FiuEDEL. I want to say that we have our chairman of the full
committee with us, and I know of no one who is more interested in air
safety. I would like to kno~y if he wishes to say anything at this time.
Mr. STAGGERS. ~ No, Mr. Friedel, except to thank Mr. Ruby. .1 re-
member when he was before our committee previcmsly that he is a
very good witness. I agree with ~him on the use of training simulators.
I remember during the Second World War the~ use of Link trainers;
and having had some training in them myself in navigation and flying,
I know they were exceptionally good. ~ . ~
I certainly agree with you on that. As I understand your testimony,
and Miss Peterson's., there is nothing the matter that money, research,
and training won't cure.
Mr. RUBY. Almost this is true. The cockpit visibility,. I don't know
how to cure that one, I will be perfectly honest about it. We can stress
improvement, but to get full spherical vision is almo:sta physical im-
possibility. On the other hand, it is tru~e that research, development,
and money will handle many of these things ip a complete fashion.
For example, we know, ourselves, that the airport has not up to now
kept up with the design of the airplane. We knowthat if:we had enough
runway and enough navigation facility we would eliminate a good
bit of the incidents an~d accidents that occur by overruns, underruns,
and drifting off the sides of the runways. We `think that the collision
avoidance system can certainly be developed.
While it is extremely expensive at its outset, sooner or later we will
come up with one that works and does the job. This means money,
researdh, and development. I agree with you a hundred percent.
Mr. STAGGERS.. I remeniber'that following your last appearance be-
fore the eoiumittee some changes were made in flight training.
Mr. RUBY. Yes. ~ ` . ` . `
Mr. STAGGERS. That was a help atleast. We hope thatithese hearings-
that is the reasoi~ ~ they are being held-we hope. they will increase
safety for all the people. We are not experts ourselves. We are hei~
tQ g~t ~igge~tlQnsfrcm experts and tp seethat they are doing their job.
I thi~ik the FAA is try~n~g to d~ the. job as aU the other agencies are,
but they need help and we need to get mo~ moiley for, the ~irports
and. for the~ research and all the other ~hing~ that need to h~ ~d~iie.
It is a hard thing right now, but we realize the impoi tance ç~f air
`safety for the entire public. `
PAGENO="0180"
176
We thank you, Mr. Ruby andMis~ Peterson.
Thank yøu, Mr. Chairnian.
Mr. FRthnEL. I am going to h~ve to invoke the 5-minute rule be-
c~ause we have three other witnesses that we want to hear before 12
o'cloek.
Mr. PICKLE. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate being recognized under
those eonditions, but 1 do understand ~nd will not impose on the time.
I would like to~ ask either Mr. Ruby or Miss Pete rson this question,
in view of the fine ~testimony you have given and very thorough rec-
ommendatiôns, whether you think that either the commercial airlines,
operators, manufacturers~ or FAA, are being derelict in the recom-
mendations they are making? Do you have a defference of opinion in
what you have recommended than what we are trying to do now?
Mr. Ruar. That is a fairly broad scope. Of course, I. do not know
what their statements are going to be at this hearing, so I would not
be in a position to judge whether we differed or agmed, or what. I
would say `that in the past there has been what I ~ would classify as
probably 80 percent a~eement on even how to go from A to B, and
in some ~ ~ses we will differ on how to get there. But generally the
objeetives are either similar or the same.
Mr. ~ PICKLE.. You are saying thei~ that perhaps 80 percent of what
yotL are recommending will be probably what they would recognize
as our problems and that they will ~com~end?
Mr. RUBY. I would guess this is probably true, yes.
. Mr. PIckLi~. Are `either one of you saying that the lighting in the
present cabi~ of eommercialairlines is totally inadequate?
Miss PETERSON.. I would not say they were totally inadequate, but I
would like to se~~ a great deai of improvement in that area.
Mr. PICKLE. If we were to improve otir road systems to the airports,
and I think this is desirable, what would be your feeling-this would be
a congressional determination-if we were to earmark funds under
our legislation that would require certain preferences given to roads
to airnorts ? Sort of a `~trust fund."
Mr RUBY. In my judgment, this is going to be a matter of äJ~oIute
necessity. I know of at least one personal exposure and another which
has been brought to thy attention, which is the Los Angeles situation
prior to a football game, where the traffic was backed up for miles. I
myself, out here at Washingtbn National a year ago got out of a cab
about a half mile from the terminal building and walked the rest of
the way so that I would not miss the flight.
So, in substance we still have to look at this thing as an entire sys-
tom, and the ground ingi~ss and egress is just as important as the air-
borne. ~ If we don't have the whole thing, we have a complete break-
down. So all links of the chain have to haul the same load.
Mr. PICKLL I assume, Miss Peterson, that when you Say that 90
seconds is needed for evacuation is not enough in the jumbo plane-is
that what you were saying?
Miss Pi~rsnsON. No, sir ; I was saying if possibM we should reduce
the 90 seconds because of the fire and the smoke and the toxic fumes
being around the aircraft.
Mr. Prdi~L~. This is to be desired, but aren't we almost getting to the
point where it is impossible when we are talking in terms of four hun-
dred people?
\
PAGENO="0181"
177
Miss PETERSON. I am sorry, I did not hear what you are saying.
Mr. PICKLE. Aren't we reaching the point where it will be difficult to
reduce below . that period of time, when we are flying some four hun-
dred people hi asingle plane. . ~ ~
Miss PETERSON. Perhaps it would ; but I think if. we are going to get
the people out, it is almost necessary.
Mr. PICKLE. I agree with that. Perhaps I missed part of your testi-
molly. Did you tell us how we could do that ~
Miss PETERSON. By increasing the number of exits per number of
passengers. I thihk trying to evacuate100 passengers from one exit' in
90 seconds when this 90 seconds must include operational time, is not
a very realistic number to attempt. I did mention this, you perhaps will
recall it, explosive exits.'
I haven't delved into it too much, but I do think it has lots of poten-
tials. You could cut out as `many sectioñ~ of the airplane as you like
and have your slide inflated with the cutting of the. exit.
Mr. PICKLE. In that connection, when you say sliding doors, you are
trying to avoid this sliding aspect and would prefer an explosive type
of mechanism that would open up an exit?
Miss PETERSON. There is a need for a number of prescribed exists
or exits to be precut in the fuselage for entry and exit and servicing,
and so on. However, if itwould weaken the structure of the fuselage
too much to have an adequate number to let `the passengers out, then
this could be `an alternative.
Mr. PICKLE. Thank you.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Mr. Devi'ne?
Mr. DEVINE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Ruby, I n~*iced that you had an air safety forum here in June,
your organization did, and you sugge.~ed ` yó~i would niake `available
to the committee the results of the forum, especially on midair colli-
sions. How soon do you anticipate that' will `be in our hands?
Mr. Rusr. That is a fairly thick book. It takes crn~sider~ ` ble time'to
assenthle it and print it. Maybe Mr. Linnert can give you an intelli.
gent guess when it will be available. " ` . .
Mr. LTNNRRP. It is in curprintshop:now. I think,*e c~m bréakit' loose
in about 2 weeks. ` `
Mr. DEVINE. Fine. `I am' sure you' redOguize these hearingstoday and
those we had a month or so ago were' `pretty well trigg~r~d by recent
midair collisions, not only over H~ndersonvill'e, N.C., but in Ohio.
Our purpose, of course, is to `receive th~'b~iefit of the knowledge of
these people who `sit in the cockpits, and' other knowledgeable people
in the air safety field, including the air traffl~ controllers.
Now you suggest that something over $~ billion, Mr. Ruby, will
be necessary tQ update the airports to handle today's traffic. In your
more recent remarks, I think in response to Mr. Pickle, you sug-
gested that would i~iclude the overall picture of the airports, such as
the road's 1eadin~ to and from, and I suppose baggage handling facili-
ties, and evei~ythingelse.
Mr. Ruirr. No, it would not include the ingress and egress roads or
rail systems. If I got his question correcitly, I thought he was referring
to the highway program; have certain parts of it earmarked for this
type of installation, such as highway ingress to the airport' or rail or
whatever means can be developed to reduce that bottleneck.
I
PAGENO="0182"
178
I
If I read his question correctly, at least that is the way I an-
swered it. ~
Mr. Th~vn~. When we talk about congestion, ~ay at Washington Na-
tional, I know we have planes stacked, considering weather and `other
things of that nature, but the congestion is also' in the terminal build-
ing, the airline ticket counter, at the baggage area and ramp. As presi-
dent of ALPA and as a pilot, d~ you consider Washington National
Airport an area of high danger?
Mr. Rtmr. That is a hard' question to answer with a true sense of
balance, because there was a period of time in which the traffic con-
gestion on the ground was worse tMn it was in the air. By the same
token, the Wii~hingtonNatiotia1:Airpo'r~ by size `alone limits the type
airplane that can operate into and out of this airport. Now the real
answer to `this question goes beyond any specific airport in this respect.
There is a day coming, and it is certainly here in a few places now,
where someone is going to `have `to limit the number of operations per
hour that `any particular airportcan accommodate.
Mr. DEVINE. This is your system plan, to federalize rather than
"States rights"?
Mr. Rtmy. That is right.
Mr. DEVINE. Let me put it' this way'. Would you consider the safety
situation in Washington National more critical or less critical than
that, say, at John F. Kennedy, O'Hare, Los Angeles, or Atlanta?
Mr. RUBY. I think one of these pilots flying in and out of this air-
port can come closer to answering that on a current basis than I can.
Does anyone of you gentlemen operate in and out of this airport?
I know there is one that lives here.
I
STATEMENT OP DAVID J~ONES, UNITED' AIR LINES PILOT
Mr. JONES. I' wil1~be glad to make comment. My name is Dave Jones.
I am a .TJnited,pj~Qt based here at Washington, fly ~27's Qut of Wash-
ington NationaL~ ` `: , ~:;
My comment on the airport, to answer your question, would be that
the airport is somewhat unique in its traffic pattern, because we do have
the proximity problem of the city of Washington and the Govern-
ment buildings, and the restrictions that are imposed ~ thereon, and
that this imposes an operational problem with certain weather con-
diti'ons. ` ` . `
As i~ar . as the' overall s~ety of the airport, I laave no doubt in my
mind that it meets. the min~imum safety requirements as prescrib~d
by FAA and the air carriers. .. , `
Mr. FRI1~DELØ Will the gentleman yield.?
. Mr. DEVINE. Yes. , ` , , , . ` ` `
Mr. FRrEDBL. How does it. compare with Frie~idship Airport and
Dulles? , ~ ` . .. . .` . ` `
Mr. JbNES. That is an'~sy comparison. I think Dulles is undoubted-
ly one of the finest airports in the country, operationwise and facilities,
anciso forth. , `.
Mr. FRIEDEL. What about Friendship ? . , `
* M~. JQNE5. I enjoy flying out of ~`riendship and from a pr.~fessional
StandpQint it is a, very fine operational airport. * "
Mr. DEVINE. As a,pilot I know you fly into. O'Hare and also JFK.
PAGENO="0183"
179
Would you consider t&se two facilities . more "hairy?' ~ from a pilot
standpoint than coming into DCA ~ .
~ Mr. JoNEs. Didyou say more hairy ~ ~ .
Mr. DEvINE. Yes. Use your own term. .
Mr. JoNEs. Air traffic controlwise and approach controlwisc, the
high-density problems are very similar ~ in all these operations. You
have an extremely r~pii4 movement çf events in the coordination be-
tween the air traffic control and operating your own flight, so I think
they are very similar inthat respect. ~ .
~ Mr. DEVINE. I~ wantøcl tO touch oi~ one other aspect very briefly.
Mr. Ruby, underyour three-man crew concept of course I under-
stand the position of your organization. I also understand this is the
subject of rather intense lthor rel~tions negotiations. I don't thmk
this subcommittee should be used as a forum to settle labor-manage-
ment matters. So, I am not goinginto that problem.
Mr. RUBY. 1 can state without eqivocation that this is not the intent,
because normally the crew . requirement is established by the FAA.
The mere fact that this particular airplane is coming up for certifica-
tion now, and we are not limiting it to any one airplane, we are sim-
ply stating., and .1 stated this to the FAA, first we have absolutely no
desire or intention to, what some people refer to as, fe~therbed the cock-
pit. The professional pride of the pilot is that he does not want some-
body in his way that he does not have to have.
We are stating flatly that a three-man crew is not going to eliminate
all midair collisions. We are ~ convinced that it will help eliminate
some, not all.
Mr. DEvINE. You made that in your formal statement. Of course,
I don't think we should get into that too deeply. I know the 727 at
Hendersonville did have the third pilot in it. The BAC-lil and
DC-9's, two engine jets similar to the 737 coming up, are not equipped
to handle other than two-pilot operations.
Again, this is something that is subject to your negotiation on one
particular type of aircraft.. ~ , ~
Thank you. S ~ ~ ~
Mr. FRIEDEL. Mr. TCuykenclall ?
Mr. KUYKENDALL. For the sakeof the record, the answer to a ques-
tion that relates to ~ the New Orleans accident and as relates to the
simulator in the h~h. hazard area of training, ho..w long have we had
four-engine jet airccaft on the .air1i~ies.~w ?
Mr. RtJBY. They started in ~95g~ 1952. ~ ~ ~
Mr KVY1UJNDAJL Eight to nine years ~
Mr. Ri~JBY. Yes. ~ S ~ ~ S ~ ~ S ~ ~ S
Mr. KUYI~ENDALL. As to yOur knowledge, . anU, I might ask every
pilot to join in on the answer ifhe likes, to your knowledge has there
ever been a landing of an actual four-engine jet aircraft with two en-
gines out, both of them on the same side ; actuai airline landing?
Mr. RUBY. Yes. In fact, I can think of one right ofl~ the top of my
head that occurred less than 2 years ago in which one engine~ started
disintegrating, and it thi~~ bite ai~c~ pieces. i~to the other engine and
of course knocked it out, with the end result that the pilot or in fact
the crew got the airplane around th~ field and J~nnded.And, at least so
I am told, the manufacturer could not uuders'taud how this ~ as done,
because the speeds involved at the time the engines began to disin
tegrate were below what the~ considered capable of accomplishment.
PAGENO="0184"
180
I guess, like the hummingbird, not knowing he has insufficient
wing area to fly, flies anyway.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. I had occasion `tO go ~ut in a B-25 and have an
engine go out while 10 feet in the t~ir arid we circled the field and
landed o~i one, and it was not supposed to b~ possible. I was an air
cadet at the time. I did not know it was possible. `
Would you classify this particular training procedure in the area
of an event that. is so rare that the danger of training is much greater
than the danger of the event actually happening.
Mr. Rtnn~. I would say that i~a correct statement, but I do believe
that in* the present sophI~ti&tted design of airpla~es that it well be-
hooves the cat~rier to invest his money in simulators that will do a good
job of fidelity and then he c~an train people in things that he would
not dare do in the airplane, and you have an end result of a better per-
forming crew. Theyare then prepared to handle emergencies that you
could not possibly train for in~the airplane, because in most cases you
have used the crew in ~the.airplkne up trying to train them.
Mr. Kunui~NDAu~. ~ J would like. to ask you, if you will, to help us
and this committee in discussing matters of priority. I don't think
you have suggested an area here of concern that we don't agree on
with you, but certainly here in Government we have to recognize
priorities. . . ~
Now you mentioned two ~ brOad ar~s, one of safety and one of
convenience. Personally, I am not going to be greatly concerned. about
convenience before safety is taken ~kre of. At least the guys whd didn't
make the `airplane because of crowded traffic to the airport are alive.
They may have been late, but they are alive. So we have a definite
matter of priority. `
In the collision avoidance, is any work being done on a collision
avoidance system that is not reciprocative ? In other words, one air-
plane reacting on the other without ` the other airplane having the
collision avoidance?
Mr. RUBY. Yes ; some work is being' done in this area, but a ~reat
portion of the development that is. being done now deals with the
so-called compatible system, which means both airplanes have to be
equipped. Now the other problem i~ `a.inu~h more serious problem in
terms of trying to do the job, becaus& if you, fOr example, use a radar
principle, or laser, or infrared~ the other airplane has got to produce a
reflection of the transmitted si'~nal fór,the one transmitting the signal
\ to receive the reflection back.' Th~~re are some airplanes that simply
\ don't produce a reflective target. ~Thi~ is trne even with ground radar
~ today. I am speaking of the smaller airplanes that in some cases have
fabric covering. They don't present much of a radar target.
Mr. KUYBENDALL. You are certainly aware of the' fact that recently
Orly and Le Bourget have closed' both airports to afr~raft other than
those that have two pilots and compatible electronics, but by the time
they got ready to make this decision they had satellite fields equipped
with ILS, and so forth.
I think we must recqgnize the fact that private aircraft~ at least the
smaller `ones, are going to be a long: time coming with any kind of
~ollision avoidancee device. For this reason, I was hoping when you
~aid there is work being done, thaton~, of our goals would be a colh-
~ion avoidance device that would not require reciprocation. Because,
PAGENO="0185"
181
after all, if you have two' airplanes, only one of thernhasto avoid the
collis~ion, only one of them has to turn to. avoid a collision. I would
hopethis would be in this area. ~
Would you get for us, ` for the record, .: the tot~1 amount of ticket
revenue in the United States for c1om~stic flights ? Could you get that
figure for the record? ~ ~ . ~ . . ~ .
Mr. Rim~r. I don't know, but I think `the ATA would have this more
ready available than we would,:
Mr. KTJYKENDALL. I want ~ to be sure we have this. I think we all
recognize the fact that~ this system similar to th~ trust fund of the
Interstate Highway System is probably gQing to be our only answer,
and some sort of revenue production from ticket sales would have to
be probably the answer to it. ~ ~ ,~
Mr. FRIEDEL. I want . to thank y~u- ~
~ Mr. DEviNE. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Brown came back here for these
hearings. If we are going to sacrifice the meetings for a 5-minute rule,
there is no use having any hearing. Mr. Brown came by. He is not a
member of thesubcommitte~, but he is a member of the full committee.
Mr. BROWN. Mr. Chairman, do I understand; then, that my trip
to Washington was futile in terms of participation in any way in
this hearing?
Mr. FRIEDEL. I don't think your trip is futile.
Mr. BROWN. I certainly came back for this `purpose and this pur-
pose only.*
Mr. FRIEDEL. This is a subcommittee hearing and only members of
the subcommittee and the two ranking majority and minority mom-
hers are allowed to ask questions. Otherwise, it would be the full com-
mittee.
Mr. Di~vINE. We are here for one purpose.
Mr. FRIEDEL. If you have any questions, you may present it to one
of the members.
Mr. BROWN. I have three pages of questions written down so far.
Mr. FRIEDEL. We have many witnesses and we are going to meet
this afternoon and we are going to meet again tomorrow morning.
Mr. BROWN. With these particular witnesses, Mr. Chairman?
Mr. FRIEDEL. No other than subcommittee memb~rs can be heard
in asking questions. *
Mr. Di~vINE; ~ LOt usnot sacrifice the witn~s~s. Let us keep on with
Mr. Ruby until we have exhausted our own questions.
Mr. PICKLE. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.
Mr. FRIEDEL. You can't do that, I am sorry.
Mr. BROWN. Mr. Chairman, may I ask questions through you or
another member of the subcommittee?
~ Mr. FRIEDEL. You can ask questions in writing and we will submit
them to the witnesses and let them answer them for the record.
Mr. BROWN. But they can't be followed up.
Mr. FRIEDEL. We don't have time for it. We have other witnesses.
The meetings~are only this~morning,~ this~ afternoon; and' tomorrow.
Mr. Bi~owN. You have no objeetiou to my listening to what they say?
Mr. FRIEDEL. None whatsoever. That is why I suggested your trip
was not futile. If you want to submit the questions in writing, I will
submit them and have them included in the record. Do you want to be
heard again?
PAGENO="0186"
I
182
Mr. Th~VTNE. Yes.
Mr. FRIEDEL. I have one question. You were speaking about the
federal system approach. You would like to see a federal system
instead of States rights. Do you find different limitations as to ap-
proaches to different airports ? Doesn't Washington National have
only two corridors ? Is there any restriction at Washington National?
That is the first question ?
Mr. RUBY. Yes, there are restrictions at Washington National, as
there are differing re~trictipns, at other airports, some ~ of which at
least are set up by local authorities. It has only been recently that the
Federal Aviation Adrninisti~ation and the Air Transport Association
and the Pilot Associations have r~ched an agreement for a standard~
ized noise abatement take off procedure where noise abatement tak~off
proceduers are required. Now this, ~ if we finally accomplish this, will
be a great step in the right directi9n, because we won't be having
pilots trying to accommodate to a different rule at each airport which
involves a different type of flight technique, * either on takeoff or
landing. If we do not sti~ndardize these things, we are simply building
in trouble thatthere is no solution for.
If each town or each State or-as I say in Western Europe, each
country-has a different set o~ rules, you. finally bog it down where
you can't operate or, if you do, operate with a risk element that is far
too high. What I am rally saying is the nec~s4ty for standardization.
I don't see how this can be done on a State-by-State basis ; that is
what I am s~tying, from a practical standpoint.
~ Mr. Fim~nTEL. This is clone forsafèty reasd~i~ ?
Mr. Runy. Right.
Mr. FRIEDEL. And for noise abatement. Do you find any different
regulations in takeoff and landing ~t the~ New York airports?
Mr. Rum~. Yes; beèause where the Port~Anthority, for example, in
New York deals with Kennedy, La Guardia, and Newark, they cati
establish what i~ required by them at those airports Then we will
assume , that soth~ particular : city h~s ~ an airport someplace else,
whether ~it ~ Los~ngel es ~ Sai~ ~`ratieisco, th~y ~an set up ruled
that they:w~tnt to apply to their ~aiirp6i~t. If they th~i tell the air car-
rier, "We are gOing t~ caiicel~your Tea~veif you do not~dd as we say,'!
then what is the air carrier to do ? He has no alternative btit to con-
tinue operation and say t~ the pilot~ "Yrni ck~ it this way or we get
thrown out." ~ ~ , ~
ThIs i~ aplace where we rebel in i~o. smalI~fa~hio±i~ because we simply
are not going to go out and take undtie r~sk~ ~ accommodate ~a io~cal
situation if in fact their proposala~ t~d howi to, do it gets into the
undue risk level This is why I am saying we must have some stand
ardization on an ov~raIFbasis. Gentiemen,*by .~ negotiai~ioi~is this is go~n~
to have to apply world~4ile, as ~ per~onally have be~n shook up ~ a
couple of times on `i takeoff otit of London, I suppose because I know
enough to know whew to be ~cared ~nd I w~s a bit ~ shook ~rp I just
don't go for this. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . ~ ~
~ Mr. FRn~DEL. Are the restrietloiis severe in LôndÔh?
Mr. ~Rmñ'~. Yes; theyare. They ~ire.~juith ridictilnous in sortie part~u-
Tar dir~ctkns. You take off with ali. airpThne that is loaded to the
gunwales because it is going across the North Atlantic, and you are
supposed to take the airplane off, make an abrupt turn, reduce power
PAGENO="0187"
183
and still fly this' monster' with all this load. You simply cannot defy
the laws of gravita'tioia to that extent `and expect to survive. , `
Mr. FRIEDEL. Those restrictions evidently are for noise abatement,
not for safety. ` ` ~
Mr. Ruwr. That is exactly it ; they are anything but safe. All I am
saying is `that we simply are not going to buy this ; we are not going
to be out here in the business of killing ourselves and people who ride
with us, plus those on the ground. , `
Mr. FRIEDEL. Do you'have any restrictions over Friendship that you
knowof?
Mr. Rur~y. No. . . `
Mr. `FRIEDEL. Do you have, any restrictions over Dulles?
Mr. RUBY. No ; i~ot to my knowledge. These,. gentlemen who are fly-
ing out of there can verify this. ` . ` ` .
Mr. JoNEs. No restrictions at Dulles or Friendship.
Mr. FEiEpEr~. Mr. Pickle ? ~
Mr. PICKLE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to ask the
pilot in the audien~e, Mr. Jones, this question.
I have had different pilots on occasion make the statement to me
that we ought to have a national campaign that says "Don't fly to
New York." I know my friends from New York would not like this
advertisement, because New York is one of our great cities and ~t is
the heart, of a great amount of our business and our recreatloimi visi-
tation. The point was that most of our airport congestion, ti lot of it,
is caused by the fact that congestion is, created. at either Kennedy or
La Guardia, that once it bogs up There, there is a natural flow, all over
the United States and you never catch up. ` , "
In my judgment, most `of the congestion is caused by the fact it is so
intense in New York' that this affects Washington, this affects Atlaiita,
this affects Dallas, Chicago, and so forth.. Is there substance to. this?
I am not being critical in asking the question, `but is this, not a funda-
mental problem ? * . ` ` ` ` ` , ` ` ` . ` ` `
Mr. JONES. I think it is definitely a problem. I think, it relates to~a
comment made earlier by Mr. Ruby on, the, proximity' ofairports, and
getting the over-all' plan, the system pian. Of eoui~se, the three-airport
operation at New York `City is a part of this, and it. undoixbtedly, is a
large , oon'tri~uting factQr. As to how it affects the' air traffic out of
Washington or Cleveland or any other traffic going toward New York,
your observation is correct hi that. An' overflight J~rom Washington to
Boston would be affected `by it. I believe it relates to the over~all system
problem as Mr. Ru'by:p~ointe.d out. , ` ~ ` . ` ` `
Mr. PICKLE. Thank you. I would like. to ask' ou~ `more question to
anyone. I believe under present regulatLons a pilot coming into a reg~
ular airport can land under VER' conditions. This r~ile `was established,
as I understand it, rn earlier days primarily~ for pilots `who could not
land on instruments and it was an accommodation t~ them as much
as anything else. ` ~ ` `
Now we have ` reached a rather sophisticated' stage in our flying.
Should we abolish V~R and require that a pilot must. come in on IFR?
Mr. RUBY.' You can't do it for one reason at.least, The air traffic con-
trol system `cannot accommodate the demand. If you had every airplane
that was available to fly `today that' wanted to fly, the air traffic control
system simply could not accommodate them.
PAGENO="0188"
184
Again, we should not be dassifi~d as having conflicts with general
aviation. We don't. General avia~tion wants to fly in any airport. You
can't blame them for that. All we are saying is that you should not put
a student driver out on the expressway at 5 o'clock in ~ the afternoon
with an automobile that has not got all the acoutrements it takes to
drive on an expressway.
Mr. PIciitE. Are you saying that the plane should have IFR equip-
ment even though you permit them to land VFR?
Mr. RUBY. If you are going into high density operation, then you
should operate all of them under the same rules. That is what we are
saying, under control.
Mr. PIciciE. I won't ask further questions in deference to time. It
seems to me when we are faced with the prc~blem of determining what
aircraft can use the big airports that are so congested now, at what
level you cut them off, what level you let them cOme in, it seems to me
their ability to meet a minimum safety requirement is probably the
best test we could use.
Mr. RUBY. I would not disagree with that, because this is probably
the only rule of thumb you are going to be able to start out with to
develop it.
Mr. DrivINE. Mr. Ruby, we~can't lose sight of the fact that there are
over 100,000 general aviation aircraft and less than 2500 commercial
aircraft. We of course can't exclude all the folks for a benefit of a few
that make money in an operation.
Mr. RUBY. I am not proposing that.
Mr. DEVINE. Again we must weigh whether all airports may be in-
volveci in this.
I would like to get into a specific case. I have no intention to em-
barras~ anyone. The pilot I make reference to did a magnificent job.
I would like to ~kyou as representatives of your association how this
situation developed. Irefer to wh~t ha~ppened in my own community
in Oolumbus, Ohio, on tl~~ Fourth of July when a TWA 707 pilot
brought dawn his aircraft with a load of passenger's at Don Scott
Field with ~a 4,4OO-fo~t runway, thinking he was landing at the
Columbus International Airport with a 10,700 foot runway. He landed
and did a beautiful job.
Now wi1~b allithe sQphist4ca'ted. e1ectronic~ d~vice.s a~d equipment in
aircraft and on the ground, how could a situation like this occur?
Mr. RUBY. It occurs in rare instances. Unfortunately there `are cer-
tam geographical situations in which an airport can look identical
to another airport. I must confess that in years past I have had to
look twice, myself, to keep from getting on a wrong `airport where they
were not geographically spread a great distance apart.
In recent times those who ~re equipped with ILS that is operative
caneasily avoid this. But I flatly state it can happen `although it hap-
pens very rarely. That is not the only time it has happened either.
Mr. DEvINE. `Do a~y of the pilots here have a comment on a situa-
tion~ such~ a's this? This particular pilot brouglt. it in in good shape
and had some runway left. Theoretically, I think a 707 is not sup-
posed to stop in 4,400 feet.
Mr. RUBY. It is about the maximum or I should say the minimum
length runway you can get a*ay with, if everything is done up to
~nuff.
PAGENO="0189"
185
Does any one.haye a comment?
Mr. FRI~L. They don~twant to try it. ~ .
Mr. DiVINE. Let us g~t into another area. Mr. Euykendall touched
on this. A lot of people have the mistaken belief that the black nose
on. the front of the aircraft is radar for. everything and not just con-
fined to weather radar. Is your answer to Mr. Kuykendall the fact that
it will not pick up other approaching aircraft or objects because it
is not equipped to do so, that they don't throw enough target back?
What is the answer to that?
Mr. RUBY. There are two answers to it. One, it is a weather radar.
That Is its primary purpose. But the ~ergy cone thatis transmitted
by C band radar is a 7½ degree cone. On X band radar, it is a 3~t/2 degree
energy cone, As the antenna rotates it ~s sweeping with either `T1/~ or
31/2 degree cone. Any airplane that is any distance away, the slight tilt
of the antenna can completely miss that airplane. So it will not show
up as a blip on your radar scope unless perchance you have your
antenna tilt set where it will pick up. this other airplane, and then
the blip is mighty small.
You have almost got to know what you are getting a blip from before
you know you are getting it from another `airplane.
Mr. DEVINE. Do you know whether radar research is moving in that
direction where they will have a cofte type that will detect other air-
craft in the area ? I recognize the closing speed of the jets.
Mr. Rtm~. Unfortunately there is not much point in going into this
type of collision avoidance system, because you are vulnerable to
collision from aircraft below you, above you, behind you, on the sides,
and the nose type of antenna system simply cannot deal with any-
thing that is behind you or below and behind or above and behind.
`So there is no point in spending money on researching that for
collision avoidance purposes, becatise you have to cover practically
a sphere instead of a limited hemisphere in front of you.
Mr. DEvINE. I have one other question. Again maybe some of the
pilots here can answer this. Do you consider the noise abatement
regulations at Washingtoii National to be. a safety hazard?
Mr. Ruer. They were. These boys that fly out of here are certainly
better qualified than I to answer it. 1 state at least on climbout, to try
to follow the river, with a nose that has the entite ground mass hid-
den from view, this is a tricky operation.
If any of you fellows would like to coinmenton that, you may.
Mr. DEVINE. They fly the river course both north and south to 1,500
and level off until they are 10 miles out. What is the regulation here?
~ Mr. JONES. There has been a recent change in it. One of the things
that we the pilots were glad to see was an ability' to clean up the
airplane and get it into flying speed rather tha~ keep the airplane
dirty, so to speak. This was alargeirnprcweinenti;
My, `criticisn~i of thesystem now -~.vould be that we htwe to loaf for
10 miles under the preseiit poli~y, regardless of ~the altitude attained,
we are to fly at redttc~d thrust until 10 miles from the airport. We may
have attained 5,000 feet, but we are going tokeep it quiet out over the
woods out there anyhow.
Mr. DEVINE. Do you consider this a safety hazard?
Mr. JONES. It is not a safety hazard per so, but generally speak-
ing any reduction in `thrust is going to reduce' the ~performance of the
aircraft.
PAGENO="0190"
186
If you take off, as I did the night before last, with thunderstorms and
potentia1~ turhu1en~e facing you immediately after takeoff, it could
be a hazard because of the speed~
Mr. FIUEDEL. Mr~ Kuykendall.
~ Mr. KUYKENDALIJ. For the sake of the record-and this is to Miss
Peterson-may I suggest that the recorder check carefully her use of
the word "possibility" throughout her testimony when the transcript
said "probability." You interchanged thesetwo words throughout your
testimony. This can make considerable difference in our reading the
testimony. There is a lot of difference between possibility and prob-
ability. I believe you interchanged the two words throughout your
testimony. `
So, will you and the ~ reporter check this out to be sure that your
meaning is 4~1earhere?
Miss PETI~RSON. Yes.
~ Mr. KTJYKJ~NDALL. Following up on the radar, Mr. Ruby, what is
the timing of a revOlution of a typical radar weather cone ?
Mr. Rur~y. At the moment I have forgotten.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. Approximately?
Mr. ~ RUBY. If I remember right, it is somewhere in the order of
15 to 18 revolutioi~per minutes for the entire rotation and, of course,
the insulation bkmket on the bulkhead bloeks off a portion of it, so
there is nothing happening.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. So WC are saying now at a closing speed of two
head-on aircraft at 1,200 miles per hour, which isabout 11,4 miles in 5
seconds, it means these airplanes from the time you left him on the
sweep until you got bac1~ to him on the sweep, you could very well
have gone 3 miles toward each other?
Mr. Euwi. Yes, because in the first place the weather radar is not
a continuous energy flow ; No. 1, it is pulsed at the rate of 400 pulses
per second in order to get high-energy output. This is a constant 400
pulses per second flow out of th~ antenna, but it is in a rotational
sweep at the same time.
Mr. KUTKENDALL, The point I am making here isto show, by talnng
your testimony, . that ~ the typical ~ old-fashioned-type radar simply
would not serve ~t all at the rate of closure and time, `and that is one
typical reason it will not serve.
Mr. Rui~y. It will not.
Mr. KUYItENDALL. The typical old-fashioned radar operation will
not servethis purpose?
Mr. Rtrny. Na
Mr. KUYKENDALL. Second-I have called it profile radar which
would givG `the elevation-what is your t~rm for the new gadget that
will.give not only. the location `but the altitude ? What is your descrip-
tive term for this system ? Alphanumeric system?
Mr. Rui~r; The alphanumerics by itself is not technically ` what we
are talking airóut today because the altitude ~nooc1er is taking a traxis-
miitted signal from the airplane `that is read off the altimeter and it
is printing that on the videoscope in terms of altitude that that air-
plane is flying.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. You~said something a while `ago that really leads
us here tO take `a new look at a lot of the testimony that we have had.
We have been led to believe by a lot of' the former testimony that this
system of the altitude on the radarscope was an answer to a lot of
questions.
PAGENO="0191"
187
I had questioned in .my own mind sorn~thingyqu broug1~it upa few
m~meMs.. ago, and that ~ is. ti~t in tI1e K ., ew~edy are.~; let us say, this
screen would be so cluttered that you could not read any of it.
Mr. RUBY. This is exactly what I had reference to. The size of the
scope face, whioh is the video tube, has to keep increasing in size in
order to accommodate the total number, of airplanes that can be pro-
vidiug the a1phanume~ics information on the scope.
Now if you get so many together, they will begin to overlay each
other so that you cannot read any of them. There is only one solution
to that. That is a huge scope. And those get a little hard to handle
from a technical standpoint. But a small scope can clutter so badly that
you cannot read anything.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Don't they have large scopes in the towers?
Mr. RUBY. They are installing larger.soopes. What I am really say-
ing is if you take New York, for example, three airports, brother,you
are going to `have some trouble keeping this stuff sorted out where you
have radars picking. up this stuff for the whole area shore of encoding,
so that the receiver, for example, that is picking up Kennedy informa-
tion is not picking up Newark and also La Guardia. But then when
you do that, you run the risk of getting `conflicts that are unacceptable
because the man who is dealing with the Kennedy scope is not aware
of an overfly of a fellow from the La Guardia or Newark scope.
What I am saying is that in a muitiairport system, to keep them
sorted out and separated, you have to have one scope that covers the
whole area.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. We have gotten the illusion here of a slight
panacea that maybe we are too optimistic on.
Mr. RUBY. All I am trying to do is put in a word of caution and let
us not be overly optimistic on something that will not do the job with
real high-density traffic. ~
Mr. KUYKENDALL. Do all of the major airports such.as Washington
National have backup power sources and. backup facilities or equip-
ment for their radar ? We have had a couple of instances, I believe just
this year, of radar failure in the Washington area.
Mr. RUBY. I can't answer that per Se, airport by airport. I think
most Of the FAA facilities, and the~y are better prepared to answer
this question than I, do have `backup power sources. For example, if
an antenna system becomes inoperative, there is not a standby antenna
system, `at least not `to my knowledge.
Mr. KUYRENDALL. Lastly, the North Carolina,, accident, of course,
from what~ we know about it we know they `` were outside the surveil-
lance radar ooveri~ge, and `I was told by a gentleman from FAA,
either General McKee or one of `his assistants, that the surveillance
radar installations are now down to airports of approximately 65
transactions a day
Would you feel that. the lowering of this ~ppreciahly down to maybe
25 transactions a day for the installation of surveillance radar would
be an appreciable addition to safety?
Mr. RUBY. I can't answer that off the top of my head except' in a
speculative way. This is really not total speculation. Anything that
we do that will afford radar surveillance will help.
But bear in mind again some of the small airpl~nes do not present
a good radar target. So without a transponder, `it is possible to have
certain airplanes in the air that the ground radar won't see.
PAGENO="0192"
188
Mr. KUrKENDALL. Mr. Ruby, as the good politician that you are,
and we try to be, we seemingly, all of us, continu~l1y skirt around
this business of general aviation because of the nun~bers that Mr.
Devine mentioned.
I am wondering if you are not going to have to face up to some alter-
native to accommodate this problem and yet recognize the fact that
the vast majority of our aircraft are in the field of general aviataon.
Mr. RUBY. Yes, there is a large number, there is no question about
that.
In a discussion with the Administrator the other day we were posing
the question, should we not try to again institute a research program
to see if we could find some device that can be cheaply installed on
general aviation aircraft that will make them a good reflective radar
target without their having to' go to the expense of buying transpon-
ders.
We realize that they can't afford transponders. But if there were
some development that could be' forthcoming that would provide a
reflectiOn capability that was relatively theap to buy, then this would
serve the purpose of making them easily deteota)ble on the ground
radarscOpe which they are iiot ño~.
So, I am not now really classifying myself as much of a politician.
Mr. KtTYKENDALL. I ëlasthfied you as a pretty good One.
Mr. Thjir~r. On the technical side we have to find a better mouse-
trap.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. Thank you.
Mr. FiuEDiri~. Thank you, Mr. Thiby a~d Miss Peterson.
The meeting is recessed until 2 p.m. today at which time we will
hear first Mr. Victor J. Kayne, vice president, policy and technical
planning, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association.
Then the next witness will be Mr. Stuart G. Tiptoh, president of
the Air Transport Association.
( Whereupon, at 12 :05 p.m., the subcommittee recessed, to reconvene
at 2 p.m., the same day.)
AFT1~fl REC1~SS
(The subcommittee reconvened at 2 p.m., Hon. Samuel N. Friedel,
chairman of the subcommittee, presiding.)
Mr. FRn~DEL. The subcommittee will be in order.
This is a continuation of the hearings we had this morning with re-
ference to air safety.
Our first witness this afternoon will be Mr. Victor J. Kayne, vice
president, policy and technical planning, Aircraft Owners & Pilots
Association.
,` Mr. Kayne.
STATE1VIENT OP'VICT'OR r. KAYNE, VICE P~ESIDENT, POLIcY AND
TECHNICAL PLANNING, AIRCRAPT OWNERS & PILOTS ASSOCIA-
TION; ACCOMPANIED BY ROYS C. ~`ONES, DIRECTOR, AIR TRAPPIC
CONTROL DPIEARTMENT
Mr. FRIEDEL. Mr. ICayne, I understand you have a lengthy state-
ment' and we have quite .a few more *1~n~ss~s. If you could try to con-
dense or summarize it,, your full `statement would be in~luded in the
record.
PAGENO="0193"
189
Mr. I(A~Ni~. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will endeavor to do that.
I am accompanied by Mr. Roys C. Jones, director, air traffic con-
trol department. I might state that Mr. Jones and I both are acti~
pilots. We both are ox-air traffic controllers having spent some years
with the Federal Aviation Agency and its predecessors before going
with AOPA.
Also, Mr. Chairman, I wish to apologize for the fact that we were
not able to furnish the committee with advance copies ofour statement
due to the short notice. We just finished them up Friday night or
early Saturday morning. Somewhat to our embarrassment, I have
just discovered that some of the copies that were made available here
were improperly collated. I think we have a sufficient quantity so that
if you do find a deficient copy, there are others available. We did find
some that had a page missing or others with extra pages in them.
.1 do apologize for that.
Mr. FiUEDEL. Be certain that the statement for the reporter is
complete.
Mr. KAYNE. Yes, sir. I checked his first.
Mr. Chairman, before I started into AOPA's statement, I want to
say that after listening to Captain Ruby's statement on behalf &f
the Air Line Pilots Association this morning, I think that Captain
Ruby made a fine statement, and he made a nu4er of poh~its that
~ emphasized the fact that all pilots, whether airlin~ pilot~ o~ ~ei~ral
aviation pilots, have. safety as a common.objective.
I want you to know that AOPA would support the maj~rit~r.pf the
statements made here by Captain Ruby this morning on behalf of the
Air Line Pilots Association. .
I am going to skip over the first part of my written testimony in the
mte~st of expediency, which details the nature and scope of general
~a~iation,how many airplanes we have, how many pilots and how many
hours we fly, and how many airports we use. That will show in the
record, I am sure. So I will just pass that, to help conserve time.
I would like to proceed to page 3 of our testimony. This deals with
accidents and the safety record. This is a ~fety hearing.
General aviation last year suffered ovØ 5,000 accidents, according to
the figures of the CAB. We did want to point out t~hat the so-called
accident is something that causes $800 or more worth o~f damage to the
aircraft, and for airplanes that cost $30,000 and upward quite fre-
quently this is nothing more than a minor ini~iiap that you could
compare to a dented fender on an automobile.
It is quite true that, of the total numl~r of a~idents, we had 538
fatal accidents. These resulted in the dea~s ~, ~1,069 peopIe~ That
included passengers and crew fatalities. . . ..
Frequently we do find the general aviation fata1f~sy .recQrd bthnt ~n-
pared with that of the airlines. But. also quite fque~tI~ ~e flir~.that.
the aij~ljne figure includes only pasaeii~rs. It does n~ ~n~lude crews,
training flights, peQple killed on th~5 g~q~d and so ~ $~.when you
take the total figure for each, you will ~ I ~ that the corn-
parison is not a bad one. ~ ~ .
The total general aviation rate for ~ in 1966 was roughly ~5
per 100,000 flying hours. This is the b~ i~rd to date for geAeral
aviation and compares with higher rat~ ~uu~i~g up to 45 per 100,000
flying hours in 1951. .
92-715----68--.--18
PAGENO="0194"
190
Also, we have cornputed,based on the figures provided by the CAB,
our fatality rate for each 100,000 flying hours, the number of people
killed per 100,000 flying hours, and we find that for general aviatiOn
this again was at an alitime low in 1966 with 5.085 per 100,000 flying
~ hours and was lower than the 5.323 of the U.S. scheduled airlines, based
on CAB figures.
On pages 3 and 4 we detail some information about AOPA's training
programs having to do with upgrade training of pilots in the courses
we sponsor. That speaks for itself. To date we have trained over 18,000
pilots in these courses.
We made a number of recommendations to the Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration, on August 23, just last week, deal-
ing with prevention of collision. I want to review a few of those briefly
foryou here today, Mr. Chairman.
Over the years there have been a number of collisions between van-
o1,ls combinations of airline, military, and general aviation traffic.
These last two collisions brought what we think is undue emphasis on
the general aviation-airliner type of collisions, although past history
shows that this kind of collision h~s not been particularly disastFous
to the airlines, prior to this time, with respect to passenger fatalities.
To think ba'dk th~ most disastrous collisions that we have had have
been bétw~uit~h~drlines themselves. For example, the Grand Canyon
and the New~ ~r~rk collisions between TWA ~nd United killed more
people hi each case than the last two collishms at Urbana and Hendet~-
sonville ~o~M~iñed. .
To reView brieffv, starting on pag~ 6, our, recommendations that we
forwarded last week to the FAA Administi~tor, the first `was to rigidly
enforce present general standard& for ëockpit visibility `and establish
more detailed and definitive minimum stanthtrds for cockpit visibility
for ai~ civil. aircraft. , ~ ~ ~ ~ ` ` , ~
` ~ ~T emphasize all because `we are `thlking here nOt only of the new ~jets
and the airline aircraft but also general aviation aircr~ift. We want to
bê"abl~ t&see `bet~te~out ~fthê front of~those airplaI~s~ ,` ` , , , , `~
Briefly, the background on this goes bark a long time I ha~ at
tadhèd as an ~tni1ex to this sthteinent~a copy of a petition that AOPA
filed ~with the Civil AerO~riaut1cs Bôar~1 in M~r~h 19V56 for the e~t~blisiI
mëiit~ ~ betterkcbè~pit ~ Tb'~tate w~ do iibt' ~ha+e
thôs~ M~. ~ ` ~ ~ , ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
` ~ We make' these r~cômmendatioñs i!ñ t'hë'fa~ o~f~ fafrly ~hb~i~i~ftthl
nun~ber of our aircraft t~d~a~y flythg mlder WE ~ule~ ot rn~a~r%h'e
~ont~o1~ of the grOund syst~n, ~f yOu ~a~t to pi~ti~ that *~ M~cii ~f
`this isdOne iii ~6od~we~tther.Bi~t ~ Ôf~h~ t~a'ffic
operat~s under the IFRrul~, ~ ma~örity of flyifig~i~ ~tiii'~dh~e
in VFR weather, alid even th~ IFR flikht plan traffic' r~ist M~1V back
on visual obser~at~ion o1~ other~ traffic 1i~trin~ dç~rt~ih phases bf tlidlr
operation ~ c ~
Mast States ~ ill hbt hcense an automobile that has an obst~iictiOh
to the' driver's vision. The' `Distrqci~ `of COlumbia, ~ôr ~xam~1é,go~'so
far as to reject a, car th~t has any small dec~tF,Or ~tieker' c~n `One' Of~ il~s
windows, the windshield, or the rear w~imd~ow
Yet' the Federal Government continues, to cettifi~ate aircrafr ~ift~h
much higher speeds, with greatly redheed vis~~m frOm within~, t~e
cockpit.
PAGENO="0195"
191
Our second recommendation is to institute rulemaking to require
specifically a lookout for other traffic when flying in VFR~ weather
conditions.
Mr. Chairman, at one time there was just such a requirement in
the civil air regulations, but it was dropped out somewhere along
the line as they were revised over the years. The last time I could find.
it was about 1949; We do not have this now, although it is implied in
several parts of the regulations. We think this should be reinstituted,,
just as we have a requirement for a lookout on ships at sea.
Our third recommendatibn is to impOse a speed limit of 250 knots~
in the airspace belOw 10,000 feet MSL. We also think that a study
should be initiated with regard to limiting vertical speeds, climb aiid~
descent; in this aii~spnce, and ai~o in connection with the present i~eg-
~lation regarding the 2~O-knots speed limit below 10,000 feet with~n~
30 miles of destination. ~
I may point out that departing and en route aircraft ~re not cov~
ered by the latter regulation
As background for this, Mr. Chairman, we have supported the
present speed limits. According to the best figures that we can as~
~emble, approximately 96 percent of all general avi~ttion ajrcraft fly-
ing is done below 10,000 feet. This includes: aircraft that are in slow
flight configuration for arrival and departure from airports.
~ Many thousands of airports do not have airport traffic areas which
automatically impose a speed limit. We think that it makes no sepse to
permit aircraft. that are designed for operating at . higher speeds
at the highei altitudes to be op~rated down in th~ area where y~u
find aircraft landing and taking off and where the slower traffic usu-
ally mu~t operate. . :
Our r xt recommendation is to i~aise -
req'~ bs to 5 miles foi~ ~aircraft operat~g above
spe oess of 25C
(
1_ *i~... *.~- .1.
ove 14,500 1
PAGENO="0196"
192
. So we think that this concept of the restricted climb corridor for
high-performance aircraft is one that should be studied arid estab-
lished by the FAA without delay.
As far as our kind of traffic, general aviation slow traffic going
through these corridors, we would use the same procedure we now use
with the military climb corridors, where a simple call to controller
on the radio will give you permission to transit the corridor if it is clear.
Otherwise, we would avoid it.
This may, Mr. Chairman, cause some comment from some general
aviation pilots, but we think this is all to the good. It has been recom-
mended to our staff here by a number of our members throughout the
country.
Our next recommendation is to assign a high priority to improved
conspicuity of aircraft. In other words, let's speed up this process of
making airplanes easier to see.
When you know traffic is near sometimes, even when the radar con-
troller tells you you have traffic in a certain direction, it is difficult to
see, and sometimes it is so high or so low you can't sceit. But we think
we need increased effort on reflective paints, distinctive painting
schemes, high-intensity lighting, and any other means of enhancement
that can be devised to make aircraft more visible to the naked eye.
Some of these ideas have been explored partially in the past, but
the emphasis seems to have fallen by the wayside. We would like to
see that revitalized.
Our next recommendation is to increase the availability of radar
advisories from FAA facilities for the benefit of all traffic.
Right now mostgeneral aviation pilots know that they can get radar
advisories in a terminal area where radar coverage is available. Most
of them do not know that they also can get radar advisories while they
are en route under certain conditions. We hope that the FAA will
make this service available to more aircraft and a greater part of the
time.
Our eighth recommendation was to assign high priority to the devel-
opment of a proximity warning indicator that is operationally and
economically suitable for use by general aviation aircraft.
There iyas quite a bit of discussion here this moniing on the matter
of a collision avoid~.nce system with Capth~in Ruby,~ and it brought
out that this is more or less a sophisticated, high~priced system, ~id
\ it takes equipment in both airplanes, what we call a cooperative sys-
\ tein-I think he termed it a compatible system-before it will work.
\ We think there is a legitimate requirement for that s~phi~ti~ated
systern~ particularly. in the airline aircraft, b~cause we are coming up
nt~w~with stretchedjets, 741's, SST's, and two of thescairpianes with
~ ~OO peoplecach al~ard certainly needsom e kind of a backup
device, you might say, to pi~otect them fromthemsei~ves.
From our point of view, we also need a simple device that' will warn
us at least of the proximity of another airplane to us, if~someone is in
iiur vicinity, a kind of heads. up, alert device, so that the pilot will be
e~tra sharp in looking for other traffic.
~There is pretty ample evidekllce over the years that some of the col-
li~ions that have occurred hav~ ~n in elear weather, or at least where
th~ two pilots could have seen each other, and one or the other of the
pilots possibly, in most cases, most ~oertainJy could have seen the other
airplane.
\
PAGENO="0197"
193
In the ease of the Grand Canyon eollisioh the c1osur~e rate was on the
order ofthout 4~O miles per hour. We think t1~at if thereis some kind
of device that alerts the pilot that there is some other aircraft in his
vicinity-that is, a potential collision, this would go a long way to pre-
venting collisions. ~
We have recommended to the Administrators of FAA. and NASA
that they initiate a jQint or cooperative pro)eet on the development of
this warning device. We feel that by pooling the expertise, the man-
power, and taking advantage of the research and development authori-
zations of the twO agenoies, that they sho~1d be able to come up with
something in a relatively short period of time that is usable, and that
we can carry in th~ airspace without, you might say, a prohibitive pen-
alty as far as cost, weight,and so on, are concerned.
I would like to make a general comment with respect to the fore-
going recommendations : There has been a considerable amount of pres-
sure from some quarters for so-called positive control of all aircraft
around majorterminals and `in the lower airspace along busy airways.
This would require the pilot to have an instrument rating, the aircraft
to ha~ie a transponder and IFR-type equipment.
Positive control is not a guarantee against collision. All the ele-
ments of positive control were present in the collision over Staten
Island, N.Y., on December 16, 1960, between two airliners in which
134 people were killed.
The FAA currently has proposals outstanding for lowering positive
control to 18,000 feet and instituting controlled VFR in such airspace.
AOPA is on record as opposing the former and encouraging the latter,
although we do not completely agree with the rules proposed by the
FAA, particularly with respect to the requirement for a radar trans-
ponder in the aircraft.
We also understand, ~Mr. Chairman, that the FAA has a number of
in~house proposals that they are studying at the present time for, you
might say, measures to bring forth, as .~ a result of the public furor
created by the A~hevilh~ and Urbana collisions.
We have had access to some of these proposals. Informally, I might
add. We have not yet seen any that would have prevei~t~d the Ashe-
vill~ collision, where' both aircraft were on IFR flight plans and were
under the control of the Asheville ATO facility. I might add that the
Asheville tower has neither primary nor secondary radar. A trans-
ponder would have done no good there, though primary radar may
have helped the controller spot the situation that was developing just
prior to the collision. ~ ~ ~
The current in~house proposals which are being considered by the
FAA, among other, things, contemplate lowering of positive control
down to some fairly low altitudes along the main airways in parts of
the country.
~ These, in effect, would build a series of fences across the country, if
you can visualize them as such, and they would impose extremely bur-
densome restrictiQns on general avitaion aircraft, and I suspect also
on some military aircraft, for the use of `this airspace, or even to be
able to get from one side of the fence to the other.
What is even worse is that proposals of this type would add a great
burden of additional traffic and workload on the controllers at a time
when testimony before committees of this Congress, by the FAA~ has
PAGENO="0198"
194
indicated that they do not hav&en~ughcothoI1ers and they ma~ have
to curtail services if the FAA appropriations request suffers any sig-
rnficant cutbacks.
~ How this great additional workload would be absorbed in centers,
towers, and ifight service stations w~ have not yet heard from the pro-
ponents of these informal proposals in the FAA.
. We prefer, Mr. Chairman, that the colIision-a~oidance propo~als be
aimed at measures which will help the piiot help himself. We can't put
everything on the ground to lead each pilot around by the hand. We
mtist provide the pilots wjth better mBans so that they can s~e out `of
thecock~pit better, so that they have radar advisorieson a rnore timely
basis, so that other aircraft are easier to see, so that there are reasonable
speeds at the lower airspace, just as we have speed limits on the high-
ways.
. We think this is a better approach ai~d it certainly is one that will
be less costly to th~ Federal Government and the taxpayer, not only
for operating cost, but also from the viewpoint of liability. This lat-
ter point i~ not to be lightly dismissed. As of April 30, 1967, there
were 433 suits outstanding against the Government -for claims totaling
$203 million as a result of aviation accidents. That was prior to the
last unfortunate jnbi;dent.
Almost $16 million was paid out to ~ebtle su~ch claims in the pre-
ceding 9 years, prior to the rash of suits that came about as a result of
the NewYork collisions, and so on.
We also have several other recommendations, Mr. Chairman, which
begin on page 15, that are no~t directed' to the prevention of collisions,
but they are related to aviation safety.
The first of those is to improve the quality, quantity, and scope of
the aviation weather program. A little-known fact is that the Federal
Aviation Administration is respon~ible for providing aviation weather
requirements to the Environmental Science Services Administration,
which includes `the U.S. W~ather Bureau.
General aviat~on spokesmen `have been trying, without success, to
convince the FAA and the Weather Bureau `that the present aviation
weather services are inadequate to `safely fulfill the needs of general
aviation. We need regular weather observations from more locations,
with greater frequency.
I say that because some locations `have only a few observations a
day as required to get one or two airline schedules in or out of that
particular airport.
We. need greatly improved forecasting. The latter is particularly
critical since much of the forecasting now is done by computer on a
probability basis, and the hapless pilot all too often finds that the
actual conditions encountered in flight have no relation to what was
forecast before he took off.
With that, our next recommendation goes hand in glove. That is
to provide better accessibility to weather information, both to pilots
in flight and to pilots on the ground for flight planning purposes.
A's it now stands, the pilot has direct contact available with the
Weather Bureau station and its trained meteorologists at all-too-few
locations. Pilots obtain most of their' aviation weather information
from FAA flight `service statio~is, and even thes~' are insufficient in
number to adequately service all areas where needed~
PAGENO="0199"
195
I think it is history in this committee; Mr. Chairman, that the
FAA tried, severad years ago to reduce the number of these facilities,
flight service stations, rather unsuccessfully, I might say. They have
curtailed weather broadcasts in many areas, which is compounding the
situation ~s far as the pilot is concerned.
The transcribed weather broadcasts, which are on low frequency
and are used by many pilots, particularly in outlying areas, at home,
the ranch or the farm, to obtain preflight weather information,. have
been reduced despite pilot objections.
There further at the moment is a program underway to additionally
reduce the scheduled broadcasts on our omni or VOR facilities. We are
watching this very closerly . and. we hope this will not further derogate
the weather services to the pilot.
Several years ago the FAA made a test of a direct pilot-to-forecaster
radio link so that the pilot who was in flight and encountered some un-
usual weather conditions could call to the ground and talk directly to
the forecaster in the Weather Bureau and then get some advice as to
what this condition was that he happened to see ahead of him or that
was coming up On him. That was a test. The test was terminated, and
despite the fact that the overwhelming consensus of pilots was that
this was a worthwhile service in the interest of safety, we have not got-
ten it back.
Until recently it looked as though the FAA had developed a scheme
whereby the pilot could call the flight service station and the flight
service station would plug him through to the forecaster on what we
call a patch cord arrangement through a telephone line. Even this idea
ha~ been allowed to die on the vine, despite the fact that we have a
frequency that could be used for this by both the airline pilots and
ourselves. So we do need action on this.
Our. next recommendation was to improve pilot briefing facilities so
that pilots have access to this information at more locations. There has
been a program worked out jointly between industry and the FAA for
a better network of flight service stations designed to provide essential
services, including weather briefing, to pilots on a much wider and
much more effective basis. They would consist of ~t basic network of
full-time stations, supplemented by a number of sma1lei~ ~art-time
stations located on the busier general aviation airports.
We have seen nothing in the way of action to implement this pro-
posal, even though apparently it has agreement within the FAA and
has the wholehearted support of the general aviation industry.
Our last recommendation, Mr. Chairman, has to do with the need
for general aviation airport facilities. I stress the word facilities be-
cause I am talking more than just the airports.
We recommend that the emphasis of the national airport pl~. be
redirected to provide adequate facilities for general aviation, includin~g
short parallel runways on major airports, good satellite airports in
major metropolitan areas, and an improved system of general aviation
airports and facilities in areas where the need exists.
To briefly summarize the need for this, a general aviation aircraft
quite frequently iu~s need to use a major airport. This need can arise
from a number of things. He may have connecting passengers for the
airlines-and one airline has estimated that 30,000 of their passengers
last year were brought to the airport or taken away from the airport
PAGENO="0200"
196
by air taxis or other geiieral aviation aircraft. He may have business on
that airpc~rt or near thai airport. This may be the only airport in the
vicinity that has adequate faoilities for servicing, taxis, food, weather,
communication's, rental cars, and other things of that nature. So we
find that quite frequently the general aviation traffic must use the
major airport. They have no other choice.
In many cases, this is not so. If there is an adequate airport some-
where else in the vicinity, if it is convenient, I, for one, for example,.
would prefer to land on that airport where I am not mixed up with
the wing tip vortices and turbulence left by the big jet, where the serv-
ice is tailored to my needs2 and so on.
So we have come up with these recommendations and I think, from
the discussion I have had, for example, with some of the representa-
tives in the Airline Pilots Association they also support this, that
on some of these major airports if we could put a short parallel run-
way to one side, a general aviation airplane can use it. It only needs~
about 3,000 feet of runway and it need not be as wide and not as thick
as the 12,000 foot concrete runways needed for the jets. This will expe-
dite traffic. It increases the capacity of the airport. It keeps us out of
the turbulence and vortices created by the larger aircraft.
Above all, for the taxpayer, it provides full utility and greater ad-
vantage for the facilities than the Government has put on that airport
in the way of radar, communicatio'n~, weather services and so on. So
there is a great need for this.
Along with it, we would like to `see some good satellite airports,.
such as were put in, I think, around Minneapolis, that will drain
off traffic that does not have to use the major `airport. We recognize
that some have to use it, but you can drain off a consdierable amount
of it if we `have good facilities for those people who do not `have
\ to go to the major airport. We are `~t t~is time, Mr. Chairman, also
\ about to testify before Senator Monroney's committee on airports..
~ We will see that your committee is provided with copies of our testi-
mony there. `
( Statement referred to was subsequently submitted and has been
placed in committee files.)
Mr. KAYNE. We `have noted that the legislative history of the Fed-
cml Airport Act talked at great length about encouraging private
flying through a nationwide system of good airports. Over the years,.
\in fact, about 20 years since the Federal Airport Act was first passed,
\sve are just about reaching the `dollar volume of expenditure for
~ irports originally envisioned in tl~se earlier se~sions of Congress.
flowever, the money has gone for oniy 2,300 airports instead of some
6~OOO as originally talked about back in the legislative history
` D~spit~ all the emphasis on general aviation airports, or private
flying, as they termed it then, 83 percent of the total `expenditures
under the Federal Airport Act have gone to airline airports. This is
why we say there needs to be a `redirection of emphasis under that
program.
One additional point I would like to clarify. On t'he recommenda-
ti'oi~s I `have outlined, because I was `smum'arizing and not reading my
text specifically, the first thght recommendations were in the letter
tha1~ we sent to General McI~ee on August 23. The additional four
PAGENO="0201"
197
reoommendations were not in that ie~er to .~enera1 McKee. We have
added them for the purpose of this testi~nony. We realize that the
FAA has not had time to study oi~r reeoi~irnendations in d~pth, even
though some of them were imown to their staff for sQ'me time before
this. We do expect `to be working with the FAA and with others in
the aviation community, as `time goes on, since we, like all other pilots,
have `a vital h~terest in safety in the air.
While the Government `has the responsibility for safety programs
in the public interest, the pilots `who fly have a much more personal
and compelling interest in this stthject because the life that they save
may `be their own.
On behalf of our association of 138,000 members, Mr. Chairman,
I wish to express our apprec~.ation for your courtesy in hearing
our views.
Thank you.
(Mr. Kayne's full statement follows:)
STATEMENT OF Vic~roit J. KAvNE, VicE PRESIDENT, POLICY AND TEcHNICAL PLAN-
NING, AIRCRAFP OWNERS ANJ~ PILOTS ASSOCIATION
Mr. Chairman, my name is Victor J. K'ayne. I am Vice President, Policy and
TechniCal Planning, of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, eo~nmon1y
referred to as AOPA. AOPA is a service association comprised of over 138,000
`meiubers who own or fly aircraft for personal, business or plea;sure purposes:. A
summary of the nature of our organization is contained in Annex A to tb~s
statement. My personal qualifications are outlined in Annex B.
We appreciate the oppoi~tun~ty to present our views on aviation safety.
WHAT IS GENERAL AVIATION?
Our type of flying encompasses all civil flying other than that done by the
airlines and is known as general aviation ` It is the fastest growing segment of
the aviation community. The active fleet of general Wviation aircraft numbered
more than 104,000 planes at the beginning of this year and our airplane manu-
facturers are turning out new planes at a rate that exceeded 15,000 last year.
The average list price of these new aircraft was over $37,000. These aircraft are
:flown by approximately 500,000 pilots for personal transportation and a large
variety of business reasons. By comparison, the total airline fleet numbers
slightly over 2,000 aircraft. ~leneral aviation is playing an increasingly impor-
taut role In our national economy through the flexibility and utility that It
~offers In a vast number of industrial, agricultural and other business appli-
cations. It is a modern day tool that serves farmers, foresters, salesmen, engi-
neers, executives, scientists, doctors ajid a host of other occupations in addition
to its lesser use ~ for personal transportation for pleasure and recreation. Ac-
`cording to FAA statistics, general aviation flew some 21 million hours in 1066.
~This was divided as follows : Pleasure flying 24% ; Business flying 34% ; Com-
mercial 16%, and Instruction 26%.
With regard to the future, the FAA has predicted that the general aviation
`fleet will number 180,000 aircraft by 1977. However, they also forecast only 17.5
million hours for 1966, whereas general aviation actually flew 21 millIon hours.
This is consistent with a past history of the FAA to underestimate general avia-
tion activity, and we think that the forecast of 180,000 aircraft by 1977 also
may be understated by 20,000 or more units.
To round out this picture of general aviation, there are some 9,600 airports
In the United States that are used by general aviation. The airlines serve only
~600, in round numbers. Air service to the remaining 9,000 airports is solely gen-
eral aviation. One ` airline alone has estimated that 30,000 of its passengers last
year connected at the major airports by air taxi or other general aviation air-
~eraft. `At the 304 airports Where the FAA has control towers and a record is ma~1e
of aircraft operations, general'avlation accounted for more than 33 million land-
`ings and takeoffs in 1966, or 74 percent of the total operations at these airpOrts.
PAGENO="0202"
198
AOCI~ENTS AND PHD SAPETY RECORD
Accordir~g to the figures that we have received from the FAA and the CAB,
general aviation suffered 5,425 accidents in 1966. An accident is counted as such
When damage to the aircraft is over $300. Quite ofte~n, the so-called "accident"
is nothing more than a minor mishap quite like minor auto accidetts resulting
in bent fenders and the like, Of the total number of accidents, 538 of these
resulted in fatalities, killing a total of 1,0G9 people, which includes passenger
and crew fatalities. We mention the latter because the general avia.tion fatality
record often is compared to air carrier passenger fatalities, without counting
air carrier crews or oth~r persons.
The total general aviation accident rate for 1966 was 2~.5 per 100,000 flying
hours. This is the best record to date and compares with 1905 ~it 31.4, 1964 at 32.2,
1963 at 31.0 and 1951 at 45.2. Fatalities for 1966 in general aviation reached an
all-time low of 5.085 per 100,000 flying hours and was lower than the 5.323 of the
U.S. scheduled airlines. Annex 0 details the record back to 1950.
PILOT TRAINING AND PROFICIENCY
Private pilots are quite often the subject oi~ criticism because they dO not have
the proficiency and knowledge of the professional pilots who man the airlines
and the large corporate and business airp1anes~ However, professional pilots
are not born or produced fully experienced by some magic process. They all start
as student pilots and progress through the private pilot stage while learning
the professional skills that will enable them to make a living as a paid pilot.
Last year, the FAA issued approximately 128,000 new studenl~ certificates. While
there are many dropouts along the way to achieving the necessary training and
passing the FAA written and flight examinations, many of these students even-
tually will be released by their instructors and become private pilots. Recog-
nizing that many private pilots, and even some commercial pilots, may have
been flying for some time since they last brushed up on their technique~ AOPA
has developed a series of upgrade training courses and has sponsored flight
training or refresher clinics around the nation for the past several years. These
clinics are manned by some of the natjon's finest flight instructors, including
some airline captains who have maintained their instructing proficiency. To
date, more than 18,000 pi'ots have been through the various flight and ground
school courses of these clinics.
SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS
The AOPA `staff ha~ a number of safety programs under study, some of which
have been informally discussed with the various FAA staff ecl~ieIons, while
other recommendations bad been formally proposed to the various responsible
agencies over the years. Last week, on August 23, 1967, we sent a letter to
General McKee, the FAA Administrator, urging action on a number of these
items. I will briefly review them here for you.
AVOIDANCE OF COLLISION
The recent collisions at Urbana and Hendersonville have focused attention on
the midair collision problem. Over the years, there have been a number of colli-
sions between various combinations of airline, military and general aviation
aircraft. These last two collisions have brought undue emphasis on the general
aviation-airline type of collisions, although past history will show that this
type of collision bas not been particularly disastrous to the airlines with respect
to passenger fatalities. The most .d:jsastrous collisions have been between the
airlines themselves. For example, the Grand Canyon and the New York colli-
sions between TWA and United killed more people in each case than the last
two collisions combined. A recap * of the midair collisions back to 1955 is con-
tamed in Annex D.
The present trend of design and manufacture of airplanes for the airlines is
toward "jumbo" and "stretched" jets that will bold ~tp to 500 passengers. With
this kind of a human cargo, it is obvious that the airlines, above all, mnst take
additional steps to protect themselves from each other. General aviation also
has a~ grave concern with the matter of avoiding Collision, primarily from the
viewpoint of self-preservation. We worry about being hit from the rear or in
some other blind spot by one of these giant jets in which the pilots are pro-
PAGENO="0203"
199
occupied with in-cockpit procedures and do not have a good view out of the
cockpit, even when. t1i~y do have time to look out for other traffic~ Aèco~,~ing1y,
we have made the following ~ec~mméfldatioflS ~o the ~AA Administrator:
(1) Rigi4ly en~ore~ present general sta~idards ~for ~ockp1t visibility and
estab1i~h more 4eta11e4 and definitive minimum st~ndards for cockpit
visibility for all civil aircraft.
Background
~ ~ ~ AOPA's active interest in this subject dates back many years. In an
editorial in the October 1941 Pilot, we ~ stressed the limited visibility
from the average mllitar~ aircraft cockpit and urged our members to be
alert for other traffic th~t might not have good visibility from the cockpit.
In :t9'49, AOPA brought thE~ limited cockpit visibility of some airline air-
craft to light in testimony hefore the CAB accident Investigating team
concerned i~vith the collision between a P-38 and Easterft ~ Air Lines at
Washington National Airport. The CAA Experimental Station at Inifianapo-
us worked on this subject for several years, making studies and surveys
of cockpit visibility. Little was done to incorporate ~ rea1i~tic standards
in the airworthiness requirements, although general standards . now exist
in Parts 23 and 25 of t~ie Feder~U Aviation Regulations (Annex ~) . AOPA
formally ~pet~itioned the CAB. on March 19, 1956, for the estab1i~liment of
realistic cockpit visibility standards in both Part 3 and Part 4 of the Civil
Air Regulations (Annex F) ~ Strong objection from the airframe ~ mann-
. ~ facturers pre~enj~ed ~ny effective ~ action and thi~ ~ problem is still ~ with us
~ ~ iu the face o~ ev~r-iucreasing traffic. Regardless of how much of the traffic
~ ~ ~ operates under the I1~R rules, the great majority of flying is still done
in VFR weather and eyen the IFR flight plan traffic must fall back on
visual observation of other traffic during certain phases of their operation.
Most states will not license an automobile that has any obstruc1~ion to the
driver's vision.. ~ The District . of Columbia, for example, goes so ~ far as
to reject a ~ar that has any small decal or sticker on one of its windows,
the windshield or the rear window. Yet, the Federal Government con-
tinues to ~ certificate aircraft, with much higher speeds, with greatly re~
duced vi~ion from within the cockpit. ~
. (2) Institute rule maldng to specifically require a lookOut for other
~raffic.wh~r~ flying in VFR we~tth~r conditions.
Baokgro~oui ~
Over the yé~trs thdie have been a number of collisiOns wherein the ~
aircraft were operating in VFR weather and the closure rates were relatively ~
low. In many ~ of these cases, ~ there exists a good possibility that the ~
collision could have been avoided if the pilots of the aircraft ~ were main-
taming a l~okout for other traffic. Until a few years ago, the. Civil Air
Regulations, Part 60, indicated that on~ example of careless and, reck-
less operation was Lack of vigilance by the pilot to observe and ~tvoid
ptber air iraffic~" This was in . a l~49 edition of Part 60, yet was, dropped
despite gn increasing population of aircraft in . the airspace. Avoidance of
other traflic is impUeçZ. in Parts 91.6~ and 91.67 of t1~e present Regulations.
A specific requirement should be reinstituted. ~
(3) Impose a speed limit of 250 knots in the airspace below 10,000 feet
MSL. Initiate a study with regard to limiting vertical speeds in this air-
space and also in connection with the present regulation regarding the 250-
knot speed limit below 10,000 feet within 30 miles of destination. Depart-
ing and en route aircraft are not covered by the latter regulation.
J3ackground ~ ~ ~
~ AOPA has supported the present speed limits in airport traffic area~ and
. below 10,000 feet ~ for arriving aircraft. Approximately 96. percent of all
gener~l aviation aircraft flying is done below 10,000 feet MSL. This includes
aircraft that are in slow flight configuration for arrival and departure from
airports. Many thousands of these airports do no~ have airport traffic areas.
Tl~e ~iigher speed aii~craft, particul~trly those. with turbine , power, Uf~ually
are designed for greater operational efficiency at tht~ higher altitudes and
it makes no sense to permit these aircraft to operate at high speeds in the
lower `airspace, which must be used by the slower traffic, `inëlbdthg air-
craft iandh~g `and taking oL ` ` " ` ` `
~(4) Raise fh&VFR'fiight visibility requirements to~ five mil~s~for aircraft
iperating above 10,000 ~eetMSL at speeds in excess `of `250' knots' `
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200
Background
There has been a eo~istder~bie au~ount of ~1i~cu~sion and study over the
years with regurd to praposals to raise the prè~ent th1~ee-mi1eVFR visibility
requirement to five xx4~es. Tjiis was done lii lhe, continental control area
above 14,500 feet on the basis of high-speed aircraft operating h~ the upper
airspace. Three miles remains an adequate visibility requIrement for the
slower speeds of 250 knots and below in the context of our recommendation
for a speed limit below 10,000 feet. In the airspace above 1O,~X~O feet MSL,
where higher speeds would be permitted, increased visibility would appear
to be a valid requirement for those aircraft that are operating at the
higher speeds.
(5) Establish climb and descent corridors for high performance alrcrift
~nd require such aircraft to use these corridors unless adh~r~ng to the speed
limits recommended in 3 above. Not more than two corridors should be
established at any airport. The applicable rules would be essentially the
same as those for military climb corridors. There would be no speed re-
strietions in the corridors.
Background
The airlines and the operators of general aviation turbine-powered aircraft
are not able to utilfze the maximum climb and descent capabilities of their
aircraft with complete safety today because of the inability to see and avoid
other aircraft or to take evasive action on a timely basis under conditions
of high rate of climb or descent. This is especially true of many aircraft that
have a high deck angle during such maneuvers. The climb corridor concept
would expedite traffic safely and would permit better utilization of the
characteristics bf t~hese high performance aircraft during climb and descent.
Other aircraft would be permitted to transit or cross the corridor by means
of a simple radio call to the traffic controller for transit permission. Two cor-
ridors only would be needed at each major airport, serving the most used
directions of appr&áeh and departure. The needs of other runways not aligned
with the corridor cduld be served by a combination of the airspace in the
corridor and that of the 2,000 feet of airport traffic area extending at a five-
mile radius around the airport, wherein communications with the tower al-
ready are required under most circumstances. Speed outside the corridor, but
within the airport traffic area would' be subject to the existing speed `limits
with authortiy for ATO to waive it if traffic conditions perzaitk
(6) Assign a high priority to improved conspiculty of aircraft.
Background
A considerable amount of effort has been expended in several different
fields with respect to making an aircraft easily discernible to another pilot in
the air. The efforts in this field have included reflective paints, distinctive
painting schemes, high-intensity lighting and other means of enhancement of
conspicuity. Several of these ideas have been partially explored, but the
development efforts seem to have tapered off due to some of the difficulties
encountered or to a degree of indifference with respect to activities In this
field as compared to more glamorous devices for detection of other traffic.
(7) Increase the availability of imda'r `advisories for all traffic.
Background
Most pilots know about and can get terminal area `radar advisories. How-
ever, many pilots do not know that they also can get radar advisories
`while en route under the V1~R mba Fnrther, the provision of this service
is at the discretion of the controller and many times a pilot is ,recftised
service bec~ijise the controller is "too busy with IFR flight plan traffic."
This tends to discourage VFR pilots from even trying `to use the en route
`radar system. The FAA must take positive `steps to make this traffic ad-
visory service available to all users of the airspace where radar coverage
is `available.
(8) Assign high `priority to the development of a proximity warning In-
dicator (PWI) that is operatIonally `and economically `suitable for use by
general aviation aircraft.
Background
The AOPA staff has participated in the deliberations of the FAA~spon-
`sored Oofll'sion Prevention Advisory Group for some eight years in review-
lug all proposed developments In the collision prevention field. Our ob'jec-
PAGENO="0205"
201
tive ~s to ~ee `that any system adopted `for i~ationai use, and parlicularly one
thai may becon~e a regulatory requ'i~'eiment for ~1y~ng In eert~fn airspace,
~s operationally and ecoilornieally accept~ttb~e to gener~U aviation. AO'PA's
stated~. c~bjective is for the develQpsment ~ a simple pr~x~treity warning de-
vice that could become a building block for a sophjsticated collision avoid-
snee s~stem (CAS). The PWI wo~1d merely ghr~ the pll~t warning of ~2ie
pre~ence of another aircraft, whereas the OAS would also &ndieate ~o the
pilot what evasive action ~hould be taken. Obviously, the C~ must In-
corporate a highly accu~ate detection `and ranging device, coupled with
altitude information, and lhen process this thr&ugh a co~nputer to give the
pilot evasive instructions. The airlines currently are pushing a cooperative
~ which would work only with othhr aircraft having the same equip-
ment Essentially, this is the system developed by Mct~onnell AIrcraft With
~ a current price tag ef $60,000 per installatiGn. The production price has been
estimated from that figure downward to ~3O,OOO. We recognize th~tt the air-
lines must have so~ine system to protect them from themselves in order to
~tvoid a monstrous catastro~he snch as a collision `between `two 747's with
four hundred passengers each. However, it Is also ebv&ous that there could
be some misguided action `to try to `force general aviation into using any
basic system adopted by the airlines. A $8O,OQO~p1us device certainly is not
suitable for general aviation.
We have recommended to the Administrators of the FAA and NASA that
the two agencies initiate a joint or cooperative project for the development
of a proximity warning device that is economically and operationally suit-
able for use by all civil aircraft. This would be done through cooperative
use of the expertise, manpower and R. & D. authorizations of the two
agencies. NASA In particular has a rather large budget for aeronautical
research. Congressman Fascell has introduced a bill, H.R. 1~77, directing
the FAA Administrator to research the development of such a device.
GENERAL CO~ME5T
There has been a considerable amount of pressure from some quarters for
"positive control" of all aircraft around major terminals and in the lower air-
space along busy airways. This would require an insttument rating, a trans-
ponder and IFR type equi'pthient in the aircraft. Positive control is not a guar-
antee against collision, since all the elements of positive control were present
in the collision over Staten Island, N.y. on December 16, 1960, between two
airliners in which 134 people were killed.
The FAA currently has proposals outstanding for lowering positive control
to 18,000 feet and instituting controlled VFR in such airspace. AOPA is on record
as opposing the former and eiicouraging the latter, although we dO not agree
with the rules proposed by the FAA, particularly with respect to the require.
ment for a radar transponder on the aircraft.
We now understand that a number of in-house proposals are being evaluated by
the FAA staff with regard to Imposing positive control down to the lower alti-
tudes on some of the thore heavily traveled airways and possibly in some of
the busier terminal areas. These proposals are a direct outgrowth of the public
furor created by misleading reports on the Asheville collision. However, they
still would not have prevented the Asheville collisslon where both aircraft were
on IFR flight plans and were under the control of the Asheville ATO facility. Ashe-
yule has neither primary nor secondary radar, thus making the addition of a
transponder requirement irrelevant. Likewise, these proposals would not have
prevented the Dayton collission. In fact, they would not have prevented any of
the most disastrous collisslons over the last few yeai~, such as TWA and United
over New York Oity or Eastern and TWA over Long Island.
The current in-house proposals ~ being considered by the FAA would, in ef-
feet, . build a series of fences across the navigable airspace and impose extremely
burdensome restrictions on general aviation aircraft for the use of this air-
space, or to even be able to get ~bro~gh1t~ ~rorn one side of the fence to the
other. They also would add a ~eat buz~de~ of additional traffic and workload
on the controllers at a time wheu te~tlmony before committees of the Con-
gress indicates that the FAA does not have eu4ugh controllers and may have to
curtail services if the FAA appropriation request suffers any significant cut-
backs. How this great additional workload wO~ld be absorbed in the air traf-
fic control centers, towers and flight service stations has not yet been de-
veloped by the proponents of these proposals.
PAGENO="0206"
202
Tn surnma~, AQPA~ believes th~it~ measures ~to~ enhañ~ the avoidance of
~ic9W~ion thot~1d' b~ dirk~te~1 prtnffir41~ at ~ h~ipiflg th~ .pF1~t through improved
vi~1bi1ity o~it of thk~ &x~kpit, a i~quirement to watt~h~for other traffic (just as we
~h~ve `at sea), warnftig devices ~to a1~rt the ~l1~t as to the proximity . of other
~ tra~1c, ~~sib1è ~peed 1i~mtts in the airspace (ju~t as we have on the highways),
~b~tte~ traffic ~ informatlöfi and enha~need ~oñs~féuIty of aircraft. Some of the
:approach~ being con~idered by the ~FAA:wou1d not significantly help the situa-
tion, wt~u1d plaëe grave restrictions on. generalav4ation and would gather to the
~overnmei1t a tremetidous liability and re&~ron~ibi1tty in connection with a many-
sold increase in traffic under the contrOl of the Federal controllers. The impact
on the Federal b~idget would b& severe, just for operating cost alone, not even
const4ertng ,tI~ liabiIil7 factor. The ll~tter is not to be lightly dismissed~ As of
April `30, 1967, `thër~ *ere 433 suits Outstandiiik against the Government for
claims tothi~ig $203 million as a, result of aviation accidents. Almost $16 million
was paidout to settle such claims in the p~eeeding nine years.
* The foregoing reçonitnendations hav~ béeñ dii~ected at the prevention of
collisions, There are other' areas wherein act1on~ is needed by the FAA to im-
:prove safety and these are detailed below.
AVIATION wEATHER SERVICE
(9) Improve the quality, quantity and scope of the aviation weather
program.
Background
The Federal Aviation Administration is' .responsible for providing avia-
tion weather requirements to the Environmental Science Services Ad-
ministration, which ii~clu~1es the U.S. Weather Bureau. Gener~U aviation
spok~s~nen thave been trying, witliont success, to convince the FAA and
the Weather Bureau that the present aviation weather services are in-
adequate to safely fulfill the needs of general aviation. Senator Peter Domi-
nick, himself an experienced pilot, spoke to the needs of his own state of
Oolorado `ill this respect on the floor of the Senate on August 18, 1907. The
needs of his state are reflected in almost all other states and the Civil
Aeronautics Board has listed weather as a cont~u~ing factor in a sig-
nificatit number of general aviation accidents. We need regular weather
observatiOns from more locations, with greater frequency (some locations
have only a few observations a ~[ay' as required to get on~ or two airline
schedules in and out), and improve'U forecasting. The latter is particularly
critical since unuch of the forecasting now* is done by computer on a
probability basis and the hapless pilot all too often finds that the actual
conditiOns encountered in flight have nç relation to whet was forecast.
PILOT ACCESS TO WEATEER INv0RMATI0N
(jO) Provide better accessibilitY to weather information, `both to pilots
in flight and to piiots~on the ground for flight planning purposes.
BaokgrOu~id
The ~4lot has direct contact available with the Weather Bureau ` station
and its trained meteorologists `at all ` too fe* locations. Pilots obtain most
of their aviation weather information frOm `FAA flight setvice stations and
even these a~e insufficient, lii number to adequately service all areas where
needOd. The FAA has tried tO reauce the number ef these facilitieS, and has
curtailed weather `broadcasts in many areas, thus compounding this situa-
tion. ~rhe transcribed weather broadcasts on low frequency stations, which
are used by many pilots, particularly' in outlying areas, to obtain preflight
weather information, have been reduced despite pilot' objections. Now, the
FAA is emasculating the scheduled broadcasts on the VOlt facilities.. Fur-
ther, the FAA made a test of a direct pilot-to-foi~ecrtster radio link so that
th~e pilot in flight could"discuss his weather problems directly with the
Weather Bureau forecaster, and d~spite the overwhelming consensus of
pilots that this was a good ~afety prograth', the FIAA has dropped the idea.
until recently, it looked as though the FAA had developed a scheme whereby
the pilot could call the PS'S and be plugged through to the forecaster by
a "patcheord" arrangement, but even this idea has `been allowed to die on
the vine despite the `fact that `a frequency Is available and the service is
much needed.
PAGENO="0207"
. ~ ~ ~ IMPROVED PILOT BRIEFU~G FACILITIES
(11) Place into effect the new flight se1iri4~e ~ stntloh prog~m jointly
workedon1~b~ industry and the FAA. ~ ~ ~ ~
Ba~ckground ~ ~ ~
AOPA and other aviation organizations have worked with the FAA In a
series oi~ meetings for many months to develop a program for a better net-
work of flight service stations designed to provide essential services, includ-
ing weather briefing to pilots, on a much wider and more effective basis
than t~he exi~tlng s3~stem. The new systetn would `consist of a basic network
of full-time stations, supplemei~ted by a number of smaller part-time stations
located on ~ the husler general nviation airports. We understand that this
proposed new system has the approval of top F~AA echelon, but there is yet
no evidenqe of it heing placed into effect. T'lie greatly incrensed briefing
capabilities of the proposed ~system would make essential weather and other
flight inform'atio~ avaiithle to ~ many mo~'e pilots than under the existing
system and would greatly enhance safety. ~
T~E NEED TOR GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORT FACILITIES
(12) Redirect the emphasis of the N~tional Airport Plan to provide ade-
quate facilities for general a~riation, including short parallel runways on
major airports, good satellite airports in major metropolitan areas `and an
improved system of general aviation airports (and facilities) in areas where
the need exists. ~ ~ ~ .~ ~ ~ \~ ~ ~
Ba~ckground ~ ~ ~ ` ` ~ ` ~
There has been much loose talk about banning general aviation from the
major airports. This is not p~acUcal from either a le~ál or a practical view-
~point. These public airpo'rt~ mu~t ser~re all crnners and there are iuany
general aviation flights that must use the major airports because ~ the
nature of their bttsiness, w~h1ch ç~ulte fr~qhent1y consists of handling con-
. ~ necting passengers ~ the airli~s, or the fact that no other , suitable air-
j~ort exists. Short parallel runways will greatly expedite traffic handling and
will enhance safety by allowing the general aviatibn aircraft to stay out of
the area's of `dangerons vortices created by the larger aircraft. `~ood `satellite
afrport~s, with adequate facilities, will `attract general aviation traffic that
does not have to go to t1~e major airport. Most pilots wou]4 prefer such an
` arrangement, but go~od, ~aeil1'tles `generally d~ not exist today in many metro-
politan areas, leaving the pilot no choice. In other areas, there is `a great
` needj~or `improv~d general avjation airports.
T~i~ legislative history ~of the Federal Airport Act is crystal clear about
the intent o1~ the Cpngress `being to encourage private flying through a nation-
wide `system of good airports, reaching a total of some 6,000 airpo'rts in sever~
years at an expenditure of over one billion dollars~ The need for airports
for private flying was recognized as a legitimate need `and the major thrust
of the justification for the Act was oriented to this objective. However, over
the years, the original intent ha's been `perverted to `the ~olnt that now, just~
tc~enty years later, ` the total program Is just reaching the billion-dollar
level-and for about 2,300 airports instead of 6,OOO-~with 83 percent of
`the total expenditures haVing gone to airline `airports. The present priority
system of the FAA for Federal aid expenditures for air~o'rts further em-
phasize,s this derogation of the original intent of the Act by placing top
priority on the needs of the commercial operators to the detriment of the
`need's of general aviation. AO'PA recommended `a revised schedule of priori-
ties to the FAA Administrator in June of 1966 (Annex U) that more nearly
meets the intent of the Federal Airport Act, as expressed in the legislative
history.
AOPA has urged the FAA Administrator to take action on the above recoin-
mendations and we stand ready to assist the FAA in these programs in `every way
that we can. We realize that the FAA has not bad time to' study our August 23
letter in depth, even though some of the recommendations were known. `to' their
staff for quite some time. We expe'ct to. be working with them as time goes on
since we do have a vital interest in safety `in the air. While the Government has
the responsibility for safety programs in the public interest, the pilots who fly
PAGENO="0208"
204
have i much more personal and compelling interest In this subject because the
life that they save ~ay be their own.
On behalf of Our assoeiation, I wish to express our appreciation for your
courtesy in hearing our views on aviation safety.
ANNEX A
AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS AssocIATIoN
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is an organization which provides
services to. more than 138,000 members 1~cated in every state in the Union. It is
a non-ppellt association incörperated under the laws of New Jersey.
Purpo$e
~ It was formed in 1938 to promote, protect and represent the interest of its mem-
bars in aeronautics and the pursuit of flying ; to promote economy, safety, popu-
larity and use of airuraft by members. To accomplish these purposes, we seek
several specific ohjectiv-es: maximum freedom of the a:irspaea for all users con-
sistent with safety, improved aviation safety, an adequate airport system, an
adequate system of air navigation aids, production of impro\red aircraft, reduc-
tion of frustrations in aircraft ownership and use, facilitation of international
travei by prtva~ aircraft and wider public support of general aviation require-
meats.
Mernber~sMp
Half o~ ~ ~qttve general aviation aircraft In the United States are owned
and opera~~~ ~ our members. Our 138,000 members comprise about 3Q% of all
the active civil pilots In the entire country. Sixty-three percent (63%) of our
members hold private certificates, 24% hold commercial certificates, 2% hold
airline transport ratings, 8% hold student certificates and the balance are pilots
in military service. OAPA. is not a professional or trade association in the corn-
mon sense of these terms. The majority of our members are non-professional
pilots and therefore do not join for the usual professional or commercial reasons
characteristic of unions or business trade associations. AOPA is a service orga-
nlzation more analogous to the American Automobile Association or the National
Rifle Association.
AOPA staff
!ro serve our members, who fly for business, personal and 1,ecreatlonal pur-
poses, we have `assembled a full-time staff of 127 people. Our professional staff
is composed of specialists who are acknowledged experts in their respective
fields. We cover virtually every field of sigllificant Interest to th~ owner or pilot
of non-commercial aircraft. Many of these fields are also of interest to commer-
cial operators. Our headquarters is located in Bethesda, Maryland.
Metlwd of policy formulatiea
You will recognize the Inherent problem in policy formulation In an organiza-
tion with so large a membership. It is not unlike your own problems In repre-
\ seating your constituents on specific Issues. Like you, we pay very close atten-
\ tion to the substance and volume of mall from our members, as well as our
~ personal contacts with members throughout the country. AOPA policy is formu-
lated, in the light of extensive member comment, by the professional staff mem-
hers, who combine their knowledge, background and understanding of aviation
problems. Our rapid growth in 28 years from zero to 138,000 members, is prac-
tical testimony to the success of this method and the accuracy with which our
staff reflects member desires-for our support depends upon voluntary member-
ship.
ANNEX B
VIcTOR 3. KAYNE
starting his career in aviation in 1930, Mr. Kayne worked in several phases
of ~eneral aviation operations, including work as an A & E mechanic. He came
into air traffic control as a member of the original staff of the control tower at
the old Washington-Hoover Airport in 1935, when ATO was a municipal and
private-industry operation. He was the first chief of the Washington National
PAGENO="0209"
205
Airport Control Tower and was as~s1stai~1t &ief of the OAA headquarters, Divi~
sion of Airways Operations wb~u lie resigi~eç1 ~rom Government in 1954 to enter
prh~ate business. He was the ~1rst controller to apply for a controller's license
under the Civil Aero1~autics Act ~f 198& He assisted OAA in developing the flrst
~r~ort traffic control ~ manual, and wrote many of the procedures still in use
today.
. When the United States entered World War II, Mr. Kayne was assigned to
as~lsting in the establishment of air traffic control facilities used by military and
civil aircraft. In 1i~42, after serving briefly as ATO inspector at Fort Worth,
Texas, he was called back to Washington and promoted to inspeetor~at-large for
all CAA air traffic control facilities.
Mr. Kayne beaded a mission to Brazil in 1944 to help the U.S. Fourth' Fleet
establish air traffic control and air navigation facilities. Brazil's present airways
system is an outgrowth of his extensive work with the Brazilian Air Ministry.
While assistant chief of the CAA Air Traffic Control I~ivision, he was selected
to act as U.S. spokesman on air traffic control at International Civil Aviation
Organization regional meetings at Seattle, Washingto~i, New Delhi, India, and
London, England, in 1948 and 1949. During the same period, he worked closely
with the Canadian Department of Transport to standardize Canadian and U.S.
air traffic control systems.
While deputy chief of the Air Traffic Control Division in 1950, he established
procedures for the control and protection of air traffic in the vicinity of the then
~ i~igbly ~creti atomic e~e~gy~tests about to be staged near Las Vegas, Nevada.
Mr. Kayne has been with AOPA since 195~ and currently is Vice President,
Policy and Technical Planning. In this position, he is responsible for AOPA policy
in the fields of air traffic control, communications, airspace, airports, legislative
and internatienal matters.
Mr. Kayne Is a private pilot and formerly held second-class radio operator
and Airframe and Engine mechanic licenses. He was among the group of con-
trollers that founded the Air Traffic Control Association and holds membership
number P-42 in that Association.
Year
AIr carrier
General aviation
-
Total
fatalities
Total
hours
Rate Total
fatalities
Total Rate
hours
1950 205 2, 561, 900 8. 001 871 9, 650, 000 9. 025
1951 323 2,799,900 11.536 750 8451,000 8.874
1952 246 3,030,800 8.116 691' 8,186,000 8.441
1953 312 3~71,900 ~.535 653 8,527,000 7446
1954 40 3,294,100 ~ 1.214 684 8,963,000 7.631
1955 27~ 3,672,500 7.179 619 9,500,00,0 6.515
1956 174 4,031,000 4,316 669 10,200,00O 6.558
1957 98 4, 44~, 500 2. 205 800 10, 938, 000 7. 313
5958. 160 ~ 4, 860, 000 3. 292, 717 12, 579, 000 5. 699
1959 ~40 5,060,000 6.719 823 12,903 000 6.478
1960 499 ~ 4,660,0110 10.108 787 13,121000 5.998
1961 311 4,190,000 7.422 761 13,602 000 5.594
1962 ---- 330 4,110,000 8.029 857 14,500,000 5.910
1963 264 4,1~O,000 6,392 893 15,106,000 5.911
1964 238 4,359,445 5.459 1,056 15,718,000 6.709
1965 261 4,743,533 5.502 1,018 16,733,000 6.083
1966 272 5,109,992 5.323 1,069 21,023,000 5.085
ANNaX C
FATALITIES PER 100,000 HOURS FLOWN
Average
6. 538
Source: FAA St~tisti~8l Handbook, 1966, except air carrier hours for 1950-57 from FAA, and include scheduled service
only; nonscheduled not available; and hours for 1958-63 from CAB. 1 hours for nonscheduled operations were available
the rate would be insignificantly lower. Rate calculated by AOPA.
6.181
92-715-68-14
PAGENO="0210"
Date
206
,ANNEXD. ~ .~ ~ ~
MrDi~I1~ COLLISTO~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Al R CARRI ER~QEN ERAL AVIAIflQN ~ MIDAI R COLLISIONS, 1955-67
Location
13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
25
79
Date
Location
Fatalities
Air carrier
General
.
aviation
January 1955 Covington, Ky
July 1955 Kansas City, Mo
August 1955 Hobbs, N. Mex
June 1956 ~ Bartlesyille, Okia ~
April 1960 ~ Hickory, N.C
Oclober 1960 Orlando, Fla
Do McClellan AFB, OaliL~. .
November 1960_ Denver, CQI0
June 1966 Columbia City, md
March 3967 ---___-~~_-~----- Urbana, Ohio
July 1967 Hendersonville, N.C
AIR CARRIER-AIR CARRIER MIDAIR COLLISIONS, 1955-67
Fatalities
June 1956 Grand Canyon, Ariz
December 1960 New York, N.Y
December 1965 - Westchester, N.Y ~.
128
`128
4
1 And 6 on ground.
The above tabulation does nc~t include the accident off Jone8 Beach, New
York, wherein an Eastern Air Lines DO-7 dived into the ocean with 84 person~
aboard as the result of an evasive maneuver to avoid a Pan American 707. This
actually was not a collision, but the loss of life resulting from the attempt to
avoid a collision is just as real as if Eastern had been struck down in a collision.
It is interesting to note that in more than one-half of the cases cited above, at
least one of the aircraft, and usually both of them, were under air traffic control
at the time ~f the accident.
ANNEX Jfl
EXCERPTS FROM THE FEDE~RAL AVIATION REGULATIONS
2~.773 Pilot Compartmen.t View
(G) Each pilot compartment must be free from glare and reflections that
could interfere with the pilot's vision, and designed so that-
(1) The pilot's view is sufficient extensive, clea; and undistorted, for
safe operation ; and
(2) Each pilot is protected from the elements ~o that moderate rain
conditions do not unduly impair his view o~ the flight path in normal flight
and while landing.
(b) If certification for night operation is requested, compliance with para-
graph (a) of this section must be shown in night flight tests.
25.773 Pilot Oo~npartment View
(a) Nowpreoipit4tio'n~ condition~s.-For nonprecipitation conditions, th~ follow-
ing apply:
(1) Each pUot compartment must be arranged to give the pilots a suffi-
ciently extensive, clear, and undistorted view, to enable them t~ safely per-
form any maneuvers within the operating limitations of the airplane, in-
cluding taxiing, takeoff, approach, and landing.
(2) Each pilot compartment must be free of glare and reflection that
could interfere with the normal duties of the minimum flight crew (estab-
lished under 25.1523) . This must be shown in day and night flight tests
under nonprecipitation conditions.
2
0
0
4
1'
2
*0
1
1~
3
PAGENO="0211"
`I
ANNEX .F
BF~ro1tE THE Civit AERONAUTICS BOARD, WASHINGTON, D.C.
(flocket ~o. -)
Aircra~ft Owners a4uZ Pi~ot~ A$sockttion, PetiUoiwrs v. UiviZ Aerona~ttics $oa#d,
Respon4e~t
PE~ITIoN To AMEND CIVIL AIR RRGtYLATTONS
The Air~raft~ OWneri atid P11~ts Asso~iation hereby~ requests that the Olvil
Aeronautic~ Board amend Sections 3.382 and 4b.351 of the Civil Air 1~egu1ationsto
proVide Sp~1fiC measurable ~i~Ibi1it~ standards from the ~iot's seat *t~h respect
to the following:
~ ~ (ti) Angle forward above the horizon unbrokem
(b) Angle forward belowthe horizon unbroken.
. (C) Aiig1~tbov~the horizon 9O~ toleft.
(d) Angle below the horizon 9O~ to left.
1~e) Angle to tbt~ left. ~
~ (1) Angle to the right,
~It is further reqi~e'sted that definite arid meastirable standards be fixed requir-
ing Vi~ibility from the cockpit direct~ya'j~ove, i~elow and to the rear of the aircraft
either by dire~t ~riew, by optical m~tn~or other de~nices.
Phi's petition is based upon the following fael~s :
~ The present regulations Sectiont~ 3.38~ and 4b.351 ~bove specified are general
in terths and do not pro~r1dé for adequate minimuni standards of eock~$t visi-
bility. Air carrier aircraft which h~ve been1~ullt under the standards of Part 4
and `subsequently Part 4b of the ~ Civil Air Regulations are inadequate with
respect to cockpitvl~ibffitV. Of six model's of air carrier aircraft examined, not
one met the minimum standards recommended by Report No. 32 of Committee
S-7 of the Society of Aut~mot~v~e~ Eflgin~ers, Inc., which is composed of twelve
representativesqi ~Ui~1~ie an~ largeplane manufacturers.
The record of aircraft colllsiohs demonstrates that ~n important factor com-
mon to the collisions, which factor ~iused or contributed substantially to the
cause of the accidents, was the limited vis~hUity from the cockpit of either one or
both of the ~1anes involved.
Respectfully submitted4
AIRORATT Ow~nns & PILOTS ASSocIATIoN
By J. B. HARTRANFT, Jr.
President-Petitioner.
STATE OF MAEYLAND,
County 0)' Montgomery, ss:
J. B. Hartranft, Jr., being first duly sworn deposes nnd says that he is Presi-
dent of Aircraft Owner's and `Pilots Association, Petitioner in the foregoing peti-
tion; that he has read the foregoing petition and that to the best of bin inform~-
207
(b) Frec~i'ØKtion aQnditions~-~r~ precipitation conditions, tbe following
apply : ~ ~
ci-) ~Pbe ;airp~ne must have a means to ma'intain a clear portion of the
windshield, d~iring preei~itation conditions, sufficient for both pilots to have
a sufficiently eR~tensiV~ vit~w along the flight jiathin noi~1nal flight attitudes
o1~ the airplane. This means must be designed to function, without continuous
attention un the part of the crew, in-
(1) Heavy rain at speeds up to 1.6 VS1, with flaps retracted ; * ~
(ii) The icing conditions specified in 25.1419 if certification with ice
protection provisions is requnsted.~
(2) The first pilot must have a windo~y that-
(`i) When the cabin is not ~pi~ssurized, is openable under the conditions
prescribed in subparagraph (1) of `this paragraph and provides the view
specified in that pa~grap~h ; and ~ ` ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(ii) Gives ~uffleient protectioI~ from the elpments against impairment
of the pilot's ~
PAGENO="0212"
My comni1~aEon e~pire~ May 6, 1957.
208
tion and belief every statem~n% contained lii the petition i~ true and no statement
in the petition is misleading.
J. B. HAEtaANFT, Jr.
Sworn to and subscribed before me thIs 15th day of March, 1956.
CrAiu~rwn C. KmsEn,
Notary, Public.
ANrEX G
AOP~ POSITION : F~ai' P1UORITIES
1. statutory Baeis.~!rhe ~ed~r~il AirpOrt Act pro~ide6. in S~. ~ 3 that the
National Airport Plan is "to provide a s7stem of~k~bih~ atr~bris adequate to
anticipate and meet the needs of civil aeronautics . . . and shall not be limited
to any classes or categories of public airports" and that the Administrator
shall "take into account the needs of both air commerce and private flying . .
The Act provides in Sec. 4 that the Administrator may grant funds for ". .
the establishment of a Nationwide system of public airports adequate to meet
the present and future needs of civil aeronautics . .
2. Agency Policy.-Priorities for Allocation of Federal Funds are established
byAC 15O/51OQ~-2 dated 5/9/66 and Policy Statement dated 5/24/66.
8. AOPA agrees tlzat.-(a) Requests exceed funds available ; (b) Priorities
are necessary ; (c) Best use of available funds should be made.
4. AOPA disagrees w'itk.-(a) The priorities established ; (b) the under~
lying concept that funds should be concentrated at airports with a ` "significant
volume of commercial air traffic" regardless of the fact that other airports needed
to complete the s3~stem have not been established.
5. AOPA Reconvmesded Priority.-Reqnests for aid should be satisfied in the
following order:
(a) Initial purchase of land and initial development to provide a new
public airport to complete `the National Airport Plan.
( b ) Provision of improvements to meet minimum standards for elementary
(i.e., parking, lighting, etc.) airport facilities.
(c) Provision or improvement of airports to relieve congestion at major
airports in metropolitan areas.
(d) Provision of Category I capability at airports without any Instru-
ment capability.
(e) Improvements to provide additional runway and ramp capacity at
existing airports.
(1) Provision of Category II capability.
(g) Improvements to existing facilities by enlarging, strengthening or
marking runways, taxiways and ramps.
(h) Provision of Category III capability.
REASONS FOR AOPA POSITION ON FAAP PRIORITIES
(1) The primary purpose of the Federal Airport Act is to. establish a nation-
wide system of airports to meet existing and future needs of civil aeronautics.
All other considerations are secondary.
(2) The best use of Feder&i aid is to encourage provision of fundamental and
essential facilities. Improvements above this minimum level should take lesser
priority in the order of their sophistication.
(3) Loss of privately.owned, public-use airports due to tax and economic
pressure is creating an airport shortage. The surest remedy is public ownership.
(4) The ability of a community to survive depends on its ability to participate
in the air commerce system. Carriage for hire is only a part of air commerce.
Not-for-hire operation's are also vital to the economy.
(5) Completing the `airport system will serve more additional people and `their
communities than adding improvements to a few airports.
(6) Meeting existing needs will pave the way for Satisfying more sophisticated
future needs `by making more of the public aware of the benefit's of airport
development.
(7) AOPA's priority list Is more likely to generate broader public and congreS-
sional support for airport `development `since it enables new service for new peo-
PAGENO="0213"
209
pie and new communities instead o~ merely improving service for those. already
served.
(8) Theliigh priority projects:
(a) Are generally low in cost and the~efore a great number can be under-
taken. ~
(b) Will procure the moet time and cost critical item-land-which will
increase in cost more rapidly than labor or material.
(C) Will expand and complete the system, thereby making the aircraft
and each existing airport even more useful and valuable.
(d) Will not eliminate low priority projects `because the number and cost
of high priority projects is unlikely to require all the funds, whereas satisfy-
ing sophisticated requirements. first is likely to preempt most funds ; nor is
there sufficient money to complete all such projects anyway.
Mr. FitiEDEL. I want to thank you very much, Mr. Kayne. I will
reserve my time.
Mr. Dingell, have you quesitions?
Mr. DINGELL. No que~tions, Mr. Chaiñnan.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Mr. Devine?
Mr. DEvINE. I am glad you appeared here today. One, you are in a
position to give us valuable information, and, two, I have had a good.
bit of mail from the general aviation segment, which always seems to
be in a defensive position. Apparently they feel they have `been badly
handled by the press or someone because every time there is a midair
collision there is an inference that it is the fault of general aviation.
I think that is one of the reasons we asked the representative of AOPA
to appear, in order that you may give your views on the subject and
point out that all these accidents, of course, are not due to private
aviation. You have a very rich background. I have read your biography
that is attached to your statement. You are aware of all the problems
of the air traffic controllers. I think that is one of the sensitive areas
that has to do with air safety, particularly midair collisions.
In going over your testimony, I would like to ask one question in
the area of visibility. You point out in your statement that there is a
strong objection `to increased visibility, or at least changing the air
frame `structure by the air frame manufacturers. Would you t~ll the
committee for the record why is there that objection ? What is the
reason?
Mr. KAYNE. Mr. Devine, I think you are referring to my statement
which was oarried more or less in full stai~tingon page 6 of the written
testimony. We did include a statement there. This is more or less his-
torical `at this point. `There was a statement that `there was strong ob-
jection from the airframe manufacturers with respect to imposing,
you might say, rigid and detailed minimum standards for cockpit
visibility. Captain Ruby. very competently touched on that `this morn-
ing when he, in effect, stressed some of the difficulties that an airframe
manufacturer has in increasing the visibility for the pilot from within
the cockpit.
Mr. DEviNE. He suggested decreasing, actually, in the ~iore sophis-
ticated aircraft. In the SST when we saw. the mockup on the west
coast, they have to drop the nose prior to landing `so they can `see when
they come in.
Mr. KAYNE. I believe there are some foreign moclel's'of the SST prorn
jected that will `have a shield that wili drop in front of the windshield
when they are at high altitude in flight, to protect the windshield from
undue heat and pressure, and so on.
PAGENO="0214"
210
In any event, obviously, as airplaims got faster and the ~r~ssure or
stress on the hull of the airplane, including the windshield became
greater, the tendenoy, of course, was to make. the windshield smaller
and stronger. If you have a large expanse of glass, this means that the
glass has to be much stronger to withstand the pressure over a larger
area~. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
So there apparently has been some tendency to reduce visibility. I
might stress again that our recommendation here is not directed par-
ticularly at airline aircraft. It isairline aircraft, yes, but also we would
like to see better visibility out of some of our general aviatioi~i aircraft.
Mr. DEVINE. Are we getting to the point of no return on speed,
perhaps~ ~
Mr. KAYNE. I would not try to minimize the difficulties, Mr~, De~ine,
of the manufacturers or designers in jroduciñg high speed ~aircraft
with better visibility from them~ Th& frd1it~ary ~t drie timb Or aiio~her
have approached this by placing the pilots in, you might s~, a bubble
configuration, so that he was elevatt~[ abOye the fuselage a little bit
and could see out better. There have be~n a number of sehen~iës onthis.
This is one that we would like tosee g~eater concentration on, ou the
part of not only the manufactu~ers and ~se~rcthers,but we think pos-
sibly NASA should be able to &ntribüte s&riè very gOod research worl~
i~ this field. ~ ~ ~ . ~
Mr. DEVINE. To get to another area, would it be your opinioii, Mr.
Kayne, t~hat proximity warning indicators in general aviation ~tircraft,
which would be perhaps within the financial means of sofrio o~ the pri-
vate pilots, and collision avoidance systems on the commercial air-
craft, the two devices, although having the same purpose but b&ng
different in operation, do you think they wbuld help ~o1v~ som~ of these
midair problems ? ~ ~
Mr. KAYNE. I think they *ould help greatly, sir. I know there has
been some discussion informally between pilots. In fact, we have talked
this over with some of the airline pilot group. There was some talk
of that at their last safety forum here ih Washington. The thinking is
that the airline~, and this is my personal opinion, too, must ha~e a col-
lision avoidance system in their aircraft, for one.
Two, we have conceived this proximity warning indicator, which I
will refer tO as PWI, as a simple device, possibly on a noncooperative
basis, so that this gives you warning of someone else in your vicinity..
We hope that could be a building block to go ir~to the collision avoid-
ance system. If it would not be, then you coi~ild carry the two systems,
say, in an airline airplane. We could carry one but they could carry
both the sophisticated and the shnple' system and then they would
have protection against themselves and protection against any rntruder
of any kind that did not have a system or if the collision avoidance
system was not operating.
Mr. FmEDEL. I know back in 1957-58, an invention was placed on
the dashboard of an aircraft ~nd there would be an indication that if
\ a plane was coming from the right, t~he light would light, on the right
side, or from the left on the left side, and at mileages that were in-
dicated. The only thing you could rA~ot do with that was to tell at what
altitude the plane was. I `believe this is a simple device and not very
expensive, so far as I know. That wouid be a tremendous help te
the general aircraft, the small plan~a Why that w'a~ not pursued, as
PAGENO="0215"
211
I would like to see it pursued, I cannot understand. I think it is not
expensive. This should be pursued iinmediat~ly. At least give them
that much for the smaller planes. The others may have radar that
would give altitude, but the small plane would know if a plane is to
the left or the right, 5 or 10 miles away, and he would start looking
for it.
~ Mr. KAYNL I agree with you, Mr. Chairman, we think this would
be a great help. I did notice that Congressman Fascell has introduced
a bill, H.R. 11677, dire~ting the FAA Administrator to research the
development of such .a device. We ~ wholeheartedly in favor of this.
We hope that thjs actioi~ will really be. pushed.
. Mr., ,Em1~DEL. I think they have been really slow in coming to the
co~ic1usions on this. I lçriow in 1957, and 1958 at Atlantic City we wit-
nessed ~t and they w~re experim~ting with it then. I wotild like to
see something move forward on this , inunédiatedy. I think this wa~
given to the Governme~nt for $1, `by aninventor from Baltimor~, Mr.
Oharles Adk~r. I thinkhe deser:ves a great deal of credit.
That isall I have to say rightnow. ,
` Mr, DEvINE. , I have a question on your annex D to your statement,
Mr.' K~a~y~e. You po'ixite4 out the number of cdllisions between com-
mercial aviation and ge~rierai aviation, and the number of collisions
between commercial and commer~ia~ ; but you do not have statistics
ozi midair collisions between general aviation and general aviation.
Can you provide such sta'~istics at a later time ?
Mr. ` I~AYN~. Yes. I. n~ight sa~y that is a fairly siiJhstantj~1 number,
without equivocation. I think it is easy to ~mderstan.d this because quite
a few of those cOllisions incidentally result not in a loss of life but they
happen between students who are training at a small airport and they
are going around and around, shooting landings and takeoffs. In-
variably one of them is concentrating so much on his ~irp1ane that
they `brush wing tips.
Mr. ~VINE. Would you pro~ride that information
Mr. KAYNE. Yes; we will.
(The. ~ollowing material was recei~red by the committee:)
SUPPLEM~*TAL STATISTICS ON COLLISIONS BETW1~EN GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT,
Str]~MITTED j3y AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS `ASSOCIATION
Congressman Devine requested statistics on' collisions between general aviation
aircraft similar to those provided i~a ~knnex D to AOPA's written testimony be-
fore the Stibeommittee.
Our source of information on these accidents has been the Civil AeronauticS
Board and now is the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
We have queried the NTSB for the desired statistics, but they are either um
able or unwilling to make this information available. We suggest that it can be
obtained by an inquiry from the chaiTman of the Subcommittee.
We do have partial information indicating the number of collisions between
general aviation aircraft, but we are lacjdng the number of fatalities. The num-
ber of collisiOns for each year is indicate'd'below and we believe that the number
of fatalities resulting from these collisions in each year will be somewhat less
than the actual number of collisions. We have arrived at this conclusion by a
process of elimination applied to available statistics. For example, in 1963 there
were :ti collisions between general aviation and two collisions between general
aviation and military aircraft. These collisions produced a total of six fatalities.
In 1964, the ratiO `was 12 general aviation and two general aviation military
collisions with a total of 11 fatalities.
Collisions between general aviation aircraft are as follows:
PAGENO="0216"
212
195~
in~a
I (~P~
195~
1 c~c~
196'~
I ü~~i
I (~IO
1964
1 ~bR~
Source of the above figures Is the Civil AerOi1autio~ Board. Bllreru ~. ~afety.
Mr. DEviNE. In your statement, you suggest short parallel runways
at your . main airports being helpful to general aviation. Would you
make any suggestion on how far separated those should be from your
main runways ? Are you talking about 5,000 feet ?
Mr. KAmui. That is a hard question to answer specifically, Mr.
Devine, but I think I can answer it enough to satisfy you~ In the first
place, New York City, or the Port Authority of New York, for ex-
ample, recently converted three taxiways on John F. Kennedy Airport
to short runways for general aviation. Unfortunately, at least one of
those, and possibly several of them, are so close to the main runway
and placed in such a position so that if a fully loaded DC-8 going
overseas, for example, takes off and rotates, his wingtip vortices and
turbulence hits just about where you are over on the s~Grt r~fltWa~; It
is so close that it gives you pause for thought before you use it.
One of the others they have is so spaced that the taxi distance on
John F. Kennedy makes i~ almost impractical to use it. We have just
looked into this to see why these runways are not getting sufficient use
and one of these is apparently that several of them are too close to
the main runway.
Mr. DEVINE. Would a separation such as the Potomac River ~ut here
with Washington National and Bolling be adequate?
Mr. KAYNE. That would be more than adequate.
Mr. DEvINE. Have you made recommendations in that area?
Mr. KAYNE. Yes, sir. As you probably know, we have been pushing
to have a runway on the old Bolling-Anacostia complex used for gen-
eral aviation. In fact, we could almost make parallel runways thiei~.
O'Hare in Chicago has two parallel runways that ~ are about 5,000
feet apart and these are used for simultaneous IFR approaches by
large aircraft with just a slight staggeDing of the altitude. For the
general aviation part we could be closer than that. ~Ve can do a little
research. I would hazard a guess that somewhere in the neighborhood
of 700 to 800 feet between the runways would give us sufficient distance
to avoid wingtip vortices except under the most unusual conditions
where the witid ~ might be driftij~g slowly over toward the general
aviation runway.
Mr. DEvINE. Thank you very mach.
Mr. DINGELL (presiding) . Mr. Kuykendall.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. Mr. Kayne,.would a crop dusting. airplane with-
out a radio and no flight plan be allowed to land at Memphis, Tenn.,
Municipal Airport?
Year:
Nw,n~bor of coilisions bctwcc~ generai aviation aircraft
16
14
10
12
10
19
20
14
11
12
24
PAGENO="0217"
213
Mr. KAYNE. I can answer that, but I would have to qualify my
ahsw~r.
Mr. Kunu~NDALL. I am waiting for an answer.
Mr. KArNE. I am not familiar spe~ifical1y with the traffic at Mem-
phis, but :i suspect that there may be some crop dusters landing there.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. Yes. There ~vas a 727 that I was a passenger in
forced to ~ go around the field by a `crop duster with no radio several
weeks ago.
Mr. KAYNE. There are many of our airports that are used by air-
lines, and I will `avoid the term major airports because I don't think
it really happens in the major airports, there are many airports used
by airlines that also accommodate crop dusters working the local fields
in that vicinity. There is a provision in the regulations to permit the
control tower chief, `at his `discretion, to allow such aircraft without
radio in and out. lie usually does this under, you might say, closely
controlled conditions where he knows when they are going, when they
are coming. They get a green traffic light from `the control tower to
indicate that they `can `land or take off. These conditions `are closely
monitored. We know that some of the crop dusters, particularly if they
are `dusting, have an explosive combination in that dust, particularly
if thebin is partly empty.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. Forget about the fact that he is a crop duster.
Make like he is `a cattle rancher. I am speaking of `the fact `that this
airplane `has no `radio, `has no eight plan, has no weather report, and
just came in and landed. He got a green `light, yes. I am sure he would
have landed whether or not he got the green light. This is a `major
airport, two 10,000-foot jet runways with ` probably 300 transactions
a `day.
Mr. KAYNE. When we say no flight plan-
Mr. KUYIU~NDALL. He could not have a flight plan because h~ took
off from hi's back pasture.
` Mr. KAYNL If he took off from `his back pasture and landed there
without `advance coordination and `approval from the `control tower,,
my answer to your question would be no, he should not be `allowed
there.
Mr. KIBrKENDALL. I know. `that this is' the extreme bottom of `the
people you represent.
`They own an airplane with `an engine `and a propeller, `one or two
seats, a gallon `of gas and that is it. The other extreme is `the corporate'
jet, whose pilot may have `as many hours, `Mr. Chairman, as Mr. Ruby.
That is `the other extreme. I think we on this `committee are goin.g to
have to differentiate betwe~n the crop `dusters with no radios and the
corporate jets.
It is my understanding that recently the authorities in Frauce, after
having built a subsidiary field with GCA and ILS `have prohibited
the use of Orly and Le Bourget by `any aircraft that does not have at
least two pilots and compatible electronics. Have you heard `about this
development? ` ` `
Mr. KAYN~. No, sir. I heard you spe'ak `of it this morning.
Let me put it this way: I kn~o~ that Orly and Le Bo'urge't have re-
stricted traffic.
Mr. KUYKENDALLI They di'd `have the other equipment ready, the
other strip ready and equipment ready, `when they made the decision.
That is our understanding.
PAGENO="0218"
214
`Mr. KAYNE. My underStandii~g of that, and maybe my info~n~ation
is not as current as yours, is that the other airport that they n~iade
~wai1ab1e for general av~iatioi~ ~ was i!o;Oat~d quite some dista~ioe from
the ~ity. I have forgotten what it ex~ctly is; but it is something on the
order of ~3O miles. It was not really a well equipped airport, as far as
general ~viationis concerned. . . ~ ~
As I say, `I think your in~ormationmay be more c~irren~t than mme.
(The following information was received by the committee:)
GENEEAL AVIATION USE O~' AIRrORT~ IN PU1~ ~AI~I$, ~RA&NCE, AREA, Su~ITTED
BY THE AIECRA~r OWNERS & PILOTS AsspcIATIo~ ~
The following information concert~ing general ~tviation u~e of airports In the
Paris, France, area is supplied in connection with a i~oint. raised by :Rep~resenta~
tive Kuykendall at the August 28 hearing on ayiatiori safety. ~ ~
Orly Field is the uiain airline terminal,fôr Paris and it is generally acknqwF-
edged that general aviation operations are' discouraged at Orly. llöWei~êr, there
are no restrictions indicated in the InternatiOnal Plight Information Manual
published by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Aeronautical Lni~or-
m~ttion Services document (Due 738&-AIS/5O~/lS) published by ICAO also list~
n~b specific restrictions conc~rning private aircraft and m~ely indicates that
prior permission is required. Apparently, a small numb~r of gétieral a~ation
movements are permitted since some have been reported by our menlber~ in
Europe. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ Le Bourget airport may be~ compared with La Guardia Field ~n New York,
since it accommodates. both general aviation ~nd domestic airline operati9ns.
No restrictions on Le Bourget are indicated in either the US. or ICAO do~ument~.
however, Le Bourget does charge an "Assistance tax" ~ of 65 Pr. ( about $13,00)
for services rendered. This does tend to discourage general aviation traffic.
Traffic figures furnished for Paris unfortunately lump all traffic fo~ both Orly
and Le Bourget for a grand total of 191,O2~ plane movements in 19t6. This means
that these two airports together handle a volume of traffic that is comparable
to that handled by our airport at Nashville, Tennessee, which ranks #80 in the
standing of traffic volume at U.S. airports.
.~ There are two general aviaticni airports in the vicinity of Paris. One of these
is at Guyancourt, which is a sod strip and which suffers from prolonged shut-
downs during ~ winter months because of the, unsafe condition of the sod.
The major general aviation airport is Tonssus-le-l~oble airport. This field is
approximately eleven nautical miles airline distance ~ from the * center of Paris.
It is the base for approximately 230 aircraft and has, in ~round figures, 200,000
plane movements a year. Current aviation charts and manuals do not indicate
either radar or ILS at this airport. These publications indicate that the airport
does have a control tower and VHF' direction finding service~ It did not have
a night beacon until September 22, 19~6, at which time it was offi~l~Uly opened
for night and IFR operations. . ~
The Paris Airport Authority indicates that 17% of the combined plane move-
ments for Orly and Le Bourget are general aviation. It is also interesting to note
that Poussns-le-Noble handles more operations than Orly and Le Bourget corn-
bined. By U.S. standards Of traffic-handling, neither Oily or Le Bourget are oper-
ating anywhere near maximum capacity. In fact, they can be. considered as be-
ing very lightly used in comparison with the traffic at a large number of major
airports in the U.S.
The above commentary was prepared from a number of official U.S. and ICAO
documents, together with letters from AOPA members in Paris, articles from
13~rench magazines and statistical information provided by both * the Erench and
U.S. governmei~ts. ~ , ~
Mr. KUYTENDALL. I don't have information as to the proximity of
the auxiliary airport.
It seems to me that we are going to be faced in the long range with
a great many of the suggestions that you made in your report having
merit, but it seems that most of them are pv~tting a patch on a patch,
that we are going to have a matter, let's say at N~ttional Air,por~, or at
PAGENO="0219"
JFK, that,. if you do i~iot cont~o1 the ~entrance of general aviation;
and you limit th~ airpoi1~ to t1a~ number of transactions p~r hour, then
the airliner will be edged out con~pletely. In other words, it does not
reciprocate ~on~r~l.
I notiee in using your ~Igures about the number of interested people
involved in using the taxpayers' sup~ported facility you use only the
owners as compared to the owner~oto speak.
. Butusing your own figures here, thA number of passenger miles,and
this is the people ~nvoived, the citizens involved, of the airline, accord-
ing t, your own figi~~es;would b~ a~lmost six times as great for the air-
lines . as it wotild be for private a~iai~ion. I don't think it is good to
come here and have either of you against each other.
I join in what . Mr. Deyine said. I ~1on't like to be comparing colli-
sions. ~ iS just like some Vietnan~ pe~e people cqming to us and
saying, "Your atrdcities are worse than theirs." I don't like either one
of them. ~ I doft't like the idea p~f comparing th~ collisions as a means
of comparing the validity of ~ the two c~tuses. I think both have good
vaiidity.Thiø is a point I ~v~zit~tl to make ~iere
That either party, because of the size of their business has certainly
a valid use, one not ~mor~ than the Qther just because there are more
private owners than there are commercial owners. There are many
times more public passengers than there are private passengers.
Do you think that there should be~ any airports today where non-
commercial type aircraft-let~s go back to the same definition we used
before, two pilots with compatible electronic's-do you think there
should be any airports in America today that should not be allowed to
be used by airplanes without this type of equipment and pilots?
Mr. KAYNE. I don't know exactly what you are talking about in the
way of compatible electronics.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. ILS, GCA, and two pilots.
Mr. KAYNE. The regulations require two-way radio communication
with any airport with control towers operated by the Federal Govern-
mont. That included Memphis.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. What would be the penalty if he came in and
landed without it?
Mr. J~AYNE. I don't know what schedule of penalties are under the
Federal Aviation Act. They would be subject to either fine or revoca-
tion or suspension of certificate; or bøth.
Mr. KLTYKENDALL. You say two-way radio is required on any FAA-
supervised latiding facility?
Mr. KAYNE. Any airport thathas a Federal control tower. It could
be FAA or `a military field with control tower, this equipment is re-
quired at either. ILS, of course, is an instrument landing system and
this is something that you would not need in good weather. If you are
going to make an instrument approach or flying IFR ~nd make an
instrument approach I would say we would have it, whether general
aviation or air `carrier.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. Do you think a student pilot with full radio
equipment should be allowed to land at National Airport?
Mr. KAYNE. I would not rule out the student pilot with full radio
equipment' landing at National Airport for several reasons. In the
first plaice, before he lands there he has to `get a clearance. He is under
control. The tower ~is watching him ~nd working him all the way.
215
`I
PAGENO="0220"
216
This, inciden~aiiy, must be part of the trainiing ~f the student as he
comes ailong. These studenth ~veintua11y become private pilots, corn-
mercial pilots1 and then air1ii~e~ pilots. Th~t is the way we get air-
line pilots. If you are asking this in the context of a brandne~w student
who is just sciloing and so on, normally we would not encourage it at
places like Washington National.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. Can he land there now?
Mr. KAYNFI. Washington National to my recollectkn has some re-
striction against student ~perations. This is not true of all airports.
Some airports do have it and some do not. We also hai~e found that
there are some students who aretrained right on major airports because
the schools are located there and they go out and they have instructors
with them. This is done under carefully controlled conditions.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. But they cannot control that young solo pilot on
his first time out.
Mr. KAYNL I would not recommend the young solo pilot in the con-
ditions you are talking about, his first time out.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. Would you prohibit him from doing that at
National Airport?
Mr. KAYNE. From my own personal opinion, I would say yes. But
also I have to tell you that National Airportright now is not operating
up to its capacity. It is conducting 4,000 operations a year less than it
did in 1960. At the same time, we had Boiling and Anacostia operat-
ing with more traffic in the air, so that the total operations at National
and in the vicinity are down. National is nOt congested as far as air-
planes on runways are concerned ; it is terribly congested so far as
airline passengers are concerned in the terminal building. The air-
line ramps are congested but the general aviation side of it and the run-
ways themselves are not congested. The air traffic part of it is not
congested.
Mr. KrYKaiThALL. You are the first person who has even implied
this may `be true. Most of the other witnesses have gone in the other
direction but I won't get into argument about that.
Mr. KAYN1~. Thi~~is rather~~kreli documented. T think I am very well
qualified `to speak on this because 1 was the first chief controller. of the
tower at Washington~Airport. I have followed that airport for many
years.
(The followinginformation wasreceived by the committ~e:)
STATEMENT ON USE OF MA~rOR AIRPORTS, SUBMITTaD BY VICTOR J. KATNE,
VICE PRESIDENT, AIRORAFT OWNEBS & PILOTS A8soci&TION
Mr. Kuykendall d~seussed the use o~f major airports by various types of traffic
and mentioned an tncident at Memphis wherein a ctop duster apparently landed
with no clearance from the control, ~ower. .
The current FAA regulations r~uire a radio clearance from the control tower
prior to landitig or taking off from an~ airport with a Federal control tower.
There also Is a provisiOn for the controller tO ail~W non-radio traffic to land or
take off subject to prior approval from the tower. If this was not ~btained In the
Memphis incident, then the pilot was ln violation of the regulations. When we
are dealing with a pilot who will violate existing regulations', it obvion~ly would
do no good to write additional regulations, since the pilot would also violate
those rules.
Our public airports accommodate all types of traffic, under reasonable rules
imposed by the FAA, without discrimination as to whether the traffic is airline,
military,. commercial, private, or any other category. An effort to distinguish.
between some of these with the objective oJ~ restricting certain opEirations would
PAGENO="0221"
217
be virtually impossible on ~ fair arid impartial basis. For exa~np1e, if we attempt
to rule out so-called ~~1easure flying or transportation ~or perso~ia1 reasons in a
private aircraft, then it also appears that we should rule out the airline trip that
is carrying a cargo of vacationers or people otherwise traveling for pleasure.
After all, the airline is a commercial venture for profit and has no greater entitle-
ment to the use oi~ publh~ facilities than a businessman in his company airplane.
Crop dusters usually do not operate from the major hub airports, although
they do operate from many airports that also accommodate the scheduled air-
lines. This usually is done through a mutual arrangement with the control tower
and all operations are carefully controlled so as to avoid hazard to of~ier traffic.
Reference is made to aircraft operated by cattle ranchers with the inference
that such aircraft are usually poorly equipped, or as Mr. Kuykendall phrased it,
with no radio, no flight plan, no weather report and representing the extreme
bottom of the people in our Association. Our experience Is that some ranchers
do own such aircraft for use on the home acres, but the aircraft that they use
for travel away from the home rane~i Is exceptionally well equipped by anyone's
standards. They certainly do not represent the bottom of AOPA's membership.
AOPA's testimony before the subcommittee with respect to airports, and I
refer specifically to recommendation No. 12 on page 18 of my prepared testimony,
makes several recommendations with respect to provision for general aviation on
m~jor airports and the establt~1~mentef other airports designed to draw general
aviation traffic away from the major airports Insofar as practicable. We recognize
the desirability o1~ this, but we also recognize that some general aviation opera-
tions must continue to be accommodated at the ma3or airports used by the
airlines. It would be Impossible to establish different categories of such traffic,
because the need variee with tbe requirements of the aircraft operator In lIght
of a variety of local circumstances, Further, it has not been established that
general aviation use of major airports is a hazard to safety. There has been
some discussion of Inconvenience to the a11,llnes, but no one has yet suggested
that we ban private and business automobiles from our public superhighways In
order to gtve prefereht.t~i treatment to the buses and other commercial motor
carriers.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. Let me close with this : You pointed out that
there have been two disastrous collisions in recent months. Now, unless
we do something as a Congress and as a people and we suddenly
start out here with a rash of collisions at National and Dulles and
John F. Kennedy, the hue and cr~y from the general public is going
to be such that we are going to wish we had acted.
I would like to see from your organization some categorization of
your type of flying and some suggestions as to what can be done to
regulate it for safety purposes. This is for the future. As a member
of this committee I would like to have this from you.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. FwEr~. ~1r. Pickle, 4o you have any questions?
Mr. PICKLE. I do not have aiiy questions at this paint.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Mr. Dingell.
Mr. DINaEu~. Yo~ disouss i~i your comments, sir, the question of
positive control. Yo~i indicate an opposition on the part of your
organization to ~ redi~oing l~he leve4 of positive control of aircraft to
18,000 feet. i: wouk~ like to bow ~he rationsie, why you oppose that
reduction ~ o~f~ posi1~iv~ ~control height. ` ~
Mr. KAYNE. Our reasons ~for oppos~ig i1 ~ra severalfold. Inciden-
tally, this is a rnatt~er of proposed rulemaking. before the FAA and
this is not the first time they have proposed it and it is not the first time
we have objected to it. They tried this several years a~o and the re-
sponse that they got bi~ck from their public rulemaking under the
Administrative Procedure Act was so strong as to cause the agency
to abandon the requirement at that time.
Now we have a number of general aviation aircraft aria the number
PAGENO="0222"
218
is increasing all' the time, that canop&rate at the higher altitudes, with
pressurized cabins and turboeha~ged engines.
Mr. DINGELL. Twin engines ? ~ ~ ~
Mr. KAYNE. Not only twins, but we have them coming ai~ng in
singles, too. We have the better known general aviation jets; Lear Jets,
Jetstars, and so on. ~ . ~ . .
Mr. DINGELL. Was it one of those si~igle-enginc turbine jets that was
operating at 23,000 feet a whi~ie back ~ when ~ National Guard plane
flew inth its rear end ? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mr. KAYNE. I thought that w~s a single-engine Bonanza. I may
be wrong. ~ ` ~ ~ *: ~ ~ ~
Mr. 13i~rn~i~i~. Single-engine p~'e~surized supercharged airoraft,
single-engine, general aviation, up ~3;OOO feet, and a N'atioi~ai &uard
aitcraft flew right into the rear end of it This is ~ vety, very good
argumen4fór positLve control of ~á1~t at 20,000 feet. ~ ~ ~ .
Mr. KAYNE. Sir, the i~aet thatpne airplane fli~w~ through another
one, o~r ran over him, whu~he~ei~ ~way you wan~t to put it, does not
really ~çiake ~i argument fo~ a~th~itional reguWtiotts there
~1.V[r PING~UJ In a1~ probahiJity ~ih~t~ a~ceiden~t wogl4 ~iot ha~ve oc
curred if~ b~th!those a,ircraft:hadikfe~n undeii~.p~si:tive t~ontroL .~ ~
Mr KAYNI~ We have had `acc~de~it~ Whe~ eyerythin~ there Was
under positive control, fulj traj~h con~o1, ~u~L~1 y~t the tWo I~t~L into
~ch Qther, Ii~As~heville~ twq ~u'pianes wits ATe ~lk~ng to them
up to thela~trninute, th~y sf11 rah~togebher. ~ ~ ~ t ~ ~ ~ ~ ~c . .
~ Mr. DTNiELt2. ~Tlia~t was ~ ~ ~O~ti~d1 ~i~ror,'I b~1ie~e, ~ in A~hevil1~,
where one aircraft flew into th~ bottom of the other one.
Mr. K~&i~n~ `~Phe~way W&~n~d~r~tQOdit h~did npt fly into the~bottom
of~it;~Qi~~ pop~ ~ ~ lip 111 frbt~t O~f~i~he ~the~oi~ it was a imitter of one
at ci~tiisin~g Ie'~t~I and~ th~ cther O~i!ie in ~ ~ climb It was a popup He
hitth&botto~rñ ~!ll~ ~h~sid'e 4f tf~e~ge~. it;wat~ a in~tt~r of coming
tt~infrontofMth. ~ ~ ~ . . ~ . ~ ~ ` ~ ~ ~
~ Mr.. DiNoEri~. i~: ~ fai~ ~ ~ay~t~h~ Mö~ ~sitl~e coiitrçl ~u have
~ ~ ri~j~ of~coFFisMil b~Cau~etof
~ ~ ~ ~:/ ~Jfl ~ ~, ~ .
M~r `KAYNi~ I~!1~1istioall~ ~ott~te~th~t I thmk~ Is ~tSt~nt1 Frim a
practical application~rith~idi~At~ ~iW1~he~ ~ ~`tbd~ty~, ~ tI%~ is
what I tried to bring out here and ~ br~in?gh~1i ~tit in
response to e~a~riith! ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mr. DINGELL. When we get the new sy~{~!4~ln' ~ve~th~ ~bWin-
~ ~
~ ~ ~ r ~ `~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
hdl~ti~tjM~ffi~c tèr~t!P~ iTh~I ~ b~f~t~I~
got computers ~ ~ ~ fl ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ``~
~ ~Mr~~4k~! ~ ~ei~~i ~iii~~I have th!lkéd~t&
~5c~trôlIe~: ~ 1~ight ~.tow. théy~tei~1f; ~i~è ~h~tt ~thp~ters ~IÔs~ ~ñ*~thirig
like ~ ; ~ ~ ~ ~ ` ~ ~ ~ , (~
~ . ~ PW~tht ~thi~t~S f~I1'th~Wll~ ~ d~gi~t~bii~øppbsed
a really rn!eathngfttl ftè ~&th t~f ~o'~ii~ côiit~öi~ at~ 1bts~F ~1tit~d~s
down to 18$JOO feet. You , YW~ia~&~ s~m~ dritici~th `of, th~ 1~AA;
if %h ~ tü~& éliniiña~ed' then it
becomes very clear that positive control can be had. So, let us assume
PAGENO="0223"
219
that w~ eliminate the criticisms which you have of the Administration
and buckle down to adequate administration. You indicate there is a
lack of money.I suspect that that perhapsis Congress' fault, the Bu~
reau of the Budget's fault, ~ You have already con~eded ideally it is
better to have positive control at lower heights.
Mr. KAYNL I don't think I have conceded that.
. Mr. DINGELL. You said idealistically. ~
Mr.KAYNE. Idealisti~a1lyin a sense. We have found out that we have
collisions under a~r traffic control.
Mr. ~ DINóELL. And you have collisions where they are operating
~vithout positive control ?
Mr. KAYNE. That is right.
Mr. `DINGELL. in theory at least, and ideally, there is much larger
oppoi~tunity for i~ collision where aircraft are not under positive con-
ti~l. Isn't that a fact ? Can youden~hat'~
Mr. KAYNE. Ill the limited ~ context you ask it, I would say yes, I
agree with you. ~ ~ ~
Mr. DINGU~. Not in a limited ~Oñtext. Cold logic says if you have
a~ircraf~ uMer positive control there ~wil1 be less chance of collision
particularly when airoTaft now are operating at 300 to 1,400 miles
an h~ôur instead ~ of the 180 or 250 miles * an hour that they used to
Qper~te1n, because ~ visibility problems, reaction time, and the other
~roblerns*we face in this, area.Is that correct ?
Mr:tKAYNE. Lam afraid this question is very much like : "Have you
stopped b~atingybur wife ~ " ~
]~1:~r. ~~p~qELL. No, it i~ riot. ~ ~
~ ~I;r. ~ ~L ~an agr~ with you~nd I can d~sagreè with you.
Mr. DIN~LL. It iscold,iogic. . , : * ~
~ `Mr~ ~ 1 can agree ~ with you but 1 would have to qualrfy my
ai~s~ver arid the chath~n is waving the gavel
~ DINO1d~L r suppose if I were ~pa Oldtime seat of the pants pilot
iwould telik~that~too~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ : ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~MT: FnIEm~ri. I wil~l4ow you~to answer if you wish, but the4ime
ofThe gentleman has ë~ired
~ KA~E.~ t~t i~ h~ke4 ~bi'ief öffér.We' wfll ~rcwi~de ä~ ~It~tailed
ausw~erto~that;inwritin~g if that w~iH heip~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ , ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ,~
M~ ~Pn~a~s~u I have no objectiôiii ~ ~
c~'~ 1~o~w~i~ig ~Orr~tidn ~tah~g ~t~e AOPA position was re
c~v~c1 kyktl~,e e~mic~tt~e~ ) ~ ~
~ ~ ,L~ ~ ~ t ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A~p]~6J~i~ OW~R~ 8~ i~ILO~1~$ A~SSOCI4~TION,
~ ~ ~? ~. ~ ~; ç ~ ` ~ <~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ .~: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ , ~ Wa$kifl~7to~'i, ~ Jt~Zy, `~JP~7.
FEr~AL ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . ~ ~ ~ . ~ S ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ S s ~ ~
~ ~ ~ *, ~ . ~ ; S~ ~ ~~`S5 *
~ S ~ ~, S~S5~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ; ~ .~ S~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ S ~
~ ~ S ~ *~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ S * ~
~ ~ ~~TLEMw~: Rete~ernie isiflade to D~o1~et~ No~e7-W~--16 ~s~iec1 M~y tI~ 1967
eitit1s~I~"Po~1tiw Oc~fttr~1Axea~P ~ ~ ~ , ~ ~ S ~ ~ :~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ..~ ~ ~ ~ S *
AQP~Lst~organ4zatt~m ~nppro~dUiat~iy ~S,OOO members ~c~4io ope~ite air-
eraft ~o'r busi~i~s~'piirposea, ~personattransportatto~i and for~p1easure. The air-
craft flo~i~re beeomj~g ine~as~ngi~r ;~iOre sophh~ticated in design, instrwiaenta-
tiOn2~nd~c~tpabiaity. More and ~iuoi~e.~of them, ine1u~j~g pressur4zed turtoicb~rged
s1n~g1e~ei~gine.foiir-piace aircraft, have the ability to take advantage, of o~~Vlinuni
i~ruising A1ti'tu~1es up tOt~i1id' above 24,000 feet MSL. In general;cruising speeds of
such aircraft, excluding jets, do not exceed the 250-knot range `At such speeds
the, see-and,1*~seen principleS fei~ collision avoidance are practicable.
PAGENO="0224"
220
AOPA has been wcrking closely with the FAA for ten years on problems arising
from high speeds in the airspace. With the introduction of jet aircraft into the
air carrier fleet, the Agency placed certain equipmeut requirements on their
high altitude operation, provided traffic ath4sory service to' them and designated
positive control airspace on both a route and area basis. The optimum cruising
altitudes for jet aircraft are above FL 240 and the closure speeds indicate that
the pilot is not able to avoid collision satisfactorily without assistance from
ground radar. AOPA supports this view.
Since 1958, AOPA has consistently recommended to the FAA and to the
Congress that ways and means be developed for control of VFR traffic in areas
which might requiTe positive control for high speed aircraft. AOPA's position
on this matter lijs not changed. Phis NPRM Indicates that this requirement
for general aviation has been satisfied because a separate action proposes an
amendment to Part 91 of the FARe which would permit CVF in positive cOntrol
airspace. This action, however, gives only lip sei~vice t~ AOPA's requirements.
The sole concession to the rigid requirements for LFR operation in positive eon~
trol airspace is that the pilot need not have a current~ ~nstrurnent rating. The
aircraft itself must have all the s~phisticated operating equipment required for
jet aircraft flight except a DME. AO~PA will have detailed comments on the
Inadequacies of the proposal in its response thereto.
The subject proposal states that the "FAA now has the capability to prQvjde
positive control service in the proposed area with its present re~owrcc~ and
without undue hardship to the nsers." It also states that "Because of the
additlopal safety provided by positive control it is proposed to lower the floor
of the positiv~ control area to 18,000 feet ~tSL within the airspace described
herein." AOPA has streng douhts con~erning the vai~dity of both statements.
Our reasons are as follows :
(1) In 194~1, air traffic control operated 36 centers with 6~S49 controllers,
49 radars, 50 beacons and handled 9,69T,4~7 IE~R operations. This was per~
formed, so far as positive control was con~erned, along 7,~97 miles of 1nter~
mediate altitude positive control jet routes and 77,950 mtles of jet routes.
Area Positive Control between 24,000 and 60,000 feet MSL was implemented
in 1962 over practically all of the 48 Staten. In 1966, air route traffic control
operated 2~ centers with 6,573 controllers, 88 radars; 89 beacons and handled
13,5~4$843 IFR operations. There were 96,935 miles of jet routes.
This means that the number of control personnel b~s increas~ ~M~% ;~
the number of radar systems be has to ~atcb is up 79.5~% ; the beacons
. by 78.00%; the overall IFE activity is up 89.57% ; the numbers o~ radar
and beacons per controller u~ about 78.0% 13UT the IF~ activity per con~
troller Is up awhopping 35.84%. On the other hand the actlvlt3r per radar
per controller Is duwn by 24.9~% wl~1eb means that as the radar' eover~ge
went up and the traffic Increased, the control personnel were spread tMnne~
and thin~i~r and the cost of. each operation In terms o~ facilities mounted
astronomically.
The NPRM states, inter alia, "~ * * predicts a 61. percent Increase in sched~
uled air carrier aircraft and 504 percent increase in general aviation airera~t."
The F4A publication "En route IFI~ Air Traffic ~u~~rey" for FY 196~ reports
peak-day activity between 18,000 feet MSL and 8~,QQO feet MSL of 2,839 air
carrier and 177 general avlatlo~i aircraft Projecting these flgui~es to 1970 by
the ~3'AA S OWU prediction ~ou1d 1ndh~tt&an anuiial worklo*d~An ad4~14pn to
~ normal increases in other altitudes, of 15,608,120 more air carrier and9,27Z~
730 more general aviation IFR operations In ~he positive coiitrol Syst~em, Or
a total Increase of 24,879,850. ThIs is almost twice the thimbet' of IFR a1r~
craft handled during OY 1966 In the entire ATO system. These are peak.da~.
figurOs and it Is welI-kEiownthat rIghtnowthepre~rit A'I'O systèni~beoornea
overloaded with thiS amount of acttvity breakdowns frequently occ~ a~nd
serious delays build up There Is no evidence extant of an7~B'AA p*n~fr~ ~
to handle air traffic loads of approxImately~ three times the volume of pf~es-
ent loads within less than three years. There Is no evidence now that
the FAA ATO system could cope with the traffic loads which would accrue
. with the proposed lowerlugof positive control areas to 18,000 feet MSL. if the
~`AA takes on this task through arbitrary rulemaking, It must be prepared
to assume the responsibilIties and liabilities which are Inherent to such
an undertaking.
In vfe'vrof thIs analysIs, it appears the wó~kload on the contilui personnel
is reaching the breaking point. This Is a national figure. To add to this
PAGENO="0225"
221
burden in the most heavily traveled area in the world by requiring all
aircraft at 18,000 feet MSL and atove to be controlled could, have cata-
strophic results.
(2) There is no evidence on the record anywhere that positive eontr~l
provides additional safety. On the other hand, there are abundant ree~rds
that some of the most serious collisiofls in the history of aviation have
occurred when all o~ the significant elements of pos~t~ve control huve been
present. Both TWA and IJAL were on instruments un~er air traffic control
on December 16, 1960 over Staten Island when they collide~l with a rusultant
loss of 134 souls. Both TWA and EAL were under air traffic control north
of New York recently when they collided. Both the Dove and Oherokee were
under the control of the LaGuardia Tower recently when they collided.
So-called "Positive" control would have added nothing that would have
prevented these accidents. Further, the ~AA is unable to provide a~y
instances whatever where positive control . has actually ~hiown where a
near m14-air collision eo~ld and would have been averted. In fact, the
FAA has not been able to show where actual near mid~air collisions in
the airspace under discussion have occurred.
In conclusion AOPA feels that there is no conclusive evidence that a valid
requirement exists for lowering positive control airspace to 18,000 feet MSL.
Neither is there any evidence that the FAA AT(J system is prepared or capable
of handling the influx of mandatory IFR or OVF operations without imposing
undue hardship, delays and expense to the users `of the airspace. AOPA strongly
urges that the proposal be withdrawn.
Sincerely,
Roxs C. JONES,
Director, Air Traffic Control Department.
Mr. KAYNE. I just want to add one thing. It is very `short. The nuin-
ber of passengers we are talking about and Mr. Knykendall referred
to that, too, all available information we have now indicates that
general aviation carries as many people in the air as the scheduled
airlines do every year. This is a myth that the airlines are carrying
the largest number of p~blic and general aviation is carrying one or
two people. We are carrying more than one or two people, we are carry-
lug them more times, more frequently in more airplanes.
Mr. DEVINE. Mr. Chairman, before you release the witness are you
expecting to call a witness representing the air traffic controllers?
If not, Mr. Kayne and his colleagues here are the best qualified in
that area.
Mr. FRIEDEL. They are on the list.
Thank you, Mr. Kayne.
Mr. KAYNE. Thank you, sir.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Our next witness will be Mr. Stuart G. Tipton, presi-
dent of the Air Transport Association.
You have quite a lengthy statement. Do you wish to summarize it?
STATEMENT OP ST1YART G. TIPTON, PRLSIDENT, AIR TItANSPORT
ASSOCIATION; ACCOMPANIED BY CLIP~QN P. VON KANN, VICE
PRESID'L~T, `OPERATIONS' AND' ENGI~lEE~ING; WALTER A. )EN-
SEN, ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT, OPRRATIONS~ AND ENGINEER-
ING; AND STANLEY L SELTZER, DIRECTOR, AIR NAVIGATION
AND TRAPPIC CONTROL
Mr. TIPTON. Normally I would very quickly agree to summarize
this statement, Mr. Chairman, but I have been thinking about it
all during its preparation. What the statement consists of is quite
a detailed action program f'or improvement, and I can't really do
it without taking more time than would be taken if I read it.
92-715-68-15
PAGENO="0226"
222
Mr. I~RtE~EL. You may proceed.
Mr. TIr~roN. I appreciate that very much because I know how hard-
pressed the committee and its members are.
Before starting my testimony, I would like to introduce my asso-
ciates here. On my right is Gen. Clifton Von Kanu, vice president
of operations and engineering of the Air Transport Association, long
familiar with military flying operations.
On my left is Walter Jensen, assistant vice president of the as-
sociation covering that same area. Mr. Jensen is an experienced air-
line pilot and has spent a good part of his professional life in the
study of the air traffic control and air navigatioii system.
On my far right is Stanley Seltzer, the head of our air navigation, air
traffic control group. Mr. Seltzer is an experienced air traffic controller.
I think he was the third head of the Washington tower.
With that, I would just state for the record my name is Stuart G.
Tipton. I am president of the Air Transport Association, which in-
eludes in its membership virtually all of the scheduled airlines of
the United States.
Last April, we appeared before the full committee to discuss several
general areas of safety which we believed to be most deserving of the
committee's attention. Today our discussion will largely focus on
ways to reduce the risk of midair collisions and especially to bring
before the subcommittee recommendations concerning those elements
of the national airspace system which are the Federal Government's
responsibility.
PROBLEMS OF GROWTH
The unprecedented increase in demand for passenger and cargo
capacity is spurring a massive airline investment in new aircraft. Out-
standing orders as of June 30, 1967, plus aircraft already delivered
since the beginning of 1966, total 1,180 new aircraft valued at $7.7 bil-
lion. Sizable orders have been placed since June 30. The airline fleet,.
now some 2,000 aircraft, is forecast to grow to approximately 3,500 air-
craft by 1977. The general aviation fleet, however, consists of some 104,-
000 aircraft today and is expected to increase almost twofold by 1977-
to 180,000 aircraft. FAA expects at least 8,000 of these to be business
jets. So business jets will outnumber airline jets by more than two to
one.
To relate this more closely to the demand for air traffic control serv-
ices and facilities rendered by the Federal Government, let us examine
the number of controlled aircraft handled at FAA air route traffic
control centers. Last year, traffic under center control reached about 14
million : by 1971, FAA forecasts a figure of 22 million, climbing to 31
million by 1977. (See fig. 1.) A sizable portion of this increase is fore~
cast to be general aviation activity.
A better overall perspective of the relative traffic demand upon FAA
traffic control facilities is shown by the number of aircraft operations
at airports controlled by FAA control towers because all aircraft
landing or taking off from these airports utilize some portion of the
services provided by the control tower. There has been a doubling of
traffic from 1961 through 1966, with FAA controllers handling nearly
45 million landings and takeoffs last year. This traffic volume will
again triple by 1977 when FAA expects controllers will be called upon
to handle almost 140 million landings and takeoffs. By that time, gen-
PAGENO="0227"
TOTAL IFR AIRCRAFT HANDLED AT
FAA AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTERS
Millions I
30~
25~~ I
20
223
15
10
5
GENERAL
AIR
CARRIER
1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1971 1977
SOURCE: FAA Aviation Forecasts, FY 1967-1977
Figure 1..
AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS AT
FAA CONTROL TOWERS
Millions
SOURCE: Federal Aviation Agency
Figure 2a
PAGENO="0228"
eral aviation operations at FAA. controlled airports will comprise.
over 85 percent of the total. (See fig. 2.)
The prospect of such fantastic growth rates might well be considered
cause for alarm. But with proper and timely action, steps can be taken
to provide the level of safety and efficiency to which the public is en-
titled. We have nothing to fear except indecision and inaction.
I direct the committee's attention to figure 3 on page 4 of my state-
inent.
FAA F & E FUNDING
vs. AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS
F F F Fux~ding
Mi11ioi~s
$
Afrcraft Operations
Millions
160
140
120
100
80
60
21)
SOURCE: FAA Annual Budget Data
Figure ~3.
FTYNDS LAG WHILE TRAFFIC GROWS
While FFA funding for operation and maintenance of existing facil-
ities has risen somewhat with increase air traffic, funding for new
facilities and equipment has declined. This decline runs counter to the
growth of air traffic that will use these facilities. From this we must
conclude that only a greatly stepped-up effort by the Government can
keep the airways and the air traffic control services from falling still
farther behind.
We do not expose these differences as any criticism-actual or im-
plied-of FAA. or any other branch of Government. Rather, the air-
lines feel it is their obligation to contribute to a reexamination of the
national thinking with respect to the safety and efficiency of the na~
tional airspace system.
We have no interest in finding fault ; we are merely interested in
making air transportation safer, more efficient, and more reliable for
all.
224
40
1960 `61 `62 `63 `64 `65 `66 `61 `68 `69 `70 `11 `72 `73 "14 `15 `76 `11
PAGENO="0229"
225
WHAT IS REQUIIU~D
The air transport industry is of the firm convi~tion that the best
overall method for collision prevention is a highly efficient and reliable
air traffic control (ATO) system.
Safety, reliability, and effithency are so interdependent that it is
frequently difficult to identify any valid distinctions between them.
An efficient system with a smooth flow of traffic capable of comforta-
bly handling traffic demands, is inherently a sa'e system. The greater
its efficiency, the greater its capacity ; and the greater its reliability, the
greater is its safety. For this reason, we believe that the public inter-
est will best be served by a vastly increased capability in the ATO
system.
But to have such a system is not enough. That system must be used,
and its user~ must be properly equipped and competent to participate.
In expanding the air traffic control system capability, it is impor-
taut to recognize that there are two basic forms of flying-VFR and
IFR. Although the airlines see the need for considerably more posi-
tive control by ATO, they also recognize that there `are some areas
wherein VFR flying can be accommodated safely without thefull rigor
of IFR control. Nevertheless, a higher level of safety for both VFR
and IFR traffic can be achieved by requiring more aircraft effectively
to participate in the air traffic control system. Accordingly, our rec-
onunendations, which follow, include those services and facilities
which are concerned with VFR traffic as well as IFR traffic.
These recommendations include provisions for-
(a) Vastly improved AT'C capability.
( b ) Greater participation in the ATC system.
(c) Improved aircraft and pilot capabilities.
VASTLT IMPROVSD ATO O~PABILITY
Control towers : One of the facilities serving both VFR and JFK
traffic is the airport control tower. Of the 526 airports served by the
scheduled airlines only ~34 have control towers. (See fig. 4.)
Present FAA planning standards require that an ~ airport generate
24,000 itinerant aircraft operations per year before it can qualify for
a control tower. These standards give no consideration to total traffic
volume nor do they attach any special significance to the fact that the
airport might have scheduled airlineservice.
The number of aircraft operations is increasing steeply. More and
more aircraft-both airline and general aviation-are high-perform-
ance. jets and turboprops, which makes it more difficult for pilots to
rely solely on the "see and avoid" principle for traffic separation.
It is clear that with increasing numbers of general aviation and
airline ~jets, even the smaller airports are beginning to face the same
congestion problems as did the larger airports a few years back. Lack
of a control tower at airports served by the airlines can no longer be
set aside as a negligible lack. The airlines hold that scheduled pas-
senger service, in itself, is enough to qualify an airport for a control
tower.
The airlines therefore recommend that FAA provide a control tower
at every airport having scheduled airline passenger service.
PAGENO="0230"
226
TOWERS, RADARS AND ILS AT A1RLINE~.
SERVED AIRPORTS IN CONTINENTAL U.S.
526
AIRUNE-
SERVED
AIRPORTS
SOURCE:
CONTROL
TOWER
SERVICES
A:r Transport Associatin~
RADAR
PROVIDED
AT LEAST
ONE ILS
Figure l~.
TERMINAL RADAR SERVICE
Although it was originally looked upon as an aid to IFR traffic,
radar has become an invaluable tool in handling VFR traffic as well,
~specially in terminal areas. But onlyiO5Qf the airports served by air~
lineshave radar service. (See fig. 4.)
~ Without radar the higher speeds and growing volume of aircraft
flying into and around airports make it increasingly difficult for tower
~ ëontrollers to visually observe and separate all aircraft. It is impossible
~ for controllers to provide pilots with traffic information concerning
:0t11e1' aircraft which the controllers cannot see, or of which they have
no knowledge. Radar displays in the tower, permitting controllers to
observe all traffic operating within their area of jurisdiction, will im-
provethe safety of airport traffic control service. In most cases, it will
be necessary to install the radar at individual airports to provide this
:d servicein the tower ; in some cases the proximity of airports may
be such that one radar could be made to serve the displays in two or
more control towers.
.-~ The airlines recommend that FAA provide terminal radar service
at every airport having regularly scheduled airline passenger service.
INCREASING THE UTILITY OF ATC RADAR
We have noted that because it provides precise, up-to-the-minute
views of traffic movements in a given area, radar has become a funda-
mental tool in our ATC system. Nevertheless, radar has many limita'
PAGENO="0231"
227
itions which must be reduced so that ~ox~tro'1ièrs ~an ~use the radar more
~effective1y. ~ . , ~ ~
Altitude on radar. Among the most significant deficiencie~ of current
ATC surveillance radar is its lack of altitude information. Without
altitude information on the radar scope, it is exceedingly difficult for
controllers to properly assess the collision poh~ntial between aircraft
whose blips appear on radar. ~ *`
If the radar display showed altitude information automatically tied
to aircraft targets, more meaningful traffic information and' advisories
would be possible. Furthermore, controllers and pilots would not be
distracted by targets representing `aircraft already safely separated
by altitude; thus they would have more time to cope with traffic de-
serving their attention.
The airlines recommend: Expedited installation of alphanumeric
and automatic altitude read-out on all terminal and en route `facilities.
`(Seefig.5.)
MAKING BETTER USE OF RADAR
Daylight ra4ar scopes. The high ambient light le~e'l in control tower
cabs during da~ylight `hours can render a radar scope unusable unless
some of light shield or cover is placed around th~ scope. Such shields
themselves interfere with' th~ controller's ability to readily view the
scope. Oonsequently, bright tube radar displays suitable for d.~ylight
viewing have been de~eioped andare planned for those control towers
which currently have radar. Because the bright~ tube ` display makes
it possible for the tower controller to utilize his radar during daylight
hours, it should become a standard installation in radar equipped
control tower cabs. This would be of considerthl~Md to, the controller
in the handling of both VFIR and IFR traffic. ~
The airlines recommend that: FAA provide bright tube radar dis-
plays for all tower cabs at radar-equipped locations.
Radar weather displays. Thunderstorms and other weather phenoni-
ena containing heavy precipitation' introduce severe clutter on sOme
radar scopes to the extent that the radar can become useless for ATC.
`To offset such problems, circular polarization has been utilized, to
PRIMARY
RADAR
SECONDARY RADAR
`ALPHA-NUM~RIC
Figtire 5.
DISPLAY
PAGENO="0232"
228
eff~Jcthr~A1y re4uce the~dispiay of the radar clutter often associated with
severe weather. Where secondary radar is used alone, no weather in-
formation is:seen on seo~es.
As a ootflseqiieiice, radar cnntrolh~, h~ckin~ suffic~ent information
on sto~'m celis~ within their ai~a of jurisdiction; may inadvertently
direc4~ aircraft through an area of severe weather. With appropnate
displays, controllers can : (1) avoid inadvertently directing air~ft
through se'ver~ storm cells ; (2) aid pilots iii~ avoiding severe weather;:
and (3:) a,ntieipate pilots' requests to alter flight paths because of se-
vere weather~ makingappropriateadvaiiee plans for alternate routings.
Th~ airlines r&~ornrnerid that : FAA provide improved display of
weathe~r information on all airtraffic control radars~opes.
Instrument landing system. The airport and its approach systems
musi~ be conthder e dan integral part of the ATC system.
~ :I?ac)iiities use)d to improve the success of an approach and landing
contribute to reliability and efficiency, as well as to safety. These
facilities include the prek~ision electronic instrument landing system
(ILS) , the visual appr~ach slope indicator, and approach lights W
provide guidance during the final seconds of precision letdown in
instrument weather conditions.
The ILS has traditionally been considered necessary only to improve
reliability of air operations because it provides the increased precision
necessary tG permit a landing approach in lower weather minima with
equal safety. Only 189 of the 526 airports now served by the airlines
have ILS ; those communities whose airports lack ILS are often de-
prived of airline service during reduced visibility conditions. Every
community receiving scheduled airline passenger service should be
entitled to an ILS to assure greater reliability of service.
With. the introduction of jets, the ILS takes on a second role to~
hnprwG sahty, even in good weather conditions. Since the jet& came
into airline service, a number of jet accidents have occurred in ap-
proach and landing. There have been enough cases of undershoots
and overshoots to convince the airlines that approa~hes with positive
glide slope guidance will be better stabilized and therefore safer
approax~hes.
In our view, every runway used by airline jets should ~havc glide
slope guidance, either eiectroiiic o~visuai~ TheILS; withdt~ ~lectronic
glide slope, ~an fulfill this requirement in addition to the requirement
for a precision landing aid for lower weather conditions. Where ILS~
is not a'~ailthle, visual ~ppro~ich sio~e iudicators (VAST) can meet
the røqiiiremer~t of goodweather eonditions~
To reduce the need for circling appr~ache~, it is necessary to pro-
vid~ landing aids which sersre at iea~t two b~sie approach directions,.
eapecially for jet operations. Thus; some wirports will ha~e a need
for twc~ or more ILS installations. The busier the airport, the greater
will be the need for additional ILS facilities to service the traffic
volume. Parallel ILS installations permit a significant increase in
traffic volume during instrument weather conditions~
While there is a great need for ILS-with or without approach
lights-to provide precision approach guida~ice for jets in both good
and b~d weather, ILS does not yield its full value without approach
lights. Approach lights at a price lower than the current $150,000 to~
$200,000 should be achievable.
PAGENO="0233"
229
By an objectiv~ examination of actual ia~eds~ ~tr~4 by ai~. .en~getic
~cost reduction program, the cost of this eq~prne~tshoui~Ib~ 1ower~d
~substantia11y. We urge that FAA prornpt1y~eornplete ex~ünation of
~our prior recommendations (we believe a r~ducc~cI length ~ and. lower
intensity lights will suffice) so that at least 150 approach ligl~t sys~
tem.s can be included in the fiscal year 1969 bu~ge~t request.
The airlines recommend th*at~-
(a) ILS and approach lights serving two basic directions of
approach be installed at every airport receiving scheduled air-
line service. . . ,...
(b) Glide slope guidance-eith:er eiectrouic or visuaL-be in~
stalled on every runway used by airline jets.
ATO AUTOMATION
Proper application of automati~n to the air traffic control system
should relieve controllers of many routine functions, .i~i~1uding nu~
`merous clerical ~hore~. Additionally, automation permits more ef~eo-
tive coordination between controllers and control facilities. By re-
lieving controllers of time-consuming tasks and by providing means
for automatically processing and transmitting required flight data
;among control positions and control facilities, automation enhances
the controller's ability to devote more time to the separation of air-
vcraft. This promotes air safety. ~ ~
Theairlines therefore recommend that~-
(a) FAA's curi~ent .automation.program ~for `all air route traffic
.. control centers be completed .~ the. earliest possible date.
(i,) Terminal area automation plans of FAA be vastly ex-
panded and expedited.
(C), Pending availability . of ~fuU~scale atitomation equipment
planned for the New York, Chies~go, Washington, Los Angeles,
`and San Francisco terminal areas, FAA install as `a first step at
`least alphanumeric and automatic aIt~tude readout capability on
`radardisplays in these terminei ~tacilities.
(d) All terminai area radar facili~ties which do not receive full-
scai~ automation systems at least have automatic altitude `read~
~mt~oiaradarscopes. `
SYS5~1~M R1~LIABILITY
. It.has beeei~ie i~cr~e~icngly apparent ~that ,redund~ut equi~pineut for
such thiri.gs as standby electric power, coi~umunic~ti~ns, navigation
aids, and radars are essential to insi~re the ,sa~ety, efik~iency . and integ~
rity of the national airspace system, particularly where tr~fflc den-
sities are high. .." ~ ` . . . ~
Area ` eleotrica~i.powcr. ~ilures, rnover the past several years have
`shown the need for standby electrical power generators that are inde-
pendent of commercial power sources. A reeci* radar failure at Ken-
nedy Airport resulted in air traffic delays of ~xio~e than 2 ho~ir~, and
some 25 flights were `diverted to other airports. ,A. survey of the New
York Air Route Traffic. Control Center recently showed that 102
communications outages, totaling about 83~ `hours, occurred in a little
over a month. Lack of frequencies to use a's spares `and lack of spare
telephone lines were contributing factors.
PAGENO="0234"
230
Last year, FAA. air route traffic control centers handled over 14
million flights ; Chicago, Kennedy, Miami, and Los Angeles Airports
each handled over 400,000 annual flight movements. The safety and
efficiency of ~~ir commerce dictate the need for a reliable air traffic
control system that will provide continuous operational capability.
A breakdown in the air traffic control system at `any one of the major
high-density terminals or air route traffic control centers disrupts
scheduled airline `service throughout the country.
The airlines, therefore, urge the FAA take steps to assure con-
tinuity of service, despite equipment failure or malfunction, at high
traffic density terminals and all en route centers. FAA is now procur-
ing equipment for 50 selected `airports to provide standby electrical
power supplies which will be independent of commercial power. A
similar capability to survive radar and communications equipment
failures should also be provided at key control facilities.
The airlines recommend that: FAA initiate a program to assure
that continuity of service despite failures of power, navigation, radar,
and communications equipment be completed by 1972.
NEED FOR ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL
One important aspect of the national airspace system which can-
not be overlooked is the need for `additional personnel to install' main-
tam, and operate the various facilities necessary to handle the present
and future volume of air traffic properly. Virtually every major FAA
air traffic control facility is shoit of personnel. Shortages exist among
controllers, maintenance technicians, and installation engineers. The
shortages apparently stem from budgetary limitations of recent years.
As a consequence, the efficiency of, the system has sufFered. Burdened
controllers are unable to provide additional ATO' services which could
enhance safety and cope with the growing traffic volume.
Also affecting FAA's hiring practices is the hope that future automa-
tion might reduce the requirement for added controller personnel..
While we share this hope, we consider it ill-advised to delay present
hiring in the expectation that future automa~tiQn, which is still som.e
3 to 5 years away, will eventually reduce the requirement for addi-
tional controllers. The demands of tra~1c gro~wth ak~e may absorb
any potential reduction in future personnel requirements that might
accrue from automation.
Not only should FAA be grante4 a restoration of fiscal year 196~
funds requested for personnel, but additional funds should be provided
to permit the hiring of still further personnel necess'aiy to provide the
added safety services we recommend.
The airlines recommend that-
(a) FAA be authorized to acquire operations personnel corn-
mensurate with the safety services required for the growing traffic
volume.
(14 Budgetary limitations not be imposed upon personnel pro~
viding safety services.
Present Pace Won't Do. We have suggested in the past few
minutes very extensive and expensive improvements' in the ATO
system. Nothing that we have suggested is beyond the state of the
art. }-Iowever, if our present pace in carrying out these plans is
PAGENO="0235"
231
maintained, we will fall drastically behind the growth of traffic
and real safety problems will arise. What is needed now is a
real sense of urgency in carrying out new ideas an4 new tech-
niques, and expedited procurement and installation. Obviously,
cha~nges will be needed in the FAA's Airway Plarniing'Standards,
which are used as the criterior for establishing ATO facilities and
services. Our present measured pace will just not do this job.
GREATER PARTICIPATION IN ATC
Greater improvement in the e~ectiveness of the ATC system can be
achieved by making certain that it is widely used and understood. The
more aircraft that participate in the . ATC system, the greater the
safety provided by the system. In many instances some pilots just
don't want to be bothered with ATC. In other cases it is probably a
lack of recognition of what services might be available. It is not neces-
sary to have full-scale IFIR traffic-control service in all instances;
services in varying degrees will satisfy individual situations.
With vastly improved dapability in the ATC system, such as recom-
mended above, the system should be capable of serving greatly in-
creased numbers of aircraft. Not only will it be capable of satisfying
the needs of IFR traffic, but it could provide additional service to VFR
traffic.
CONTROLLED AIRSPACE
ATC services, especially for IFIR traffic, are available only in air-
space which is officially designated as controlled airspace. The amount
of designated controlled airspace has increased greatly in recent years.
However, there still remain a number of routes and terminal areas
where airlines operate which are wholly or partially uncontrolled.
To obtain the benefits of ATC separation service for all airline IFR
operations, action must be taken to encompass all routes and all t~r~
minals served by the airlines with controlled airspace.
The airlines recommend that it become standard practice for FAA
to designate controlled airspace and control zones to encompass all
routes and terminal areas used for IFR operations in scheduled air-
line service.
TERMINAL AREA OPERATIONS
Each airport having a control tower has an "airport traffic area" of
5 miles radius around the airport, extending from the surface up to
but not including 2,000 feet. ..
Under current regulations, an aircraft operating under VFR can
overfly the world's busiest `airport at 2,000 feet above the surface with-
out the need for contacting the control tower at that airport. In fact,
the VFR aircraft can fly through that airport traffic area at less than
2,000 feet, without contacting the control tower, if it is landing at an-
other airport within the 5-mile airport traffic area. Since ATC cur-
rently has no information concerning the position, altitude or in-
tention of such traffic in the airport traffic area, it is virtually im-
possible to provide meaningful traffic information to aircraft under
its jurisdiction.
If the size of' the airport traffic area were increased and all aircraft
were required to obtain prior permission to enter such an area, con-
PAGENO="0236"
232
troiJers would have specific knowledge of all traffic within that air-
space and could use this knowledge for the issuance of traffic in-
formation to aircraft under their jurisdiction. This information could
also be utilized as a basis for subsequently providing separation of
traffic within the expanded airport traffic area. This service could be
made available to both VFR and IFR traffic and would not nec-
essarily require that aircraft be operated solely under instrument
flight rules in all cases.
The airlines recommend that : (a) The "airport traffic area" be
enlarged to include that airspace from 2,000 to 5,000 feet out to at
least a 15-mile radius of the airport ; (b) traffic information be pro-
vided to all aircraft which have been authorized to operate within
the airport traffic area ; (c) this service be expanded to provide separa-
tion between aircraft where traffic warrants.
SPEOIAL VPR
Certain minimum visibility and distances from clouds are specified
by the regulations for VFR operation within controlled airspace. No
reduction in these minima is permitted along controlled airways.
When weather is such that these minima cannot be observed along the
airways, flights must be conducted under instrument flight rules
( IFR~) . By contrast, however, within airport control zones, even
those with a high volurñe of traffic, a reduction in the basic VFR
weather minima is permitted for "special VFR" operations. Although a
1-mile minimum visibility is stipulated for such operations, there
is no minimum ceiling specified. Pilots are merely required to re-
main "clear of clouds." Despite the fact that "special VFR" traffic
must obtain a traffic clearance in order to safely intermix with full-
scale TFR operations in the coutrol zone under these marginal condi-
tioiis, the "special VFR" pilot need not be instrument qualified and
the aircraft need not be equipped for instrument flying. As a con-
sequence, air traffic controllers are limited in the separation stand-
ards they can use.
The airlines recommend that "special VFE" procedures be elimi-
nated for fixed-wing aircraft at all airports used by the airlines within
the 48 contiguous United States.
ELIMINATING THE "POrUP" PROBLEM
Traffic information derived from radar observations has helped
reduce ~the collision hazard. With alphanumeric radar displays show-
ilig automatic altitude readout on the radarsoope, the traffic wforma-
tion si~rvice will be greatly improved for both VFR and IIF~R traffic.
However, controllers, particularly iit air route traffic control centers,
are faced with the problem of unanticipated radio calls from VF~
flights whiôh desire radar traffic advisories. Descriptivdy named "pop-
ups," such traffic requires an extensive exchange of communications
to ascertain the type of aircraft, the pilot's desire, ~osition, altitude,
intended route, and destination, and to effect radar identification.
If the controller had advance information, possibly in the form of
a simple flight plan, appropriate flight progress strips could be pre-
pared in advance and the controller would then be alerted to forth-
PAGENO="0237"
233
coming traffic. Both pilot and controller would thus be relieved of
communicatiøits workload.
The airlines reoomrnen~i that : FAA e~piore the pos~ibUity of re-
quiring that VFB flight plans, specifying the pilot's intended aItitude~
and route of flight, be transmitted to ATC terminal ~nd en route radar
facilities for radar flight following and traffic inforrnation service.
Also, that pilots submitting such fláght plans be required to maintaJn
routine radio contact with ATC and to advise ATC prior tO changing
the route or altitude specified in the flight plan.
Voluntary IFR operation. For years the scheduled airimes have
made it a general practice to utilize the IFR system regardless of
weather conditions in order to gain the advantages of ATC separation.
This is not true of all other airspace users. Complete `separation of all
aircraft flying the airways does not occur with this practice because
there can be a mixture of VFR (uncontrolled) with the IFR (con-
trolled) traffic. However, the practice does have the advantage that
ATC separation is provided between those who voluntarily participate.
Safety from collision will therefore be enhanced, in direct proportion
to the number of aircraft that participate in this voluntary practice.
The airlines recommend that : To the maximum practical extent,
qualified pilots utilize `the IFR `system, regardless of weather, in order
to gain the advantages of ATC separation.
Positive control. The airlines believe the use of "see-and-avoid"
procedures alone for collision prevention is unrealistic where jet air-
craft operate. We have offered a number of recommendations which
will serve to augment the use of "see-and-avoid" procedures in certain
airspace. However, the airlines `believe that there is other airspace
wherein the density of traffic or the operating characteristics of the
aircraft make it necessary to replace "see-and-avoid" with "positive
control" regardless of weather conditions. Under this form of control,
separation between all aircraft is the direct responsibility of the ATC
system.
Expansion of positive control. Positive control service is now pro-
vided by FAA between 24,000 and 60,000 feet over practically all of
the contiguous 48 States. This service is designed to eliminate the
mixture of controlled and uncontrolled flights in specified airspace
so that all traffic therein will receive positive separation by ATC,
without reliance on the "see-and-avoid" principle, even in clear
weather conditions.
The airlines are convinced that safety requires the expansion of posi-
tive control service in congested airspace and specifically recommend
that
a. Positive control service be extended down to and including 18,000
feet over the entire 48 contiguous States by January 1968.
13. Positive control service be extended `further by lowering it to
10,000 feet within the "Golden Triangle" area (New York, Washing-
ton, and Chicago) by January 1969.
c. Positive control service be lowered down to and including 10,000
feet along the west coast between San Francisco and Los Angeles (to
encompass all routes used by traffic operating between these two cities)
by January 19'TO.
d. Positive control service be extended from 10,000 feet down to the
ground in certain critical high density terminals. Terminals that
PAGENO="0238"
234
should reoeive initiai consideration are New York, Chicago, Los An-
geles, the San Francisco Bay area, and Washington, D~C. Action to
obtain positive control service in these terminal areas should be started
inunëdiately with implementation dates no later than July 1970.
Let me pause there to comment briefly on positive control. I noted
that the previous witness used basically oniy one argument against it;
that is, under positive control there have been collisions and there
~have indeed been collisions when the aircraft was under positive con-
trol. That does not really argue against positive control. It is quite
clear, as Mr. Dingell was saying, that collisions can be avoided by
giving aircraft the benefit of positive separation under the ATC sys-
tem, and I don't believe really that is debatable. it is entirely possible
even under all that precaution that there will be collisions but we at
least will have done everything we can to avoid them.
GREATER AIRCRAFT AND PILOT CAPABILITIES
How well, and under what circumstances, users participate in the
air traffic control system has a fundamental bearing on the system's
ability to serve them safely and efficiently. Not only is it important
to have more users participate in the system, but it is equally import-
ant that participating users be capable of doing so without placing an
extraordinary * burden on the system. If air traffic control must corn-
pensate for lack of capability in the aircraft, or lack of pilot pro-
ficiency, then the kind and quality of ATC service will be adversely
affected.
Inability to commimicate with air traffic control on each of the
specific VHF frequencies used by different ATC. functions is already
eroding the capability of ATC to provide some types of service. For
the future, this conirnunications capability will be essential.
There will also be a growing need for airborne radar transponders
that can automatically report identity and altitude of the individual
aircraft to ATC. Recognizing that the ATC system can function bet-
ter when aircraft are properly equipped to cooperate with it, the
airlines have equipped their fleets with basic radar transponders. Ad-
ditionally, airlines are now equipping their aircraft with newer trans-
ponders which send the necessary identity and altitude signals to
permit the automatic display of this information on controller's
scopes. An ATA survey earlier this year showed that about 200 airline
aircraft are already equipped with these newer devices and that 70
percent of the fleet will be fully equipped by 1970. Another 20 per-
cent will at least be equipped to send the individual identity signals.
The airlines' aircraft will be equipped to transmit automatically their
individual identity and altitude signals long before ATC facilities will
be prepared to receive and display them.
The airlines recommend that:
a. Airspace users be encouraged to equip their aircraft with those
avionics devices that will enhance their ability to participate in the
ATC system, even though such equipment might not be required by
regulation in certain airspace.
b. FAA specify by regulation that avionics equipment and pilot
capability required for safer and more efficient operation of the ATC
system, e~en outside of high density areas.
I
PAGENO="0239"
235
Requir~m~ni~s for flight into high density airports. Traffic at major
airports has reac'h~d a volume amd complexity that warrants ~arefuI
attention. The time has come for FAA to specify pilot qua1ifi~a~ions
and aircraft equipment reqthi~d for flight int~ ~nd Out of' ôerta~in
high density airp~rts, such as Kennedy, La Guardia, O'Hara, Wash~
ington National; Miami, Los Angeles, and San Francisco~ The. corn-
plexity of operations at these airports is such that ~nIy e*perienced
pilots should be permitted to use them. In fact, it i~ay be that two
experienced pilots should be required in each air~l'ane in `order to
safely and efficiently carry ` out the `duties required in these areas. As
far as pilot experience is concerned, we concede that this will be diffi-
cult to spell out. However, since major airports use p~eedures that
closely approximate IFR procedures in good weather conditiOns, we
suggest that, as a ithnimum, an instrument rating be required.
The FAA provides many electronic facilities at major airports.
These contribute to safer and more efficient opera4ions-provideid the
aircraft are equipped to use them. We b~lieive that in addition to the
requirement for a safe standard of pilot experience, all aircraft operat-
ing into or out of major airports of the type noted above should be
equipped with operating:
1. V~OR and DME, or two VOR receivers.
2. ILS and marker beacon receivers.
3. Radar transponder beacons with 64 identity codes now, and later
with 4096 ider~tity codes and automatic altitude reporting.
4. VHF communications transmitter and receiver having switch
and pushbutton-type channel selectors on the specific frequencies re-
quired for efficient operation in these areas.
The airlines recommend that : The above standards be prescribed
by FAA for flight into and out of high density airports.
LOOKING TO TIlE FUTURE
What we have recommended i~ by no means the whole story. It is
the minimum that must be done to meet the traffic demands of today-
let alone catch up with yesterday-with state-of-the-art equipment
and the regulatory environment to make the most of this equipment.
For the future, however, greater etfort and innovation will be needed.
Therefore, there is a continuing and urgent need to expedite research
and development that will increase the capacity of the ATC system
and speed the development of future ATC systems. Some of the major
areas that deserve atbmtion are:
1. Conflict prediction.
2. Flow control planning.
3. Terminal approach sequencing.
4. Digital communications.
5. Improved man-machine workload relationships.
6. Application of time-frequency technology in air traffic control.
7. VOR/DME area navigation.
8. V/STOL and SST ATO requirements.
9. Measurement techniques to determine ATC system efficiency.
110. An airport simulator which would test the efficiency and capac-
ity of airport plans before funds are committed for construction.
PAGENO="0240"
THE COSTS
The t~ost of the prog~arn we ai~ suggesting, is high, but the longer
the expei~diture is postponE~d;;th~ highei~ the cost will be. The Fed~raI~
Gove~n~e3~11~ ~nde~ti~k theresp~n~ibi1ity for the~stablishment, opera
tion and maintenance, of the Federal airwa~a system over 40 years
ago. In doing so, it undertook to meet the requirements of civil and~
military aviation, whatever they may be. At the moment, these require-
ments are not being met. Unless the program we suggest is carried out,
that fai1.ure~ will carry with it increasingly adverse results as traffic
grows.
Some years ago, the Government properly took the position that
the civilian users of the system~ air carrier and general aviation, should
pay their fair share of the costs. The airlines agreed. About 4 years
ago, the Congress imposed upon airline passengers a 5-percent ticket
tax designed to cover the airlines' share of airways costs.
As can be seen by the chart (fig. 6), this tax will produce aboufr.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO DOMESTIC AIRWAYS
SYSTEM FROM 5 PER CENT TICKET TAX
MiHions
$ 300
1983 1~$4
SOURCE: Air Transport Association
Figure 6.
$200 million next year-almost one-half the cost of the system__and:
this payment will continue to grow as traffic grows.. This being the
case, we feel we can ask for the improvements specified. It is the only*
way we can actually get the kind of system we are paying for.
Also, there is nothing sacred ~thout the, specific costs budgeted by
FAA fer facilities in the past. Major cost reductions are possible, with
the application of the latest techm9ues, as FAA has so well demon-
strated with the ILS cost reduction program (a better ILS for
236
250
200
150
100
50
1965 1966 1981 18~ 1989 1910
FISCAL YEARS
PAGENO="0241"
237
$100,000 in pl~~e of an ea~r~1i~r figure of $75,000) . A decision to equip
every airline airport wi1~h a certain type o~f facility should carry with
it `an obligation to examine very carefully whether airports with a
small8r traffic count c~m use simpler~ less costly equipment to provide
an adequate level of service.
The airlines recommend that:
1~'A.A undertake an intensive cost reduction e~ort by-
a. More efficient and realistic design of lighting systems, electronic
equipment, and the facilities which house them.
b. Purchasing in quantities large enough to permit nianufacturers to
use cost-saving production techniques.
C. Purchasing facilities on a complete package basis rather than as
separate components.
d. Considering the purchase of selected facilities complete with
onsite installation.
We are grateful to this committe& for permitting us to explain so
fully our recomme~dations for inere~.sed safety. We ask your help
in achieving with great promptness four general objectives.
1. Comph~tion of the currently planned ATC system.
2. Completion of the expanded program we have recommended.
3. More effective use of the system by all aircraft.
4. Expanded research and development for an even more advanced
future system.
I have data, Mr. Chairman, which I think will be of use to the
committee.
In view of the fact that the program which we have suggested in-
volves additional appropriations, we appeared briefly last week before
the Senate Committee on Appropriations and made specific sugges-
tions as to additional funds to be appropriated. We identified not only
the equipment that was to be acquired but the locations at which that
equipment would be installed. I think it might be useful for the corn-
mittee if I were to present this for this committee's record.
~ Mr. FRIEDEL. It may be included in the record.
Mr. TIPTON. Than-k you, Mr. Chairman.
( Material referred to follows:)
APPENDIX A-ATEPORPS Wi~nou~ T&wi~R S~yICE
NOTE.-ThIS 1i~t represents the busies~t airports with airline service, but no
control tower. Airports `are hated in order of priortty, according `to tGtal `aircraft
operations and do not `take iirto `account ather important fadtora~ `auch as weather
conditions, terrain, other nearby airports' and traffic activity in the geaeral area.
All of these factors should be taken into account and coordinated with the air-
lines and FAA. Since we have not yet had time to coordInate these specific loca-
tions with either the airlines or FAA, the actual p1a~es and their priority must
be considered tentative.
Totai aS~orafi
opsraUons
Locc&tion (thousands)
1.
2.
8.
4.
5.
Dothan, Ala 115.4
Bowling Green, Ky 106.3
Vero Beach, 13'ia 93. 1
Lafayette, Ir~d 88.3
El Centre, OaliL 85. 8
6.
`Columbia, Mo 81.8
7.
Benton Harbor, Mich 74.7
8.
Grand Forks, N. Dak 74.4
9.
10.
Enid, Okia 71.0
New Haven, 0mm 67.1
Loeatton
11. Minot, N. Dak
12. Gainesville, Fia______~_____
13. Morgantown, W. Va
14. Tuscialoosa, Ala
15. Decatur, Ala
16; Mereed, Galif
17. Tacoma (Industrial) , Wash_
18. LaCrosse, Wis
19. Pine Bluff, Ark
20. Visalia, Calif___~___________
Total a4~ craft
operations
(thousands)
65. 6
62. 8
61. 9
61. 8
59.4
58. 1
56. 6
51. 1
50.3
50. 1
PAGENO="0242"
APPENDIX B-AIRPORTS RECOMMENDED FOR RADAR SERVICE IN FISCAL YEAR 1968
Note: This list represents the busiest airports with airline service, but without
radar. Airports are listed in order of priority, according to total aircraft opera-
tions and do not take into account other important factors, such as weather con-
ditions, terrain, other nearby airports and traffic activity in the general area.
All of these factors should be taken into account and coordinated with the air-
lines and FAA. Since we have not yet had time to coordinate these specific loca-
tions with either the airlines or FAA, the actual places and their priority must
be considered tentaiive.
Tota' aircraft Total aircra~ft
operation8 operations
Location (thossands) Location (thousands)
1. Bridgeport, Oonn 203. 4 30. Grand Rapids, Mich 121. 7
2. Champaign, Ill 194. 6 31. Pueblo, Cole 120. 6
3. Valdosta, Ga 194. 3 32. Lafayette, La 118. 1
4. Santa Barbara, Calif 190. 4 83. Augusta, Ga 114. 9
5~ Huntsville, Ala 181. 3 34. Modesto, Calif 113. 9
6. Daytona Beach, Fla 181. 0 35. Sioux Falls, S. Dak 113. 6
7. Madison Wis 180. 0 36. Tallahassee, Fla 108.2
8. Lexington, Ky 178. 2 37. Bowling Green, Ky 106. 3
9. Rockford Ill 175. 1 38. Columbus, Ga 105. 7
10. Orlando, Fla 173. 5 39. Fargo, N. Dak 105.4
11. Lincoln Nebr 173. 5 40. Allentown, Pa 103. 1
12. Pontiac, Mich 172. 7 41. Reading, Pa 101. 3
13. Yuma, Ariz 170. 4 42. Boise, Idaho ioo. 4
14. Springfield, Ill 169. 1 43. Wilmington, N.C 98. 8
15. Flint, Mich 159. 1 44. Cedar Rapids, Iowa 98. 3
16. Bakersfield Calif 157. 4 45. San Angelo, Tex 98. 1
17. Peoria, Ill 153. 7 46. Kalamazoo, Mich 94. 8
18. Lansing, Mich 149. 2 47. Vero Beach, Fla 93.1
19. Stockton, Calif 142. 6 48. Evansville, md 92. 1
20. Billings, Mont 142. 0 49. Elmira, N.Y 91. 8
21. Wilmington, Del 139. 1 50. Sioux City, Iowa 91.4
22. St. Joseph, Mo 134. 7 51. Fort Smith, Ark 91. 1
23. South Bend, md 131. 0 52. Yakima, Wash 90. 9
24. Moline, Ill 130. 1 53. Lafayette, md 88, 3
25. Midland, Pex 128.3 ~4. Muskegon, Mich 88.2
26. Columbia, S.C 127.9 55. Springfield, Mo 87.2
27. Beaumont, Tex 127. 0 56. Erie, Pa 86. 9
28. Cheyenne, Wyo 124. 8 5~. El Centro, Calif 85 8
29. Baton Rouge, La 124. 2 58. Columbia, Mo 81: 8
238
APPENDIX A-AIRPORTS WITHouT TOWER SERVICE-Continued
Total aSrcraft
operations
Location (thousands)
21. Fayetteville, Ark 50.0
22. Alamogordo, N. Mex 49.9
23. Bangor, Maine 48. 8
24. New Londou, Conn 48.7
25. Hickory, N.O 47.4
26. Salem, Oreg 44.3
27. Redding, Calif 43. 6
28. Marysville, C~dlf 43.0
29. Kingston, N.O 42.3
30. Fort Leonard Wood, Mo 42.1
31. Harlingen, Tex 42. 0
32. Stiliwater, Okla 42.0
33. Burlington, mowa 41.5
34. Santa Maria, Calif 41.4
35. Poughkeepsie, N.Y 41.4
36. Temple, Tex 40.3
37. Laredo, Tex 40.2
38. Albany, Ga 40.1
39. Greenville, Miss 39.6
40. Victoria, Tex 39.5
Total aircraft
operations
Location (thousands)
41. Jonesboro, Ark 38. 9
42. Keene, NH 38. 6
43_ Ponca City, Okla 38.6
44. Prescott, Ariz 38. 5
~I5. Bloomington, Ill 37. 8
46. Greenwood, Miss 37. 5
47. Myrtle Beach, S.C 36. 5
48. Florence, S.C 35. 8
49. Pasco, Wash 35. 5
50. Oape Girardean, Mo 35.4
51. Scottsbluff, Nebr 35. 2
52. Laurel, Miss 34. 6
53. Bartlesville, Okla 34.0
54. Ottumwa, mowa ~ 33.6
55. Flagstaff, Ariz 32. 5
56. Danville, mll 32. 4
57. Duncan, Okla 32.1
58. Astoria, Oreg 32. 1
59. Muskogee, Okla 31.4
60. Mount Vernon, Ill 31.2
PAGENO="0243"
239
Total aircraft
operations
(thousands)
59. Rochester, Miun
60. Hutchinson, Kans
61. Lancaster, Pa
62. Waterloo, Iowa *
63. Panama City, Fla
64. Fort Myers, Fla
65. Terre Haute, md
66. Battle Creek, Mich
67. Benton Harbor, Mich
Aberdeen, South Dakota
Alexandria, Louisiana
Alpena, Michigan
Augusta, Maine
Beckley, West Virginia
Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington-Monroe County, Indiana
Bozeman-Gallatin, Montana
Bradford, Pennsylvania
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Burlington, Iowa
Butte, Montana
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Carlsbad, New Mexico
Chico, California
Chishoim/Hibbings, Montana
Clinton, Iowa
Columbia, Missouri
Columbus, Mississippi
Crescent City, California
Danville, Vermillion, Ilinois
Decatur, Illinois
Dothan, Alabama
Dublin, Virginia
Dubuque, Iowa
Durango, Colorado
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Elko, Nevada
Ephrata, Washington
Escanaba, Michigan
Farmington, New Mexico
Florence, Alabama
Florence, South Carolina
Fort Dodge, Iowa
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
Fort Myers, Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Galesburg, Illinois.
Glens Falls, New York
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Island, Nebraska
Greenville, Mississippi
Groton, Connecticut
Gulfport, Mississippi
Hancock/Houghton, Michigar~
Harlingen, Texas
Hayden, Colorado
Helena, Montana
Hickory. North Carolina
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Total aircraft
operations
Location (thousands)
79.7 68. Grand Forks, N. Dak________ 74,4
78.0 69. Saginaw, Mich_____________ 74~0
78. 0 70. Missoula, Mont____________ 72.5
76. 7 71. Santa Rosa, CaliL_________ 72, 1
76.6 72. Eugene, Oreg___.~___._____ 72.0
76.0 73. Enid, Ok1a___~____________ 71.0
75.4 74. Worcester, Mass____________ 70. 8
74. 8 75. Palm Springs, Calif_________ 70.4
74.7
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Imperial, California
International Falls, Minnesota
Iron Mountain, Michigan
Ithaca, New York
Jackson, Tennessee
Jackson, Wyoming
Jamestown, North Dakota
Keene, New Hampshire
Kingston, North Carolina
Kokomo, Indiana
LaCrosse, Wisconsin
Lafayette, Indiana
Lake Tahoe, California
Laredo, Texas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Lawton-Fort Sill, Oklahoma
Lebanon, New Hampshire
Lewiston, Idaho
Liberal, Kansas
Manhattan, Kansas
Marion, Illinois
Marquette, Michigan
Marthas Vineyard, Massachusett,~
Mason City, Iowa
Matton, Illinois
McAllen, Texas
Melbourne, Florida
Merced, California
Minot, North Dakota
Missoula, Montana
Modesto, California
Mount Vernon, Illinois
Moultree, Georgia
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Myrtle Beach, South CarolirlH
New Bern, North Carolina
New Haven, Connecticut
North Bend, Oregon
North Platte, Nebraska
Ocala, Florida
Ottumwa, Iowa
Owensboro, Kentucky
Oxnard, Ventura, California
Paducah, Kentucky
Palm Springs, California
Panama City, Florida
Pasco, Washington
Paso Robles, California
Peliston Emmett, Michigan
Phoenix, Arizona
Location
APPENDIX C-ADDITIoNAL AIRPoRTS EXPECTED To HAVE AIRLINE JET SERVICE BY
1972
PAGENO="0244"
240
APPENDIX C-ADDITIONAL AIRPORTS EXPECTED TO HAVE AIRLINE JET SERVICE
BY 1972-Continued
Pierre, SOuth Dakota stanton, Virginia
ProRq1iE~ laTe, Maine Sterling/flock Fafls, Illinois
Rapid City, South Dakota 1~acoma, (Industrial), Washington
Reddiug, California Temple, Pexas
Riverside, ganfornia Texarkana, Arkansas
Riverton, Wyoming Traverse City, Michigan
Eoanoke, Virginia Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Rocky Mount, North Carolina Tucson, Arizona
Saginaw, Michigan Twin Falls, Idaho
Santa Ana, California Walla-Walla, Washington
Santa 1~e, New Mexico Watertown, New York
Santa Maria, California Watertown, South Dakota
Santa Rosa, California Waycross, Georgia
Saranac Lake, New York Valdosta, Georgia
Sarasota, Florida Vero Beach, Florida
Scotts Bluff, Nebraska Visalia, California
Sheridan County, Wyoming Yuma, Arizona
Mr. TIPTON. One point that was subject to some discussion that I
think might be useful to discuss very ~rieily some more is collision
avoidance.
I know the entire committee is deeply intersted in it, as we are. In
view of the fact that the airlines have taken the lead and carried the
major burden for the development of the currently projected system,
I think it might be useful to have this discussed for a few minutes,
what our progress is, what the equipment is like.
Mr. Seltzer, previously introduced, will say a few words on that,
Mr. SELTZER. I should point out that for over 12 years now the air-
lines have been seeking a collision avoidance system. In fact, approxi-
mately a year and a half before the Grand Canyon collision the ATA
invited manufacturers, through a broadcast letter, to come forth with
any ideas for a noncooperative system, one which would be completely
self-sufficient and capable of operating without the need for the other
aircraft to be equipped. Unfortunately, I think we got virtually no
response until after Grand Canyon. Thereafter, many ideas were of-
fered, but none of them came to fruition.
In approximately 1958, one of the prominent electronic manufac-
turers came forth with what he had as a proximity warning indicator
which could grow into an eventual collision avoidance system. Had that
come to pass, orders which would have amounted to $10 million worth
of equipment would have been purchased then. However, we subse-
quently found that the equipment was not capable of performing as
anticipated and the ofFer was withdrawn b~t the manufacturer. The
airlines had still been urging a self-sufficient system, but our advisers
in industry, from the electronic and manufacturing industry. advised
us that our sights were set far too high. If we were anxious to obtain a
collision avoidance system, we might have to accept, at least for the
time being, that which the current state of the art could produce;
namely, a cooperative system. It was then that we said rather than
get nothing we would rather have something in the form of a coopera-
tive system. That is the reason we are on the path we are at the
moment.
It is unfortunate, however, that a system such as we have in mind
is necessarily high in cost. The cost is not any more to our liking than
it is to general `aviation. Certainly we would not expect everyone to be
PAGENO="0245"
241
equipped with costly equipment of this sort. We have now a technical
working group whicth has for the past 6 to 8 months been working spe-
cifically on a system description, such that manufacturers might uti~
lize that description to produce prototype hardware which could be
evaluated in fii~ht. That group has incorporated in its system descrip-
tion the possibility of an abbreviated version which might come at
lower cost, which would permit general aviation to participate.
Again we do not feel that this is necessarily the total answer for gen-
eral aviation. In any event, our system description was completed at
the end of June, some year and a half before people predicted we would
be able to do it ; and I think it is proper that we give thanks to the var-
bus manufacturers and to FAA who helped in that work because we
never would have been able to do it alone. It is now anticipated that
equipment suitable for flight evaluation will come from that system
description and be available in the early part of 1969.
We agree that it is desirable to have a noncooperative, self -sufficient
system, both for ourselves and for general aviation. We agree that it
would be desiratbie to have a proximity warning device that would be
noncooperative.
I might `mention, sir, that we are familiar with the work of Mr.
Adler, whom I believe you mentioned earlier today, and we have been
in touch with him on numerous oecaskms, Some of the concepts and
techniques have been embodied in our system description just corn-
pleted. This entails the transmission and reception of radio signals
among aircraft, which our system does involve. Unfortunately, the
collision avoidance system is an exceedingly complex one. In essence,
the black box is being asked to predict the future position of an air-
craft that it knows nothing about.
Someone this morning, I `believe, said that we can get a man to the
`moon but `we can't seem to get a collision avoidance system. Straiige as
it may seem, we can predict where the moon will be a month in advance.
But we cannot predict where an aircraft is going to `be used a few mo-
ments from now.That' is one of the `fundamental difficulties.
1-iOwever, we have come up with ideas, concepts, and techniques with
which we hope that the flight evaluation program will prove feasible.
With respect to radar, which was mentioned as a possibility, air-
borne radar has constantly been looked upon as a potential for collision
avoidance. The unfortunate pa~rt is that radar built `specifically to' see
weather i's more or less incompatible with a rada~r designed to look for
airplanes. The air traffic controller has this problem today on his scope.
When he first got radar, that radar was often oblitei~ated by weather
clutter. When they improved the radar to take out the weather clutter
so he could see the airplanes, he now has the reverse sit~ation. `By the
same token, the aircraft weather radar was designed to see weather
and it doesn't do the best job to ~ee aireraft. it has th~ n'arrow beam
problem that Captain Ruby mentioned this morning.
Furthermore, there is the problem of ground clutter. The aircraft's
height `above the ground will be the distance at which ground clutter
will `appear ahead of the aircraft position on the radar scope. The crew
is further distracted from looking out of the window by attempts to
concentrate on a amall radar scope in the cockpit. It is exceedingly
difficult to ascertain which of these' targets are targets of consequence.
PAGENO="0246"
242
It is a problem very similar to the one the controller has when he tries
t, ferret out which of the many targets he sees is the one he should pay
attention to where he has no altitude information.
I believe that gives you a current `summation of where we stand.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Thank you.
Mr. Tn~roN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Wewill be of course glad to try to answer any questions that are put~'
Mr. FItIEDEL. It wa~ a 1e~ngthy statement but a very, very informa-
tive statement, and I like your charts.
You `have made a lot of recommendations. Have you given any
thought as to what the cost will be for these recommendations?
Mr. TIPTON. In our recommendation for the current fiscal year
which includes a large number of ILS as I have described, a large
amount of radar, our total recommendation comes to an increase in
the appropriation for the FAA for equipment of a little bit over a
hundred million dollars. Now to move forward on that same program
will cost at least that much every year for a number of years.
Mr. FRIEDEL. One of the witnesses this morning I think said around
$2 billion. I wanted to know whether your recommendations were
included in that or not.
Mr. Tiproic~. I am told that was a comment' made with respect to air-
port improvement. The FAA idea as to the need for airport improve-
ment stated over in the other side in a hearhig was $3 billion in the
next 5 years. That was airport improvement.
I think that the airways improvement will not rise to nearly the bill
that the airport improvement contemplated in future years will rise.
Can we give a `better answer to the chairman on cost, Mr. Von Kann?
General VON KANN. I think the $101.5 million we have used with
the Senate Appropriations Committee, sir, is for basic hardware pro-
curement; We would have to say offhand that there would be siting
and installation costs, and operation and maintenance costs ; so there
would be some inflation in the FAA budget in addition to the hard-
ware procurement that we have discussed. I think probably it might
be well to consider this a program of about $150 million a year for a
period of about 4 years. But this, too, is well within the amount of
money. that the passengers are contributing right now `through the
ticket ta*.
` ` Mr: Fi~i~i~. You mentioned something about glide slopes. How
many of the airports have glide slopes?
~ Mr. TIproN. Can you answer that offhand?
` General VON KANN. Yes; we have glide slopes or ILS's at 189 of
the 526 `airports used by the airlines. Now, some of these airports have
two ILS's and there are actually about 216 in service. So this leaves
a requirement-
Mr. `Tir'roN. Shown on page 7 of my statement. (See fig. 4, p. 2~2k3.)
A total of 337 ILS installations are required to cover the scheduled
airline airports.
Mr. FRIEDEL. 337 are required?
Mr .TIPT0N. Yes.
Mr. FRIEDEL. That do not have it today?
Mr. TIYPoN. We have at the present time 189. This is also on page 7
of the statement. And 337 are required.
L
PAGENO="0247"
243
Mr. FRIEDEL. Just one brief question now. On page 25 when you
spoke of positive oontrol service extending from 10,000 feet down to
the ground at certain critical high-density terminals, in there you
mention New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay area,
and Washington, D.C. Why was Miami left out, since Miami is a
high-density area?
Mr. SELTZI~R. Yes, sir ; it certainly is a high-density area. Those
shown are the first five on our list. We indicated in the paperthat these
were the first to receive consideration. Certainly Miami should be
considered. I believe, sir, in the recommendation with respect to high-
density airports which follow, you will see the mention of Miami.
Mr. FRIEDEL. On high density, on positive control you do not men-
tion Miami.
Mr. SELTZER. No, sir ; we do not. It does not mean it is excluded. It
means when we first start we are asking to look at the first five.
Mr. FRIEDEL. When you speak of Washington, D.C., are you speak-
ing of Washington National or the Washington, D.C. area, including
Friendship?
Mr. Tir'row. As you know, we regard Washington, D.C., as being
served by three airports ; Friendship, Dulles, and Washington Na-
tional. We would expect the area covered there to cover the Wash-
lug-ton area.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Mr. Dingell?
Mr. DINorii~. I would like to defer my questions.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Mr. Devine.
Mr. DEVINE. On page 16, Mr. Tipton, you make reference to standby
equipment or emergency equipment independent of commercial for
power. You said the FAA is procuring equipment for 50 selected air-
ports. Could someone provide us with those airports at some later time
so that we will know what they are?
Mr. TIPTON. Yes.
Mr. DEvINE. You have reference also to Washington National. I.
think in the last 6 months we have two evidences of power failure
out there on radar.
. Mr. SELTZER. Yes. These are the 50 `airports which FAA has termed
continuous power airports. They were selected on the basis that the
total geographic area of the country would have some safe-haven air-
port in the event of a regional power failure such as we encountered in
the Northeast area approximately 2 years ago.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Do you, have a list of the 50 sites recommended or
selected.?
Mr. TIrroN. We will put those in the record at this point. We don't
have them with us.
(The information referred to follows:)
COMPILATION OF CONTINUOUS POWER AIRPORTS, SUBMITTED BY THE AIR TRANSPORT
ASSocIATIoN ør AMERICA
Albuquerque (ABQ)
Andrews AFB (ADW)
Atlanta (ATL)
Baltimore (BAL)
Bismarek (BIS)
Boise (BOl)
Boston (BOS)
Cbtcago (ORD)
Chicago (MDW)
Charlotte (OLP)
Cincinnati (OVG)
Cleveland (OLE)
Dallas (DAL)
Denver (DEN)
Des Moines (DSM)
Detroit (DTW)
El Paso (ELP)
Great Fails (GTF)
PAGENO="0248"
244
Mr. DEvINE. I would presume Washingtcn National is among those
to be equipped.
Mr. SELTZER. I am quite certain Washington is among them.
Mr. DEVINE. Is it now so equipped?
Mr. SELTZER. Washington National has an engine generator system
in the terminal building itself. I don't know how well that serves the
outlying facilities off the airport. On the airport Washington Na-
tional does have generator service, yes.
Mr. DEVINE. Mr. Tipton, do you have any informntion re1~ative to
whether you feel that the air traffic controllers are overworked and
under great stress in such places as O'Hare, Washington National,
Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami, Kennedy?
Mr. TIr~roN. It is always. a matter of concern to us, Mr. Devine. As
you have noted, we recommended that additional personnel be brought
in. I think being a controller that Mr. Seltzer can comment further
on that.
Mr. DEvINE. Would you, please?
Mr. SELTZER. I think that the job the controller is expected to per-
form sometimes is not really and trñly understood. Mr. Kayne in his
testimony previously. mentioned some 400 cases~f litigation and some
$2~OO million in claipis being made againsl the Government. I feel `part
of this is due to the fact that people are expecting more from the air
traffic controller than he is geared up to provide. In the recommen~
`tions we have made here we have tried to tate account of that fact.
. If I may just explain a little bit here, with respe~t to the traffic in-
formation service this is a service that does not necessarily repñre that
an aircraft be concbjicthd lEE ~4..I am certain ~OPA would like to
have it. I don't blame them one hilt `but it is a difficult ~job for ~t con-
troller to provide traffic information service when he has to look at
a scope which does not have any identity or altitude information, nor
does he have any knowledge of the intent of hundreds of targets that
he may see on that scope. I think it is nigh on to impossible at this
time to give meaningM traffic at all times. However, the controller
gives the best he can w~ith what `he has to work. For that reason we
have recommended the altitude reporting readout. I consider the alti-
tude readout one of the most essential missing links in the radar
system.
CoNTINuous POWER Aiiwouvs-Continued
Houston (HOTJ)
Indianapolis (IND)
Jacksonville (JAX)
Kansas City (MCII)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Memphis (MEM)
Miami (MIA)
Milwaukee (MKE)
Minneapolis (MSP)
Nashville (BNA)
Newark (EWl~)
New Orleans (MSY)
New York (JFK)
New York (LGA)
Oklahoma Olty (OKO)
Omaha (OMA)
Ontario, Oalif. (ONT)
PMladeiphia (PIlL)
Phoenix (PHX)
Pittsburgh (PIT)
Reno (ENO)
Salt Lake city (SLO)
San Antonio (SAT)
San Diego (SAN)
San Francisco (SF0)
St. Louis (STL)
Seattle (SEA)
Tampa (TPA)
Tulsa (TUL)
Washington (DOA)
Washington (DIA)
Wichita (lOP)
PAGENO="0249"
245
Since radar is the foundation of our current-day traffic control sys-
tern, and in the foreseeable future it still remains the foundation of
what the controll~r will use. I think we must enhance the utility of
that radar so that it can serve the controller's needs and so that he
can perform the servIce the public is coming to expect of him.
I know that controllers will say that automation increases their
workload because they have many buttons to push. It is for that reason
in our testimony we say don't Lorce the controller to make up for the
lack of capability in the aircraft. Try to make the' aircraft work with
the controller so that the controller can in turn help the pilot. For this
reason we recommended a 4096 transponder so that when a controller's
automation gear, which works with that device, comes into play, it can
automatically acquire the target without having him press a lot of
buttons. It is for that reason we have recommended the automatic
altitude readout so that the black box will do the work rather than
forcing the controller to press buttons.
Mr. Di~vINE. I did not get a direct answer to my question. The only
answer I have is that it was recommended that there be more traffic
controllers. I personally have a great deal of respect for these men as
human beings here and they are under great stress, emotionally and
psychologically, particularly under crowded conditions and under
IFR conditions. Particularly when they ar~ trying to communicate
with incoming aircraft, either commercial or private.
Do you find that the air is cluttered with so much communication
that it is confusing to both the pilot and the traffic controllers?
Mr. Sit~zm. From my personal observation in riding jump seat in
air carrier aircraft I would say the situation in the terminal area is
more of a problem than it is in the en route area.
During recent years FAA has adopted procedures which permit the
omission of position reports by the pilot when they are under radar
surveillance. This has helped tremendously. But lacking altitud~ in-
formation the controller is forced to verify altitude on each new con-
tact with a pilot. In the terminal area the problem is more serious.
Mr. D~rVTNIL Most of us on this subcommittee have, either independ-
ently or as part of a group, visited a number of towers, including
JFK. It is pretty rough in~ there, as you well know~ wh~ti you ha~ire
six or eight men all talking at ônc~. I thinh ~ this is one area where
something must be developed.
Mr. 9~I1?TON. ,Tttst to interrupt at that point, you said you didn't get
a direct answer to your question, and I don't think you did. I will now
answer it directly. I think that the controller's stress and strain is a
problem. It is for that reason that we are struggling here to get an air
traffic control system which will accommodate the controller's require-
ments so that he will n ot have to do so much pick and shovel work of
his own. I think it is urgent that we make progress along these lines.
Every recommendation we have made here I think would make the
life of the controller easier.
Mr. D~ivr~ I recognize the sophisticated equipment continues to
be developed, yet the air traffic controller is a human being. He recog-
nizes every minute that a wr~ng decision on his part may be calamitous
and this puts great stress on him.
Mr. JENSEN. May I just add, Mr. Devine, in a direct comment on
your question, one of the things that is going on today is the use
PAGENO="0250"
246
of a lot of overtime oii the part of controllers; I think for the very
reason you mentioned, the critiëal nature of their worl~, that it is
very important that they have the normal allooated time off duty.
I think were we to get controllers in such quantity as to eliminate
the overtime us~ of present contrOllers we would be better off.
Mr. DEVINE. 15 there a great turnover in air traffic controllers?
Mr. SELTZER. I don't know that I can answer that, Mr. Devine.
Mr. DEviNE. Can you get the information on that ? ~
Mr. SELTZER. I will be glad to. ~ ~ ~ ~
( Information referred to follows:)
( AiR TRANSPORT ASSocIATIoN STATEMENT' ON TURNOVER OF FAA AIR TRAFFIC
~ OONTI~OLLERS
According to FAA reports, about 350 journeyman controllers left FAA during
1966. There were about 10,500 controllers so the turnover was about 3%.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Mr. Dingell. ~ ~
Mr. DINGE1~L. I have just a couple of questions, Mr. Chairman.
Your comments with regard to the 5-percent tax imposed on air-
line ticket sales intrigues me. I am wondering what the cost of ade-
quate area traffic control safety would be, gentlemen. Would it be
in excess of the $200 million you projected this figure at on the basis of
present earnings ? ~
Mr. TIPTON. The present cost of operating the airways system is in
the neigbborhood of $450 million a year.
Mr. DINGELL. This would be approximately half ? ~
Mr. TIPTON. Therefore, the ticket tax yields about half of it. How-
ever, it must be recognized that the use of the airways system by
the airlines is probably less than one-third with general aviation using
~ pol'tion of it and the military usiug a portion of it. So that at the
present time the airline contribution is greater than the cost that
is ~issigriedto them, or should be assigned to them.
Mr. DINGELL. Assuming that is so, what is the cost, and I want to
compare this to the cost of a really adequate program of the kind
that you have inserted in your statdment-you have made a whole
broad series of recommendations for improvement in radar, traffic
control improvements, additional controllers, instrument landing sys-
tem and devices-so that we can compare the one figure against the
other, we know what you have coming in within ballpark ~figures,
anyway, but ~ do not hav~ any idea what the other costs are. Can you
give us same ideas on that 9
Mr. TIPTON. The only cost study we have made on this relates to our
program recommendation for . installation of facilities during the
tiscal yea~ 1968. That was ~ about $101 million additional in expense.
Since that equipment is written off over 15 years that would be $15
million increase in annual cost. .
General Von Kant estimated that our other recommendations would
involve similar expenditures for a period of about 4 years, which would
add in total about $600 million over that period. Our cost figures
aren't any good.
Mr. DINGELL. They are about as good as any we have gotten to date.
Mr. TIPTON. We have a problem with it. The FAA has better cost
data than we are likely to have. One of the things I would like to have
happen would be for the committee to address the same question to
PAGENO="0251"
247
the FAA, saying, "Here the ATA has come forward *ith a program,
how much is this going to cost us ~ " because I would like to know.
Mr. DINOELL. This is precisely the question I intended to direct to
the chairman of the committee to find out what is the cost of adequate
safety for the whole aviation agency. The Chair advises me that Mr.
Stimpson is here from the FAA, so I assume that Mr. Stimpson will
alert the FAA. to expect some communication from the committee staff
for appropriate figures for insertion in the record. I am sure, Mr.
Chairman, we can look to their carrying this matter forward.
(The follOwing information was subsequently submitted:)
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION STATEMENT ON ESTIMATED Cost To IMPLE-
MENT PROGRAM RECOMMENDED BY THE AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION
We estimate that implementation of the program outlined in the formal state-
merit made by the Air ~ Transport Association would cost approximately $835
million for proocurement and installation of equipment over amounts appro-
priated through fiscal year 1967. In addition, annual costs of operation and
maintenance would be expected to increase by approximately $75 million after
the procurement and installatiOn phá~es of the program were completed. Operat-
ing. training and maintenance costs could be about 30% greater during the
changeover period to the new equipment.
Mr. DINGELL. Perhaps Mr. Tipton would like to take more time and
direct himself more fully and comfortably and more conveniently to
some of the aspects that you have given us on this point. I would like
to now go into a couple of points that concern me.
The cost of the collision avoidance system I have heard is $50,000
and now it is $60,000 per aircraft. This would be on the order of a
large aircraft a little but more than t~he cost of a propeller, would it
not, for a conventional aircraft ? A propeller for an aircraft is $25,000.
Mr. Tn~roN. We don't buy as many of them as we used to, but I think
it is in that neighborhood.
Mr. DINGELL. Also it would be roughly about the same as the cost
of the theater and projection equipment that would go into a large
400- or 500-passenger jet that will shortly be coming down the ways;
is that correct ~
Mr. TIproN. I have no idea as to the cost of that equipment, but
II would not be surprised.
Mr. DINoEu~. It really is not, on a 17 or 18 million dollar jet, a
very large ~ sum in terms of. safety when. dealing with the lives of 400
or 500 people.
Mr. TIyroN. We don't regard it as too large. We don't regard it as
in ~ any respect an objectionable expenditure. We have been trying
for 12 years to get the opportunity to make that expenditure.
Mr. DINGELL. Now. the other question I wanted to discuss with you
is the standard of the FAA with regard to getting passengers out of
aircraft. There are 2 minutes for the number of passengers we have
in the aircraft to go through emergency exits. Do you regard this as
an adequate standard of safety ~
Mr. TIPTON. Yes. We have spent a great dealof time on that partic-
ular part of our work. I am hesitant to take the time at this point,
but, if you would care to, General Von Kann could give you the dis-
cussion of industry effort on passenger evacuation. A memorandum
prepared by the Aerospace Industries Association on passenger evac-
uation and crash worthiness will be put in at this point.
(Tnformatioii referred to follows:)
PAGENO="0252"
248
PROPOSED AlA CRASHWORTHINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
OBJEC~VES
The Objectives of the proposed AlA crashworthiness development program are
improvements in the state-of-th&art as it applies to aircraft crashworthiness
and the determination and evaluation of new and improved methods, equipment,
and design characteristics that will substanti~11~ increase the passenger's chance
of survival in an aircraft accident by:
(a) Proteeth~g. passengers from smoke and toxic fumes and heat inside the
aircraft and extending the period of survivable cabin atmosphere.
(b) Moving passenger& to~the exits as quickly as possibie~
(c) Providi~ng means by which passengers may reach the ground rapidly and
safely.
SOOPE
The following areas will be covered:
1. Fire-resistant materials:
Industry Search for Materials Available for Early Incorporation.
Test Above Materials.
EstablisJ~ Improved Criteria.
Establish.. Test Methoda
Initiate Advanced Material Development Program.
2. Fire-suppressant systems and smoke and fume protection:
Foam.
Fog.
Freon.
Powder.
ITeMS.
Curtains, Compartments. and Masks.
Insulation, Walls and ~`lhors.
Ventilation Air Flow Control.
3. Emergency lighting and exit awareness:
interior Light LeveL
Interior Light Intensity Distribution.
Eidt Awareness.
Interior-Exterior Light Interrelation.
Warning Systems.
4. EvacuatIon:
Slide Improvement :
Flow Characteristics.
Fire Resistance.
Overwing Exit Passenger Flow Characteristics.
Exit Actuation.
Study Accident and Evacuation Demonstration Data.
ANTICIPATED PROGRAM TIMING
It is planned that this crashworthiness development program will commence
immediately upon enactment of regulatory changes resulting from the NPRM,
assuming that such regulations do n~ supersede the need for development in
those areas described herein. Delaying the development program start until
enactment of regulatory change could well affect and modify some areas of
the proposed development work. However, if the FAA decides that certain
of the regulatory areas will be delayed, then industry agrees to start the devel-
opment program upon reeei~t o,f formal notftIeat1~n from the FAA to this effect.
This agreement should be so worded sa to `assure that during the course of the
development program undertaken, no regulatory changes will be promulgated by
the FAA that would supersede the objectives of the development program.
As described herein, the program will continue for a period of 12 mouths.
AlA/FAA coordination i~ planned during the program so that as major test or
decision milestones are reached, program progress can be monitored. Twelve
months from Initiation of the program, the AlA will submit the following to
the FAA:
Test reports, including results of the development work and conclusions
drawn therefrom.
AlA proposed wording for regulatory changes In each technical area.
AlA proposes incorporation of the necessary hardware to comply with the
suggested regulation changes on all new jet transport aircraft certificated to
PAGENO="0253"
249
OAR 4b or FAR 25, to be deliverei 18 months after agreement has been reache4l
on these regulation changes.. This agreement may either be in the form of
additional regulatory changes or receipt by the AlA of formal notice of agreement
of the forthcoming regulation change from the FAA. It is recognized that certain
of the development areas may ~ot prove to be fruitful, In which case no recom-
mendation for mojtfied regulations would be forthcoming.
There is no intention on the part of indust~y to rethtce the e~ort or `scope of
the development work which would normally take place In the Industry to Im-.
prove the crashworthiness or other important transport `aircraft safety categories
during or subsequent to the proposed 12-month development program.
FIRE-RE5IsTANT-MATEBIALS DEVEL~PMENP PRoGRAM
GOALS
P1~&se 1.-To provide In 12 months, a regulation that would result in the use
of the `least flammable material's which are functionally satisfactory `and which
can be implemented in new airplanes within 18 months of the definition of the
requirement. The regulation would define flammability test methods and re-
qui'renients and a statement of the material properties, compartments or areas
within the scope of the regulation considered pertinent to fire safety. This
regulation is to be a definite upgrading.
Phase 11.-To provide a statement of material research programs containing
objectives and goai~ which, if accomplished, would result in `a truly significant
improvement in compartment fire safety through materials and new test methods
capable of measuring the improvements.
PROGRAM
AlA members will establish a contemporary baseline of the best existing
state~of-the-art materials being used by correlating the affected material spec!-
fleations in u~e by the industry member's and analyzing the correlation. This
will assure knowledge `of the best available materials in each of the application
categories `being used.
All materials significantly better than the contemporary baseline materials
will be obtained through a search of the materials suppliers and supplier-industry
development and will be tested to the methods for horizontal and vertical burn
proposed in Revised Item 16 submitted by AlA on 23 February 1967. To assure
timely production incorporation, only those new materials which will be avail-
able in production quantities within 15 months from start of this program will
be considered. Only materials which meet improved criteria resulting from the
overall program will be installed in production aircraft for delivery 30 months
from start of this program.
The AlA will recommend revisions to FAA regulations, Paragraphs 25.853 and
25.85~, covering the upgraded standards of these materials, at the conclusion of
the 12-month development program.
The scope of the above includes materials in crew, passenger and cargo com-
partments used in sufficient quantities or in areas which directly affect fire
safety.
As a separate phase of the program, existing burn criteria will be examined
to determine if more meaningful tests can be devised for use as a future stand-
ard. If these revised criteria can be established, industry will include them as a
modification to the regulations for incorporation in 30 months. Considerations will
include determination whether both small and large ignition sources are neces-
sary factors of the burning criteria or whether a numerical value can replace the
exis~ting burn rate test (e.g. numerical application of flash point, heat content,
self-extinguishing property, etc. ) . Studies based on tests, and analysis of aircraft
fires will be made to determine if new testing techniques and burn criteria would
be desirable.
It is recognized that since these burn criteria and materials development efforts
are limited in time, it is recommended that further FAA sponsored development
programs be initiated in the specific areas of (1) improved materials', and (2)
test methods and criteria. It is recommended that these programs be conducted
by qualified materials producers and research organizations to industry de-
PAGENO="0254"
250
~e1oped, and *FAA approved work statements. The industry work statement will,
be available in the ;12-m~nth period. i~ accomplishe4, this couM result in a long,
term, truly significant improvement in compartment fire safety.
PROCEDUU~S (SEE FIG. 1 )
Phase 1.-Industry Search : A summary of available AlA data and survey of
material suppliers.
(a) Individual AlA members will be assigned specific material categories to
search. AlA members will supply each other with material specifications related,
to the particular category. Where specifications do not exist, an outline of the
required physical and functional properties and flammability data (and test
methods) shall be supplied. If materials in use are less flammable than the
specification requirement, actual v~alues will be stated. Members will also coordi-
nate a list of material suppliers to be surveyed.
From these inputs a chart will be made to send to the material supplier. The
chart will-
List functions and physical property requirements (e.g., abrasion impact,
fungus and fluid resistance, acoustical properties, cementability, color fast-
ness to light and laundering and drycleaning, strength, heat distortion and
discoloration, permeability, flexibility, sewability, resistance to shrinkage
from drycleaning and laundering, weight, luster, pilling and cracking, tex-
ture, color range, aging and fire resistance.)
Provide space for the suppliers to list their least flammable material.
Provide space to list material properties which are available for evaluation
and will be available in production quantities within 15 months.
Provide space to list material properties for long term purposes which will
be available at a specified future date beyond 15 months.
This chart will then allow a time-availability study to be made. See example
chart. (Fig. 2.)
(b) Charts will be sent to suppliers with a request to reply within 30 days.
Data will be accumulated and tabulated by the searcher and then distributed
to the other AlA members.
( e) AlA members will be responsible for evaluating new materials with im-
proved flammability, found by the survey, to determine their functional capabil-
ities as related to required properties and implementation (timing and process
or manufacturing) on new aircraft.
(d) After evaluation, AlA members will make recommendations for flamma-
bility requirement improvements and then `the AlA will draft the proposed 12-
month regulations changes. To assure timely production incorporation, only those
new materials which will be available in production quantities within 15 months
from start of this program will be considered in this recommendation.
Phase 11.-Research statements : materials and burn criteria.
(a) From the survey conducted per Phase I, AlA members will determine what
material categories require long range research and development to improve fire
safety. AlA members will prepare the material research statements giving the
appropriate imrn criteria (not specific required values ) and required physical
properties.
(Ii) Concurrently with Phase I and Phase ha, AlA members will review
methods of determining material `burning characteristics, including combustion
products, and analyze the meaning of the test data. The AlA will relate the
analysis of `these data to data obtained from studies ol! actual airplane fire
(mock-up and otherwise).
It is proposed to determine what test methods and test requirements for either
material types or "area use categories" are meaningful for airplane fire safety.
Both small and large energy ignition sources are to be considered.
(c) At the conclusion of Phase II, a and b, prepare coordinated AlA statements
of material research programs and of development work required to define and
measure meaningful material flammability properties for submittal to the FAA.
Work is to be conducted by qualified material producers and research organiza-
tions under FAA sponsorship.
PAGENO="0255"
PHAIE I
I.
lb
Ic
I'
FIRE RESiSTANT MATERiALS
~ ~çHA*'T tOKPILbIIOW ~ ~ CUT
~ ~ mD T*U1~Ih~
[ALp~V~~
t~P~itb
coèRoaIsaTlow
SU3~9lT ~O FAA
PREPARATION 1F MATE~IA(. IIESEAIICH STATEMENT
~:i:::-~-::i EXPLOSE BUSS CEITERIA AND TESI ~4ETHODS
E~:t~~ mALYS~S OF EllEN ckrrckca Atib rEST METHODS
~ AlA bRAFIINC RE~SAi~S~ STATEMENTS
ON HATERIAIL AND BUNS CRITERIA TEST
NETHOI$
4 SUBMIt ?* FAA
PROPERTY TEST METHOD 3
REQUIREMENT
MATERIAL
SUPPLIER TO COMPLETE
MATERIAL
AVAILABLE `1
.
FUTURE MATERIAL 2
* DATE %VAILABLE
PRODUCT
DESIG.
`PRODLCT DESIG.
1 TNI$ COLUMN ONLY FOR MATERIALS AVAILABLE FOR EVALUATION S IN PRODUCTION QUANTITIES
PRIOR TO 19
9 TillS COLUMN FOR MATERIAL AT A FUTURE DATE BEYOND ,1S GIVE SPECIFIC DATE
AVAILABLE
3 MATERIAL SUPPLIER TO FILL. IN IF DIFFERENT FROM AIR METHOD.
FIGuB~ 2
FlEE-SupPRESSANT SYSTEMS AND SMOKE AND FUME PRomo~rIoN
A provision which may contribute to survivtthility under a variety of conditions,
and is also compatible with the trend toward larger capacity aircraft, is that of
251
DEVELOPMENT____
~CMEDJLED
~NOJECTED
PHASE U
Us
lib
lIe
IMPLEMENTATION IN DELIV. A. C A
I ~ 2YEARS
I AT BUALIFIED ORGMIIZATION
a 2 3 4 5 5 7 .1 H IS I I II fl 4 IS IA (7 1$ IN 20 21 22 23 24 iS lo i7 ~1 29 JO
MONTHS
AlA
FIGURE 1
MATERIAL SURVEY CHART
PAGENO="0256"
252
extending the period o~f survivable cabin atwosphere, and the~by increase the
allowable passenger evacuation time.
The AlA proposes to run evaluation tests with various fire protection systems
with simulated airplane cabins and crash fire.
A study will be made of present industrial and aircraft systems that could
be adapted. Development testing will (1) determine efficiency of suppression
systems, and (2) overcome problems such as power supply, initiation and aetna-
tion methods, and interfaces with other aircraft systems. Comparability with
other evacuation aids will be assisted during the program.
Tests conducted by ALPA, FAA, and airframe manufacturers and service
experience have shown the types of crash fires to be expected, their propagation
characteristics and results. Some testing o~f fire suppressing agents, shielding and
venting systems has been accomplished to date. Investigations in the following
area have been initiated:
~ Fire suppression by means of water fog, high expansion foam, Freon, and
dry powder.
Use of masks, compartments and fire curtains.
Means of fire detection and initiation of suppressions systems.
Insulation improvement and duct fire stops to slow fire propagation.
These areas will be further pursued, and at the end of 12 months, industry
will recommend a regulation change, which, while not requiring the specific
system developed, will recognize and give full credit for the capabilities' of
such a system in the overall crashworthiness, materials flame resistance, and
passenger evacuation time of the airplane design.
Specific tests will-
1. Evaluate the effect of lining materials with improved fire resistance on
the survivability in a fire with a fuel ignition source. Survivability will be
evaluated by measuring temperature and atmospheric content with respect
to time.
2. Determine the value of water fog, high expansion foam, powder, Freon
and masks to improve survivability in a fire with a fuel ignition source.
3. Evaluate changes in airframe insulation, wail and floor materials,. and
use of compartments, curtains, and vents, to reduce the possibility of
external fire propagating to the airplane `interior and throughout the
airplane.
4. Evaluate means of preventing propagation of fire from air conditioning
system to cargo compartment to cabin interior.
EMm~GENOY LIGHTING AND EXIT AwAEDNSISS DEVELOPMENT Pnoox~M
The objectives of the emergency lighting development program shall be to
develop a standard for emergency lighting intensities within a 12-month
period. The resultant standard will be incorporated into production aircraft
within 30 months `after the start of the program. These lighting intensity stand-
ards shall be determined by development of mock-up tests, using human factor
evaluation procedures, to determine:
(1) An acceptable cabin intensity level for evacuation.
(2) An acceptable light intensity distribution for exiting ability and exit
awareness.
(3) The relationship between the interior lighting and over-wing lighting or
escape slide lighting on exit ability, and the relationship between overwing or
escape slide lighting and the ground on exit ability.
(4) The effect of tactile, audio, and brightness stimuli on exiting ability
and exit awareness. Subjects will `be tested in the mock-np that has `bumps
to feel on the hatrack near the exits, directions coming through the P. A. sys-
tern, and exit signs in various locations. If a satisfactory method of using smoke
or smoke simulation can be devised, It will be used in these tests.
WARNING SYsm~Ms STUDIES
Passengers have been known to sit immobile in a seat when they should ` have
been moving because they failed to realize the danger and what to do about it.
Human factor studies will be conducted by the AlA into the response of the
passengers to various signals designed to alert the aircraft occupants in the
event of an emergency. The objective of the work is to determine whether a
system to warn the passenger that he should act to leave the airplane is required
or desirable. `
The program is to review test data of passenger response ito varions signals
such as bells, sirens, voice commands, etc. These data will be used to define
the value of these systems.
PAGENO="0257"
EMERGENOY LIGETING AND Em~ Aw~u~ENEss Moox~ur TEsT ITI~Ms
1. Interior lighting levels:
(ci) Conduct test tO verify 0.05 foot-candle average aisle Illumination.
( b) Oonduct test to determine acceptable variation from average illumi-
nation levels.
(C) Oonduct test to establish exit area illumination levels with the 0.05
foot-candle average aisle illumination.
2. Exit awarei~ess:
(a;) Evaluate exit. signs and other tactile/visual aids for brilliance level,
general geometry, eta.
(b) Evaluate the above both with and without simulated smoke, if feasible.
3. Exterior lighting levels:
(a) Establish light levels and satisfactory patterns for evacuation.
(b) Determine adequacy Df self-illuminated slides.
4. Warning studies:
(a) Human factors studies of alerting devices to determine the worth of
devices which will alert passengers that an emergency situation exists.
5. Inside-outside lightiiig levels:
(a) Determine adequate levels of exterior lighting and contrast ratios
with interior lighting, conduct tests with 0.05 foOt-candle average aisle illu-
minatlon.
EVACUATION SYSTEM DEVaLOPMEN~
Studies of evacuation demonstration and actual accident reports indleate that
some improvement in escape means can he developed in the near `term Ler existing
transport models. The industry proposes development ~ort in the followin.g
specific areas:
EXIT sr.rsns
(a) Means to assist passenger transition from the exit door onto the slide.
(b) Means to assist passenger transit~on from the slideto the ground.
(c) Means to increase passenger confidence in the use of slides.
( d) Improve resistance of slide puncture due to small fire s~nrees near the
ground base.
ovnawix~ EXIT EGRESS
(e) Means to assist rapid egress from the overwing exits to the wing surface
such as a step to reduce the di~tanee, and a i~oli-skId surface.
EXIT ACTUATION
(1) Means to assist rapid and positive opening `of very large exit doors.
The `original AlA proposal included development work 1~oward possible improve.
i~ent in the seat to Type III and IV exit opening arrangements due to recent
l~WA iuterpretation of the existing standards for the seat to exit relationship.
N:p further work is proposed in `this area.
\AIA proposes to perform a system `analysis of `the results of airline and ind'astry
ev~icuatl'on demonstrations already conducted to further improve the understand-
in~ `of evacuation system restraints (time consuming ~aetol~s) . It is necessary that
~ th~ FAA make these airline evacuation test results (without identification of
sp~cIfic `airlines) `available to the AlA to accomplish this analysis.
I~esults of the develapment work of items (a) through (f) above will be used
to r~ropose modifications to regulations or TSO's.
\ PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND AlA/FAA 000RDINATION
Tl~e proposed AlA Management Organization Chart is shown as figure 3.
An frerall manager will `be appointed from the AlA Ad Hoc `Ocmmittee member-
ship.\Assistant managers will be appointed from each of the AlA member coin-
parii~ participating in a major sense in `the development program. In `addition, `a
techi4eal `manager wifl be appointed from that AlA member company doing `the
large$t share `of the `development work in `each of the te~thmical `devel'opment areas.
It l~ proposed that scheduled c'oo'rdin'ation meetings with `the FAA `be held at
three-~onth intervals. The first three meetings, that is, those held during the
3rd, 6t~i, `and 9th m'ont~hs of the pi~ogram will `be held `ait three of t'h'e participating
compai~ies. During the development program informal coordination meetings will
be heic~ timed to development test milestones. The final ~ooI~d1nation meeting
would be held at the rAA `offices in Washington, D.C.
O~-715-68-17
I
253
PAGENO="0258"
DE LOPME~ PROGRAM MANAGEME~ ORGANIZATION
AREAMANAGER ~1.
11. H. (Harry) Rauger (Doug~L4s)J
PROGRAM MANAGER I
J. E. (Jack) Steine~i~oeing)[
ASSISTANT PROGRAM MANAGER I
W. T. (Bill) Gross (Douglaalj
FIGURE 3
I AREAMANAGER
[3. E. (Jack) Nichols (Boeing)
MATERIALS
I
FIRE SUPPRESSION
R.
1.
Technical Section Man~a~g~
J.jBob) Sutton fDouglas)
Alternate I
C. (Bill) Potter (Boeing)1
Technic~ Section Manager
3. M. (Jim) Lea* (Boeing)
Alternate
~4. B. (Walt) King (Dougla~)
I LIGHTING AND AWARENESS
Technical Section Nanag~
W. B. (Bill) Y0WP (Douglas)
~ternate
~. T. (George)Febhardt (Boeing)
I Team Members ~
~ A. Moore (Aero Cotinander)
~J. Forbes (Fairchild-Hiller)
C. Dietz (GD/Convair)
R. Wood (Grun~nan)
T. Von Rosenberg (Lear Jet)
K. Sipple (Lockheed)
~~_K~AA)
EVACUATION
I Technical Section Man~er
H. (Hilt)_Heinenaui1~eing)
I Alternate
.3. A. (Jack) (2r~v~s (flOuQlas)
~eam Members
A. Moore (Aero Connander)
T.Forbes (Fairchild-Hiller)
t. Roinanowich (GD/Convair)
R. Wood (Grunanan)
L~. V~n Rosenberg (Lear Jet)
T. Crawford (Lockheed)
K, Keelaghan (NAA) .
Team Members
A. Moore (Aero Commander)
3. Forbes (Fairchild~'Hiller)
3. Hoover (GD/Convair)
K. Wood (Grumman)
T. Von Rosenberg (Lear Jet)
R. Owens (Lockheed)
Ka . Keelaghan Q!~1-
~ Metthers
F A. Moore (Aero Cocnander)
I. Forbes (Fairchuld-Hiller)
P. Canegaly (GD/Convair)
a. Wood (Grumman)
T. Von Rosenberg (Lear Jet)
J. Logan (Lockheed)
~ ~ ~.j~eelaghanj~A)
PAGENO="0259"
255
corn-
very
Mr. DINGELL. One very brief question : Isn't it a fact, though, if
there is a great deal of flarne, fumes, and smoke the passenger will be
pretty well incapacitated in a minute?
Mr. TIproN. The present tests of evacuation are very realistic ones
in providing smoke and noise and everything else. Don't we have a
movie on this subject?
General VON KANN. Yes, we have. I believe some of the films were
shown to the committee, if I am not mistaken.
Mr. TIrroN. I don't think they have been shown yet.
General VON KANN. A great deal of research is going into that very
subject, as it is going into every aspect of survivability and evacua-
tion. We hoped around the turn of the year that one development
might give a flame arresting capability. Unfortunately, the toxicity
level turned out to be too high. I have no doubt again that with the
effects that are underway we will find ways to cut down the propaga-
tion of flame and give the passengers more time.
Mr. DINGELL. When you are dealing with a 400- or 500-passenger
jet is it not fair to say that you ought to err, if you err at all, far on
the side of safety, and we are faced with the problem of 2 minutes
being too long. If that jet is full of smoke and fire and oxygen-absorb-
ing conditions it might perhaps asphyxiate or poison through smoke
poison the passengers of that aircraft.
Isn't that something that should be looked at?
General VON KANN. It is being looked at. We anticipate a new rule
by FAA in the near future. Although I can't speak for FAA, there
is an indication that this may go down to a 90-second rule.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Thank you very much, gentlemen.
Mr. TIproN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the
mittee, for the attention we have received.
Mr. PICKLE. Mr. Chairman.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Did I miss you ? I apologize.
Mr. PICKLE. As usual, Mr. Tipton, you give this committee
thorough and complete testimony.
Mr. TIPTON. Thank you.
Mr. PICKLE. Certainly what you have said can hardly be argued
with as I see it. I take it that you have limited your discussion, how-
ever, to the original statement when you said you were largely going
to give testimony that would focus on ways to reduce the risk of mid-
air collision. I like the information you have given us. I note at this
point, however, that we did not go further into the area of corre-
sporiding cost to other aircraft beyond the ATA organization with the
type of construction on planes and exits, certainly as it affects gen-
eral aviation.
I know you are representing ATA ; you are not trying to sell some-
body else's hardware, but we have the problem in this committee of
determining what is the best approach and still what is going to be
fair to general aviation. I cannot help but feel that if we do these
things that you recommend, and they are desirable, perhaps manda-
tory, it will result in the inability of many users of general aviation
to take advantage of these commercial airports.
I don't see how they can come in if they have to meet all these
requirements. Am I correct in that?
PAGENO="0260"
I
256
Mr. TIPT0N. I think that you are quith correct in that our recom-
mendations will undoubtedly require those general aviation aircraft
that come into congested areas to be well equipped and the pilots to
be experienced and well trained pilots. We did not think that there
was any better way of maintaining proper safety standards as aviation
grows, both general aviation and area operations grow, than that. I
believe that the general aviation group must face that possibility.
Another recommendation that we are making at this same time
relating to airports bears very strongly on this, however. In this I see
that we are in complete concurrence with the AOPA. We think it is
awfully important that adequate attention b~ given to the creation of
airports specifically designed for general aviation. That is true for
many reasons. One of the reasons is the one you have mentioned. We
are recommending that in the Federal airport program that really pri-
mary emphasis be given to the creation and improvement of general
aviation airports. We believe that that is a way by which the general
aviation will be better accommodated and the airlines and their traffic
be better accommodated.
Mr. PIoKu~. If we had double the number of airfields and general
aviation on separate fields it might eliminate many of the dangers we
are talking about. This would take a stupendous amount of money.
Even if we had it, though, we are not going to be able to separate
general aviation from the commercial airfield. There are too many
fields used as a sort of feeder point for the big airlines.
So, in ae~omp1ishing what you want and what you recommend, I
still think. that we have got to admit that these fields must be used by
general aviation to a level that won't break their backs financially to
do it.
Mr. TrrroN. We have no disagreement with that. We think that
there must be a minimum of equipment and professional competence
to participate in the congestion that is developing and will continue.
This industry, as we noted here, is growing dramatically. I think that
we all have to face, all of us aviation people, have to face the fact that
it is going to be more difficult and more expensive than it has been in
the past.
Mr. PICKLE. If we put in all these things, such as control towers,
extra radar equipment, daylight radar scopes, and ILS, you are say-
ing that it is beginning to approach somewhere in the neighborhood of
a hundred million dollars. I would say it is more than that. Corre-
spondingly, the private industry is going to have a tremendous amount
of money to put h~to it. What I am concerned about is this : How many
of these alphanumeric systems do they have in operation right now 9
Mr. Tn~roN. I think the only alphanumeric systems in operation
right now are New York and Atlanta.
Mr. PICKLE. What does one of these systems cost?
Mr. SELTZER. I don't know exactly, sir. It is in the millions as they
are currently configured.
Mr. PICKLE. How many do you envision we will have in the United
States within the next few years-should have?
Mr. SELTZER. It is hard to say that unless we define terms, sir. There
are various forms of alphanumeric systems, some of which are very
sophisticated and very, very costly. Some of the lower cost versions of
those which would print the numbers only on the scope can be obtained
I/I
PAGENO="0261"
257
for $150,000 to $250,000. Wh~reas some .Ofthose necessa*ry~ for the more
sophisticated t~rmina~1 areas,. and I speak of termimi~i areas only, might
run anywhere from a half million to a million dollars. If we have one
for each radar location, we currently would have need for it at the
105 airports receiving radar service today. How many there will be in
the future I can't forecast, but we go into 526 airports, and use 21 air
route centers.
Mr. PIcKLE. You testified, if I recall, that approximately 200 of
your craft now either have or are being equipped with machinery
that would use the alphanumeric system, that is established altitude.
If you are putting 200 installations on your planes why does the Gov-
ernment have only two systems?
Mr. SELTZER. I don't know that I can speak for the Government
but I wish they had it in more places because I am certain it would
be in more airplanes, sir. There are at least 200 in airplanes, by the
end of this year it will exceed 300 aircraft. We have urged for years
that the ground equipment be expedited. I don't know the specific rca-
Sons for the lag.
Mr. PIOKLE. I suppose this is something for the FAA to answer
but I can't understand why they only have two systems when 200
have and soon 300 of your aircraft will have machinery to receive it.
Those are all my questions now.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Thank you.
Mr. TIPT0N. Thank you very much.
Mr. FRIEDEL. I have a question which is more of a statement. I am
one with a personal belief that we should not spend a great deal of
money for Washington National if eventually we are going to have it
for general aviation and feeder service and shift all of our major
flights to Dulles and Friendship. I think we have to consider this for
the future in this area, particularly.
Mr. TIPTON. I should say, Mr. Chairman, I know you did not ask
for my comment but I should say that if that were done, neither
Friendship nor Dulles could handle the traffic. That requires a vast
expansion of both fields. There are an awful lot of people and air-
planes that go into Washington National, as you know. The CAB
has a proceeding going on at the present time to try to sort all of this
out. I would not undertake to make recommendations as to how it will
be done.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Dulles is operating at around 10 percent of their ca-
pacity, maybe 15 percent, and Friendship at only about 40 percent of
their capacity, if that much. So they can take many a flight out of
Washington National and make it safe for all aviation.
Thank you.
Mr. TIproN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Our next witness will be Mr. Frank Smith, executive
director of the National Aviation Trades Association.
I want to apologize to you, Mr. Smith. You were here this morn-
ing. You can see how we are pressed for time~
Mr. SMITH. Yes, sir; I understand I have about a minute and a half.
Mr. FRIEDEL. No, you have not a minute and a half. If you want to
file your statement and briefly summarize it-we are going to read
your whole statement-you may do so.
PAGENO="0262"
258
STATEMENT OP PRANK KINGSTON SMITH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
NATIONAL AVIATION T'RAD~S ASSOCIATION
Mr. SMITH. For the record, my name is Frank Kingston Smith,
executive director of National Aviation Trades Association, which is a
group of 400 businesses involved in the sales, service, and support busi-
iiess of general aviation. I am sorry to say that my statement has not
been printed yet. It is at the printer's now. Our office has not received
it yet due to some personal problems I had over the weekend.
Mr. FRTEDEL. When you have it ready will you submit it to us?
Mr. SMITH. Yes, sir; I shall suhrnit it to you for the record.
(Mr. Smith's prepared statement follows:)
STATEMENT OF F~ANK KINGSTON SMITH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL
AVIATION TRADES ASS0OIATION
It is a pleasure to appear before your distinguished subcommittee. I am Frank
Kingston Smith, executive director of the National Aviation Trades Association,
composed of general aviation businessmen, manufacturers, component suppliers,
and operating support facilities. Our association represents sales, service, and
supply organizations which support the operations of the entire general aviation
fleet.
PREAMBLE
Over the last 18 months, the problems of air safety, air traffic control, and
airport capacity of many communities served by the certificated air carriers have
become of progressively greater concern to the air transportation industry,
Oongress, and the general public. The press has given prominent treatment to
the growing number of air carrier delays, some at airports such as John F. Ken-
nedy, Los Angeles, Miami, O'Hare, and Washington National, with the attendant
increases in the operational expenses to the airlines, and passenger complaints
of missed airline connections and missed business appointments. We would like
to explore the subject with specific attention to three areas:
I. Scope of the airport problem.
II. Adequacies and inadequacies of today's system.
III. Needs of tomorrow
I. SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM-THE NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
There are three facets of the national air transportation system:
1. Aircraft.
2. A system of airports from which they operate.
3. An air traffic control system that conducts aircraft from one airport
to another, safely.
These three sub systems are inextricably intertwined to form the national air
transportation system. The problems facing us are rooted in the fact that there
has never been any real national system plan for air transportation. Each sub
system has almost grown like Topsy independently, without directions or long
range plans.
Before anyone can devise a workable solution it is necessary to understand
the manner in which these three sub systems mesh. We will try to identify the
problems, characterize them, identify areas in which problems are critical, and
recommend a plan to solve these problems in such a way that all users will operate
compatibly overall.
FUNDAMENTAL DEFINITIONS1
In both the public press and the Congress, attention given to the problems o~
air transportation is directed almost entirely to "commercial" airlines and "corn-
mercial" airports. The premise seems to be that "commercial" airlines are im-
portant to the national economy and that airline personnel, pilots, maintenance
people, and administrations are ever perfect and without any human failings.
1 Every profession and specialized trade has Its own words of art, which have an
entirely different meaning from that of lay usage. Aviation has developed Its own mean-
ings and technical terminology.
PAGENO="0263"
All other flying is conveniently (and confusingly) lumped together under the
term "general aviation," treated all too often by press and in Congress as a
nuisance activity carried on by untrained, incompetent, unequipped, unregu-
lated, rich, and probably drunken pilots. The lack of comprehension of the impact
of both airline and general aviation operations on our national economy is a
basic problem which must be attacked first. Until aviation in its every form is
defined clearly and its requirements are recognized and understood, it is im-
possible to make any of the decisions for which these hearings were called.
AVIATION TRANSPORTATION-THE BIG PICTURE
It is convenient but erroneous to separate and segregate arbitrarily the certifi-
eated air carriers and general aviation. The development of a national air trans-
portation system must provide for both. Otherwise there is no system.
THE AIR CARRIERS
Although the press writes about the crowded skies and about traffic jams aloft,
comparing them with the 5 p.m. rush on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway,
this is simply not the situation. The Air Transport Association, representing the
major carriers commonly called "commercial" airlines, has 40 members operat-
ing passenger carrying airplanes under Certificates of Public Convenience and
Necessity, issued by the Civil Aeronautics Board.2 These should be properly
referred to as "certificated air carriers" or "certificated carriers." Excluding
the aircraft operated by the six Alaskan lines, two Hawaiian, two Caribbean, and
two helicopter airways which do not operate in the contiguous 48 states, fewer
than 2,000 airplanes are operated in the U.S. by the certificated carriers.8 Ob-
viously not all of these air carrier airplanes are flying at any one moment, nor
do they serve all the country equally. The air space over all the 48 states is cer-
tainly not crowded with air carrier airplanes as some people would have us
believe.
AIR CARRIER AiRPORTS
There is a general misunderstanding concerning the coverage of air service
in `the U.S. and the facilities used by the airlines. Some people tend to treat public
airport facilities served by certificated airlines as if they are for air carrier
use only, and a recent trend of thinking is that general aviation should not be
permitted to use any such airj~ort facilities. The reason professed is safety.
:ls it valid?
For the record, the certificated airlines do not own any airports. Carrier air-
ports are not private facilities. They are public facilities' paid for by public funds,
frequently matched by federal funds. Their use by all users should never be
restricted arbitrarily and should not be discussed without a thorough under-
standing of the situation.
STATISTICAL REFERENCES
Consideration of this situation can be confused unless the various types of
statistics used by the air carriers are placed in perspective. Furthermore there
must be a clear distinction made between `the problems of handling aircraft
movements in the air traffic control system (including the airport appi~oaches
and landings) and the problem of handling mobs of people on the ground in the
terminals.
Distinctions must be made between:
1. Aircraft movements, both on the airways and on airports;
2. Available passenger seats;
3. Load factors
4. Number of passengers originated at airports;
5. Passenger miles en route; and
6. Revenue passenger miles.
These statistics have valid specific management uses for the airlines but can
generate erroneous conclusions unless assessed in their proper frames of refer-
ence.
I
259
2 P.L. 85-726, 85th Congress, S. 3880, Title 3, Sec. 401.
~ 1967 Air Tran8port Facts and Figures, p. 34.
PAGENO="0264"
20
ANALYSIS OF STATISTICS
Let us first exax~$ne the airport terminal handling problem from a datum poi~it
of 1947. Twenty years ago the DC3 was the backbone of t~e air carrier fleet,
an airplane that could carry 24 passengers.4 Let us pose a hypothetical problem
at a hypothetical airport to indicate bow the present problem has slowly de-
veloped. Suppose a 1947 airport, with a capacity of 40 flights per hQur for L~
hours a day, using 1)03 equipmei~t. This would mean that 640 ai~~pl~nes would
arrive and depart (and each arrival and departure counts as a movement) , with
a j~otential of 15,360 available passenger seats. Historically, air carriers have
been running a load factor of about 50%, so we can project 7,680 people arriv-
lug and leaving the airport during each 16 bours-2,808,200 per year~ Now let us
suppose that this san~e airport is being served by exactly the same number of
airplanes-but jets, with a seating capacity of 150. With tl~e same number of air-
craft movements, we now have 96,000 aircraft seats available and at a 50%
load factor, the same airport handling the same volume of aircraft traffic now
handles 48,000 people each business day, or 17,520,000 per year. The airways
are no more crowded, the approach facilities are no more saturated, the airport
runways and ramps have no greater volume of traffic, but the terminal facilities
suddenly become crowded with humanity coming and going. This is the ro~ot of
the present airport problem. It is therefore imperative that we always distinguish
the factors of aircraft movements on an airport and the problem of passenger
handling facilities.
Passenger Miles : The published statistics on passenger miles can create a dis-
torted impression in the minds of laymen regarding both the airspace and the
terminal facility problem. The term "passenger mile" is derived by multiplying
the number of people actually on board an airplane and the number of miles the
aircraft flies. For example, a 24 passenger D03 flying 3,000 miles coast to coast
generates 36,000 passenger miles, assuming a 50% load factor. A DO-8-61 with
251 seats, at 50% load factor, would generate 378,000 passenger miles, although
there is still only a sing'e aircraft movement handled by the air traffic system.
We anticipate in the very near future aircraft With a potential of 450 passengers
and 750 passengers, which project the passenger mile figure of each aircraft to
astronomical proportions. To fill the seats of the progressively larger airplanes
coming into airline use is one of the prodigious marketing probiems facing the
certificated carriers and is the reason for the extensive and expensive advertis-
ing campaigns carried on by them.
"Passenger revenue miles" refers to the number of passengers carried by air-
lines who actually pay a fare. We must recognize that many air travellers do not
pay fares because of special nontariff arrangements. This revenue mile figure is
a management statistic which really has no place in our considerations of
crowded airport facilities since all passengers whether they pay fares or not
have tohe handled at the terminals.
"Load factor" refers to the number of people (or freight) expressed as a
percentage of the total capacity of the aircraft.
THE AI1~PORT SITUATION
Where Is the airport problem ? A common misconception equates all airports
with Kennedy International, O'Hare, Los Angeles, or Washington National, and
their high volume of traffic, then concludes that all general aviation should be
barred from all airports served by air carriers. This is not a valid proposition.
The airport situation : FAA statistics disclose that there are 8,415 airports
registered in the continental U.S., only 37.~% of which are publicly owned and
69.5% privately owned. However, of these 8,415 airports, FAA's testimony before
the House Commerce Committee revealed that only 526 are served by the cer-
t1ficat~d airlines. That's all. And we must note that of these only 234 have control
towers and can be legally called "control airports." Only 105 airports served by air
carriers have airport radar surveillance facilities. To put it another way, there
are 7,589 airports in the U.S. used by general aviation airplanes only and nQt
served by certificated carriers. The vast majority of the general aviation fleet
operates from these non-air carrier-served airports ; therefore they do not con-
tribute one whit to any of the congestion at the sprprisin~ly few a~rports which
have generated all the furor about wldcli this comi~4ttee i~ concerned.
~DC-3 permitted variation up to 28 passengers, but 24 seats Is the average number
Installed.
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261
Where i$ the airpOrt problem? CAB airline statistics Indicate that one-third
of the total U.S. airline passengers originate at just five airports in the U.S.;
10 generate 50%; 90 generate 90%; and the other 560 aIrports originate the
remaining 10%. There Is no factual basis to justify treating these 560 airports
Ot~ the same basis as the 10 airpOrts whk~h are congnsted with tr~tnsient human
bodies and burdened with all the attendant problems of handling people, Includ-
ing terminal buildings, ticket and counter areas, parking facilities, reet rooms,
restaurants, and public transportation.
GF~NE~AL AVIATION ANALYZED
Business Airorctft.-Considerations of the very real problems facing a relatively
few communities can be further distorted by some other statistics coupled with
a misunderstanding of the composition of the general aviation fleet. According
to FAA, there are more than 100,090 general aviation airplanes. With a ratio of
50 general aviation airplanes to 1 certificated carrier aircraft, there is a popular
misconception that general aviation is akin to a cloud of aeronautical gnats which
darken the skies. This is also wrong.
There are 40,000 airplanes in the general aviation fleet which are strictly busi'
ness machines. Someone observed sagely that the people who make the decisions
in our highly competitive business climate don't take the train or the bus-
they fly ! The business airplane is known as the "brain wagon" and for good
reason.
Nearly 600 buSiness aircraft In our fleet are pure jets, flown by APR rated
pilots. They are private airlines operating on their own schedules.
Almost 3,000 business airplanes are "air carrier types" used by large corpora-
tions and flown by ATR rated pilots.
Nearly 25,090 light twin engine airplanes in the general aviation feet are
used by appropriately rated pilots and flown for business purposes. The term
light plane Is also misunderstood. By legal definition a light plane is any heavier
than air machine weighing less than 6¼ tons (12,500 lbs.) , an arbitrary figure
established more than 20 years ago `when the DO-3 was the standard air carrier
nirplane at a gross weight of 35,000 lbs. The P0-3 carrIed 24 passengers sit 165
mph for an extreme range of 1,000 miles. Many light planes outperform the
venerable DO-3 with one exeeption~-they carry only from 4 to 15 passengers.
Modern light planbs fly faster and higher than the DC-3, are better equipped,
yet because they weigh less than 6¼ tons, are regarded by the unknowledgeabie
as flimsy toys. As long as this distorted image persists, the problem facing us
today cannot be solved. Aircraft such as those described in the above categories
range In cost from $60,000 to $2.5 million. These are not toys. They are business
tools, yet, merely because they are not operated by the certificated airlines, they
are popularly defined as "prirate planes" and the layman assumes that they are
Piper Cubs, two place fabric covered training planes. Such aircraft are not
worthwhile business investments unless they may be operated on a regular
basis ; therefore It is necessary not only that the pilot be instrument rated but
that the airplanes be equipped with aiircraft navigation and communications
equipment, known as avionics, costing from $15,000 to $150,900 per airplane.
~These aircraft operate on precisely the same basis as the certificated car-
riers ; instrument flight plans, frequently flown by pilots holding ATR ratings,
the same as airline captains.
The question of the competence of private planes operating ih the air traffic
system is often raised. Here again there is `a misunderstanding of terminology.
A private airplane is alSO any `airplane not operated by the certificated carriers.
The Lockheed Jet S~tar, Grumman Guifstream I and II, operated by General
MOtors and the Ford t\~totor Co., the Ftii'rchil'd P27 operated by Ohampion Spark
Pbig Co., the DG~-9 operated by Playboy, and the myriad DG-3's, Martin 404's,
Convairs, and other corporate aircraft are private airplanes. It is time that some~
one capped the well of misinformation which keeps puthping Into the minds of
the public the iddd that ØI~e planes are all riper Oubs or the equivalent.
Air Taa,i/Uommuter Airlim~s~-In the last few years a new segment of avia-
lion haS der~et'opM to ~eet the ~riin5portation demands of many comhiunities
not shrved `by the certificated ~ârri~s. This segthent is known a's air `taxi, op-
orating on ~ttIie'r a &m~afid basis (likea thxlest'b Oh the streetS) Or on a regular
schedule `between stated points. This latter development l's variously ktown `as
scheduled air taxi, commuter airlines, sho~~t lines, feeder lines, and more ~ecently
as mini-lines. The demand for scheduled air transpoitatlon from Small coin-
PAGENO="0266"
If
262
munities is shown most vividly b~y the phetnomenal ~wowth of scheduled air taxi
operations Which in three years have increased from 12 air commuter airlines
to nearly 120. These airlines operate without ~ny route protection or federal
subsidy.5
There is only one reason for a pilot to go into an airport-lie has some legiti-
mate business there. In the last few years a new industry has deve1o~$~d, rising
to meet the need of people to travel quickly to an airport to `make connections
with a certificated carrier. This business began as a service of chartering air-
planes from an outlying area to a hub, developed into an air taxi ius'iness on a
demand hasis, and under special FAA regulations is now de~eloping into a
regular scheduled service variously known as scheduled air taxi, commuter air-
lines, `short lines, and feeder lines. This category of aircraft iS flown by profes-
sional pilots who perform a needed function in air transportation using light
aircraft carryIng from 3-9 passengers. A new class of aircraft is being instituted
now carrying up to 18 passengers to meet this demand.
Agricultural Aviatiort.-Included in the term general aviation is a specialty
known as aerial application, siiidely referred to as crop dusters, and looked down
upon as a form of insanity by people who should know better. Few members of
Congress and the general public realize that almost 20% of the arable acreage
of the U. S. is treated by agricultural aviation, or know of the services performed
in fire fighting, insect control, or vermin elimination. More than 5,000 aircraft are
engaged in this business use.
Instractional Flying.-Obviously no one is born as an airline captain. Every
pilot must begin with a course in basic instruction and most pilots continue to
develop their proficiency as required for the type of flying performed. About 9,000
general aviation airplanes are used for instruction only.
Week End Pilots.-General aviation being an all inclusive term also includes
many airplanes that are not used for rapid, all weather, business transportation.
More than 30,000 such planes are used for recreation and other personal trans-
portation in a local area. Some are small 2 and 3 place fabrics covered units.
Most of them are used only by a group of people referred to as week end pilots.
They do not operate from municipal hubs because they don't have to. Their bases
are generally the smaller fields around the country and they are flown only in
daylight during good visibility. Such airplanes do not need radio, never hook
into the national air traffic control system, never use controlled airports, and
contribute absolutely nothing to the airport problem.
Many airplanes are also used by individuals for personal transportation and
the use o~f the airways system and major airports depends entirely on the pro-
ficiency of the pilot and the equipment of the aircraft. There are no statistics
to show that such aircraft create congestion problems at airports or that they con-
tribute to it in any way. Many thousands of pilots fly for recreation and enjoy-
ment. About 30,000 airplanes are used for these legitimate purposes.6 These week
end pilots as they are sometimes called do not contribute to the problem facing
this subcommittee for the simple reason that most of them never go near a con-
trolled airport and never use the federally operated navigation and communica-
tions system maintained and operated by FAA.
Rules and Regulations. There is also an apparent assumption that while the
certificated carriers are highly regulated, general aviation is not, and that almost
all general aviation pilots are inept, untrained, and reckless. Without laboring
the point we invite your attention to the voluminous Federal Air Regulations
covering afl aircraft and airmen under Title 14, Chap. 1, of the U.S. Code.7
6 &~he4uled Air Taa~i Operations as of November, 1966, FAA, Office of Management
Services, Information and Statistics Division.
6 Although the airlines claim that they are Important because they are a business, the
record shows that in 1906 they spent $144,345,086 (Am~rioan Avkrtiot~, May 1967, p. 28).
It is public knowledge that a large volume of this advertising was to inàuce travel to
vacation areas.
7 Fed~eral Aviation Regulations, especially:
Part 23. Airworthiness Standards : Normal, Utility, and Acrobatic Category Air-
planes.
Part 83. AIrworthiness Standards : Aircraft Engines.
Part 43. Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration.
Part 61. CertIfication : Pilots and Flight Instructors.
Part 67. MedIcal Standards and Certification.
Part 71. DesIgnation of Federal Airways, Controlled Airspace, and Reporting
~o1nts.
Part 91. General Operating and Flight Rules.
Part 95. IFR Altitudes.
Part 97. Standard Instrument Approach Procedures.
Part 137. Agricultural Aircraft Operations.
Part 141. Pilot Schools.
Part 143. Ground Instructors.
Part 147. MechanIc Schools.
PAGENO="0267"
~63
TUE AIRWAYS SYSTEM
The federal airways system must be considered in two parts :
1. Navigation system relies on electronic ai~d other aids which establish pre~
cisely the airways over which aircraft must travel to be iUcluded in the air traffic
controi system.
2. The APC system itself.
The airways system is based upon electronic equipment used for navigation. The
relativ~ position of the ground based electronic fixes is accurately selected by
the pilot using avionics equipment in his aircraft. This primary air navigation
system depends upon an extensive network of radio fixes operating in the very
high spectrum of electronic frequencies, from which bearings in all directions
can be immediately detected by airborne sensing equipment. The technical name
for this navigation equipment is VHF omni directional radio range, shortened
in aviation usage to "VOIR" or to "0mM range." This type of equipment has
recently been coupled with newly developed equipment which emits a signal
that can be electronically interpreted aloft to show the aircraft's distance from
the signal source. This is known a~ distance measuring equipment (DME).
Other navigation facilities include low frequency radio beacons, many of which
are `being phased out as the more precise VOR or VOR/DME installations are
commissioned.
THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM
The air traffic control system is designed to provide guaranteed separation
between aircraft on instrument flight plans while operating in actual instrument
flight conditions. Thirty-five years ago all flying-military, air mail, air carrier,
and private-was done only in daylight and fair weather, using the human eye
both as the primary cross country navigation and traffic separation tool. As
aviation matured, it became obvious that to provide any kind of scheduled flight
operations for the air carriers or the military, a system was needed which would
permit `aircraft to operate safely under conditions of reduced or no visibility.
The development of an air traffic control system had to wait until there was a
reliable system of radio voice communication hetween the aircraft and the
ground, coupled with a navigation system upon which a pattern of civil airways
could `be built.
No laymen can understand the problem of flying an aircraft without ground
reference. It is the tragic fact that a pilot who has not been trained to control
an `aircraft solely with reference to fight instruments is literally committing
suicide if be flies into a cloud mass and loses sight of the ground. Statistics
show that under these circumstances an airplane becomes completely uncon-
trollable and lethal within 30 seconds. Therefore, `before flying in clouds was
possible, the industry first had to design `a system of special flight operations,
but it is only one part. The a'bility to follow the `airways under no-visibility
conditions, to compute positions and make estimates of arrivals at various points
along the line, and to communicate with the ground, these are the other parts
of the instrument en route flying picture. The last parts of the flight, arrival
at a precise point in the ter'minal area and performing a landing under instru-
ment conditions, are refinements.8
The key to air traffic control is the continuous cooperation `between pilots aloft
and `air traffic control specialists on the ground.9 Only if the pilot `has the ability
and proficiency to maintain a precise course on the airways and to predict
accurately his estimated time of arrival at check points along the way can the
ATO controllers on the ground reliably predict traffic movements and prevent
possible traffic conflicts aloft. `Constant radio-telephone dialogue between the
controllers on the ground `and pilots in the air is required to exchange advice and
information which each must have. Communications and navigation equipment
8 ~ is imperative to distinguish the difference between Instrument landings under actual
instrument conditions and landings in good visual conditions while still under an instru-
ment flight plan.
The term "controller" is a misnomer. Actually the air traffic specialist on the ground
exerts no control over the aircraft. `The pilot is in control of the aircraft at all times.
The proper relationship between pilot and controller is that of cooperative team work.
PAGENO="0268"
264
required both on the ground and in the aircraft is coniplicated and expensive,
but must be used if the system is goli~g to be expected to work.1°
The Theory of Tro~ffle &~pan~ion.-Separation of en route traffic can be ex-
plained hi what is a~m~tte~1y! an over-siinp1i~1ed illustration. Imagine a series of
small birds eath in a separate empty box ear on a moving train. Phis is how ATO
operates. When an airplane is issued an instrument flight clearance, It means
that ATO has reserved for it a box of moving airspace along a track over the
ground. The bo~ is 5 miles wide (the width of a civil airway) , 1,000 ft. high, and
its length varies from 9-50 miles (the minimum length of the airspace reserved
is usually the distance covered by the aircraft in three minutes-the allowance
error margin) . To be immune from collision neither the bird nor the aircraft
need be in the precise center of its moving box ; it may be at the top, bottom, or
either end ; so long as it does not stray into the adjacent box, the system creates
a protective cocoon of airspace.
Visua~ Flight Rules (VFR) Operations.-Federal Air Regulations under which
all aircraft operate, both general aviation and air carrier, provide that visual
flight, sometimes called contact flight, may be carried on as long as the lateral
visibility is three miles or mure and the cloud ceiling at least 1,000 ft.~' Under
these conditions the see and be seen concept operates as it did 30 years ago. Air-
craft separation and collision avoidance by law are the responsibility of the pilot,
who is legally bound to look out the window. In the language of the courts, the
pilot under such circumstances is bound to see what he would have seen if he had
looked. This is true whenever the acthal atmosphere is clear enough to permit
visual flying.
It is frequently said that the "see and be seen" concept is no longer valid. This
Is nonsense. The conclusion of invalidity comes from the widely held misconcep-
tion that aIZ air carrier airplanes are jets, flying constantly at 500 mph, which, it
is alleged, generates "instantaneous closure rates." Let us discuss this point.
The Federal Air Regulations require that airplanes flying on easterly and west-
erly headings above 3,000 ft must fly with 1,000 ft. of vertical separation. Thus
an aircraft proceeding east is 1,000 ft. above or below an aircraft going the oppo-
site direction. Only if they are going in the same direction can they be at the
same altitude. The closure rate between two aircraft going the same direction at
the same altitude is the difference in air speed between the overtaking airplane
and the one being overtaken. This is certainly not "instantaneous." ,Tets at their
altitudes fly with 2,000 ft. of vertical separation. At low altitudes the regulations
impose speed restrictions on jet aircraft as for example in terminal areas. An
airplane flying at 240 mph transits a mile in 15 seconds, or three miles in 45 see-
onds. Under VFR conditions this is not anywhere near being an instantaneous
closure situation. Try holding your breath that long. As a better example : in 15
seconds an automobile traveling 00 mph travels a quarter of a mile, 1,320 ft., yet
most of us operate in this environment without giving a thought to such a thing
as instantaneous closure rates or considering that there might be a problem in
swerving to avoid colliding with a car a quarter of a mile away. The only require~
ment is that the pilot be alert and look out the window.
Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) Operations.-Whenever the ceiling is less than
1,000 ft. or lateral visibility less than three miles, instrument flight rules (IFR)
as prescribed by the Federal Air Regulations go into effect. Under these condi-
tions only instrument rated pilots (those who are (1) licensed for this special
type of flying ; (2) using aircraft equipped with properly calibrated instruments;
and (3) operating under Air Traffic Control-issued Instrument Olearances are
legally permitted to fly. Everyone else is grounded by law. The restrictions on
instrument flying `and the level of proficiency required to engage in It `are spelled
out in the regulations in great detail.12 The result is `that under IFR conditions,
the vast majority of general aviation aircraft which are not flown for business
and therefore whose fair-weather pilots do not need `or use instrument ratings,
do not use the federal airways system, nor the air `traffic control system.
10Pypicai general aviation nay/comm equipment as widely used:
Type
Automatic direction finder
Dhs'tanee measuring equipment
VOR nay/comm transceivers
VOR localizer incacators
3-light marker beacons receiver
Radar transponder
11 Federal Aviation Regulations, Part 91.
12 Ibid., Part 91, Sec. 91.1O5(b)~ Parts 95 and 97.
Price range
$1, 088-$4, 376
2, 800- 7, 000
795- 3, 400
400- 545
249- 320
2, 200- 5, 000
PAGENO="0269"
265
However, It must be understood that many general aviation pilots are instru-
meut rated and have aircni!t equi~pped with e1ectroz~ic. nsavigation and ~oainiuni-
cations equipment (avionics) ; they do use the ATO system under instrument
conditions and as time goes on wiR use these facilities more and more, because
they must operate on an appointment schedule and on the business aircraft is the
most efficient form of transportation available to him.
Uan~~d In~tr'ument Plight Plan~s.-Genera1 aviation pilots tile instrument flight
plans only when they need to file them to go from one place to anotheir nuder
instrumented conditions. It has been stated in public communications media that
certiflcateçl air carriers file instrument flight plans for every flight and that they
are therefore under "positive control" at all times. Let us for a z~ioment examine
this misconception.
First of all, the premise of those who advocate positive control is that if all
aircraft aloft were at all times operating on instrument ifight plans-~even under
the best of visibility in good weather-it would positively guarantee prevention
of aircraft collisions. This premise is erroneous, the terminology misleading,
and the conclusions fallacious. The fact that an aircraft is on an instrument
flight plan does not guarantee traffic `separation except from other aircraft also
on instrument flight plans when both are operating under actual instrument
conditions,18 The fact that an air carrier or any aircraft is on an instrument
flight plan does not in any way guarantee it separation from any other aircraft
flying-whether on visual flight plans, instrument flight plans~ or no flight plans,
if the weather Is clear and visibility good enough for VFR. All pilots flying
under VFR conditions are still responsible by the law for avoiding collisions.
The results clearly, precisely, and undisputedly impose upon every pilot the
legal duty to look out the windshield for other traffic.
The certificated carriers operate on published ~ scheduled approved by CAB
on the basis of which the carriers can and do file in advance a series of in-
struinent flight plans using the airline flight numbers. These are called "canned"
flight plans. However, under VFR conditions most air carrier pilots, particu~
larly those of the local service airlines, will cancel their instrument flight plans
as they roll out to take off positions or they will cancel their IFR very shortly
after they are airborne and proceed VFR. For the record, all air carrier aircraft
do not fly on Instrument clearances at all times.14 In good weather they are not
required to, nor does it always make sense when the average flight time for a
local service carirer is approximately 30 minutes.15
how an IER Plan Works.-There is no mystery to the operation of the system.
although many aviation writers and fliers try to make it sound mysterious.
Suppose that an airplane pilot is going to institute an instrument flight plan
from Washington National to LaGuardia Airport, New York.
Sometime prior to the flight, the pilot, as required by law, would review the
status of all navigation aids and facilities along the. route he would take then
would notify AT'O (through a flight service statJon, a control tower, or a direct
phone call to the center) certain information including his point of departure,
point of origin, routing, and requested altitude. This communication would
then be sent to the Washington Air Route Traffic Control system at Leesburg, Va.,
which would aacertain available airspace on the routing requested ; Washing-
ton ARTCO (Washington Center) would then contact New York ARTCC (New
York Center) to cooperate in creating a ` course and `altitude that would fit in
with New York's available airspace under `the existing and forecast traffic sitna-
tion. New York an1~ Washington Centers would strike a bargain for an airspace
reservation whieh~would be transmitted to the pilot. In the meantime the pilot
would be on' board his `aircraft at Washingtom National, would call Ground
Ooutrol and receive clearance to taxi out to a ramp area adjacent to. the end of
the active runway, where he would pull off to, one side and contact Instrument*
Fiight Plan Clearance Delivery on a special~ frequency. i~ time his clearance
would come through something like this : "A'TC clears November 1 2 3 4 Poppa
from Washington National to Robbinsville VOR via radar vector's to Churchill.
`3The duty is still upon the pilot in command to be vigilant for other traffic at all times.
Under actual visual flight conditions a midair collision caused by loss of communication or
failure to follow controller's directions is legally indefensible.
14 There is an agreement among the air carriers that in some parts oi~ the country they
will operate on instrument flight plans particularl~" Os routes' in thS triangle formed b,~'
Washington, Boston, and Chicago. All pure jet aircraft do fly on Instrument flight plans,
but propeller. driven local ,servic~ aircraft have no such renuirement.
15 American Aviation, May 1967, p. 31; Flight, June 196~, p. 69.
PAGENO="0270"
266
Victor 123, Robbinsvi1Ie~ Olimb and maintain 5000 ft." This means that the air-
plane has separation protection only as far as the Robbins.ville VOR fix north of
Maguire Air Force Base. It cannot proceed further into the New York area until
it receives an addition ATO Clearance. In ATO lingo the Robbin~ville limitation
is known as its Clearance Limit. The pilot reads the messtage back to the con-
troller so that there can be no misunderstanding, then contacts the Tower and
receives his takeoff clearance. Immediately after take off the tower instructs him
to contact Departure Control (radar) on a specific frequency, which will steer him
(vector him) to a point out of the terminal area, at which time the Departure
controller will inform the pilot to "contact Washington Center" on a specific fre-
qt~ency. This is known as a radar "hand off." Washington Center would continue
to vector the aircraft until it intersected the assigned airways at Churchill in-
tersection, identified by radio navigation equipment in the aircraft. In a few
minutes Washington Center would notify the pilot to contact New York Center
on a specified frequency as he proceeds up the airways past Woodston, N.J., to-
wards Robbinsville.
In the ATCC's teams of controllers sit around large horizontal radar screens
resembling glowing card tables-the great tools of ATC. Crawling across the face
of these screens are many glowing points of light known as "blips," each
representing an airplane, showing its position and movement over the surface
of the earth. Altitude reporting equipment is not yet in service. Under actual
Instrument Flight conditions every one of these aircraft would necessarily have
to be on an Instrument Flight Clearance, meaning that they all would have to
be identified and their altitude communicated by radio to the Center controllers.
Alongside each blip being controlled would be a small piece of plastic upon which
would be written in grease pencil the aircraft number, altitude, and flight route.
These would be continually moved by hands as the blip progresses across the
face of the scope. These plastic tags are known as "shrimp boats." On a console
next to the controllers is a stack of Flight Progress Slips containing more detailed
information on the flight than can appear on the little shrimp boat. As the air-
plane approaches New York Center's area of responsibility, a New York con-
troller, watching a similar radar screen, is notified by Washington Center on a
direct line communication system that an aircraft is arriving which `he must
handle. The pilot is then told to "contact New York Center" on the frequency
that the New York controller is using. The usual way of completing the hand
off is for the pilot to transmit : "New York Center : This is November 1 2 3 4 Poppa
maintaining .5,000." The center identifies the aircraft and merely replies "Radar
contact."
In the meantime the New York terminal air traffic situation has eased so that
before the aircraft reaches Robbinsville, where the pilot would expect to go
into a holding pattern he receives an additional clearance : "November 1 2 3 4
Poppa cleared to La Guardia Airport. Expect ILS# aj~proach." At Queensiberg
intersection (just west of Sandy Hook) he is told, "Contact La Guardia Ap~
preach Control now," on a designated frequency. At that time the pilot conta~ts
Approach Control, is identified, and, when cleared to do so, initiates his in-
strument approach.
The Instrument Approach. Under the present state of the art, there is no such
thing as a "blind" landing.16 Under conditions of reduced visibility and ceiling,
instrument approaches are made on clearly and definitely prescribed regulations
and criteria, the theory being that an airplane shall be delivered prdcisely by
the system to a position approximately % mile from the runway threshold, at
which time the pilot must be able to see the ground and to complete the landing
visually. The type of approved instrument approach and the ground based
equipment assigned with it may change the landing minima criteria. The finhi
stages of an instrument approach and landing are made with reference to a
special terminal chart, called an Approach Plate, which contains all the informa-
tion needed for the specific type of approach to be made. Some approved instru-
ment approaches are based on low frequency non-directional radio beacons, the
position of which can be ascertained by an automatic direction finder (ADF).
Other approaches are based on a combination of ADF in conjunction with a
radar assist and are popularly known as Ground Controlled Approaches (GCA).
This is the type of approach historically used by the military. There are VOR
approaches emanating from a nearby VOR facility. localizer approaches which are
16 The British are using automated approaches under conditions of no visibility and no
ceiling ("zero zero"). However, zero zero landings have not been approved by the FAA for
either air carriers or generaL aviation.
PAGENO="0271"
267
established by a localizer beam, bisecting the runway and extending for several
miles to bring the airc~,aft to the proper runway heading to the airport. The
most precise form of instrument approach is the ILS type ; the full Instrument
Landing System ~ approach consists of (1) a localizer beam, (2) a glide slope,
also detected by electronic equipment in the aircraft, (3) marker beacons, (4)
approach lights, and (5) runway lights.
Marker beacons, identified by equipment in the aircraft~ tell the pilot the
distance he is from the airport ; the outer marker (OM) is usually 5.5 miles
from the end of the runway (located on its center line extension) . In many
installations there Is also a low frequency non directional beacon co-located
with the outer marker to facilitate capture of the center line extension and
localizer beam.
The middle marker (MM) is located about `/~ mile out. (In early ILS systems
there was also a boundary marker, on the end of the runway, but this type
installation has been discontinued.)
ILS approach lights consist of a high intensity lighting system including the
"ball of fire" strobe light installation which facilitates the pilot's transition from
pure instrument flying to the visual phase of the landing.*
Some `airports have more than one approach system. At many airports the
pilot will know that there are ADI3' approaches, localizer apprOaches, back-course
localizer approaches, VOR approaches, and full ILS approaches. When the pilot
is approaching the airpovt of destin:atiton on an Instrument Flight Plan, he is
informed by the ARTCO of the type of `approach being used and that he may
expect. This enables him to extract the correct approach plate from his flight kit
and place it on a holder for study during the `approach and landing. Sometime
during the approach the pilot is told to contact the tower for a final landing
cleañtnce ; after having touched down on the runway he contacts Ground Control
for taxi clearance to his ramp.
What About Radar? The widely expressed reliance of laymen upon radar to
solve all the problems of air traffic control seems to look upon it as an electronic
panacea. Unfortunately this is not the case. Radar is only one part of the ATC
system. It is a wonderful tool which makes expenclitious handling of traffic
easier, but the ATO system is designed so that the entire system cannot fail if
one of its parts ceases to function. Radar is not a panacea by any means.
In elementary terms, there are two categories of radar operations : First, is
the use of primary radar, in which the radar transmits a radio signal which is
reflected from an object almost instantaneously, the "echo" recaptured and
measured usually as a blip on a cathode ray tube. There is one advantage of
primary radar : it requires no special equipment in the aircraft to reinforce the
signal. However, it has some system peculiarities and serious limitations. Fre-
quently aircraft blips will disappear altogether from a radar screen because of
some electronic anomaly. The technicians talk about scalloping, ghosting, and
interference. For a long time radar operators observed returns from ground tar-
gets such as nearby buildings. TV antennas, or trees ( "ground clutter," in radar
lingo) . This was removed trom tue scOpe by instituting a circuit which will
show only moving targets, called moving target indicator (MTI).
In earlier ra~Jar, precipitation areas, thunderstorm cells, and snow showers
would create an echo and block out aircraft returns. This was cured by the
institution of a system known as circular polarization (CP) , which effectively
cut out all but the most intense areas, such as the cores of thunderstorms, but
showed aircraft targets clearly. The problem with OP is that pilots frequently
find themselves steered by controllers right into areas of extreme turbulence
simply because the controllers' radar scopes screen ~ut violent meteorological
phenomena.
In the last few years, FAA has entered into a great program of using "second-
ary radar" in aircraft. This equipment,. which developed from the military use of
similar equipment called 1FF (identify, friend or foe), is known as a radar
transponder. It reinforces the radar puise echo and enhances the blip on the
radar scope, * and by isolating and detecting one of a number of selected codes
the ATC can positively identify the aircraft with which he is working. In case
of a loss of identity the aircraft can be instantly re-identified by a special
identification flare are which shows up on the radar screen when the pilot is
directed to "squawk ident." ~
`~`The origin of this term is military. Transponder type equipment used for identifying
flying aircraft was given the code word "parrot" and pilots were told to "have your parrot
squawk ident."
PAGENO="0272"
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268
Nearly ~ iii general avtati~ aircraft to~y~ aitlw~ig~ many
radar fa~ilities on, tl~e grcnmcl. stiU do not ha~ ifltei~rqga~iQn eqUip~X1~rLt WI4CITL
makes them ~ Eut tz~ai~spiM~d~rs t~e n~t i~ifalJM~. T1~y, too, 1~ave system
peculiar~ties : sjde.lobe ti~teri~Qgal2Qn, ~SR s~a4~wi~g (~i4 resultant lQSS o~ blip),
refie4~tiou p~oble~s, ai~ g~u1~Uag. F4~ is ~ow~ ~t~ili~g parametric amplifiers
and side lobe suppression (SLS) modificatious, but ti~e fa~s~ target probiems and
others caused by mixing electiroi~ic p~~ses from diffQrent atrcra~t are yet to
be solved.
As the trtansponder comes into gr~at~r ijsago, new problexpa are dpi~e1opiijg ip
this technical field. Frequently upon arriving at ~tn~a1 areas, pilots are directed
to "sauawk standby," which means "tuvn off the t~ranspQn~ler," Thpswe ar~ right
back to operating on raw radar primary returns. The busier the li~ub airport, the
re~te~ is the likelihood o~ beipg tol4 to tarp off the tpppspond~r~
II. ADEQUACIES AND INADEQUAClES Qr To1)~Y'~ SYSTEM
Obviously today's system has demonstrated its overall adequacies In practical
use, with few exceptions. The 10 busiest airports servec~ by the carriers are
suffering greatly because the carriers are tralisporting more passengers through
them than anyone ever anticipated. The problem is complicated by th~ fact that
the. air carriers, in order to meet the d~mapd of the traveling ppblic, acizedule
their flights competitively to meet this demand. The problem of peaking is not
unique to aircraft ; it faces every mode ~f public transportation : trains, inter-
city busses local busses, and taxicabs.
However, except for tiies~ 10 locations naitl~cr the air traffic problem nor the
passenger handling problem in the terminals is really acute, yet. However, there
is a rei~l concern by all users of the airspace that the tituation will become acute
in the very near future.
In the hypothetical flight plan from Washington to New York above, it can be
seen that the ATO "system" works perfectly for a relatively few aircraft. But
the ATO system, like a chain, is only as strong as its weakest link. In aviation
the weak link is the saturation level of the system, including the airport
acceptance rate and approach system saturation under actual minimum instru-
ment approach conditions. All reasonable air carrier scheduling must be based
on this criterion. It is imperative that the difference between operating under
these restricted circumstances and operating under vishal conditions be always
separated when considering the problem.
All federal airways must begin and end at an airport. Some airports absorb
a load that no one could have imagined 25 years ago.
The New York area, for instance, with three airports served by U.S. and
foreign flag carriers, Is literally a target at which airplanes are fired from all
parts of the world 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Air travelers stream in from
places like Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Las Vegus, Los Angeles,~ San Ftanciseo,
Chicago, Ottawa, London, Paris, Rome, Tokyo, and many other great urban
centers. Every airplane arriving, from any direction, must be handled by New
York ARTCO, which under actual instrument flight conditions guarantees them
airspace separation. The burden carried by the human being who man the New
York Oenter is incredible. It is easy to understand why the New York Oenter
every so often muet report that the system is saturated and that it therefore
cannot accept any more traffic. Under actual instrument conditions there is, all
too frequently, simply no.airspace left.
Airplanes approaching the New York area (and New York Is only an ex-
ample-every one of these cities mentioned can have the same problem)
must then be told to "hold" at a certain designated holding point because the air
traffic control system is incapable of affording them protection in the final ap-
preach and landing phase of the flight. By weather restrictions, the actual
airport acceptance rate can be reduced from 120 m~vements (the acceptance rate
under good weather conditiops) to 40 or 50. The situation. is similar to the
familiar one on an expressway when cars moving at 50 mph find themselves in an
immense traffic jam because someone at `the head of the line is driving 30 mph.
The ATO system., bOth en-route and for contro~ling approaches, is handled on an
Individual controller-to-Pilot "hand ~old~ng" basis. Each pilot is personally
directed to fly at a certain altitude and along a course that wiU insure him separa-
tion. Every aircraft movement must be manually directed and controlled by
human beings on the ground. This individual `han~lipg system will not be ade-
quate to handle the instrument flight trafflc volume in p few years'. The answer
is computerized automation, a Subject that seems too much like Jplesr Verne
PAGENO="0273"
I
29
to be ta1~en seriously. FAA. ]ias sw~h a ~rc~gr~rn wQrkit~g exp~ri~e~taj1y ~t simu~-
tion e~erQises iaow. By 1~8~ it will t~e a part o~ the syf~tem.
The Peopte Prob~em.~--T'I~e ~adeqt~a~y of the so]~ution o~ ~ Pr~em Q~ p~.Qp1e
handling on th~e ground is, also being re~og~i~e~ as critica~l iz~ n~u~y citie~, Airline
terminal buildings are constantly being enlarged; ticl~etj~g ar~d baggi~g~ facil-
ities are expanded to meet the demand, let standing in line, departure a~iid
arrival delays, and lost baggage are all sources. of irritation to say the least for
the airline traveler. Arrangements which were satisfa~ory for tb~ passe~ig~r
volume of small air carrier airplanes are no lorig~r ~4~qnate for today's needs.
Certainly they cannot be considered for tomorrow's.
III. Tim NEEDS OF TOMORROW
The airport runway and ATC problem must be wet if the number of air carrier
and non-air carrier aircraft involved in our national air transportation system
is to continue groWing. But, there can be no system plan without cooperation of
all concerned. Runway reejuirements at many airports are dictated l~y the type
of aircraft acquired by the carriers-a unilateral management decision, fre-
quently made without reference to the fiseal capabilit~ies of the communities
served to meet such needs. Only 2~ airports will be able t~ handle the ~mbo Jets
and the SST. Also, at the present tune only 1~7 airports can band]~e pure jet
equipment of the airlines.
The Need$ of ~1enera1 Aviation.-Relatively few general aviation aircraft
require runways such as those needed by the air carriers. Many communities
have expanded airport capacity by relieving the traffic pressure on jet run-
ways used by large aircraft by building 4,000 to 5,000 ft. parallel strips, which
will easily accommodate by far the greatest percentage of general aviation
aircraft. These runways do not require either the length or the heavy structure
as those of the large jets. At Washington National the tower controllers can
handle departing or arriving general aviation light aircraft traffic under visual
flight conditions by directing them to land on 1,200 or 1,500 ft. of the intersecting
runways which can be done without impeding the flow of heavy aircraft traffic
on the long runways. Under instrument flight conditions National Airport's
acceptance rate is severely curtailed and there are delays.
With the development of new approach aids and precision navigation systems
it would be possible to use parallel runways on many existing airports simul-
taneously for air carrier and general aviation instrument approaches. Proper
long range planning of the national airport system can solve the problem at
almost every location.
People fly to an airport because they want to go to the community it serves.
The reason for going is not important. The air carriers do a thriving businesS ` in
carrying passengers to resort areas for fun and recreation as well as to other
areas on business. The air carriers are businesses operating for profit. What is
needed, therefore, is a planned program for creating a system of general aviation
airports which will give access to air carrier served communities and will relieve
the traffic pressure on the large airports. What is needed is a syat~m of equally
accessible airports for general aviation.
The ideal reliever airport situation can be found in the Twin Cities of Minne-
apolis-St. Paul. The reliever airport program planhied and executed more than
20 years ago developed a ring of general aviation airports and has. made it un-
necessary for general aviation users to land at the airport used by air carriers.
No regulations bar them ; indeed some general aviation aircraft do use the facil-
ities without any problems whatsoever.
The political problems involved with instituting such a program are tremen-
dous. It is ackpowledged that few communities want airports usually upon a
highly emotional basis, but this situation must be faced directly.
The requirements of air taxi and commuter airlines which are also air carrier
operations, since they also carry passengers for hire (frequently for the purpose
of interline transfers with the certificated airlines) must be considered in this
long range plan.
FEDERAL AID TO AIRPORTS PROGRAM
The Federal Aid to Airports Program (FAAP) has been rendered inadequate
for the very purpose for which it was formed.18 Historically FAAP has been
18 Although the legislative intent of Congress in passing the Federal Airport Act was to
encourage general aviation through a nationwide system of good general aviation airports
the result 20 years later Is that the program is approaching the billion-dollar level for
2,300 airports instead of the 6,000 originally Intended; also, 83% of the total funds have
been spent on airports used by the air carriers.
92-715-68-18
PAGENO="0274"
270
under-funded by Congressional appropriations and Administration policy. What
funds have been available have gone largely to Improve airports served by the
air carriers and to enlarge runways and ramps directly as a result of the carriers'
unilateral decision to institute service with heavier and more capacious equip-
merit. General aviation has been given little consideration.
The entire FAAP has received an annual appropriation of $75,000,000-the cost
of 50 miles of high speed highway. This fact certainly illustrates the inadequacies
of the appropriation under the program supposedly created to establish airport
facilities for the benefit of small communities.
THE PASSENGEE HANDLING PROBLEM
In order to handle the volume of individual people who will be transported by
the certificated carriers, a system of mass transportation of parallel capacity
between the community and the airport is needed. A plan must be developed which
will induce air travelers not to drive their own cars to airports. Such a system
must be economical to these passengers and at the same time offer them rapid
transportation. The answer, we believe, is to develop a high density modular
rapid transit system using equipment that is compatible with city streets, like a
bus, yet which can be integrated into a monorail or rail track system so that
several units can be joined together to carry several hundred people to the air-
port at once. By such a system airline passengers could be collected at various
points in the community, then transferred as a group to the airport, and delivered
either to a particular aircraft or to a terminal building facility.
CONCLUSIONS
1. The national air transportation system depends upon a balanced interrelation-
ship of:
(a) Aircraft.
(b) Airways system.
(c) Air traffic control system.
(d) Airport system, including general aviation reliever airports.
(e) Airport/downtown mass transportation system.
2. The critical aspect of airport air traffic saturation is the airport acceptance
rate under adverse (IFR) weather conditions, defined as the minimum instru-
ment approach conditions.
3. The most critical congestion problem of the ATC system is based on the high
traffic volume of approximately 10 urban centers, or hub airports.
4. The problem of passenger handling must be considered separately from the
problem of aircraft handling by the ATC system.
5. The terminal problems on the ground are:
( a) Adequate ramp space for air carrier aircraft at the terminaL
(b) Passenger handling facilities within the building itself.
(c) Public transportation of passengers between the airport and the
community.
(d) Public parking facilities for those using the airport.
6. There has never been any formulation of an integrated national air trans-
portation system plan which would consider the needs and requirements of all
aircraft at all types of communities, or of the passenger support facilities re-
quired forsuch an overall system.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Believing that free enterprise businessmen who have a real interest in the
problems of airports and aviation safety can act together to solve them
expeditiously and practically, we recommend that there be ëreated a commission
patterned along the lines of the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics,
setting up a program whereby representatives of FAA, the air carrier industry,
the general aviation industry, and the state aviation commissions unite to design
a national air transportation system, giving full attention to the needs of the
future growth of aviation.
We recommend further that this body make budgetary recommendations to
the Congress and to the administrations of the several states involved so that such
a national transportation plan may be fully funded and implemented.
Thank you again for this opportunity to testify.
PAGENO="0275"
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271
Mr. SMITH. 1 think, Mr. Chairman, the biggest pEoblem we have,
despite all the curve balls thrown here, is to define the problem of
crowded air and define the safety problem and have some idea of
what we are really talking about. We have in this country some 8,000
airports registered with the FAA. Five hundred and~ twenty-six of
those are served by the certificated carriers. For some reason or other,
it has become popular for those to be called commercial airports or
nirline airports. They are not. They are public airports. They are
public facilities paid for by public funds.
The airline fleet consists of 2,000 airplanes ; they are not all flying
at the same time. We have two types or, I should say, three types of
aircraft flying under certification of CAB. We have the domestic
trunks, there are 11 of those. They fly 1,117 airplanes according to the
last statistics I have available from the CAB.
We also have the 13 local service carriers which fly 395 airplanes.
Incidentally, 97 of those are DC-3's, which is still the largest num-
ber of a single airplane type used in local service carriage. We also
have 13 supplemental airlines which run about 200 airplanes, de-
pending on what their financial status is at the moment.
The problem of the crowded air, which is what the press is pleased
to call it, really exists in a very few locations.
There are 10 places in the country that really qualify for what we
would call major traffic hubs and every one of these 10 places is jammed
with airline traffic because these are central locations where people
want to go and they want to go not only by public carriage, by the
certificated carriers, but b their own airplanes.
. Mr. FRIEDEL. Would you care to name the 10 airports you are speak-
rng of?
Mr. SMITH. I put my stuff away because I thought I was going home
but I will be very glad to give it to the stenographer. (Chicago,
O'Hare, John F. Kennedy, Los Angeles, Miami, Denver, Phoenix,
St. Louis, San Francisco, Atlanta, Cleveland.)
The fact is that you must make a complete differentiation between
actual visual flight conditions and actual instrument flight condi-
tions. The criteria, the tight part of our whole `airway system comes
when the actual weather alt instrument conditions requires instrument
approaches at a hub airport. When this happens each airplane must be
separately handled and frequently there is a 5~minute interval be-
tween handling the airplanes.
` Here at Washington National Airport under instrument flight con-
ditions it i's said the airport has a capability of handling `60 flights
an hour. There has been an arbitrary figure put on those : 40 for the
scheduled air carriers `and 20 for general aviation which includes 16
air taxi operations an hour, and these air taxi operators, I `submit,
are also commercial carriers, `although they are not certificated by
CAB.
Under visual flight conditions the fact that certificated airlines are
filing instrument flight plans does not mean a thing. The airport move-
ment acceptance rate at National Airport using light aircraft under
good visibility conditions goes up to 120, sometimes 130 per hour.
I have a light airplane. I fly a light twin. I am completely equipped
with everything that Mr. Tipton just talked about a little while ago,
including a 4096 code transponder. I can come into Washington Na-
PAGENO="0276"
I
272
tional Aiirport in VFR conditions and land on the end of a cross
runway that does not interfere at all with airline traffic,. it does not
cause any slowdown, it does not cause any congestion. We must remem-
her that the tight point, the most difficult part of our whole system,
comes when the weather is bad. This is when the air suddenly becomes
crowded because the air traffic control system just can't handle the
crowd of people who all want to land at the same airport.
When we talk about positive control we are talking about another
thing and there is `a lot of misconception as to that. There is no such
a thing as air traffic controller. This controller on `the ground is not
running airplanes in the air like control line models. The controller
on the ground is using systems like radar, which is one of his tools,
to assistthe pilot, to advise him of other traffic and to help him by
setting up a program of flight and reserve airspace so that under
bad instrument conditions he will have an insulation of airspace about
him.
If you would try to put under all weather conditions all the air-
planes that use the system right now, if every one who flies in general
aviation at any one time filed instrument flight plans, our whole air
traffic control system would totally collapse right now. And it will be
years before this situation is better. This is why when you talk about
positive 00 ~ ntrol it sounds good if you say it fast, hut if you really
understand the problems we have with the congestion, with the fre-
quency congestion, with the controller workload, you suddenly realize
that positive control, that is to say, imposing instrument flight plans,
instrument flight clearances and programs for all aircraft, even under
the best of w~ather conditions, is simply a system impossibility and it
will be for a long time to come.
My airplane is equipped to fly in all weather except ice and thunder-
storms. Those are the two things I won't fly in. But in many parts of
the country the people on the ground are not equipped to handle me
with the equipment I have. There is an airport north of here called
Friendship-I think you may have heard of it-
Mr. Fiui~om~. Yes, sir.
Mr. SMIni. They do not have the interrogation equipment to use
my radar transponder. When I go to Friendship, and I am in there
regularly, I have a $4,000 instrument in my airplane that is valueless
because they don't have the equipment that is needed to make it work.
There are many other places that don't have the equipment.
A little while ago we heard Mr. Tipton recommend that every
air earner airport, as he calls it, should have a tower and ILS and
a radar, and there has not been any discussion yet about what traffic
volume jg required before you should have all these things. Sure, it
is great to have them. I would love to have all the radar help I can
get. When I fly, as I did coast `to coast last year three times, and
to Florida nine times, and I have flown to Canada and Mexico, when
I fly I use every aid I `can get from the ground. I use the air traffic
control centers as much as I can. But, it is surpristhg how often,
when you get into the terminal areas, into New York, Chicago, even
here in Washington, when you get in close, when the chips are down,
where it is `crowded, where the area is congested, suddenly the guy
in the radar control tower will say, "Squawk, stand by." That means
"Turn your transponder off," there are too many reinforced targets.
They are cluttering up the radar scope.
PAGENO="0277"
273
Mr. Tipton gav~e you a statement. On page 10 there are illustrations
of three radar scopes. (See fig. 5, p. 227.) On the left-hand scope
there are three targets, what they call blips, indicated on a scope. This
illustrates the raw return shc~wn on rad~r when there is no transponder
reinforcement involved. The next two illustrations, one of them indi.
cates three transponder returns showing a double bar on the scope.
When the control tells the pilot to "Ident," he pushes a button in
the cockpit. This fills in the space between the two bars, that is how
radar identification is confirmed. When he gives you positive ide~tifi~
cation he can say "I got you." The third one of those drawings
shows three radar blips with transponder returns and longside of
them are the alphanumeric codes read-outs. If you fly into New
York or to Washington, or into any place where they will have alpha-
numerics in a few years, if every airplane in there is flashing an alpha~
numeric code, the scope will be so crowded with this imagery that
they will be saying, "Squawk, stand by." That means we will go
back to raw radar for terminal traffic control.
A lot of the technology works well when there is a little bit of traffic
but when there is congestion and you need it the system becomes over-
loaded and fails. This is something that lay people don't consider. In
instrument flying, there is nothing tricky about it or secret about it.
If you follow an instrument flight plan from here to New York the
first step is to get the flight service station and advise him you want to
go to New York. I don't bother making a flight plan any more. I file it
and say, "I want to go from Washington National to New York, your
routing, and the lowest altitude I can get." At the end of the runway
I am sitting there, he comes back and say "The clearance is ready."
He reads me the clearance. That assigns me a route and an altitude.
In order to get that the two centers, Washington center and New York,
have had to strike a bargain on a piece of reserved airspace. This piece
of reserved airspace is 5 miles wide. It is a thousand feet thick arid it
is as long as my airplane takes to go in 3 minutes, the speed of my air-
plane plus 3 minutes is the length of this box. If you imagine a box-
car on a track with a bird in the boxcar and another bird in another
boxcar, that is the way our air traffic control system works. You each
have a box of reserved airspace. When all airplanes feed into one
center or one target as you must, one airport, it is obvious that the
traffic moving along the track cannot be accommodated by the airport
as fast as it can fly along the track. This is why you get stacks at
holding points, why you get traffic delays. The traffic delays are caused
by the fact that the system cannot accommodate all the people at one
time.
I `don't know how we ~tre going to solve this. Automation may help
but still you are going to have to get the airplailes on the runways one
at a time because you can't land them in formation. This is the pro-
gram. This is our plan. These meetings were called as a result of the
Asheville accident. A lot of people talk about the fact that Asheville
should have radar.
As I recall, there are only four airlines going into Asheville. They
only have nine or 10 scheduled flights a dayas I recall. It is essentially
a general aviation airport. Most of the traffic is general aviation traffic.
I have been in there many times, just 2 weeks, ~go,'in fact.
I think that what happened at Asheville has not been explained~
I have analyzed it and explained it myself of my board of directors
PAGENO="0278"
274
and I will be glad to supply you with my comments to my board on
this subject.
I think radar would have prevented this thing from happening but
after a while you reach a point where you have to ask how much
money can we expend, how much can the Federal Government put
into this to assure people that there are not going to be accidents. And
will it assure them ? I don't think so. We have had accidents under
positive control, under instrument flight plans. There is no assurance
particularly if the weather is good enough for one airplane to see an-
other. This is a problem we have to consider.
The last thing, of course, was the hooker that was just thrown about
user charges. There is a move afoot I think to make people think that
general aviation is not paying its own way and that the airlines are.
The airlines are not. They don't pay any gas taxes on the kerosene they
. use to power their turbine equipment and only, incidentally, 46 percent
are pure jets, and 54 percent are still propeller-driven airplanes in the
airlines. The kerosene burners don't pay any fuel taxes. They don't
pay any taxes at all, as a matter of fact.
You realize that the passenger ticket tax is what pays their por-
tion of what they call the user charges. If you take the local service
carriers, the 395 airplanes of the local service carriers were subsidized
by the United States Government as of last year to the extent of
$140,000 per airplane per year and they don't pay any user charges,
the passengers pay them.
I think these facts should be known. I think that a lot of the things
that have been said here today about air traffic safety, about the inte-
gration of general aviation and of the airlines, you have to get down
to bedrock and understand what the problems are. Sure, we have
102,000 airplanes in the general aviation fleet ; 40,000 of those are
flown by professionals or semiprofessionals. We have jets. We have
highly equipped airplanes. These airplanes cost anywhere from two
and a half million dollars right on down to $40,000 for a single-engine
business airplane. They are not toys, they are business tools. They are
well-built airplanes. You cannot equip those 40,000 airplanes flying
in the air that don't go to big airports. They can use the 7,500 air-
ports that are available, many of which we are losing fast because of
land development and so forth. These are the things you have to rea-
lize.
I recognize there is a shortness of time. I could spend hours on
this subject. Obviously I am full of the subject. But I do think, sir,
that the record of this committee should show that before any con-
siderations are made of some of these pie-in-the-sky plans about hay-
ing radar and towers at every airport that there should be some con-
sideration of the actual fact and the pragmatic aspects should be exam-
med very thoroughly.
Mr. FiuEimL. Mr. Smith, I want to assure you that not only the sub-
committee but the full committee knows the importance of general avi-
ation. Just because you heard certain testimony don't think for one
minute that there is any idea of putting out general aviation. I think
you were a little perturbed because you heard other testimony.
I am glad you are going to submit your statement for the record.
I can assure you again that we are taking all aspects. The one thing
we want to do is provide safety for pilots, for the passengers and for
the people on the ground. We are not going to put anybody out of
business.
PAGENO="0279"
275
Mr. SMITH. Thank you, sir. I assure you I am interested in safety be-
cause I fly.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Mr. Devine. * .
Mr. DEVINE. I appreciate Mr. Smith's position. I look forward to
reading his formal statement he will submit here. I am sure it will
contain some interesting information.
As the chairman has suggested here we had hearings immediately
following the North Carolina crash. Some of us insisted that futher
hearings be held in order that the position of general aviation be
brought out in public hearings. Of course there are facts on both
sides. We want to hear all of them and to weigh them.
Mr. Si~nTH. I might say my statement is not that any one of us should
try to solve this unilaterally. I think the way the whole problem must
be solved is by a formation of a group like the radio technical com-
mission for aeronautics (RTCA) whereby Government, industry, in-
ciuding the carriers in general aviation, people who are knowledgeable
about the problems, will get together and thresh them out themselves
and made recommendations. I think this is what is going to have to
be done.
I think the arbitrary differentiation between carriers and general
aviation has been distorted. Although there are times that I digress
with ATA, I respect them. I know what they are in business for and
that is to make a profit. I favor that. We do work together and we do
have mutual respect, but I have a low flash point.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Mr. Pickle, do you have any questions?
Mr. PICKLE. No, Mr. `Chairman.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Thank you very much.
Mr. SMITH. Thank you, sir.
Mr. FRiEDEL. Now we `have Mr. Stanley Lyman, vice president for
Federal Aviation Agency Affairs, National Association of Govern-
ment Employees.
if you want to submit your statement for the record we will be glad
to have it. The ~ho1e statement will be included. If there are any ques-
tions we will direct them to you and you may answer the questions `and
they will `be placed in the record.
STATEMENT OF STANLEY LYMAN, VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL
AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AFFAIRS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OP `GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
~ Mr. LYi~AN. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate that suggestion. I recognize
that time is indeed running short.
We too, this organiz~ation that I represent, and the members as part
of our organization, are concerned with air safety.
With your indulgence, I feel because we represent the heart of the
air traffic control system, the guts, so to speak, the air traffic controller,
the technician, and various other employees of the FAA, I would ap-
preciate the opportunity `of exploring some of the information we have.
If you decide or choose to adjourn we certainly have no objection to
returning tomorrow morning and giving you this information because
we feel that the information `we have is vital.
Mr. FRIEDEL. We have a list of witnesses for tomorrow. We do not in-
tend to have any afternoon session tomorrow. I am a'fraid that we
~yon't be able to get to it. The committee will read every word of your
PAGENO="0280"
276
statement in the record. If we have any questions we will direct them
to you and you can supply the answers for the staff to go over arid the
members to go over.
Mr. LYMAN. May I note that we have additional information that
we haven't incorporated in the original statement.
Mr. FRIEDEL. If you have additional information how long would
it take you to have it submitted?
Mr. LYMAN. I will ask Mr. Lyons.
STATEME~IT OP KENIIETH LYONS, PRESIDENT, NATIO~1AL
ASSOCIATION OP GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
Mr. LYONS. I am Kenneth Lyons, national president of the National
Association of Government Employees.
As Mr. Lyman pointed out, he is the national vice president of our
FAA locals. We have national formal recognition with the FAA. Of
course for the past 8 months or so we have been asking Congress to
hear u~ relative to what we call a very unsafe condition that exists
because of the undermanned FAA facilities.
Mr. FRIEDEL. The question is this : He has additional information.
How long will it take to have it prepared so that we can have it in-
cluded in the record?
Mr. LYONS. Tomorrow afternoon, I believe.
Mr. FRIEDEL. That is all right. You may submit that. The committee
will direct questions to you and you can answer them promptly and we
will have that inserted in the record.
Mr. LYMAN. You also were given some testimony today by other
individuals and groups. We were just taking some notes. Again be-
cause of the complexity of the questions, the complexity of air traffic
control under these conditions, we will have no opportunity of clar-
ifying and exploring some of the information.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Yes, you will. I asked you how long would it take you
to give us the additional information. If you want to clarify anything,
submit it along with your record.
Mr. LYMAN. Very well.
Mr. DEvINE. I do not understand the haste involved in concluding
these hearings. We are only going to be a half day tomorrow and why
do we have to finish now ? What is the rush ? I can be here tonight. I
came back here for these hearings.
Mr. FRIEDEL. If it is your wish I will come back tonight.
Mr. LYMAN. We are not inconvenienced, but we feel that the people
who are performing the services are not being given an ample oppor-
tunity to be heard. I being an ex-controller, the gentleman to my right
being a tower controller from Newark, can present, we feel, informa-
tion that will be of vital interest to you gentlemen.
Mr. FRIEDEL. If you wish to return tomorrow, return tomorrow `and
we will try to work you in. If not, you may have to submit your supple-
mental remarks and we will have them put in the record.
Mr. LYMAN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. FRIEDEL. The committee will adjourn until tomorrow morning
at 10 o'clock.
(Whereupon, at 5:20 p.m. the committee adjourned, `to reconvene at
10 a.m. Tuesday, August 29, 1967.)
PAGENO="0281"
AVIATION SAFETY.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1967
HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES,
SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND AERONAUTICS,
COMMITTEE ON INTERSTATE AND FOREIGN COMMERCE,
Washington, D.C.
The subcommittee met at 10 a.m., pursuant to notice, in room 2123,
Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Samuel N. Friedel (chairman
of the subcommittee) presiding.
Mr. FREIDEL. The subcommittee will be in order.
This is a continuation of the hearing on aviation safety.
Our first witness this morning will be our colleague from California,
the Honorable Don Clausen. Please proceed Mr. Clausen.
STATEMENT Oi~' HON. DON H. CLAUSEN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN
CON~RESS PROM THE STATE OP OALIPORRIA
Mr. CLAUSEN. Mr. Chairman, I want to take this opportunity to
express my appreciation to you and the members of your subcommittee
for holding these hearings on aviation safety and the problems relating
to general and commercial aviation.
In order to be of maximum service to the committee, I should like to
present a few thoughts that I have regarding the increasing airport
crisis as it relates to aircraft accidents in this country
As we discuss safety for aircraft, I will label my presentation here
today as "An Aircraft Accident Prevention Plan."
1 am taking the liberty of aiming my remarks and focusing atten~
tion on one of America's most pressing and, as yet, unpublicized prob~
lems-the growing crisis of airports, or lack of airports, in this Nation.
Many will say that there are more important and more pressing prob~
lems facing America but I submit that unless something is done soon
about this problem, air tragedies will increase in our country.
Recently, we were all shocked to learn of a midair collision which
took the lives of Navy Secretary McNaughton and his family plus
79 others. To those of us familiar with this accident pattern, the regret-
table fact is, that this accident and the many others like it, could have
been prevented. We cannot long continue to disregard aviation and
airport problems or relegate positive action to reaction each time an
air tragedy occurs.
With every aspect of aviation growing at a fantastic rate, it is clear
that what is needed most and needed now is an entirely new approach
to our aviation problems. These problems, which I shall outline in
more detail, are compounded b'y the fact that more people are flying-
more planes take to the sky-and planes are b~ing designed to carry far
(277)
PAGENO="0282"
278
more passengers with each passing day. Simply stated, our present
systems and accommodations for handling this increased activity are
just not adequate to do the job and we are failing to keep pace with
the demands of our a~viation industry.
I would say, in this regard, that congestion is the key word in
describing our air safety problems. Congestion inside our airports, in
the hangars, on the strips, in the air, over communications. Congestion
is the "enemy" of aviation which must be dealt with.
As a former Navy fighter pilot, a professional pilot, manager of
an airport, and now the president of the Congressional Flying Club,
I have devoted many hours of study and research to the problems of
American aviation. I have been both pleased and encouraged by the
interest shown by other Members of Congress who have spoken to me
and indicated their concern over the lack of attention and priority
given to the needs of aviation.
But the problems of air safety and airspace planning cannot
be resolved, in my judgment, unless and until we first develop a truly
effective national airport system plan and a method for financing
the plan. With the huge costs involved, coordination between all
levels of government in our Federal system must be maximized and
unnecessary duplication of effort and facilities must be minimized.
With land values steadily escalating and available airport sites
steadily diminishing, particularly in and around metropolitan urban
areas, the problem of guaranteeing access for general and business
aviation-type aircraft is the most crucial and a solution must be found
immediately.
For many years, I have advocated locating airstrips contiguous
to highways. Lands for these strips should be acquired at the same
time lands are acquired to build highways or to expand them. All
that is required to accomplish this, is coordinated planning and
financing.
At this point, I should like to list what I believe to be the most
immediate requirements for improving aviation safety and efficiency
ii) high-density areas such as Washington, D.C.
1. Establish integrated airport systems with proper administrative
and policymaking authority such as a commission or port authority
now has with a joint exercise of powers agreement.
2. Provide general aviation reliever airports in metropolitan areas,
with maximum emphasis on building airstrips contiguous to circum-
ferential highways.
3. Establish airspace zoning, with specified climb and descent
quadrants and/or corridors-reserving separate quadrants for air
~ carrier and certain quadrants for general aviation and military air
traffic based on numbers of operations.
4. Accelerate efforts to provide terminal area radar, instrument-
landing systems, high intensity approach light systems, terminal VOR,
and communication and tower facilities.
5. Expand basic radar systems by adding secondary radar equip-
ment designed to accommodate computers in high density areas to
assist the air traffic controller establish safe separation and sustain
a smooth flow of aircraft in the controlled areas.
6. Complete airline collision avoidance systems at the earliest pos-
sible date and intensify efforts to develop low-cost collision avoidance
devices and low-cost radar beacons for general aviation use.
/
PAGENO="0283"
279
7. Designate "practice areas" including flight strips for general
aviation VFR student activities.
8. Require minimum communications and navigational equip-
ment consistent with requirements in high density areas.
9. Enhance pilot education programs through `broader use of flight
simulators to be acquired by flight schools, high schools, colleges,
and universities to establish a trend toward professionalism in pilot
training.
10. Improve and expand clear zones and buffer areas in order to
permit the installation of all-weather landing systems and minimize
noise problems.
In the long run, one of the most critical phases of coping with air-
space congestion, is the development of effective and reliable collision
avoidance systems to supplement and operate independently from the
air traffic control system. Such a system has been 12 years in develop-
ment and experts say we are still 3 to 5 years away from realizing
this critically needed equipment. Much of this time is reportedly need-
ed by FAA to prepare a U.S. common standard for collision avoidance
equipment. Because of the vital part such a system would have on
reducing midair collisions, I would urge placing this equipment devel-
opment on a high priority.
In addition, much can and must be done to improve weather and
terrain reporting for pilots and this can be done at very low cost.
Twenty percent of our general aviation accidents occur only 5 miles
from an airport and many are attributed to weather and terrain con-
ditions. What is required in this regard, are more weather reporting
stations and expanded hours of observation and reporting particularly
in areas where weather and terrain pose hazardous threats to aviation.
One of our distinguished congressional pilots, Senator Peter Domi-
nick, of Colorado, advocates requiring general aviation aircraft to be
equipped with crash locator beacons. Such equipment provides auto-
matically generated beacons for downed aircraft which will greatly
facilitate locating them, thereby resulting in the saving of a great many
lives which each year are lost when downed planes cannot be readily
located. Senator Dominick is urging the FAA to exercise the legal
authority already granted by the Federal Aviation Act to require
general aviation aircraft to be equipped with crash locator beacons,
and I think the proposal should be considered by this committee.
At the present time there are over 102,000 personal and corporate air-
craft, compared with only 2,379 in the airlines fleet. This is a ratio
of 50 to 1. Last year, there were 5,425 aircraft accidents reported in
the United States resulting in 538 fatalities. Many of these accidents
and deaths could have been prevented. If we are to stem the mounting
tide of aircraft accidents, I urge the adoption of an aircraft accident
prevention plan along the lines I have presented here today.
Mr. Chairman, I thank you and the distinguished members of this
subcommittee for permitting me this opportunity to outline my views
on this subject.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Thank you for your presentation Mr. Clausen. We
appreciate your views on this vital matter.
At this time I would request consent to place in the record the re-
marks of our colleague, the Honorable James Fulton, as they appear
PAGENO="0284"
280
in yesterday's Congressional `Record. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
(The document referred to follows:)
[Frøm the Congressional Record, Aug. 28, 1967]
AIR TRANSPORTATION `SA1~'gpy-~ErrRNsIoN OF REMARKS OF HON. ~IAMES G. FULT0N
OF PENNSYLVANIA
Mr. FULTON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to call the atten-
tion of the Congress and the American people to the excellent outline on air
safety sent to me by an outstanding Pittsburgh businessman, Mr. R. W. Mallick.
A vice president of the Joseph Home Co., Associated Dry Goods, Mr. Mallick has
flown private aircraft for many years'. This long flight experience and his
constant civic interest in air safety make his thoughtful suggestions and recoin-
menthtlons valuable to those of us in Congress and in the Federal agencies con-
cerned over air transportation safety. I am glad to place in the Congressional
Record Mr. R. W~. Mallick's recent letter and the editorial from the Pittsburgh
Post Gazette of August 19, 1967:
JOSEPH HORNE Co.,
PittCbRrgh, Aug. 22, 1967.
Hon. JAMES G. FULTON,
House Office Building,
Washington, D.C.
DEAR Mn. FULTON : I am sending to you a copy of an editorial that appeared in
the Pittsburgh Post Gazette on Saturday, August 19, 1967, captioned "Air Safety
Procedures Neglected". I thought you might be interested in reading it as it
points a finger at both the F.A.A. and Congress.
As I mentioned in previous letters, I had mentally debated the thought of
pursuing the matter any further. However, each day I see more evidence of the
gravity of the situation, so I am compelled to belabor the matter further.
Mr. James Ridgeway's comment echoes what I have said repeatedly, i.e., that
the F.A.A. is not doing all it can with the facilities and authority it has at its dis-
posal. What is most discouraging is that there is no evidence of an effort on the
part of F.A.A. to acknowledge the suggestions to it. Certainly, if there is no merit
to them and the persons or organizations making the suggestions were convinced
of it, the issue could be closed. Nevertheless, there are volumes of correspondence
on the subject, from responsible sources, and it continues to remain unanswered.
It is fully appreciated that the problem is not a simple one, and that there are
no readymade, overall solutions. But it will never be solved with the present
"head in the sand" attitude. It is far better to do something and risk a failure
than do nothing in hopes that the problem will cure itself. Apparently, the confu-
Mon and complexity is so great that a "wait and see" attitude exists.
To anyone who wishes to delve into the history, he will find that the following
suggestions have been submitted. Some involve much time and expenditures to
implement, others only a change of attitude and a will to do. I will enumerate
several that could start the ball rolling.
1. Immediately provide for volnntary controlled visual flight procedures at all
low altitudes for cross country flights as previously suggested. Last week I flew
from Pittsburgh to Coudersport on a VFR flight plan. Visibility limits were
legal for VFR but marginal. I departed Pittsburgh on a special VFR clearance.
When I cleared the control zone, I radioed Cleveland Center to advise of my
flight route and altitude which was 5,500 feet MSL. The controller asked if I
had transponder or DME. When advised negative, he told me he could not give
me radar service at that altitude. Yet, 5,500 feet is higher than permissible I.F.R.
altitudes. I continued to monitor the radio frequency and know that the controller
was not busy.
2. Discourage rather than encourage more instrument ratings for pilots until
such time as the air traffic control can handle more Instrument flight plans. The
system eanpot handle the volume of such potential traffic now.
3. Accelerate a program of new secondary airports in busy areas to handle
private, executive, and feeder line and similar aircraft to reduce the load on
metropolitan airports.' This would not only improve air safety, but would tend
to relieve ground transportation congestion, For example, the Pittsburgh area
needs a new airport in the northeastern district of Allegheny County or western
Westmoreland County to relieve the loads on Greater Pittsburgh and Allegheny
1'
PAGENO="0285"
H
281
County airports. An adequate airport of such type can be built today for the price
equivaleut of one mile oi four-lane expressway . for eac~h runway required. Most
such secondary airports would be more than adequate with two runways.
4. Establish a program whereby non-essential pleasure flying and student
training, usually done In the vicinity of airports, be conducted away from the
traffic areas of major airports. The secondary airport program ~uggested above
could do much to bring this about.
5. Relocate all military air operations from busy metropolitan areas. There
are plenty of military airports that are now inactive to provide bases for military
operations.
6. Recently FAA announced intentions of controlling V15'R ~ights above
18,000 feet. This is fine, except the problem is between the ground and 10,000
feet. A check of the records will reveal that the collisions or near misses have all
been at low altitudes. To fly above 10,000 feet requires oxygen equipped or pre&
surlzed aircraft which represents a very small percentage of registered aircraft.
Let's get to the "scene of the crime."
7. Of great importance is the need to quit looking at the problem as one being
associated with the commercial airlines. The commercial airlines represent only
about 2% of the registered aircraft in the country. Also, it is the most sophis-
ticated aircraft, operated by highly qualified pilots, under strict procedures~ Yet,
(hey become involved in midair collisions because of the system under which they
must operate. The other 98% of the aircraft and pilots have the same right to
air safety as do the airlines. We do not make special rules or enact special vehicle
codes or build special highways for buses, and we should not attempt to give
preferential treatment to airlines. We must Improve air safety for all aircraft,
and only then will the solution to the problem be forthcoming.
My apology for another long epistle, but I hope it will serve to stimulate some.
one to get the F.A.A. to do $ometM~9 other than take a defeilsive position. Ac-
tually, the F.A.A. is a fine organization of capable people, faced with an ov'er~
whelming problem. They need help not hefl. They will learn that maiiy people will
help when they come out of their shell and quit behaving as though the prob~
lenis and solutions were their exclusive prerogatives~
It is my understanding that Congressional hearings are planned to explore
this all-important matter. If so I respectfully suggest that the above seven points
be covered in the hearings. Perhaps in that way their merits can be determined.
My appreciation of your patience and cooperation.
Sincerely yours,
R. W. MAu~IcK,
Vice President, Properties.
(From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Aug. 19, 19671
AIR SAFETY PRocEDUREs NEGLECTED
The public is justified in questioning federal procedures to Insure air safety
when there have been five major plane accidents so far, this year and a number
of smaller ones. The latest was the crash of two single-engined craft as they
stimultaneously approached the same rtinway in New Iiampslhire recently.
There are 54'r airports in this country served by airlines : 285 have no control
towers and 434 lack radar which would provide a means of keeping planes a safe
distance. There wasn't any radar at Asheville, N.C., where 82 persons were killed
recently.
According to James Rldgeway in the August 5 New Republic, the Federal
Aviation Administration, part of the Department of ~L'ransportation, Is at the root
of the problem. The FAA Is understa~ed and isn't given the money to implement
technological advances. Its chief, an ex-Air Force general, William F. McKee,
scarcely makes the best of what the FAA has, Ridgeway says.
He cites, for instance, the number of safety requirements that don't apply to
air taxis (chartered planes for hire) ; no requirements for co-pilots, radar, emer~
gency evacuation, or weighing of baggage. McKee has said the government must
not place too heavy an economic burden on small operations lest they fail.
When the FAA's budget request was cut this year from $Th million to $65
million, the argument in Congress was that ~ince the money was being poorly
spent arid the amount inadequate to meet the airport crisis, it might as well be
trimmed.
PAGENO="0286"
TURTHER STATEMENT OP STANLEY LYMAN, VICE PRESIDENT, PED~
ERAL AVIATION. ADMINISTRATION AFFAIRS, NATIONAL ASSO
CIATIO'N OP ØOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES; ACCOMPANIED BY
KENNETH LYONS,'PRESIDENT; ALAN J. WHITNEY, EXECUTIVE
VICE PRESIDENT; AND HENRY GROTE, PRESIDENT, NEWARK
AIRPORT LOCAL
Mr. LYMAN. Good morning, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. FRIEDEL. You have a rather lengthy statement and if you wish to
summarize it your whole statement will be included in the record.
Mr. LThtAN. We will summarize the statement, Mr. Chairman. Be~
fore I do I would like to introduce the other gentlemen that are here
with me this morning.
To my far left is Mr. Kenneth Lyons, president of the National
Association of Government Employees.
Next to him and to my immediate left is Mr. Henry Grote, who is
the president of our local at Newark Airport and represents the Air
Traffic Controllers of Newark Airport.
To my right is Mr. Alan Whitney, the executive vice president of the
National Association of. Government Employees.
We appreciate the opportunity ofappearing before you this morning
on behalf of our members in the organization which represents Fed-
eral Aviation Agency employees.
In order to be expeditious I will, as you requested, attempt to sum-
marize our official statement that has been submitted to you previously
but I would like to take the opportunity to summarize or highlight
what we feel is the blood and guts of our entire statement.
(Mr. Lyman~s prepared statement follows:)
STATEMENT OF STANLEY LYMAN, VICE PRESIDENT FOR FAA AFFAIRS, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
Ii
282
Such a view not only contradicts logic but renounces reSponsibility. There
shOuld be no doubt in anyone's mind that airports serving airliners should be
equipped with radar and that height-finding equipment to avoid mid-air colli-
Sions, which military planes have used since the Korean War, should be placed in
all commercial planes. Orashes in the vicinity of airports can be reduced. The
tragedy is that not enough attention is being given to the matter.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Our next witness will be Mr. Stanley Lyman, vice
president, Federal Aviation Agency Affairs, National Association of
Government Employees. Mr. Lyman, if you will introduce your
associates, for the record, you may proceed.
Mr. Ohairman, members of he subcommittee, the National Association of
Government Employees appears before you today as the representative of
approximately 8,000 of the Federal Aviation Administration's 14,000 air traffic
controllers. Our role is to convey to you their concern for the state of the FAA's
air traffic control system and to present certain recommendations designed to
arrest the deterioration of flight safety in the country's airways.
Since our initial statement to Congress on this subject on March 22, 1967,
a great deal has been said by other organizations and by the agency itself.
The general thrust of official FAA pronouncements has been that our charges
are exaggerated and unfonnded. Significantly, however, we have received many
off-the-record expressions of support from individuals in key positions of respon-
sIbility within the agency. They tell us that thsy are unable to publicly express
their agreement with our general position but they hope we continue to press
PAGENO="0287"
283~
our case because they recognize that, in the final analysis, sweeping measures
are needed to meet the safety crisis which confronts us~
Our central conclusion, for reasons we shall explore in more detail shortly,
is that the air traffic control system possesses neither the manpower nor the
equipment to exercise "total control" and further, that the situation is seriously
aggravated by mismanagement at the agency's highest level.
We believe that two immediate steps are required to stop and reverse the
downward trend in flight safety. First, the President must replace William F.
McKee as FAA Administrator with an individual who is not only knowi-
edgeable, but expert in all phases of the air traffi~ control system. Secondly, the
Congress-and in particular this Committee-must force-feed the agency sufficient
amounts of money, back-bone and honest concern to act now, not five or ten
years from now.
The situation further requires the closest Congressional scrutiny of FAA
programs and policies to place the agency~s mission in the proper perspective-
that is, to determine whether the governing factor in the FAA's budget is going
to be safety or "economy of operation."
The National Association of Government Employees filed an extensive brief
last March 22 with members of this Committee charging that mismanagement,
coupled with shortages of manpower and equipment, was bringing flight in the
U.S. "to the point of public peril."
At that time, we called publicly for an in-depth Congressional investigation
into the entire spectrum of air traffic control procedures within the FAA.
We now must renew our request for a probe of FAA despite a series of directives
issued May 10 by FAA Administrator McKee' ~ which were, according to the
FAA, designed to maintain and improve air safety. Basic conditions which we
uncovered during a six-month survey of FAA policies and practices continue un-
diminished. We can only conclude that the sole purpose of General McKee's May
10 orders was to lessen the pressure for action which followed the release of
our brief.
General findings of our study, which was participated in by air traffic con-
trollers throughout the FAA, include the following:
There are insufficient numbers of air traffic controllers in virtually all center
and tower facilities to safely handle the rapidly expanding volume of aviation
traffic.
Because of their too few numbers, controllers are developing hypertension,
heart problems and other conditions which stem directly from the extreme ten-
sion and pressure of their jobs, and which could suddenly render them helpless at
a critical point while handling passenger liners carrying hundreds of individuals.
There are not enough electronics technicians to provide adequate maintenance
of the equipment needed by the controllers to guide and direct aircraft.
Because of this lack of maintenance personnel, it is common policy throughout
the agency to forego preventative maintenance. That is, employees are told to
not check equipment to prevent its breakdown, but to wait until it fails and then
repair it.
Due to this vital gap in FAA maintenance procedures, it is a common occur-
rence for an air traffic controller to experience a radar failure during a work tour.
Controllers, through `the auspices of the National Association of Government
Emp1oyees, have found that the agency is forcing them to rely on out~dated and
temperamental equipment-posing a definite threat of potential tragedy.
They further found that the FAA is arbitrarily phasing out vital ~electronic
equipment at the Air Traffic Control Stations, that in many areas the agency is
purchasing "factory seconds" to replace tubes in radar and. related electronic
equipment.
Perhaps the most unsettling of all the conditions uncovered by the survey was
the higher number of unreported "incidents" taking place in the crowded Boston-
New York-Washington air corridor-instances in which aircraft pass each other
at distances less than the FAA's safety limits.
We found that, while five to nine such incidents are reported in this heavily-
traveled corridor each week, unreported near-misses often run to as high as 20
to 25.
The principal reason why such incidents go unreported,, we found, is the FAA's
tendency to blame the controller for a near~miss, rather than acknowledging
that these potential tragedies stem from the controllers having to handle too
many aircraft at one time and the lack of adequate electronic equipment.
I
PAGENO="0288"
284
Experi~need air traffic caatrollers at one large FAA facility on the East Coast
reported that there is at least one "confliction", sometimes as many as five, on an
average day at the facility. Most of these potential collisions, they said, go
unreported.
One final example provides dramatic accent to the situation. The FAA's own
surveys show that an air traffic controller should not handle more than 11.5 air-
craft at a time ; yet, controllers from throughout the U.S. report to us that they
handle as many as 15 to 25 at a tin~e and sometimes more.
FAA officialdom, in some quarters at least, is aware of the problem and has
sounded dire warnings of what may happen if ~ corrective measures are not
taken.
A transcript of remarks made by Oscar Bakke, the FAA's Eastern Regional
Director, before a September 1964 meeting of air traffic controllers in Syracuse,
New York, typifies this awareness. He tOld `the controllers that "we are overdue
for another collision," and that on a statistical basis, some of the very men in the
room with him `at that time would be "directly and personally Involved in one of
the greatest tragedies aviation history has ever known and it's going to be an air
traffic tragedy."
Mr. Bakke waiPned the controllers, "The traffic sititation In the New York area
is fast becoming more `and more tense, very, very rapidly, and the increase in
traffic throughout the agency, `both enroute and terminal, Is reaching serious
proportion's."
He said, ". . . we are now approaching an era in which air traffic control
problems never have been more serious and at this very time the ATCS (Air
Traffic Control System) is being squeezed to the maximum extent."
More `recently, on January 11, 1966~ the chief `of the Eastern Region's Air
Traffic Division addressed all divisional personnel in `the following words : "The
mounting number of systhm errors occurring in the Eastern Region has become a
matter of great concern. 1 fully realize that all control personnel share this con-
cern when a system error occurs, hut I wonder how many of us have reflected
on where the current trends, if continued, will `take us?
"What does the term "system error' mean's ? Aside from the `official definition,
it means simply that a failure in the air traffic control system has endangered
one or more aircraft. It means that human lives rn~ght have been `ost as a result.
We must never lose sight of this fact."
These remarks, conring `abs they do, from top mauagenient echelon's within the
FAA, `lend strong credence to the charges `of the National Association of Govern-
mont 1~mployees knd its `air traffic controller `members.
The controllers reported examples in profusion of `situations relati'ng to work-
force and equipment In direct contradiction to the public statements of the
agency.
One instance of FAA economiziilg at the eupense of safety occurred last year
at the Newark, New rersey, control tower. Controller members `of the N.A.G.E.
local there charged that `the decommissioning of `the "airport detection radar"
and the ".preclsion approach `radar" caused an extremely unsafe condition on
the `airport~s number four runway in `adverse weather conditions.
The FAA replied, in effect, that the controllers did not know what they were
talking about.
According to the chief `of the `area `air traffic branch, " . . . the operation of air
navigation and tra~c contr~l facilities is `accomplished In accordance with Agency
policy, the formulation of whtch `results from a much broader knowledge of
eoonomtc and `operational considerati'on's than may be apparent locally."
Again, sacrificing safety on the `alter `of economy, the official responded that,
"All expenditures of Federal funds must be examined `on the basis `of cost versus
benefit."
The official concluded by suggesting that the employee's confine their complaints
in the future to `the f~eiltty level, rather than `attempting to bring them to `the
attention of the agency's bigher level's.
The agency response completely ignored the fact that the absence `of the decom
missioned `radar equipment forced controllers to grant unauthorized radar np
preaches to `runway number four in emergencies ; that only the week before the
union's complaint one arriving aircraft nearly landed on top of a departing craft
because of the lack `of the precision radar
Another cogent answer to the FAA's claim that it maintains up-to-date equip-
mont can be found at the Toledo, Ohio, facility.
The activity utilizes ASR-4 `radar. However, the cables which connect the trans
mitter site to the indicator `site (Ithe control tower) continually fill up with
PAGENO="0289"
285
water. An attempt to dry and splice the old cables corrected the problem for a
short time ; however, the cables, once wet, corrode and short out, causing equip~
ment failures and many costly temporary repairs.
The only adequate solution would be to r~place the corroded cables. The FAA's
area office, however, claitns this would be too expensive.
N.A.G.E. controllers also claim that the Toledo facility's radar antenna is
tilted, which would affeOt radar readings and cause misidentification of aircraft
targets. Once again, the area office refuses to spend the money to determine if the
antenna is tilted.
On the q~stion of whether the agency is making a serious attempt to provide
enough controllers to handle a growing volume of air traffic, wcrkload and work-
fGrce changes at the agency's Little Rock, Arkansas, facility provide graphic
demonstration of what is happening throughout the country.
In W63, this facility had 1~ ~ontrolliers handling 112,286 airport operations and
35,524 instrument operations. Last year, 1966, the facility had only 18 eontrollem,
yet it handled 139,~386 airport operations and 47,349 instrument operations and
the facility instituted expanded radar service.
phjs is an increase of 24.4 percent airpc~rt ope.rati'qns, 33.3 percent instrument
operations (an `additional service which requires the use of two radar contrOllers
during peak periods) , and a 20 percent workload increase in handling Air Force
Traffic. This increase in traffic and `service `has been accomplished even though
the facility had experienced a workforce decrease `of 5.5 percent.
Another significant aspect of the manpower problem facing the FAA is
pointed up by the fact that just last September, the area manager of the FAA~s
Los Angeles Area office attempted to warn the agency's Western Regional
Director of the need to ward off an impending critical situation. His memorandum
made the following points
"Our professional workforce is growing older and we `have not recruited
youth. The average age level in ATS in the Los Angeles area is 3D. We have
seven employees between ages 21 and 25, 251 between 26 and 30, 279 between 31
and 35, 133 between 36 and 40, 177 between 41 and 45, and 285 over age 45.
"We need youth to be prepared for a large retirement rate which should corn-
Inence in about five yeara I hope we can agree it is difficult to teach an old dog
new tricks and also the old dog responds more slowly when performing ` tricks
he has known for years. With the aircraft speeds we are encountering today, a
decision delayed 5-10 seconds could easily result in a disastrous event. Deficien-
cies in hearing, sight and reflexes are becoming more and more critical."
And still another aspect of the agency's manpower problem is typified by the
situation at `the Windsor Locks, Conn.,' facility.
Despite the FAA's official policy of mandatory radar handoffs, in which one
tower or center passes off departing aircraft to another or accepts incoming
flights, the agency's own stringent manpower controls make it impossible for
many facilities to comply.
The Windsor Locks facility, for example, advised neighboring facilities and
centers on April 21, 1967, that it would be unable to give or accept hand-offs due
to insufficient personnel. This was the second instance in a week's time that the
Windsor Locks facility was forced to refuse hand-offs.
For another example of the desperate straits into which agency mismanage-
ment is forcing those responsible for the safe passage of aircraft through the
nation's skyways, consider the report from the publication General Aviation
News early this year which revealed that at one of the country's busiest and
most important IFR towers, it was necessary for one of the most vital posi-
tions to be covered by a nonqualified controller-a man who had never been
checked out on covering that position.
According to the publication, "This was done with the knowledge of the
tower chief and the watch supervisor. It happened because there was no alterna-
tive . course of action and because there was no one else to do it."
In its issue of December 27, 1965, the respected McGraw-Hill publication,
Electronics, commented editorially:
". . . Money is only part of the FAA's shortcoming~-and maybe the ~inallest
part. Too often, the Agency has tried to freeze technology that was already on the
verge of being obsolete. In the past three or four years, it has traded in its
militancy on air safety for a Casper Mik~uetoast attitude. FAA men often seem
more concerned about rocking the boat than about solving problems affecting
travelers on commercial airlines.
"In the past six months fatal air accidents have been frequent and frightening.
At this time, it is hard to say which is more terrifying-the collision of an Eastern
92-715-6~----l9
PAGENO="0290"
I
286
Airlines plane and a Trans World Airline jet earlier this month or the FAA's
`that's the way the ball bounces attitude.'
`frAfter the last major air collision of 1960, the FAA tried to improve its
control system. It failed, but at least the Ageney~was recognizing its responsibilty.
After this month's collision, the FAA figuratively shrugged its shoulders and
said It had a system, to be installed by 1970, that might prevent such accidents.
Then it went on to less controversial matters . .
Concluded the editorial : "A technological society in which two space capsules
keep a rendezvous somewhere in the immeasurable universe should have no
problem getting safe, efficient, comfortable air transportation. But first a major
change in attitude and direction Is required. The FAA has to do a lot more than
count the bodies after an accident."
Turnover is running high at Air Traffic Control facilities, so that the burden
upon experienced personnel gets heavier. Letters freni sources of NAGE locals
complain of over-work, training problems and low morale at ATC centers.
A typical letter recently received from an N.A.G.E. Local office at an eastern
facility said, in part:
During the year 1966, we have had a considerable turnover of personnel . .
Look at the workload here at our facility. During the year, ~we had approxi-
matciy 290,000 total Wgbt services performed, During 19~6, we had an abundance
of sick leave. This means the remathiing specialists had to carry the workload.
This was done by the mora1e~breaking procedure of changing watches, being
called in earlier, and no spot leave being granted. From January to May, 1966,
~ we had a complement of 24 personnel, counting the chief. From June to
December, we had a complement of 22. This ~ meant 29O~OOO flight services
were divided by 23 personnel, and if my math serves correctly, 23 into 290,000
t equals approximately 12,750 flight services per man, that is including the
~supervisor.
"Are the supervisors to be classified as `working supervisors' or supervisors?
As of the ata.rt of 1966, they were supervisors, thus the 290,000 should be
divided among the jour~ey'men and assi~tant jot~rneymen. Using just 19,
~ corribined journeymen and. assistants, the total flight services comes to approx4~
~ mately 15,300 per man for 1966. In using 18 journeymen and assistants, which
we did for a great part of the year, the flight services per man increased
considerably.
"More qualified personnel (must be) assigned, so we can have a half-decent
watch schedule and be able to have spot leave or annual leave. Morale is
at its `lowest point and unless we can come up with some solution, we are
~going to have to sacrifice safety for economy. . . . Why are personnel assigned
~here who require study and training, when we cannot spare the manpower to
~ help them ?"
Manpower vacancies have reached a serious point at several facilities (by
FAA's own admission) in the Washington Area (among others) . A notice
issued by the FAA Washington office, Fail's Church, Virginia, ~anuary 25,
1967, said, "Manpower vacancies among ATOS employees have reached a critical
stage in several facilities . . . These vacancies cannot be filled solely `by promo-
tion action's within the specified facilities, `because only a limited number of
personnel are eligible for promotion. Llmithd vacancies at GS-10 and average
grade ceilings have contributed in part to restricting some promotions in the
~past."
From another NAGE ATOS Local came this recent note : "As it stands now,
we will have ~ three supervisors for seven journeymen." In `large red letters,
the letter concludes : "We're understaffed. Especially with Summer coming
on. Help !"
I could read excerpts from many other letters we have received, Mr. Ohairinan,
unsolicited letters from "out in the field," telling of conditions that should not
exist in any agency of this `government, not to mention one with such vital
responsibilities.
These reflections of FAA field functions, I will admit, Mr. Chairman, strain
one's credulity in the light of the Federal Aviation Agency's porsistent pre~
occupation with cost cutting. As recently as February 1966, an elaborate booklet
was issued entitled, "Federal Aviation Agency Cost Reduction." It described
the "Cost Reduction Program" as the umbrella covering all of FAA's diverse
economy programs . . . We contend, Mr. Chairman, that what we need under
such a program are more parachutes instead of umbrellas.
This booklet, whose cost of preparation and publication would have `paid for
a one or two badly needed added traffic, controllers, envisioned "specific cost
PAGENO="0291"
287
reduction actions which will lead to s~ving~s of $31.7 mililoal in fi~a1 yeai~ 19G~6
and $27.8 m~illion &n 1967."
"These goals are in a&lition to the more than $100 million of savings accorn~
pushed since 19~0," said the paraphiet.
"Hitting the 19& and 1967 targets will require more effort fro~n each
employee-~surpassiflg them will challenge his imagination."
However much it has challenged the imagination, it's certain that the penny~
pinching program has posed a serious physical and emotional challenge to our
ATOS personnel!
Another illustration o~ how our hard~pressed, over-worked and umder-apprec1~
ated air traffic men are often taxed to the limit of hunian en~urance, while
inevitably increasing the possibility of tragic error, was contained In the
NAGE-LA Newsletter (Los Angeles ARTO Center) o~ December 23, 1966.
In the month of Septemiber 1904, said the Newsletter, the center had 39,6~6
operations and a staff of 294E ; in September 1965, 47,066 operation~$ and a staff
of 285 ; and in September 1966, 56,594 operations and a staff of 285. And a 17
percent increase ~in traffic was predicted for this year.
This sombre pattern of sharply rising operational loads without commensurate
increases In personnel and adequate technological provisions is common to al-
most all air traffic control points In the United States today. And the crisis of
need, particularly in consideration of the fact that the margin of safety in
American air lanes is probably at a record low point, worsens from month to
month as the gulf widens between control measures and traffic flow.
God forbid that we should be jolted into action by a series of air tragedies.
At a time when much more, certainly not less is needed, the FAA has been
boasting of its cost-cutting, penny-squeezing policies. The FAA's "Intercom"
bulletin of July 18, 1966 reprinted a letter from President lohnson to "Dear
Bozo" (I.e., General William F. McKee, FAA Administrator) and reading in
part:
"I have noted with satisfaction the excellent work which you and yourt as-
sociates at the Federal Aviation Agency have beendoing in reducing costs and
manpower while absorbing additional workload and improving service to the
public.
I have taken particular note of your cost reduction program under which you
saved $~7 million during the 1966 fiscal year. These savings have been accom-
panled by a reduction in Agency employment of more than 3,500 employees-
eight percent since 196& The Agency has succeeded in combining economy with
a safety program which has helped the commercial air carriers of the United
States achieve the best safety record in the world and the best record for any
five-year period in the history of American aviation. You have clearly demon-
strated that outstanding performance in a critical and complex program can be
continually achieved while reducing costs . . ."
The President's confidence that the "outstanding performance" can go on this
way is open to serious challenge.
As always, the men and women who bear the burden will continue to give
their best ; but their best is no longer enough. They need help-both human and
electronic help.
System errors at many Air Traffic Control Centers are alarmingly high. In
May of 1966, for example, an office bulletin at an East Coast Center reports
64 8yste-m errors the previous year.
In a review of a "serious air traffic staffing problem," the Manager of the Los
Angeles Area Office advised the director of the Western ATO Region (September
13, 19G6) , that "the recruitment process is too slow, cumbersom~, and has not
been available to us during the past three years."
He further advised, ". . . potentials in airline activities are more attractive
than in the FAA and many of our better people are leaving to accept employment
with the airlines ; equitable pay for complexity and responsibility was adversely
affected wl~en Level II VFR Towers and Level III Approach Control Facilities
were created-promotional ladders are no lçn~ger attractive ; we are robbing
Peter to pay Paul by selecting within-grade candidates . . . "
The ATS System ~rror Reportipg Program went into effect December 1, 1963.
Statistics accumulated since then demonstrate the clear need to reduce-by such
measures as added manpower and equipment and certain fundamental changes in
FAA concepts-the number of errors occurring.
A bulletin `issued in June of 1965 by the Boston Air Traffic Office, however,
said the goal of each facility must be total elimination of control errors and
solicited the recommendations of all personnel for achieving this goal "within
PAGENO="0292"
and that
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288
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Federal Aviation Agency would take necessar;
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PAGENO="0293"
289
The National Association oi~ Government Employees has made numerous, close
studies of coilditions within the Federal Aviation Agency and finds a clear
need for an immediate ftIl-scale Congressional inquiry. Such a study should
make determinations as to the safety "quotient" for the public under current
FAA operational procedures and policies. The FAA, we believe, needs the same
kind of Congressional investigative focus that was recently given the automa~
tive industry safety standards. There are far too few controllers on duty at
traffic control centers ; we need many more controllers and other personnel ; many
FAA facilities are seriously undermanned. This is FALSE ECONOMY, which
turns our airways into casings that gamble with human lives, and which can
only have the effect of constricting the growth of the aviation indusitry.
When anything goes wrong in the crowded skies around airports, the FAA
is quick to try and make the controllers the scapegoat. But the real trouble i~
that toO few people have to handle too many aircraft. There is never any crOwd
in a control room.
In the conviction that there is direct relationship between "system errors"
and facility staffing inadequacies, and that all "conflictions" are not reported
in an attempt by the FAA to cover up the seriousness of conditions, a large NAGE
Local at a major airport recently submitted a series of questions to the mem-
bershiip-and asked for frank answers.
Overwhelmingly, these experienced staffers (ARTOC) estimated that there
was at least one "confliction," sometimes as many as five, on an average day at
the facility. They testified to having personally seen an average of two or three
"legal conflictions" in the previous two months. Opinions as to the need for "last
minute" action to avoid conflict between aircraft-considered in a Radar en-
vironment-ranged from five up to 25 per day.
Almost all expressed belief that fewer "conflictions," whether discovered or
not, would be possible if staffing were increased to distribute the workload. A
preponderance reported there was less than full staffing in their particular sector
every day they worked!
Assistance of a handoff man was listed as a relative rarity.
Asked, "Have you ever been forced into a position where you no longer have
time to pvc-plan or `thoroughly scan the control board in order to make the right
decision ?" a majority replied in the affirmative, and agreed that such situations
were dangerous. Presence of handoff controller at `all times would permit more
time properly to scan the scope and control board, it was also agreed,
The controllers and other personnel almost unanimously believed that the
Facility administrative staff was aware of the need for more personnel, and that
safety was being compromised by a policy there of staffing for an 80% traffic
level.
Too much traffic was almost unanimously blamed for the majority of inci~
dents, as opposed to strip marking, lack of knowledge or phraseology.
As to whether they thought it was safer to fly through the area today than
it was three years ago, a substantial majority replied : "No."
Not long ago, personnel officers in the New York area of the New York FAA
Traffic Control Facility submitted confidential questionnaires to personnel in ab
"evaluation program." And the reaction was not flattering to the FAA.
The employee generally gave ratings of no better than "poor" or "fair" to
such categories as the hanciling of work s'chedples and annual leave ; p~hcy
with respect to overtime work ; "spirit of cooperation" among employees ; reputa~
ti'on of the Agency in the community ; and personal evaluation of job.
This study, and other evidence, points to a serious morale problem among our
over-worked controllers and other FAA personneL
` The situation, we contend, has attained crisis proportions. And what it boils
down to is that there are not enough air traffic controllers to handle the growing
number of flights, and, on top of this, the controllers do not have adequate
modern eqpipment to do their jobs.'
The FAA must awaken to the controllers' plight. It must acknowledge that
all is not as it should be, and that if action does not come, and come soon, we
have all the ingredients for further tragedies.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In the light of all of the facts, the National Association of Government Em-
ployees earnestly urges the Congress to consider the following:
1. The immediate enactment of legislation authorizing a 20% increase of
Controller staffing at all Air Traffic Control Centers, Air Traffic Control Towers,
PAGENO="0294"
290
Mr. LYMAN. The National Association of Government Employees
appears before you today as the representative of approximately 8,000
of the Federal Aviation Administration's 14,000 air traffic controllers.
Our role is to convey to you their concern for the state of the FAA's
air traffic control system and to present certain recommendations
designed to arrest the deterioration of flight safety in the country's
airways.
Since our initial statement to Congress on this subj ect on March 22,
1967, a great deal has been said by other organizations and by the agen-
cy itself. The general thrust of official FAA pronouncements has been
that our charges are exaggerated and unfounded.
Significantly, however, we have received many off-the-record ex-
pressions of support from individuals in key positions of responsibil-
ity within the agency. They tell us that they are unable to publicly ex-
press their agreement with our general position but they hope we
3ontinue to press our case because they recognize that, in the final
analysis, sweeping measures are needed to meet the safety crisis which
confronts us.
Our central conclusion, for reasons we shall explore in more detail
shortly, is that the air traffic control system possesses neither the man-
power nor the equipment to exercise "total control" and further, that
the situation is seriously aggravated by mismanagement at the agency's
highest level.
Mr. Di~viNE. Mr. Chafrman, I think you suggested to Mr. Lyman
that he might summarize this and he ~S reading it in detail. I read
this whole statement last night ; I ~ don't kiiow whether you had an
opportunity to read it or not.
Mr. FRIEDEL. No; I will read it. I hope that'you will keep on safety.
Mr. LTMAN. Again, I will. I don't intend to read through the whole
statement, I was just trying to bring us to a point where I could divert
from our prepared text and then go from that point.
As I say, one of the immediate steps we feel needed to improve
safety is the review of information that we have had made available
which is the fact that we have mismanagement within the agency,
mismanagement at the highest level, and that we feel the first and
immediate step is the replacement of the managerial people within
this agency to correct the serious deterioration which has come about
in the Federal Aviation Agency. We feel the only way this can be
~1
Flight Service Stations. This must be a first step, however ; just one part of
an integrated program to modernize the entire system.
2. The enactment of legislation authorizing a 20% increase in the electronic
and technician field as it relates to Airway Facility Branch activities.
3. An inimeditae cessation of the arbitrary "phase out" of vital electronic
equipment at Air Traffic Control Stations.
4. Enactment of legislation implementing an "ad hoc" standing committee
comprised of active journeymen Air Traffic Control specialists who will be
assigned a continuing role of submitting recommendations concerning air traf~
fic control procedures to Congress yearly.
5. A Congressional requirement that all air traffic electronic computers, con-
trol systems, and their allied equipment will be inspected and maintained on
a continual "preventative maintenance system rather than the present system
which requires equipment failure prior to maintenance being performed.
6. Additional funds for the updating and purchase of modern Radar and
Electronic equipment for all types of Air Traffic Control.
Thank you for your kind attention, Mr. Chairman and members of the Corn-
mittee.
PAGENO="0295"
291
done is by removing General McKee and his deputy administrator,
David Thomas, removed and replaced by articulate ~e~tlernen wtw
have an up-to-date understanding of what is developing within the
FAA.
We filed an extensive brief as I pointed out on March 22 of this
year, and at that time we went into great detail in the nun~ber of
midair near misses that were occurring throughout the country, the
fact that there was lack of preventative maintenance in electronics.
Mr. Fiui~oEL. How many near misses did you report?
Mr. LYMAN. We talked about, on the east coast in particular, the
"Golden Triangle," as it is referred to by the Federal Aviation Agency,
the Boston-Newark-Washington air c~orridor. We have information
that shows anywhere from five to nine near misses being reported
within this triangle and we have additional information documented
by people in the various facilities within the east coast area that shows
we have near misses occurring unreported at the rate of 20 to 25 per
week, depending on the weather conditions at the time.
Mr. DEvINE. What separation do you feel is necessary to call it a
near miss?
Mr~ LYMAN. A near miss, as far as the system itself goes, is any-
thing less than the standard separation.
Mr. DEvINE. Is that a thousand feet?
Mr. LYMAN. It could be less than a thousand feet, depending on
radar and depending on the separation they are using. They have a
3- to 5-mile separation. Three miles from the antenna site and 5 miles
if you are beyond a certain point. So anything less than the three or the
five or anything less than the thousand feet could be a near miss. It
depends how close the aircraft comes.
Mr. DEVINE. Twenty to 25 a week unreported in this New York.
Boston-Washington corridor?
Mr. LYMAN. Yes. These have been, as I said, compiled by the con-
trollers within this eastern region area.
~ We also have information within a brief we have produced, infor-
mation that shows that the electronics people have been handicapped
*to the extent where they are not allowed to implement a preventative
maintenance program to the electronics equipment but rather it is
being done as the equipment fails, there is no standard procedure.
If they have a piece of electronic equipment to work on for a. par-
ticular day, this is their assignment for that day and if they report to
the facility or location where this equipment is located they theoreti-
cally are not supposed to work on any additional electronic equip-
mont in the building or in that vicinity.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Would you be a little more specific ? Yo~ speak of
electronic equipment. Give us some examples. You are talking gen-
erafly. Give us specifics so we can try to follow it.
Mr. DEVINE. I agree with that, Mr. Chairman. That is a very seri-
ous charges `4Employees are `told not to check' equipment."
Nc~w, if `you have any trifôrmation like that, we wOul& like to have
names, dates, places,, and times,. because that is a very serious charge
andwe wouldlike to~know about it.
Mr. LYMAN. We realize this is a serious charge `and' we say it comes
from the electrothc technicians themselves' who. are told "When you
PAGENO="0296"
I
292
report to x facility to work on radar equipment or whatever piece
of electronic"-
Mr. DEVINE. If you have names, dates, times, and places we would
like to have them.
Mr. LYMAN. Fine. We will be happy to give that to you, , sir.
(For information requested, see p. 301.)
Mr. LYMAN. Also we have instances on record where the flight
service station employees-and this would concern, gentlemen, the
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association-have become so understaffed
and overworked and that they are not able to adequately give flight
briefings, give weather information that would be of vital interest and
of vital need to the private aircraft owner, to the corporate aircraft
owner who depends on this service.
` Mr. FRIEDEL. This is because of the shortage of men Or because these
men work overtime?
Mr. LYMAN. No ; this is because of the shortage of men and that
does not exist only in one location, it exists in all locations throughout
the country. The fact that one man is being asked to give a pilot brief-
ing, which would be as an aircraft owner or pilot reports to the f a-
cility across a desk, he is looking for various pieces of weather infor-
mation, this individual is attempting to give this man a briefing and
at the same time the telephones are ringing and he is expected to an-
swer the telephone, to give additional information through this tele-
phone.
He is being `called upon to provide two or three services as one mdi-
vidual where there should be at least two or three people to handle
that.
Mr. FRIEDEL. One man where?
Mr. LYMAN. This is in the flight service station, sir.
Mr. FRIEDEL. What about the tower?
Mr. LYMAN. In the tower we have the shortages of people where
they are again asked to double up on their positions and we have the
same shortages in the air traffic control centers and we have doubling
up and sometimes tripling up of positions.
` When we talk about control centers and radar environments which
was discussed yesterday, the radar handoffs, it is a fact that the air-
craft is supposed to be given constant radar coverage and is being
handed off from one facility to another which is a separate and dis-
tinct function of the air traffic controller.
I would like to read for the record some information that we have
that does not appear in our prepared text but which has come to us as
we have constantly tried to update our information. This deals with
radar and radar coverage and radar handoffs. Again radar handoffs
are a mandatory function required by the FAA. It says you will do
this as an air traffic controller:
We have operated under a radar concept for almost 1 year. (This is a facility
out in Los Angeles now. ) During this time both management and employees
have struggled to reconcile procedures with reality.
The order from within the agency itself recently established new handoff com-
munication release procedures which presume the existence of requirements
for handoffs. This was left to the facilities.
It appears that only good news has been reaching Washington headquarters.
The radar concept can be defined simply. In every case a radar handoff must
he made before an aircraft enters an adjoining center or an adjacent facilities
air space unless prior coordination is perfected.
PAGENO="0297"
293
The procedures for meeting this requirement are extremely, complex. The over-
lapping responsibilities are more complex.. Yet policies coutinue to dismiss the
mechanics of the concept ~ by simply making the controller responsible for the
handoff. .
Mr. FRIEDEL. Who is making that statement ~
Mr. LYMAN. These are our people in Los Angeles giving us informa-
tion as itpertains tO the process and policies that have been in effect in
the western region which apply to all centers around the country, sir.
I am trying to give you the information as we have it.
Mr. FRrEDi~L. IS this from an individual ~
Mr. LYMAN. This is from a group of controllers, not any single one
but a group of our controllers who are in the field in Los Angeh~s.
Mr. FRIEDEL. These are charges that are very serious.
Mr. LYMAN. We will be happy to provide the committee with the
names and times and information to substantiate this information.
Mr. FRIEDEL. I hope you can, because I want to make it clear that I,
for one, very strongly believe in unions, but I want to know if you
are representing one group and another union group. If this is it, we
don't want to be used for a forum for a membership contest.
I would like you to be very specific on the charges that you are
making sir.
Mr. LYMAN. Again, we will, sir. We are not using this as a platform
in order to obtain members for the National Association of Govern-
ment Employees.
This subject is one that to myself and to Mr. Grote here is one of
vital interest. Mr. Grote still remains as an active air traffic controller,
I only recently have left the Federal Aviation Agency. I have been
active air traffic controller in Boston for years, had flight service
experience for a number of years outside the Boston area.
This is a subject that vitally interests me, is of vital interest to the
people that are performing a service to you, as a Congressman that flies
the airways ; they are not interested at this time or at any other timç
when they start compiling this information in a membership drive.
We have been very successful within this organization for member-
ship without attempting to use an elaborate procedure such as we
have here to be heard before Congress.
We feel the information we have should be heard because it has
been suppressed for a long time.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Any charges you make, I want made specifically, and
110 generalities.
Mr. LYMAN. As I say, the information I am reading to you now
comes from the Los Angeles center but applies to every center around
the country. The reason I am reading this document-
Mr. FRIEDEL. Who gave you that information?
Mr. LYMAN. The air traffic controllers of the Los Angeles center.
This outlines the procedures.
Mr. FRIEDEL. One controller or three or 10 or five, whatever ~
Mr. LYMAN. This is the thinking of some 160 controllers in the
Los Angeles center.
Mr. FRIEDEL. We would like to have names.
Mr. LYMAN. I will give you the names of the people that put this
together as one piece, but we will be more than happy to give you
the names of specific controllers that have information that will sub-
stantiate this information from their location plus any other names
PAGENO="0298"
294
from any, other centers around the country `which will substantiate
the same ~acts that I am presentii~g to you here this morning.
Again to go on, the agency has told the controller, and the con-
troller agrees, that radar environment is both inevitable and desirable
and there is no argument with this.
The handoff, however, is basic and no controller will deny tMs
either. The radar concept gives a license as well as responsibility to
the controller. While a controller must hand off before the boundary
that he is responsible for, unless prior coordination we spoke about
is in existence, he also may climb, descend, or alter the course of any
aircraft within the airspace that he is controlling and will. despite
any other information. as presented to him by written air traffic con-
trol strips without coordinating these changes in any flight, altitude,
direction, without any other control. ~ .
He can do this as long as the aircraft he is controlling is within his
responsibility or within his area.
Not one controller in, 100 however, and we again will give you the
names and times around the country, not one controller will exercise
this total control nor will he exercise this license for the simple fact it
is not a safe operation.
Thus, something must be wrong and the controllers know it is wrong.
We have overlooked the mechanics of attempting to operate in a
complete radar handoff and we do not have the personnel nor the equip-
ment to operate in a complete radar environment. In order to have a
prior boundary that handofF must be not some of the time or even most
of the time, but all of thetime, and this is a fact that no controller will
argue with you about.
Radar coverage must be adequate throughout and sectors must be
iar~e enough to permit accepting and making simultaneous handoffs.
This is not the case today. There must be a sufficient amount of per-
sonnel at the sectors all of the time and not some of the time to make
these handoffs, because the agency has adopted a principle around the
country within the centers and within the tours of telling one controller,
"You do the actual following of the aircraft and in addition divert
your attention to accomplish a radar handofl~ to the adjacent sector, to
the adjacent tour, to the adjacent facility."
When one man attempts to divert his attention from the radarscope
to push those magic buttons, he now diverts his attention from his im-
mediate duty because he now has to look at the button, he has to wait
for the other man on the end ofthe line to answer and nine times out of
ten, we can again produce information and facts, nine times out of ten
the man on the other end is doing the same thing, he is now diverting his
attention because he hears a voice calling him, and he has to leave his
primary duty to accept the handoff and relieves the primary duty and
he is no longer providing the service that he was there for in the first
place, which is the basic separation of these aircraft.
Mr. DEVINE. What you are doing, Mr. Lyman, you are supporting
your charge in your statement here on pages 2 and ~, that there is an
insufficient number of air traffic controllers, there are not enough elec-
tronic mechanics and you would like to have more personnel?
Mr. LYMAN. That is right.
Mr. DEVINE. I notice in theNew York Times artiôle, dated July 31,
that the FAA, which you condemn in its management, has already re-
PAGENO="0299"
I
295
versed their trend on budget personnel reduction and are seeking 700
new traffic controller jobs for the present fiscal year.
Has anything developed on that ~
Mr. LYMAN. To our knowledge, we recognize there has been some
recruiting and hiring within the agency but again, the information
that is coming to us from the various facilities which reortfit is that it
i,~ not proceeding in the manner in whioh the agency indicated a full
scale recruiting but just on a scattered piecemeal attempted recruiting
to patch up one lo'op~hole here and let the other two or three go.
Mr. DEviNE. I would like to reiterate what our chairman, Mr.
Friedel, said here that we will riot be used as a forum for any dispute
between you and the A~ir `Traffic Control Association, whic~h apparently
is a competing union.
I notice on the first page of your statement here you say you repre-
sent 8,000 out of 14,000 air traffic controllers. In their prepared state-
ment that will `be given next, they say they represent 5,000 out of 12,000.
So I see a dispute here right now.
We do not want to be used to get in any inter-union dispute, that is
not our function. We are interested in air safety and air safety alone.
Mr. LYMAN. First, sir, we am not here to dispute or argue with any
other group. The ATCA is not a union ; we are a union. The member-
ship again matters not. I will not use this as a platform to argue
membership. Why they wish to pick up numbers, we have no idea. And
we are not interested in talking numbers. Right now we are talking
air safety
Mr. DEvINi~. You make the point there is an insufficient number of
air traffic controllers and electronic technicians. I don't believe you
should belabor that any further.
Mr. LYMAN. You have some information that says the agency is
attempting to make some corrected changes, and I would like to, in
turn, read to you an agency document which is a sendoff in the Miami
area and other centers around the county. This is off an agency tele-
type, by the way. It starts off:
Due to the shortage of funds, the following actions will be implemented Imme-
diaitely: Stop all `recruitment immediately, defer commitments to the extent
possible.
This is the Miami area.
Then it goes on and it says, "Defer all procurement except essential
items."
We wonder what are the essential items they refer to.
Mr. DEviNi~. You are formerly an FAA `personnel-
Mr. LYMAN. Yes.
Mr. DEVINE. When did you leave?
Mr. LYMAN. I officially `left on `medical separation 60, 65 days ago,
but up until that time I wasan active air traffic controller.
Mr. DEVJNE. Did you leave under any circumstances other than
medical?
Mr. LYMAN. No ; strictly medical reasons `because of ~high `blood pres-
sure and nerves and I was taking medication that would affect judg-
ment in the case of a radar environment.
Mr. DEVINE. How long were you there?
Mr. LYMAN. I started with the Federal Aviation Agency in 1955.
Mr. DEVINE. And y'ou were there for 12 years?
PAGENO="0300"
I: 296
Mr. LYMAN. That is right ; first, time in flight service stations and
then in 1958 I transferred into `air `traffic control center operations,
and was with the center from 1958 until the time of my separation.
~ . I Mr. DEVINE. Where ~
Mr. LYMAN. In Boston.
Mr. DEVINE. Boston?
Mr. LYMAN. Yes.
Mr. DEvINE. The man immediately to your left?
Mr. LYMAN. Mr. Grote remains as an active air traffic controller at
the Newark tower.
Mr. DEVINE. At the Newark tower?
Mr. LYMAN. Yes, sir.
Mr. DEvINE. Anybody here from the Washington tower?
Mr. LYMAN. No. We have nobody here today from `the Washington
tower, although, again, the information that Mr. Grote has-and we
hope to have time to give you-nlso would be representative `of `the
Washington tower and any other tower around the country for the
same conditions exist nc~t only at Newark but around `the country.
As I said `this is an agency directive `to ~ stop `the recruitment, stop
procuring material, defer maintenance projects and so forth. Then we
come `to another- `
Mr. FRIEDEL. Mr. Lyman, I thought we had an understanding and
I want to' be very fair with you.
You said you would summarize your statement and you are going far
afield with other things. I did not know that you were going to take this
time. We will never ge~t to another witness this morning.
I just would like to be as courteous as I can, let you get all the
information in `the record. The only thing I ask you to do is `to be
specific rather general. If you `are going to read all `these letters, if
you want it in the record, I will put it in the record for you, but just
try `to get down where you are claiming there is not enough personnel
`and try to keep `to that and make recommendations where you feel `that
this would `help safety.
Mr. LYMAN. Well, we do in our prepared text, as you know, at the
end of our statement, have our recommendations that we feel will bring
`about `immediate corrections and it does talk about immediate increase
of personnel, 20-percent increase, across-the-board, tower, center,
flight service `center, and electronic's people.
We also feel that a standing committee should be formulated b~y
the Congress to be made up of active air traffic controllers to work in
conjunction with the managerial people of the FAA, so that the views
and information that are of interest to the controller will be heard by
management within the FAA and will be presented to them by people
that have a firsthand knowledge and not rather rely on information
to be fed into management of the FAA by other management officials
who only want to pass the good word along as it has been their prac-
tice in the past, but rather pass the good and the bad along to the
higher managerial people within the Federal Aviation Administration.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Have you submitted these recommendations to the
FAA, Mr. Lyman?
Mr. LYMAN. We have submitted these on numerous occasions, Mr,
Lyons and I both.
Mr. FRIEDEL. In writing?
PAGENO="0301"
297
Mr. LYMAN. In writing and also verbally to the Administrator and
also to Mr. Thomas, on two occasions.
Mr. FRIEDEL. The ones you submitted in writii~g, did you receive
an answer?
Mr. LYMAN. I don't recall. I would have to defer on that one to
Mr. Lyons.
Mr. LYONS. We did. They accepted the brief that we sent to the FAA
but we heard nothing further relative to our recommendations.
Mr. FEIEDEL. How long ago was that?
Mr. LYONS. I would be guessing now. I would say about 6 or 7 months
ago. I do&t know exactly.
Mr. FRIEDEL. You have not received a response?
Mr. LYONS. Other than that it was received by the FAA, that was
the only response.
Mr. FRIEDEL. You made studies and recommendations?
Mr. LYMAN. Pardon?
Mr. FRIEDEL. And were they making studies of your recommencla.
tions?
Mr. LYMAN. No, that it was received, but no response as pertains
to the merits of the recommendations made by the organization.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. Mr. Chairman, in line with your remarks, 1
appreciate you and Mr. Devine making it clear that we don't want
to be parties in your dispute here-I think the tone of some of the state-
ments made in your remarks would indicate a degree of animosity
between your organization and the FAA because at the bottom of
page 2 you made a charge, and I am going to ask that this be sub-
stantiated-you have charged someone with a criminal act here and
1 think it should be brought out as to who you mean.
I think that you should be able and ready to support that with names.
We want them here.
Mr. LYMAN. It just so happens I will give you one specific. We
will give you the additional information. Colorado Springs, Cob.,
July 19, 1967. This is an FAA document from a supervisory electronic
technician.
Operating short of personnel. We may not always have a man available to take
care of your problems so be patient and we will take care of the equipment
failures as soon as we can.
This is one specific piece of paper.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Who was that signed by
Mr. LYMAN. This was signed by a supervisory electronics technician
out at Colorado Springs.
Mr. KTJYiiENDALL. Sir, if you think what you read is the same as
what you put in your statement, I would like to be the prosecuting at-
torney against you in court sometime because that is not the same
thing.
No one was told to let a piece of equipment break down.
Mr. LYMAN. No, no.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. You said that.
Mr. LYMAN. I said perform the preventative maintenance only after
it has failed.
Mr. KIJYKENDALL. You said it right here.
Mr. LYMAN. That is right. When the piece of equipment fails, then
you perform the maintenance on it.
PAGENO="0302"
298
Mr. KtJYKENDALL. Let it fail and then fix it?
Mr. LYMAN. When it has failed, then fix it.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. All right. You charged the FAA managemeru
let a piece of equipment fail.
Mr. LYMAN. If you are in the room and you are working on aniother
piece of equipment and you look across the room and a gear is going
to fail and your project for that day is to work on X over here, but
Y is failing, you are telling these people, do not work on Y, only
work on X. That is correct.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. I hope that regardless of what anybody ever tells
you that as long as I am flying an airplane around and you look across
the room and see a piece of equipment failing that would endanger
human life that no boss in the world would keep you from fixing it.
Mr. LYMAN. Now you are getting to the point that I did not get
to because we are trying to summarize and that is exactly what is hap-
pening because you have professional and dedicated electronics tech-
nicians.
That is right. They are acutally being forced into a moonlighting
situation.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. FAA would let a piece of equipment deliberately
fa~il and endanger human life?
Mr. LYMAN. In order to satisfy statistics that show that this piece
of electronic equipment fails only seldom. Yes, we have that
information.
Mr. KIJYKENDALL. And you have information that they deliberately
let the equipment fail and endanger human life ~
Mr. LYMAN. Encouraging the equipment to fail because these peo-
pie are iiot working on it. When you have a technician in that room,
this technician has a responsibility in his own mind when he looks
across that room and he sees an indicator that that equipment is get-
ting ready to fail, he moonlights but does not record that in his of-
ficial record because disciplinary actiou is then effected by his im-
mediate supervisors to the point where he does not report it.
So as you say, as a pilot we are getting a service from him which
he wants to give to you but he is giving it to you not because he is
told to but because of the fact he is there. He knows what the con-
sequence is going to be and that is correct.
Mr. FRIEDI~IL. What do you mean by "the consequence ?" If he reports
something, he is going to be reprimanded?
Mr. LYMAN. If he works on a project that he was not scheduled-
Mr. FRIEDELI. He is going to be reprimanded?
Mr. LmAN. That is correct. And we will give you this information.
We will give you the specifics.
Mr. LYONS. Mr. Chairman, if you will, last year at the eastern re-
gional meeting of all of our locals of the AFS groups or the systems
maintenance employees, it was brought to the attention of the head
of the eastern region that equipment is not being maintained properly.
As a matter of fact, the presidents of these locals informed the head
of the eastern region that we have been moonlighting on equipment;
that they themselves have been checking on it although they are not
supposed to perform preventative maintenance.
Preventative maintenance is to check material before it breaks down.
Now they had quite a few outages but they were told they were not
PAGENO="0303"
299
to do this because they did not~ have &nough help. and thei~e were fur~
ther cutbacks atthat time ; is that correct?
Mr. LY~iAw, That `is cQrrect,
Mr. FRIEDEL. Wait a minute. You said they did not have enough
help. But if a man is there will he be reprimanded?
Mr. Lyo~s. Heis not supposed to do it, Mr. Chairniman, and this
was brought up, thatmany o1~ the employees will perform preventa-
tive maintenance even though they are not supposed to do it.
They will when they go out in the field and they will look at other
equipment they feel can break down, whether it `is tacon or any of
the other equipment. They were told they were not supposed to `do this,
they were not supposed to perform preventative maintenance. They
were only supposed to perform the actual outages to repair material
or equipment that broke down.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. Mr. Lyman, I would like for you specifically to
give us the name of one person in the management of FAA that has
told directly any. person in your ~ organization that they were not to
perform critical preventative maintenance that stared them in the face.
I would like names. I don't want any more opinions, I don't want any
more "they said," I want a name &nd a place.
I think I can begin to understand a little bit here why your commu-
nications with FAA have broken down and some of the charges here.
Maybe they are going to make the same charges back. That is un-
fortunate, but it is unfortunate this situation exists of an absolute
breakdown in communications. This is no place to be making this kind
of charge.
Mr. LYONS. I will gladly send to you, Mr. Congressman, the date of
the meeting held in New York-
Mr. KtTYKENDALL. I don't want a meeting ; I want the name of the
individual.
Mr. LYONS. Yes ; I will give you the names of the individuals present.
I believe we have a summary of the report as made by the FAA and we
will submit that to the chairman and the full committee.
Mr. DINGELL. If the gentleman will yield, I think you should submit
that to the dhairman of the subcommittee here. I think we also would
like to have whatever minutes there are or a summary of the discus-.
sion or discussions that took place, and have these things fully and
appropriately.
Mr. KTJYKENDALL: We know that there is a shortage of maintenance
personnel. We know that any management of any organization when
they have a shortage of personnel tias to put in priorities.
If you were ~unnin~ the organization you would put in priorities,
we know this. Now this is probably up to that point. I think it is Un-
forturrate that you `have specifically put in this one short statement of
saying, "Let it break down." Let it break down.
Now this is th~ unfortunate thing. You have made a direct charge
whi~h is very, very criminal and' this is the unfortunate thing here.
We know there is a `shortage of per~onneJ and this is one of the pur-
poses of the meeting, to ask' for recommendations that the personnel be
increased.
I happen to be one that is going to join in the recommendation that
it `be increased, if I `have an opportunity to. I will vote on appropri'a-
tion for it to be increased, but the thing that disturbs me most `here
PAGENO="0304"
300
about this testimony is the matter of these broad charges without the
specifics that we in this committee want and Mr. Dingell said, to be
most specific, we are not interested in a meeting where someone is told
that because of the ~hortagc of maintenance personnel we must put on
priorities.
We want an example of someone that is either reprimanded or told
not to do critical maintenance personnel on a piece of equipment at
~43 times and a, place that would endanger human life.
Mr. LYMAN. Again, as Mr. Lyons indicated, we will be happy to
give you specific occurrences from the east coast and also the central
and also the western regions.
One other view. When we talk about electronic equipment failures,.
as an individual flying, the thinking of the technician is opposed to
the FAA's thinking.
Mr. FRIEDEL. What are you talking about?
Mr. LYMAN. I am talking about electronic equipment failure. We
talked about moonlighting and this has been implemented and the
agency in turn says their equipment does not fail. We are providing
the maintenance to keep our equipment working.
They come up and they say 98 percent of the time equipment is
available, there are no failures. They use this figure. However, this
again is based on the moonlighting fact. They turn around now and
they have an order out which eliminates complete shifts of electrothcs
people on specific days.
In other words, you can be flying-I don't know, Mr. Congressman,
if you are a pilot or not-you can be flying a specific day. As you mdi-
cated you certainly would hope that somebody was available to monitor
the electronics equipment to determine whether it was operating nor-
mally, and yet the agency has adopted a policy on specific shifts to
eliminate all the people so that the machinery is now operating itself
without anybody monitoring the equipment. The man is home, they
adopt this on a holiday, they reduce this down. The records show that
98 percent of the time the equipmel1t does not fail but again we will
show you where it does fail more than that and that it is not avail-
able 98 percent of the time.
Again, if you were flying on a hoTiday I think you would like to
have somebody down there watching your equipment, somebody do-
ing routine maintenance. Yet it says routine maintenance can be de-
ferred on holidays in order to allow employees to pursue their interests.
The equipment is available 98 pe~eent of the time. Therefore failure
on a holiday is highly remote. Well, the equipment fails holidays or
any other days. Again, this is just one instance of where this whole
thing has come down the line.
I know it is difficult for somebody to correlate in their mind the fact
that a man is told to not do this, do this, and forget the other. It is
difficult but it is not difficult for the controller to be told to provide
radar separation, provide the handoff and do a few other functions
because there is nobody there, make it work.
These people are making the system work for ~ll practical purposes.
The system should have fallen on its face a long time ago. You can
only extend productivity, which is a favorite word of the FAA, to a
point. You, as a Congressman, can only divert your attention to
w amount of duties before, after that time, somewhere along the line,
PAGENO="0305"
301
you are going to derogate something in your decisionmaking. These
people-that controller, the flight service station individual, the elec-
tronics individual-are responsible for immediate decisionmaking.
The electronics man and flight service conceivably has a little more
time to correct an error but the controller who is separating aircraft
and being forced to spread himself so thin that decisionmaking is af-
fecting his responsibility for your safety and my safety and anybody
else that is flying is affected.
If they are not providing the service, than we have the information
that this maintenance is not being provided and affects your safety.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Mr. Lyman, is that your statement ? Is that your case?
Mr. LYMAN. ~ This, basically, is the case. As you asked we have the
recommendations. Again, we feel, as you indicated, we need an immedi-
ate increase in personnel, we need an immediate increase in equipment.
There is not backup system of radar equipment available to these peo-
ple, so when we talk equipment we are talking an addition of x amount
of additional radarscopes to provide a backup system capability for
these people.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Now furnish the specifics that we requested.
Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Chairman.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Mr. Dingell.
Mr. DINGELL. You are alluding, I assume, to the series of circum-
stances referred to in the statement of the eyewitness beginning at the
bottom of page 2 and going down to about the middle of page 3, where-
in the witness has cited the inadequacy of electronics technicians, and
of the FAA maintenance procedures ; that controllers through the
auspices of the National Association of Government Employees have
found that the Agency is forcing them to rely on outdated and tern-
perarnental equipment ; that the FAA is arbitrarily phasing out vital
electronic equipment at air traffic control stations and in many areas
purchasing factory seconds to replace tubes in radar and related elec-
tronic equipment; and the high number of unreported incidents where
aircraft passage show a distance less than FAA safety limits. I believe
you are asking for specifics on those items?
Mr. FEIEDEL. Yes.
Mr. DINGELL. Very well. I hope it will be received for the record.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Thank you very much.
Mr. LYMAN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
(The information requested follows:'
day,
-715---68-----20
PAGENO="0306"
302
The principal document referred to was issued over the signature of John
Hanlon, area `supervisor of the Cleveland SyStems Maintenance Area Office, aii~I
entitled "Project Focus".
Pertinent excerpts follow:
"The Cleveland Systems Maintenance Area Office is implementing a Mainite-
nanoe Schedule Improvement Program, the purpoue of which is mlaximum
efficiency in utilization of manpower while assuring completely adequate opeTation
of services and facilities. Under the Program, Sector personnel will accomplish
most maintenance procedures aceordtng to schedules developed ]~oc~a11~y, based on
local oondWons. One of the key points in operation of ~e o~r~n~ ~s a po~!e~ o~
NOT attempting lie hold facility or system parameters to eenter~of-tolerance
values, but to take corrective action oniy when an out-of~tolerance condition is
found or when one is imminent.
"Success of the Maintenance Schedule Improvement is essential, if the Cleve~
land Area is to assume the `additional werkle~td to ~ which we are committed.
However, success `of the program depends completely on the whole-hearted coop-
eration of Secter technicians and their complete `acceptance of the program. The
inspection process involves measurement of `system and equipment parameters.
Very often, in the past, `inspectors who have found a parameter near the edge
of tolerance have adjusted it to its nominal value during the inspection.
"FEG (Field Engineering Group) personnel who conduct 1~flectronic and FED
inspections will support the Cleveland Area Maintenance Schedule Improvement
Program `and will conform to guidelines established by the program. They will
provide a feedback to the Area Office regarding Secto.r participation in the
program. Specilleally, inspectors will:
"a. Include in Section 1 of the Inspection ReØort `a `~tatement regarding the
extent and efféctivenees of Seoter participation in the Maintenance Schedule
Improvement Pregram.
"b. Refrain from taking action on making adjustments when departures from
center-of4olerance conditions `are i~oted during inspection so long as `an out-of-
tolerance condition Is not found or Is not Imminent. Doing so might obscure
justification for altering a maintenance schedule.
"C. Apply `adjective ratings to facilities inspected, based on utility, function's and
reliability of operation. Adjective ratings will not be lowered by `any condiitiions
which `are found `to be in tolerance, even though they are near `or at `the edge of
the permissible `area.
"In summary, Sector Chiefs `and `all other technicians are being `asked to `adopt
new maintenanee philosophies, which `are considered a radical change by `some `of
them. Evaluations conducted by FE~ engineers should in no way re~'1ect an
evaluator's opinion that perfection of equipment operation is favored over an
operating condition the eva'uator thinks shostkl be improved, but which reafly
doesn't need to be. Reports s*o~ld not refteot disapproi~al of equipment operation,
which is not at center-of-tolerance conditions as long as out-of-tolerance condi-
tions are not found." (Italic supplied.)
Again emphasizing that this philosophy continues in effect, maintenance em~
ployees comment as follows:
"Mr. Hanlon told the technicians to closely monitor their equipment to
determine when it will fail, then repair it just before it does fail. In electronics,
this is not only impossible, but utterly ridiculous.
"On one of Mr. Hanlon's trips to Buffalo, he encouraged doing the monthly
monitor checks on the Instrument Landing Systems without removing them
from service. In his own words, we should, on sunny, clear days, shift the course,
go to broad alarm condition, and act without notifying the pilot.
"By checking past records, you will lind some airports that ran 100 percent
availability month after month, but still recorded their routine work as being
done. This is cheating to make the availability time look good. This same point
was brought up last March 21, 1967, in Syracuse at the ILS (Instrument Landing
System) conference.
"You will also note in his directive (Hanlon's) that he instructed his inspec~
tors to close their eyes to all but out-of-tolerance conditions. This is still done
today, very few facilities fail an inspection. We hope this will help in the testi-
mony and if we can assist in any way please let us know."
A further case in point comes from Boston's Logan International Airport.
Employees at this facility comment as follows:
"Under the FAA's Reduced Preventive Maintenance Program, monthly time
limits have been placed on site and situation. This includes time spent on
preventative and corrective maintenance.
PAGENO="0307"
303
"The policy at AFS-411 Logan International Airport is that if the allotted time
for a site is used up during the month and some of the equipment at that aite has
~:iot been rontined for that month, it will not be routined. Tile only justification
for looking at this eç~i1ip~ent is that it is failing or has failed. At Logan ATOT,
there is one transmitted for the primary frequency of departure control. This
transmitter doesn't receive the proper routines according to agency handS
books because (1) there is not a back-up transmitter for this frequency, and
(2) there has not been a midnight shift for communications since May 1965,
even though traffic between midnight and 0800 has doubled and tripled. The
NAVAID section at AFS~-411 is constantly being monItored regarding time
spent at sites. Se~eral times, marker sites of the Instrument Landing System
have had scheduled preventative maintenance, but all the time allotted for this
site for the month was used up. This task was put off until the next month.
"The safety of the flying publie has been jeopardized by putting time limits
on maintenance at the Airways Facility sectors. You cannot put time limits on
preventative or corrective maintenance and have a facility operating at peak
efficiency."
A shortage of maintenance workers is the principal ingredient in another prob-
1cm area, this one at the New York Afr Route Traffic Control Center.
As reported by employees at that facility, "Presently, at the N~w York ARTCC,
there are only two qualIfied engine generator men. If there is a trouble at night,
a WB-9 building maintenance man, who is not qualified to certify the power-
plant and related switchgear, must perform the task of transferring the center
from commercial power to emergency power. If he encounters any problems
beyond his technical competence, the New York Center could very possibly
be without any power, or in effect, be of no use to any aircraft which normally
rely on this critical station.
"Recently, the New York ARTCC was utilizing the emergency powerplant
when both engine generators developed trouble, forcing the engine generator
man to revert back to commercial power. Fortunately, commercial power was
available, and also an engine generator man happened to be available."
Another typical example of degradation of maintenance programs because of
lack of employees occurred at Colorado Springs, Cob. The supervisory dee-
tronics technician of the radar/communications unit there advised air traffic
control tower and Weather Bureau personnel, by memo dated July 1, 1967, that
repairs of equipment outages would simply have to wait. Text of the memo
follows:
"Beginning on or about July 24, the Radar/Comm crew will `become involved
with installation of the ASR-~5. We will transfer Joe Vegh to the installation
crew for the duration `of the project. This transfer, during the annual leave
season, leaves the crew two men short.
"Operating this short, we may not always have a man available to take
care of your problems, so be patient, and we will take care of the equipment
failures as soon as we can."
Note the employees, "This is one of the reasons for poor air traffic control
service. The ASR-1 radar that we are using here was out~dated years ago,
and as the `above letter states, there is nobody to maintain It. If there is a
near mid-air or a collision tomorrow, it is nobody's fault but the FAA."
Evidence is at hand which indicates that things will get much worse before
they get better. In the minutes of the Kansas City Area Chiefs Conference,
February 13-17, 1967,, Warren C. Sharp, Airways Facilities Division Chief
of the FAA's Central Region, is quoted as saying, "Improved ma~ntenanee
techniques are still being evaluated in an effort to `determ~e optimum levels
of maintenance. Less than 24-hour watchetanding on ARSiR facilIties has been
proposed as a means of improving productivity."
This statement has a commendaible ring to it, but the em~iloyees who would
be affected by such a program offer the following observations on the pos~ible
consequences of such a cUt back :
"If for some reason tl~e hIgh voltage goes off at the 4~RSR (Air Route
Surveillance Radar) site a~d the circuit breaker drops out, who is going to
reset it? If the equi~ment is changed to the standby u~it~ by remote control,
who is going to see that it is operating at peak performance? We helieve that
we should not sacrifice safety for the Sake of saving money or, as quoted above,
improving proUuctivity. Surely, we want to im~rove in productivIty or in any
other area Where it l'S needed, but we should not take the ~afety of peoples'
lives too lightly."
The minutes of the same area chiefs conference further note that "the three
percent annual productivity increases are expected to continue."
PAGENO="0308"
304
Respond the Kansas City electronics technicians, "How long can it be dec]~ared
that we have a productivity increase of three percent and thereby ci~t the
number of employees by the same amount? We would think that after a facility
has been eslablished for a period of two to three years, there would be no
further productivity increase there. IPurthermore, as the equipment gets older,
it requires more maintenance. So, even though we might have a productivity
increase, we very well might need more men rather than to decrease the staffing
by the same amount as the productivity increase."
Another problem is the phase-out of electronics equipment which air-traffic
employees believe they still need to fulfill their mission.
Report workers at the Airway~ ~iaeilities Branch, Trinidad~ Cob., "Several
weeks ago, our subsector chief and our local FS$ (Flight Service Station)
chief were notified that the region's plant and structures section has decided
to discontinue and remove all standby emergency generators from Flight Service
Stations `in the interest of economy.'
"It will probably cost several thousand dollars to remove and rewire each
facility. It will not do away with any technicians since our work load will
be affected very little by removing them. About all that will be saved will be
the few gallons of gas and oil per month it takes to keep the unit in good
operatingeondition.
"However, there is a great possibility of air tragedy occurring due to emerg-
eney power not being available.
"For exalurile, on April 22, our FSS experienced a 21/2-hour power failure.
If the emergency power plant had not been available, the communicators would
not have had any communications with the aircraft in the area. While Trinidad
is not extremely busy, there were three inbounds and one outbound during
this period. Loss of communications could have resulted in a collision.
"Also, our station is equipped with Direction Finder equipment to render
assistance to pilots who become lost or disorientated during the freak weather
conditions which occur in our area regularly. On April 2~, one communicator
had three such problems.
"It is during these unusual weather conditions that air traffic needs the most
assistance ; it is also during these times that we experience most of our com-
mercial power failures. So, you can see what problems we are going to have in air
safety if management get's their way and removes our standby emergency power
plant."
According to employees at New York, more potential trouble threatens because
of another instance of equipment phase-out. They report, "FAA has all ith eggs in
basket with the only capable radar at Kennedy Airport.
"In the event of a breakdown of the Kennedy radar site, there would not be
enough air coverage with the backup Palermo and Benton radar systems.
"The FAA discontinued service of the Montauk radar site which would have
served as an excellent backup of the Kennedy radar site."
A final point on which subcommittee members requested further specifics was
the subject of unreported "incidents" taking place, instances in which aircraft
pass each other at distances less than the FAA's safety limits.
Because of the very fact that such incidents go unreported, it is extremely dif-
ficult to assign figures to the numbers of times they occur. However, in a survey
of N.A.G.E. members, we found that, by the air traffic controllers' own estimates,
they happen with alarming frequency.
Controllers at the New York Air Route Traffic Control Center reported that
there is at least one "confliction," sometimes as many as five, on an average day
at the facility. Most of these1 they said, go unreported.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Our next witness will be Mr. Clifford P. Burton, exec-
utive director of the Air Traffic Control Association.
STATEME1~T O~F CLIPPORD P. BURTON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AIR
TRAFFIC cONTROL ASSOCIATION; ACCOMPANIED BY JAMES HILL,.
GENERAL COuNSEL
Mr. BURTON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
If you wish, I can summarize my statement; however it is only some
six pages long, so I am at your disposal, Mr. Chairman.
PAGENO="0309"
305
My name is Clifford P. Burton, and I hold the position of executive
director of the Air Traffic Control Association. .
On my right is Mr. James Hill, general counsel of the association.
At this point I would like to mention that Mr. Hill is a former
Deputy General Counsel of the Federal Aviation Agency and I form-
erly held the position of Deputy Director of the Air Traffic Service
and in that capacity I have some working knowledge of the problems
that the agency goes through in trying to get budgetary approval
of its request for personnel and equipment.
In my statement I mention 5,000 of the 12,000 aircraft traffic con-
trollers. We do not include in that 12,000 figure flight service station
personnel but of our 5,000 members we can authenticate this by records
which are kept through the computer at the Service Bureau Corp.
and we can make our roster available to the committee to prove
the actual number of members we have in our association, and how
many we represent.
. We do not maintain that we represent the other 7,000 of the 12,000
controllers or whatever exact number it is.
We are an independent, nonprofit professional organization dedi-
cated to the advancement of science of air traffic control.
Our statement, Mr. Chairman, does not deal specifically with equip-
ment. ~Te have read the testimony of the previous witnesses, ATA, the
AOPA, and others, and we believe all the goodies in the world are
included iii those statements as to equipment.
Our particular thrust deals with the recognized shortage in person-
nel, the rapid growth of traffic, and what must be done to correct this
situation.
Our statement quotes in full an editorial in our journal of January of
~tliis year, where we really pointed up this problem. We did not wait
until an accident occurred to point it out.
We also recognize that during the past 4 or 5 years the economy
pressures that have been on the agency, and that many people in that
agency recognized this problem, yet there was not too much they could
really do about it.
Our concern now is over the fact that in the last 4 or 5 years the
traffic has increased rapidly, it has been handled by increased pro-
ductivity on the part of the controllers to almost the breaking point.
We recognize the shortage in nearly every facility in the country.
The difficulty now arises with the fact that the pipeline is empty. There
are no new bodies coming into the system in time.
It will take at least 18 months, 15 to 18 months to train a body in a
]~ow activity facility, 3 to 5 years in a busy one.
So the pipeline needs to be filled up.
At the present time, as I found in my tour through the Western
. ~ States and through the central part of the country, there are a few new
. : bodies coming into the system but not in any great numbers, and they
are largely composed of retired commanders1 colonels, and sergeants.
We think there should be an all-out efFort at the present time. to recruit
new and qualified personnel.
We specifically recommend immediate acquisition of around 2,000
for training purposes. We also recognize that while it would be desir-
able to rapidly expand in the electronics field and commission new
radars, new facilities throughout the country, that this cannot be done
PAGENO="0310"
306
with the present work force, and it would drain off the qualified people
from the existing facilities, now working shorthanded,
We think the first order of business, insofar as safety is concerned,
is to get the bodies on hand to handle the equipment and the facilities
in existence today. Certainly it would be desirable according to ATA's
statement that we have more radar, more towers, more ILS, et cetera,
but we must have the people to maintain them, so the particular thrust
of ourt~stimony is in the personnel field.
We work closely with the FAA on these problems. We have seldom,
if ever, sent a recommendation or a communication to the FAA that
they have not answered it, however, it has not always answered to
our satisfaction.
Many times we quarrel and we quarrel quite strongly and quite bit-
terly, but at the same time we have confidence in General McKee and
Mr. Thomas, and we feel that they can get this job done, that they
can get out of this dilemma if they are given some immediate sup-
port.
I speak now of the Appropriations Committee as you cannot get
things done without money.
So in our statement, Mr. Chairman, we have three areas which we
think should be given priority attention : One is the immediate acquisi-
tion of 2,000 personnel, and I use a round number of this-
Mr. KUYKENDALL. What page~
Mr. BURTON. That is on page 6.
Major emphasis on the airport construction program because quite
obviously if you have no place for the airplane to land, we cannot
handle them and the traffic controllers have to chop them off-restrict
traffic.
An accelerated implementation program on the national aviation
system is now underway by FAA.
Here, again, Mr. Chairman, this cannot be accelerated unless there
is money in hand to do it. When you add to that, of course, the recomn-
mendations of other associations that have appeared before you on
additional radar, additional towers, additional lights and facilities, and
so on, again it comes down to a matter of money.
So we are pressing you strongly, Mr. Chairman, to urge the Appro-
priations Committee to get behind the FAA and give them the money
that they need to do the job.
We do have confidence in the administration to get the job done,
we expect to quarrel with them in the future as we have in the past,
but at the same time we are trying to cooperate with them.
Basically, Mr. Chairman, that is the thrust of our statement.
Mr. FRIEDEL. The three recommendations we have here~ What do you
estimate the total cost would be ?
Mr. BURTON. I have not gone into the matter of cost on these at all,
Mr. Chairman, but I would say it is quite astronomical particularly
in the airport area and in national aviation system.
I think they have ordered most of the computers, radar, and other
electronics that are very, very expensive. Of course, if you take the
average salary of a controller and multiply by 2,000, that would give
you a pretty good figure, but we have not done so.
We can come up with a rough estimate but we have not attempted
to do this. I would say it would be at 1e~st $200 or $300 million.
PAGENO="0311"
307
Mr. DINGi~Li~. Would it be beneficial fQr the sub~omrnittee to have
the benefit of the cost estimates not oniy on these recommendations
but also on such other recommendations as the subcommittee will re-
ceive in the course of the testimony ~
Mr. FRIEDEL. Well, we will try to get the figures. I want to say this:
I am greatly impressed with the shortage business, the need for moreS
men. I wonder if we can get 2~000 ; but at least we ought to get a start
on it.
Mr. BUI~TON. Mr. Chairman, I had a little experience on this about
1~0 years ago. I was then a division chief in OAA and I had air traf-
fic control and communications. At that time I urged quite strongly
that they hire at least 25 percent more personnel for on-the-job tram-
ing, pointing out the rapid increase in traffic that has then-that was
then forthcoming and that we would be caught shorthanded and
with a low experience level.
This happened, and suddenly CAA started hiring people off the
streets and getting from well, wherever source they could. So I think
the total cost to the taxpayer was far greater by waiting and then ac-
celerating the program that was if they had hired these people at
the time. The mood was evident.
I think the same situation exists today that eventually the taxpayer
and the public will benefit by getting these people on the job as quickly
as possible.
Our great fear is that the jth is getting too strenuous and so dif-
ficult that it is not attractive any more. We are not getting the right
kind of bodies into the pipeline. We have recommendations before
the Civil Service Commission today and to the FAA to do something
about it.
So ~wthether or not they are given the authority and funds, I think
they will still have a very, very difficult time in getting the proper
kind of material into the pipeline for training purposes.
Mr. FRILDEL. Mr. Devine?
Mr. DEVINE. Mr. Burton, the previous witnesses said the turnover
was running high in air traffic control. Can you give me any specifics
on that ? Are you losing a lot ? Are the oldtimers dropping out or
what?
Mr. BURTON. I do not believe the turnover rate is high, I do not have
the specific figures. But when we were conferring with the FAA, dur-
lug the past year, this was pointed out.
We attacked the morale problem, and one of the responses that we
got from the agency was that the turnover rate in the service was quite
low. We accepted their figures. I don't remember what that figure was.
Mr. DEVINE. You suggested on page 2 that when an air traffic con-
troller reaches age 40 his proficiency decreases-I suppose that is every-
body, not just the aircraft controller.
Do you have quite a few in that category?
Mr. BtIRTON. I don't know what the average age is, probably 37 to
45, but one of the FAA's own studies indicates that their peak efficiency
in this field wherein split-second decisions are needed, that they begin to
go downhill at about age 45.
It is a safety business and we are talking about increased safety. I
think it is different than sitting behind the desk.
Mr. DEVINE. Have you had any tower experience yourself?
PAGENO="0312"
Mr. DEVINE. Do L former FAA personnel end up in unions?
/ Mr. BURTON. I represent a professional association, sir, not a union.
/ Mr. DEVINE. Thank you.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Mr. Pickle?
Mr. PICKLE. I have not had a chance to read the testimony. I will do
so.
Mr. KIJYKENDALL. Mr. Burton, you mentioned the term "bodies" and
I think that is of great concern to all of us, about where these bodies
will come from.
About what educational level can handle this job with proper train-
ing at any time, high school graduates or would it require college?
Mr. BURTON. That question arose during a transportation workshop
that I attended recently headed up by General Shriver and it was the
consensus there that if they shot for, say, the college graduate, we
would probably lose more people than we could retain. So you need
the sharp high school graduate, 2 years of college, but not necessarily
all college graduates. You need somebody that is real sharp and fast.
Mr. PICKLE. What age would you like to have?
Mr. BURTON. As young as possible.
Mr. PICKLE. You are talking about maybe 20 years old.
Mr. BURTON. Twenty, 22 years old ; right.
Mr. PICKLE. Now what are you doing to try to retrieve the young
draftees and enlistees after a hitch in the Air Force that have had
this experience?
Specifically, what are you doing to try to get these folks the day
they walk out, or maybe 60 days before they get out?
Mr. BURTON. What we have done as an association is ask our mem-
bers to contact their friends and their friends' children and so on,
who are in that age bracket, to urge them to make a career in the air
traffic service. If I did not make myself clear, Mr. Pickle, I am
sorry.
Mr. PICKLE. I am talking about the young fellow that is sitting in a
tower down at Orlando, let's say, who is 23 years old and is going to
get out in 90 days. He has `had a couple years of good experience.
Now, are we-when 1 say "we," I am talking about this as our
joint problem-are we doing anything specifically to contact that
man ahead of time ? Industry does, you know that, and in fact they
try to pirate him, frankly, and I don't blame them.
Are we doing anything specifically to get that fellow to come with
us or me directly upon his separation. from the Air Force?
Mr. BURTON. I don't think there is any organized effort, sir.
Mr. PICKLE. Do you think there should be.
Mr. BURTON. I think there should be.
Mr. PICKLE. All right. You mentioned the retir&l person. I would
suggest probably that there are a great many more of these young
308
Not tower experience. I ~
ndIhave~
in an air route
my career. I
2 years
~iA perso:
~AA?
~er, and then my military
ael end up in unions?
PAGENO="0313"
309
fellows that are getting out * after one hitch availaMe than there are
the retired people and that the person that is retired has a par-
tial income at least, and he might not be quite ~s eager as this young
fellow.
Now, would you suggest a -formal school for these people in stra-
tegic locations throughout the country?
Mr. BtTRTON. We have supported an air academy, I don't remem-
ber the Congressman's name who is sponsoring this, but we are a
strong supporter of the FAA Academy at Oklahoma City, and we
think that should be expanded and used to a greater extent than it is.
Mr. PIORLE. All right.
Mr. BURTON. We think colleges and universities should sponsor
courses which would leiid itself to bringing people into this kind
of business.
Mr. PIcKLE. Now one last question and maybe I can say this a little
better than you can:
I do not know whether there are any airline executives here. Why
don't we encourage the airlines themselves to maybe run some institu-
tional-type ad~~ertising in the flying magazines or possibly in other
type magazines, more or less glamorize this job?
You have seen one of the major life insurance companies that runs,
"Would you like your son to be an engineer ? Would you like your son
to be a doctor ? Would you like your son to be this?"
See, I am a career salesman, I spend my entire life selling and I
continue to sell. It seems to me that we need to glamorize this job some
by advertising, by pointing out the tremendous responsibility for the
public good that is available to the person that serves here.
I think it was just mentioned by my colleague, Mr. Brown. I wonder
if the better people seek out the less pressure control areas than are
in the high pressure control areas. My guess is that you have your
best people in the high pressure because the right kind of person.
responds to pressure properly and responds to challenge.
The type we need is one that wants more responsibility, that wants
an opportunity to serve, that wants to moonlight if it is necessary to
save lives. So I think we ought to build up a challenge, the opportunity
to serve through possibly encouraging, even industrial-type adver-
tising by private industries, aircraft companies, and airlines companies
to help you with your task.
Mr. BURTON. I would agree with you, Mr. Pickle.
I would like to point out one other thing : The O'Hare tower, the
busiest in the world, perhaps, except Saigon, others are now catching
up to it, it qualifies for a level 3 on one shift alone and jobs become open
at grade 11 at other locations, which is one grade below the controller
level at O'Hare, they are bidding out from O'Hare into the lower
level activity to get less pressure and so on.
So, if we are going to glamorize it, I think we have to have a degree
of compensation that makes it a practical one. Then I think we can
progress, there must be some incentive to progress from the lower levels
to the next higher levels.
I think there is one further step. If we recognize that their efficiency
goes down after age 45, there should be some way we can take care of
these people..
PAGENO="0314"
310
We for 10 years now have been working on an ea~r1y retirement bill.
We are now working with Senator Monroney and his staff, however,
we are not making much progre~ss.
There is no place for these people to go when they can no longer
control tra~ffic,there is no market for their skills.
Mr. KtJYKENDALL. Mr. Burton, let me interrupt.
You know, back when I joined the Air Force, an old man of 28
could not even get into the Air Force. Anybody that was 25, could not
go to the combat fighter plane. The only reason we did not have any
pilots over 25, we didn't have any.
We later found out that the best fighter pilots we had in Korea were
35. Of course now 10 years later some of these guys are still fighting
and they are 45 or 50.
Are you possibly overestimating the wearing out of these guys as
they pass 45 ? I hate for guys that are approaching the age you and I
are to admit they are too old to do something, sir.
Mr. BURTON. I don't think I am overestimating it. I think the
psychological examination that the FAA was conducting turned up
about 200. Mr. Hill can probably speak on that a little more accurately
than I can.
We are dealing with the safety business. The fighter pilot is out to
kill somebody and if he gets himself killed that is just another casualty,
but when you have a jetliner with 125, 150 people, it is pretty serious
business.
Mr. KtrYKENDALL. I find it difficult to understand that a man is per-
fectly capable of flying at 55, but is not capable of helping direct the
tower that is bringing the SST in. I will take your word for it.
A few years ago we thought of useful occupations and found ottt
that that was only because the youth were in it. I hate to think about
trying to do something about a business here when you are wearing
somebody out when he is 43 years old.
Mr. BURTON. I have one more new bit of information that might
throw some light on it.
Recently, Mr. Huntley narrated a program, "The Coming Revolu-
tion in Aviation." And he was interviewing a TWA pilot I believe it
was and the TWA pilot stated, "I would rather have my job at the
controller's salary than the controller's job at my salary."
And he was an overseas pilot making $25,000 and $30,000 per year
because pressure on the controller is continuous for an 8-hour period.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. I know a lot of people would not want my jc~b at
my salary.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Any other questions?
Mr. Pickle?
Mr. PICKLE. No questions.
Mr. FRIEDEL. I want to thank you, Mr. Burton.
Mr. BURToN. Thank you.
(Mr. Bi.wton's prepared statement follows:)
STATF~MF.NT OF CLIFFORD P. BuRTON, EXROUTIVE DIRECTOR, Aiu T1~AFFIO
`CONTROL ASSocIATIoN
Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my name is Clifford P. Burton
and I hold the position of Executive Director of the Air Traffic Control Amo-
ciation, `and I have with me Mr. Jim Hill, General Counsel of the A~sodation.
We appreciate very much the opportunity of `testifying before this Committee
PAGENO="0315"
311
on the important ~ubjeet of air safety and would like first to a~quaint the
Oonnnittee with the origin ai~d growth of the 4~ssociation. It was formed In 19~6
and is com~sed of approximately 5,000 of the FAA's 12,000 air traffic controllers~
APOA is an independent nonprofit profe~siona1 organizatior~ dedicated to ad-
vancement in the science of air traffic controL Although composed principally
of active air traffic controllers, its membership also includes pilots, private
aircraft owners and operatorn, aviation Industry organizations, engineers, and
manufacturers. The A~ssoc'iatlon is also a Oorporate Memier of the International
Federation o1~ Air Tra~e Control Associations.
Mr. Chairman, we listened with great interest when General MCKee and Mr.
Thomas. together with members of the National Transportation Safety Board,
testified i*fore this Committee on air safety. The questions posed by membe~rs
of this Committee to these witnesses raise many issues on air ~atfety and, In
particular, stressed the possible need for radar and control towers at all loca-
tions served by air carrier aircraft. Comments of the Committee indk~ated to us
that if the agency would just come forward and present a case for what it needs,
sympathetic consideration would be given to these requirements. However, press
reports now indicate that the agency is encountering great difficulty in obtaining
funds even to maintain the present system. We understand that the agency's
F.Y. 1968, budget request sought no new towers or radar, int nevertheless was
cut by the House Appropriation~ Committee. A discussion of air safety be~omes
academic in the light of the economy pressures that are being exerted on the
agency.
Air safety, in the next decade, cannot be provided merely by maintaining the
present air traffic control system. The Committee will undoubtedly hear the
same general tenor of statistics repeated `by many people. They `show that gen-
erally, 1~y any standard of `measurement, air traffic has more than doubled in
the period of less than the 10 years that the FAA has been in existence. They
show further that it is expected to more than double again by 1975. Air carriers
antit~ipate `a future `annual growth rate of approximately 12%, compounded FAA
Annual Reports for past years all repeat the same fact, that the number of
aircraft handled by air traffic control facilities have increased at `a yearly rate
of approximately 15%, and were handled at no increase in the size of the con-
troller work force. The controller work force today handles more than twIce the
number of aircraft annually than it did when the FAA was created in 1958.
Today the system is stretched to the limit of its endurance.
The Civil Servh~e Commission Classification Standards for controllers created
in 1958 contemplate that the busiest towers and centers are those which will
handle more than 100,QOO instrument operations annually. Today, there are some
that have 500,000, and FAA estimates that by 1975 there will be 12 ARTO con-
ters that will handle one million operations per year, while seven others will
hit the 600,000 mark. The pressure and tensions which this increased work volume
is causing to controllers has become an increasing concern to FAA. The agency
last year subjected all controllers to a psy~hol'ogical evaluation and four~d 200
to be suffering from tension `sufficiently severe to require a full psychiatric ex-
amination. Of these, 15 were retired for jisability and an additional number
were required to obtain tr~atment. A recent FAA medical report diselosea that a
controller's proficiency commences to decrease at age 40, `and shows that the
average ~ontroller age will exceed 40 by 1972.
Controllers are not the `only ones `affected `by air `traffic growth. Air oa~iriea~s
and their passengers are `also affected by it. At `one time passengers could expect
`delays during bad weather. But in recent years probably every member of this
Committee has experienced air traffic delays at the Nation's larger airports even
in the `best `of weather. These delays der~gate from the one principal `advantage
of this mode of `tran'spo'rtation-~speed, `and ` `are estimated by the `air carriers
to cost them $`SO million per year in added costs.
But the most important consequence of the increasing saturation of the airspace
is not delay `or inconvenience, it is the effect upon `air' safety. The Nation's
growing air traffic volume `simply cannot continue to be `handled with `safety with
existing airports, `existing ATC facilities and equipment, and `the existing `size
of `the controller work force.
We `suppose that all witnesses before this Committee will agree that the Nation
urgently needs more airports. Some person's propose more air carrier `airports at
larger `cities; others propose the segregation `of small aircraft to new satellite
airports. Whichever is done, new airports are urgently required to `reduce the
present saturation at larger cities. The Federal Aid to Airport Act authorizes the
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312
FAA to n~ake matching grants to loeal commun~ties for ~thport construction and
improvement. F~or many years the Congress appropriated $75 million annually,
as this was roughly ~ equivalent to ~rant in Aid requests which were received.
But as the airport crisis has increased, the volume of requests for aid has
increased and has backlogged. For F.Y~ 1968 FAA received 778 requests, totaling
$339 million. The answer of the House Appropriations Committee to this emer-
gency was to reduce the agency's $75 million request fGr f1~cal 1969 to $65 million
We pointed out in our editorial in the Journal of Air Traffic Control in January
of `this year the need for immediate action to acquire additional personnel to meet
the rising tide of air traflic within the the next 10 years. The editorial is entitled,
`The Folly of Fiscal Brinkmanship," and we should like it quoted in full for the
record.
Anyone with more than 10 years in aviation remembers from first hand experi-
ence the rag-tag condition of the nation's `air traffic control system in the middle
fifties. Despite an explosive increase ifl the number `of flights using the system,
the Civil Aeronautics Administration lagged a decade `behind. With each passing
year, aviation's thundering progress further magnified the system's stagnation.
It took the Curtis Committee, RPCA, the.Ai'rw'ays M'odernisati'on Board, sundry
other committees of "experts" and-most of all-several bone-chilling air
tragedies `to finally convince the laWmakers `and the fiscal planners of what every
air traffic controller and pilot bad known for years-that the system was woefully
short of both trained people and modern equipment.
When the dozing Department of Commerce finally woke up to the fact that `air
traffic demands could not possibly be met with people already on the payroll, they
were a1~]~ady five years late ! The ranks of experienced air traffic controllers
were decimated by the sudden addition `of new f'acilifies and services. And, ala's,
there was no ~me to ff1 the gaps because there never had been an intelligent and
feresighted plan for recruiting and training replacements.
Well, everyone knew that the government had been caught with its collective
pants down. But there was no time fc~r fault finding. While the sharp-penciled
fiscal planners fidgeted with their ledgers and scratched their heads in dismay~
CAA mounted a frantic recruiting and training program. To say that recruiters
`occasionally `took some liberties with `the `entrance standard's would be a gross.
understatement. F'or `the prospective controller, a warm body that could see
lightning and hear thunder was almost `as good a's holding three-of-a-kind in
stud poker!
It took a lot `of time, money `and sweat-and not a little luck-to bring the new
recruits up `to `speed while `also running the `system safely. The controller work-
ferce, growing from 4,111 in 1955 to 12,333 in 1960, was mere `than tripled in size
in five short years. Somehow the system survived and things gradually began
to pick up. But, 4n the meantime, `the industry and the traveling public `suffered
mightily. How much, no `one will ever know because fiscal planners never keep
thosefigures.
An ominous n'Gte was `struck `at the `recent ATCA National Conventional in
Miami where the current phenomenal growth in `aviation proved `to be the number
one topic `of discussiOn. This onrushing tide of aviation activity is, even now,
placing tremendous demand's on the air traffic control system. Over the next five
years, lit will make the growth wave which nearly swamped the system in the
middle fifties look like a mere ripple.
Since 1DGO, there have been less than 700 new air traffic control `positions
added to the system. Yet, in the same period, no less than 94 new ATC facilities
have been commissioned. Viewed against the skyrocketing activity in aviation,.
these figures become almost incredible.
Nevertheless, we find that the government's fiscal planners have again pruned
away the `pessiblltty of anything but negligible hiring in the coming year.
Undoubtedly, they are banking on automation to bail them out of this predica-
ment. If that's the ease, they are either ill-informed or someone has led them
down the garden path!
It's hard to imagine th~it those who are knowledgeable in the business of
air traffic control would advise the fiscal planners that automation, particularly
at the outset, will suddenly enable the current corps of controllers to cope
with vast increases `in air traffic. Insofar as sheer numbers of flights are
concerned, there is `scant evidence that automation of ground facilities alone
will increase the overall capacity of our air transportation system. Certainly
not when the automation of ATC facilities is being accomplished piecemeal,
and at a snai;l's pace. And certainly not so long as our airports continue to be
such Mg bottlenecks.
I.
PAGENO="0317"
313
Eveii if automation ~s eventually as successful as the most optimi~tic engi-
neers rosily predict, it is still more than five years away for most ATO facilities
Anyone who thinks that future automation will elin4iiate the current urgent
need for more manpower in air traffic control is simply wMstling in the dark.
Phe long-range impact automation will have on ATO manpower needs is, at
best, an educated guess. But the impact of recruiting and training new controllers
now is a precise matter. Even the cost-benefitniks should `be `able to figure
so simple an equation.
We have today a serious manpower shortage in the air traffic control system.
This year's false economy may well be reflected in the tragic headlines of
lomorrow.
One year ago, on this same page, we closed our editorial with this question:
"No doubt the recent accidents will spur things `along, but must improvement
always come only as the aftermath of tragedy `1"
Aviation history is on the bring of repeating itself. While everyone else in
aviation is moving ahead vigorously, planning for ~ the future and preparing
for the greatest expansion the industry has ever known, the air `traffic coiitrol
system is again on the brink of slipping several years further behind. Shades
~ef the fifties!
It's time to stop this nonsense about personnel freezes and niggardly savings
in an agency that is so critical to both the national defense and the skfety
of the traveling public. If FAA cannot Immediately begin to gird the controller
ranks with talented and trained young men, the next decade will be another
ignominious example of the folly of playing fiscal brinkmanship with air safety.
In our view, there are three major areas requiring immediate attention:
1. The acquisition of at least 2,000 additional air traffic personnel to be
placed in training to fill the presently existing gaps and to gird for the coming
expansion.
2. Major emphasis must be placed on an airport construction program,
which I understand will be reviewed in depth by a Senate subcommittee
this week, under the chairmanship of Senator Monroney. The Congress must
understand that an expanded airport system will necessarily also entail ad-
ditional air traffic control facilities, equipment and manpower.
3. An accelerated implementation program on the National Aviation Sys-
tem, now underway by FAA. This program, however, cannot be accelerated
unless the Appropriations Committees of the Congress recognize the need
for immediate action and provide funds for this purpose.
In summation, Mr. Chairman, we have confidence in the Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration to get the job done if it is given the support it needs, unhampered
by cost effectiveness experts who place economics ahead of all other factors, in-
eluding increased safety. I should add, Mr. Chairman, that this Association has
had many disagreements with the Federal Aviation Administration, and we
expect to have many more in the future. At the same time, we recognize the
limitations placed on the agency by the Administration, the cost of the Viet Nam
war, and other factors which dictate an economy program not compatible with
the purpose of this hearing which is, as I understand it, "Increased Safety."
Mr. FRIEDEL. Is anyone here from the Air Line Stewards and Stew-
ardesses Association ? Is Donald Madole, Esq., National Press Build-
ing, here?
( No response.)
Mr. FRIEDEL. Well, the meeting will stand adjourned, subject to the
call of the Chair.
The hearings will be continued at a later date.
(Whereupon, at 11:10 a.m., the subcommittee adjourned, to re-
convene subject to the call of the Chair.)
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PAGENO="0319"
AVIATION SAFETY
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1968
HOUSE OF REP1~ESENTATIVES,
Sui~co~rMIa~m11~ ON TRANSPORTATION AND AERONAUTICS,
CoMMIm~E ON INTERSTATE AND FOREIGN COMMERCE,
Wa~1i~ington, D.C.
The subcommittee met `at 10 a.m., pursuant to notice, in room
2123, Ra~burn House Office Building, Hon. Samuel N. Friedel (chair-
man of the `stthcomrnittee) presiding.
Mr. FRIEDEL. The committee will now come to order.
Today the Si~bcommittee on Transportation and Aeronautics re-
sumes hearings on aviation safety. This series of hearings commenced
in the first session `of the 90th Congress.
As Chairman Staggers of the full committee said at the outset,
aviation safety is one of the most important matters within the juris-
diction of the `Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce.
There were several interested parties from the aviation community
that we did not have an opportunity to hear `in the first session.
It is `hoped and expected `that `we will be able to afford an opportunity
to the remaining witnesses today and tomorrow.
Beyond that, we will keep the record open for 5 legislative days in
order to receive any further statements on this subject.
`The subcommittee fully appreciates the importance of this matter
and also the active concern `of Government, industry, and private par-
ties with respect to aviation safety.
We shall hear first this morning from our colleague and member of
the full committee, the Honorable Donald Brotzman. Please proceed
as you `wi~h, Mr. Brotzman.
STATEMENT OP HON. DONALD G. BROTZMAN, A REPRESENTATIVE
IN CONGRESS PROM THE STATE OP COLORADO
Mr. BROTZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to have this opportu-
nity to present a statement on the problems of aviation safety. Certainly
the increased use of air carriers by the traveling public and the do-
inands on the airlines for faster and more efficient service `have drawn
attention to the need to carefully review flight procedures and safety
regulations. I am pleased that those hearings are `being `continued and
that they are covering a wide range of p'ro'blems in the aviation
industry.
I know that this subcommittee has heard expert testimony from
witnesses on nearly every aspect of aviation safety. My own comments
`will `be limited to two areas which I think the committee should fully
investigate.
(315)
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316
First, I will address my comment to the problem of airline pilot
training. Particularly, careful oonsideration should be given to the
matter of pilot training in and around commercial airports. The
tragic crash at New Orleans on March 30, 1967, demonstrated the
need for new policies or, at the very least, a review of the present
regulations for pilot training programs.
Last April-nearly a year ago-I suggested that several surplus
Air Force bases could be converted into airline flight training fields.
Existence of sudh training fields and regulations requiring their use
could have averted most of the loss of life in the March 30, 1967,
crash.
There is a small but definable possibility that any takeoff or landing
will result `in an emergency. But when emergency situations are created
aboard the aircraft for training purposes, the probability of a mishap
on that flight is increased.
It seems to me that the use of ~ ~ airbases I
lation areas could present every wea and runw
Such fields would not have to `hand ~ tr~
they certainly would minimize f d
which takeoff and landing abnorni
I also think it is important to
simulators. United Air Lines m~
training program at Stapleton
familiar with the work which
iir~'~ ~ and necessary to continu~
~owever, ~ always be nec
and, with fact in mind,
~on Ac -- stration my
o trai
trly in view of
~m the FAA.
~I'have~~
-~ ~ second area of `aviation
the area of private-aircraft operations.
filing of flight plans prior to cross-coun
operations are to be effective, and yet i
file them.
In the State of Colorado there `have been nearly 150 crashes of
private aircraft `in the last 25 years. The situation is particularly tragic
in Colorado because many of these pilots do not fully realize the prob-
lems connected with flying in a mountainous terrain and the con-
stantly changing weather conditions over the mountains.
On March 17, 1968, the Denver Post published an article by Mr.
Ed Mack Miller, a flight instructor for United Air Lines Flight
Training Center in Denver. Mr. Miller `has done an excellent job in out-
lining the pmblems faced by the private pilot over Colorado and has
made several suggestions on what steps should be taken to `provide more
adequate training and regulations for private pilots.
I have submitted, as exhibit B, a copy of the article, in the hope that
the members of the committee will have an opportunity to review it
and consider some of the suggestions it holds out.
PAGENO="0321"
317
EXhIBIT A
DEP~BTMEI~T OF TBANSPORTATIO~,
FEDERAL AvI~TTo~ ADMIWISTRATION,
We~sMngto~, D.C., May 5, 1967.
Hon. DON4LD G. BROTZMAN,
House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C.
DEAR MR. BROTZMAN : Thank you for your letter of April 7, 1967, suggesting
means of enhancing safety in airline pilot training.
We support and are working toward both your proposals, namely, (1) ac-
complishing as much training in simulators as available equipment and the state
of the art will permit, and (2) utilizing military surplus and noncongested air-
ports for training.
Examples of where such airports are and will be used follows:
1. Pease Air Force Base, Portsmouth, N.H.
2. Grant County Airport, Moses Lake, Washington (formerly Larsen AFB)
3. James Connally AFB, Waco, Texas,
4. Palmdale Product Flight Test Installation (USA]F Plant No. 2) , Palmdale,
California
5. Peconic River, Calverton, N.Y. (USN facility leased to Grumman Aircraft
Co.)
6. Mid Continent International Airport, Kansas City, Mo.
7. Barnes Municipal~Airport, Westfield, Mass.
8. Otis AFB, Falmouth, Mass.
9. Caidwell-Wright, Oaidwell, N.J.
10. Atlantic City Municipal Airport, Atlantic City, N.J.
11. Dulles International Airport, Chantilly, Va.
12. Walker Air Force Base, Roswell, New Mexico
To stimulate more effort toward these objectives we have n~iet with repre-
sentatives of the airlines and airline pilot a~sociations and jnternaliy the FAA
is channeling efforts toward optimum use of not only these airports but other
airports with relatively lower populated areas.
We have been working with the Department of Defense and the airlines on
the problem `of using surplus bases for airline training..
~ The most successful example is Larsen AFB (now Grant County Airport, Moses
Lake, Washington) which is ~ jointly financed by a manufacturer, airlines, FAA
and local ~ government. Work is now underway with regard to possible use of
Walker AFB, Roswell, New Mexico.
At the present time, much of, the training is accomplished at remote airports
although the aircraft and crews are based at large city airports. For example,
in the Denver area, training flights are dispersed to Colorado Springs, Pueblo,
Casper, Cheyenne, `and other airports In the area.
In * the meantime, we are working with the airlines and pilot groups to pro-
vide additional safeguards for the `protection of persons on the ground and air-
craft crews when performing necessary training maneuvers.* As a longer range
selution, we are urging maximum use of current simulators and the develop-
ment `of more realistic simulators to reduce air training time.
I think our efforts are very much in line with your suggestions which are ap-
preci'ated and we will welcome others.
Sincerely,
WILLIAM F. MCKEE, Administrator.
ExHIBIT B
tFrom the Denver Post, March 17, 1968]
How Wn CAN STOP "MUnDEB IN THE MOUNTAINS"
(By Ed Mack Miller 1)
Several years ago, a 43-year-old businessman flying a light plane left Tuscon
on a January day for Denver. In midafternoon, he called Trinidad radio and re-
ported his position as near Alamosa. A few. minutes later he cal'led back and said
lEd Mack Miller is a flight Instructor for United Air Lines Flight Training Center In
Denver and is part owner of a private flight instruction school, Aero Training Academy,
in Denver.
92_715_68-21
PAGENO="0322"
318
that be was a bit groggy from being at altitude too long and he wasn't quite sure
where he was.
With the aid of Flight Service Station (FSS) personnel, he regained his orien-
tation, and said he was going to climb to cross the mountains near Salida.
Trinidad radio advised of heavy cumulus buildups along the entire front range,
and advised that flight by Visual Flight Rules (VFR) was doubtful. The pilot
told FSS that he had adequate fuel and would turn back to Alamosa if he could
not maintain VFR across the range.
He was never seen alive again. Seven -months later the wreckage of his plane
was found by a hiker in the Sangre de Cristo mountains at an elevation of 12,000
feet.
That tragedy was just one of the nearly 150 aircraft crashes in Colorado
in the past 25 years. Most of them have occurred in the mou~itains. Hardly a
week goes by that the Civil Air Patrol is not called out for another search. Wit-
ness the local headlines : Two Lost Planes Defy Hunters . . . Five Dead in
Wreck of Plane . . . CAP Resumes Search for Illinois Airplane . . . Major
Search Begun for Wyoming Plane . . . Lost Plane Found Near Mt. Elbert . .
Air Search Und~r Way for Iowa Man . . . CAP Searching for Downed Craft
. . . Crash Near Aspen Kills Eour.
An oversimplified, and yet really quite accurate formulation of the problem
(that variously has' been called "murder in the mountains" and "suicide in the
scenery" ) places Colorado's imposing array of mountains pitted against low-
horsepower aircraft, overloaded with four people and lots of baggage. Add the
ingredients of wind and weather, and the odds are on for death before the plane
ever takes off.
Experienced mountain pilots are up in arms against the carnage. They say
that most of the accidents are needless and that tOo much money is being spent
and too many lives are being endangered in fruitless search missions.
"The government won't let yo'u cross large bodies of water without clearance,
briefing and survival equipment," says Warren E. White, former Air Force and
airline pilot and currently president of Aero Training Academy, which operates
light aircraft out of both Stapleton and Sky Ranch airports. "Why are inex-
perienced pilots from the flatlands allowed to take off and kill themselves and
loved ones-~and precipitate massive searches-without any type of control?"
Says Rocky Warren, Colorado's famous bush pilot who has been flying the
Rockies in light airplanes for more than 20 years out of his base at Gunnison:
"Mountain flying in light airplanes is perfectly safe, if you know the terrain, the
weather and your equipment-and know when to stay on the ground." Warren
received his training from the late, great Eddie Drapella, who logged more than
22,000 hours "over the rocks" in small planes, and only bad one forced landing
in that entire time.
Many flight schools offer mountain flying courses ; aviation magazines publish
articles on the nuances of high terrain flying ; and the Public Utilities Corn-
mission for several years has offered free a pamphlet put together by Ray Wilson,
Colorado's "Mister Aviation," entitled Do's and Don,'ts of Mountaii~ Flying.
But the transient pilot, hurrying to the ski slopes or en route to a blast in Las
Vegas, rarely stops to think that his plane won't perform as it did back East or
out West at sea level.
The pattern is tragically classic. He staggers off Stapleton International Air-
port, wondering why the old bus won't handle like it did off his home field, why
it took nearly twice the runway to get airborne.
He remembers that he should have filed a flight plan, but this leg of the flight
is so short and the weather does look good, bright and sunny, if a bit windy.
Those saucer-shaped "lenticulars" over the front range are the only clouds in
the sky, odd shaped, stacked just like hotcakes. Perhaps he has to circle a few
times before he tackles the high mountains.
Soon he discovers the plane just won't get over the coulds. So he decides to go
underneath, up a canyon. In the canyon, suddenly, the turbulence is fantastic.
The plane drops a hundred feet like a free-falling safe, jumps up two hundred.
"We're getting our brains knocked out," he says grinning weakly, "but we should
be out of it soon." He tries to look confident so the passengers won't be frightened,
but the churning air, breaking across the ridges like water over Niagara, is
shaking their teeth loose.
The plane isn't climbing too well and the canyon is getting narrow. Fighting
the bucking, wind-tossed plane, be tries to turn back. The horn that warns of an
impending stall is making its death rattle now. He must tighten up the turn or
1'
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319
hit the canyon wall. There is a sudden stall, and the plane falls straight into the
forest below. There is one great tearing crash-and silence.
So often the last call recorded is the brave statement by the pilot : "No sweat.
I think I can make it . . ." The men at the FSS stations get that sick feeling in
the pits of their stomachs when they hear it. They've heard those words so often.
Senator Peter Dominick of Colorado, himself an experienced pilot, has led a
fight in the Senate to improve weather reporting services in the mountains and
to require installation of crash locater beacons in private aircraft as a method of
finding survivors. .
"From 1964 to 1966 in Colorado alone," Senator Dominick said, "349 general
aviation accidents resulted In 81 fatalities. Many of these accidents were caused
by weather closing in on the pilot. Most often this happens because complete
weather information is not available on a current enough basis, or is not available
at all . . . Anyone who has flown in the mountains," he adds, "knows how critical
weather information can be."
Dominick's proposed changes include new weather reporting stations at Nucla
and Walden, and expanding operations at Montrose, Gunnison, Salida, Aspen,
Durango and Alamosa. Remarking on the omission of this program from the
Weather Bureau's budget for 1968, Senator Dominick said : "The Air Force alone
has incurred a cost of $112,208 for each person saved through search and rescue
operations, but the Weather Bureau appears unwilling to spend a third of that
amount to help prevent these accidents."
On the floor of the Senate, Dominick said he has won support of many pilots
throughout the country for the mandatory installation of crash-locator beacons,
costing about $200, in private aircraft as a way of saving lives.
"It seems ridiculous to me," he said, "to have the FAA, time after time, state
that they are not going to do anything about crash beacons because they have
heard some objections from some of the aviation people who do not wish to pay
that much money. I certainly must say this makes little sense from the taxpayers'
point of view, from the point of view of human suffering, or from the point of
view of the country at large, in our effort to try to use updated technology to
provide aviation safety at its best."
A leader in the fight to stop the "hail of light planes into the mountains" is
Ted Bryant, supervisor of flight operations training for United Air Lines and
Republican state representative, who is chairman of the interim Aviation Com-
mittee of the House of Representatives. Bryant introduced a resolution which
requests the FAA to require filing flight plans on all flights except those which
are less than 30 minutes in length or less than 50 miles in distance.
The resolution was approved unanimously by both houses and was sent to the
FAA. Bryant has suggested the FAA should consider subsidizing the installation
of crash-locator beacons in all present aircraft, with manufacturers being required
to install them in new planes. He points out that the Air Force spent $59 million
in fiscal 1966 on search and rescue missions, and that this amount could be reduced
to a fraction if locators were made mandatory.
Recognizing that these regulations may not be adopted by the FAA, Bryant has
asked that they be considered by the legislature's Aviation Committee for possible
state action.
Rick McCoy, a Frontier captain and part owner of a flying school, says:
"Many schools operate in the Denver area with most of their training planes never
flying farther than 20 miles from the traffic pattern. It doesn't make sense to put
$200 beacons on them-but I definitely feel they should be on all cross-country
airplanes."
McCoy suggests that a certain number of the "beeper" radios be purchased by
the state and made available to aircraft embarking on a cross-mountain flight.
A small deposit and user's fee would be charged, the deposit being refunded
when the unit is turned in "on the other side of the hump."
He says 100 units could be bought by the state and placed at key airports on
either side of the mountains. The cost would be infinitestimal compared to the
expense of just one search mission.
McCoy also believes that every plane should be equipped with an inexpensive
"see-me" kit that would contain rolls of toilet tissue (for stringing through the
trees or around the terrain by survivors of a crash), black and orange crepe
paper for the same purpose (on snowy areas) and gas-cartridge ballons with
radar-reflective foil.
"These aids would make aerial spotting infinitely more simple," he says. "1
have been on many search missions, and can testify how difficult it is to see
wreckage in the trees or on a snowy plateau.'
PAGENO="0324"
320
Added could be cheap mirrors for signal flashing and a batch of Fourth of July
sparkiers or auto flares. An entire kit of these items-even bought retail, could
hardly cost more than a few dollars. At a fraction of the cost of searching for
just one downed plane, `every flying service in Colorado could be given such kits
by the state. Line boys refueling transient planes headed mountainwards would
be obliged to give the kits out-along with pamphlets explaining the rules for
mountain flying. Like the beepers, the kits could be dropped off on the far side of
the mountains at `the end of that leg of the flight-or could be purchased at cost
by planes continuing over more rough terrain.
Rocky Warren contends that "any competent pilot" should be able to make a
successful forced landing in the mountains, particular in the winter. If he does,
the next question is survival.
"We always carry a flashing mirror," he says. "It really works if the sun is
shinning. We also carry a bright orange `gb-cloth' which can be seen for miles,
and special fire-building materials we know will work, even in a high wind."
I feel that, in an effort to eliminate "highland flying tragedies, a system similar
to the dispatch system used for years by the airlines ought to be employed.
The airline dispatcher is a man who Is an expert in his area of flight and
`its particular meteorological problems. The captain and the dispatcher both must
concur that the particular flight can be operated with absolute safety before it
rnean depart.
If this system were put in effect for general aviation, a number of Port of
Entry airports would be designated. Operators at these airports (men who know
their area) would be designated as dispatchers (on a fee-per-flight-worked basis)
and would have to concur with the pilot heading for the mountains that the
~flight was safe before it could depart.
Re would make sure the pilot had and emergency survival kit, a "see-me" kit
and crash beacon aboard, check the weight and balance of the aircraft, the fuel
nboard, the density altitude, the winds and weather, and go over the best route
with the pilot, making sure he had current maps and approach charts, and was
appropriately rated for the condition of flight, had operable radios and dc-icing
equipment (if needed) and a good knowledge of emergency field and radio
frequencies.
There would be established, in Colorado and other mountain states, Mountain
Identification Zones (MIZs) similar to defense areas where the pilot can fly
only if be has met minimum equipment and flight plan qualifications.
13~or the pilot trained in mountain flying, a special "mountain rating" (a blue
card, perhaps) could be issued that would make him his own clearing authority-
not subject to dispatch restrictions.
The right of the state or federal government to require this type of control
would be based on reducing the heavy cost to taxpayers for aircraft search and
rescue operations. The government does not allow ill-prepared or indiscriminate
flights into the Alaskan back country. There Is no reason it should continue to
allow something intrinsically more dangerous : the flying of small planes over
large mountains, a practice which has proved more hazardous and more costly of
rescue than flight into either the Airetic or `over the Atlantic or Pacific.
Some time back I was sitting in the cockpit of a Boeing 727 at Stapleton, ready
to call for taxi clearance, when a light plane with six persons aboard came into
view, taxiing eractically.
The pilot had a problem : With all the passengers and baggage, the center of
gravity was so far aft that the airplane kept tipping back on its tail. When this
happened, he was unable to steer the plane (accomplished by turning the nose-
wheel). It was apparent that if his airplane had that much of a problem on the
ground, it would have more of a problem flying-and that, if he was headed west,
his chance of clearing any hills, much less mountains, was poor, weighed down as
he was.
However, neither the tower nor any interested spectator had the authority to
stop him.
Too often an inexperienced pilot will resent any advice and go on anyway-
carrying the people he loves most to an unnecessary fate.
A sensible legislative program will save the government a mint of search and
rescue money-and many personal heartbreaks (and headbreaks) will be
averted.
A glance at a map locating airplane crashes in Colorado since 1942 will
quickly-aiid dramatically-delineate the problem.
PAGENO="0325"
P
321
How ix~any more needless "tragedies in the trees" are we going to countenance
before we get down to business?
When are we going to decide to use the common-sense system the airlines
adopted years ago?
How soon are we going to insist that "I think I can make it" isn't good enough?
Mr. FRIEDEIJ. Thank you, Mr. Brotzman, for your interesting and
informative remarks.
Our next witness this morning will be Mr. Lloyd H. Weatherly,
Jr., manager, Catapult and Arresting Gear Division, All-American
Engineering Co., Wilmington, Del.
STATEMENT OP LLOYD H. WEATHERLY, SR., MANActER, CATAPULT
AND ARRESTING GEAR, ALL-AMERiCAN ENGINEERING CO.,
WILMINGTON, DEL. ; ACCOMPANIED BY M~. MacBRIDE AND MR.
BENSON
Mr. WEATHERLY. Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee,
I am pleased to have the opportunity to testify today and I have
brought with me Mr. MacBride on my left and Mr. Benson on my
nght to assist me.
My ~ testimony is intended to establish the state of the art in the
field of emergency arresting gear for use on civil airports, and point
out current plans and programs for the installation of this equipment.
First, I wish to establish the need for arresting gear on civil air-
fields, , and in support of this contention let me cite the following
incidents:
(a) On November 1, 1967, a Pan American 707 skidded off the end
of a runway at Logan International-one hurt.
(b) On November 2, 1967, a Seaboard World DC-8 rolled off the
end of the runway 22L at Kennedy International-none hurt.
(C) On November 5, 1967, a Cathay Pacific DC-8 crashed into the
harbor on takeoff from Hong Kong and broke in half--one killed.
(d) On November 6, 1967, a TWA 707 aborted a takeoff at Ciii-
cinnati and rolled off the end of the runway and burned-li injured;
one subsequently died.
(e) On December 3, 1967, a Pan Am `707 ran off the runway at
London Airport and got stuck in the mud-none hurt.
These overrun accidents occurred during a 6-week period. They
are nothing new. On A~ri1 15, 1964, the Nation's press reported three
overruns in New York in a 12-hour period ; two at Kennedy and one
at LaGuardia.
It can happen anywhere, anytime ; a Vanguard at London in 1965-
36 killed ; a Convair 240 at Tokyo in 1964-20 killed ; a 707 at Orly
in Paris in 1962-131 killed.
The cause of these overruns varied : brake failure, asymmetric thrust
reversal, water, slush, or ice on the runway, power failure on takeoff
and other factors affecting aircraft operations.
Arresting gears are not a panacea to airport safety. Actually, all
they do is stop an aircraft when it is unable to do so by itself. They
do not eliminate the emergencies but they are able to substantially re-
duce the effects resulting from these incidents.
The history of arresting gear goes back a good many years with
the U.S. Navy being one of the first to use land based arresting gear.
PAGENO="0326"
322
They were followed by the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Canadian
Air Force. More recently, nearly all the air forces in the Western
World have adopted arresting gear. Military aviation has used a
number of engagement systems including a "pop-up" barrier, a hook
and cable, and a net.
Arrestment of large transport aircraft also is not new. The appli-
cation of arresting gear to civil aviation began some 10 or 11 years
ago. The Federal Aviation Agency sponsored a feasibility test pro-
gram in 1958 to evaluate the possibility of arresting multiengine
transports.
This program culminated in 1962 in the arrestinent of a tailhook
equipped Boeing 720. From 1962 to 1967-a 5-year period-there was
no progress toward adoption of arresting gear for civil use.
. The latest development in the field of civil emergency arresting
gear has been a test program sponsored by the French Ministry of
Civil Aviation.
This program has been oriented toward evaluation of the feasibility
of use of a nylon net to engage a multiengine jet transport. A net,
capable of engaging a Boeing 707, has been designed and built, and was
tested in the United States in October and November of 1967.
The French Government and the French Ministry of Civil Aviation
are continuing their program with the actual engagement of a Cara-
velle scheduled to take place at Toulouse, France, in the near future.
The French are so convinced of the necessity for arresting gear pro-
tection that a net system is being installed at Toulouse prior to the
flight of the French/British supersonic transport.
The recognition of the requirement for arresting gears for civil
airports is not a purely national prerogative as evidenced by the sub-
ject appearing on the agenda of the Fifth Air Navigation Conference
of the International Civil Aviation Organization, which met in Mon-
treal, Canada, from November 14 to December 15, 1967. During this
conference France and the United Kingdom stressed the develop-
ment of arresting systems and were ready to lead in the establishment
of criteria and a "civil operational requirement."
The United. States, through participation in a preliminary working
group, eliminated the statement of a "civil operational requirement"
from the working group report. The United States, while stressing
interest in the development of any safety device, including arresting
systems, convinced the meeting that, iii the absence of a "civil opera-
tional requirement," further action beyond advice would be premature.
The state-of-the-art has reached the point where arresting gear,
capable of stopping today's large civil transports, is available now.
However, there is no program or plan in existence in the United States
today to authorize the use of arresting gear on civil airports.
The position of the Federal Aviation Administration, according to
an article by Ed Hudson in the New York Times of October 6, 1967,
was that the FAA had never taken action to require the use of arresting
gear; also, that officials believed that "equivalent safety" could be pro-
vided at less cost by other approaches, including grooving runways, to
increase breaking effectiveness and developing better thrust reversers
for jet engines.
These improvements are certainly in order but they are not going
to prevent overruns.
/
PAGENO="0327"
323
The Air Line Pilots Association has endorsed the use of arresting
gear. However, the association, in commenting on the use of emergency
arresting gears, is quite positive in stating that their adoption should,
in no way, affect runway length criteria, and I wholeheartedly agree.
The advancement in aircraft design, including supersonic tramsports
and air buses, does not point to a decrease in the incidence of overruns,
but with higher performance and heavier aircraft we can expect more
overruns.
The points to be remembered out of this short presentation are:
1. Overruns are a problem.
2. There are arresting gears in existence today capable of stopping
civil air transports.
3. No positive action is being taken, except by the French Govern-
ment, to place arresting~ gears on civil airfields.
I predict that within the next 2 years you will see a net arresting
gear installed on Orly Airfield in Paris, France.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Thank you, Mr. Weatherly for your very precise
statement.
When you speak of the arresting gear system, are you speaking of
the system that we see on aircraft carriers ? *
Mr. WEATHERLY. It is a modification of such a system, yes. It is an
energy absorber placed on either side of the runway and an engaging
means placed on the runway. The aircraft will engage this e~igaging
means and in further moving down the runway the plane will have its
energy absorbed and brought to a safe contrOlled stop.
Mr. FRIEDEL. You say on page 3 in your statement : "A net capable
of engaging a Boeing 707, has been designed and built"
Can you tell us by whom it was built and whether it was tested?
Mr. WEATHERLY. An arresting gear to stop a 707 was designed by
American Engineering under contract with the Federal Aviation
Agency. It was built first with a hook being put on a FAA 720. That
hook was first evaluated at the naval test facility at Lakehurst, N.J.
The arresting gear was then installed and tested at our test base in
Georgetown, Del., with dead loads and then tested with a Boeing 720.
This work was done in 1962. That was the finish of the test program.
To support this, Mr. Chairman, I would like to show you a very
short movie clip.
Mr. FRIEDEL. I would like to ask you a few more questions before
we see the movie.
How would the arresting gear be operated ? Would it be controlled
by the pilot in the cockpit and how many different nets would have
to be up for the system that you speak of on the runway?
Mr. WEATHERLY. For a net system which is the system currently
under test and under consideration, particularly the one by the French
Civil Air Ministry can be used in either of two operational modes.
You may either have a rapid erection system which is capable of
being erected at the command of the pilot or the tower, or you may
have a net at the end of the runway within the allowable minimums
erected on the upwind end so that any aircraft landing or taking off
will have protection at the upwind end of the runway.
With a net already erected, you then would have no choice to be
made by either the pilot or the tower as to when the net would be called
for. Both systems are in use by the military. Some have rapid erecting
PAGENO="0328"
324
systems, some have nets erected at the upwind end. When the wind
changes, you lower one end and raise the other. ~ .
Mr. FRIEDEL. Do you know at what airports the Air Force is using
the net ~
~ Mr. WEATHERLY. Our Air Force is not. They are in use by air forces
in other than this country. The U.S. Air Force does not use them. The
French and German Air Forces are using the net system. The English
Royal Air Force and Danish and Norwegian Air Forces, the Swedish
and the Swiss Air Forces, the Israeli Air Force, the Australian Air
Force, all have some net systems and there are a few others.
Mr. FRIED~L. At vario~ fields of these different governments?
Mr. WEATHERLY. Yes, sir.
Mr. FRIEDEL. You may proceed with the testimony.
Mr. WEATHI~RLY. The movie clips are taken from military and civil
test films. The film starts with shots of a hook equipment.
(At this time the film referred to was shown.)
Mr. WI~ATH1~RLY. Here the F-4 is being arrested in the United States
and then the German system.
This is tak~n in El Centro, Calif. This is the erecting gear at the side
of the runway. This particular arresting gear is used by the U.S.
Marine Corps.
We are now taking a picture of an F-104. He has just engaged it.
This is a German 104. This film was taken in Germany during the.
past year.
We will move down on the ground and see a similar arrest on the
grottnd.
Mr. DEVINE. is that arresting gear causing it to veer from the center-
line?
Mr. WEATHERLY. The tail hook is slightly off center so he drifts off
center.
This runway arresting gear meets NATO criteria. The runout is
about 270 meters. He does get a little drift to the side here. ~
This is the first Mirage test into a net. This is a dead load simulating
the aircraft going into a net at our test plant in Delaware. This was
evaluated prior to use by the Swiss Air Force after these tests were
successful.
You now see a Mirage aircraft going into the net.
Here is a French Mistier going into the net. This particular opera-
tion took place at Istres test base in the southern part of France.
This is FAA's C-431 first evaluation of equipping a commercial
transport with a tail hook.
This once and for all established that a civil air transport can with-
stand the loads imposed by an arresting gear.
The FAA's own Boeing 720 going into a model 3500 arresting gear
is shown here.
You see the tail hook picking up the pendant. The runout is 1,650
feet whereas one of these model 3500's is installed now at the naval test
facility, FAA test facility at Atlantic City, N.J.
This is a dead load built full scale to simulate the mode and wings
of a Boeing 707 going into the net this past November at our test base
in Delaware.
The runout on this particular equipment was 1,000 feet after en-
gagement of the net.
Mr. FRIEDEL. How fast was it going?
PAGENO="0329"
325
Mr. WEATHERLY. The maximum speed run in this test was 130 knots.
Mr. DEVINE. Is there any other braking device 9 ~
Mr. WEATIrERLY. There is a braking device on either side of the run-
way. There are no brakes on the dead load so we had pretty positive
proof of no pilot slipups. ~
During the testing of the 720 tail hook in the model 3500 arresting
gear there was no braking used by the pilot in the tests you say.
Mr. DJ~IVINE. What material was used mthe net itself?
Mr. WI~ATH~RLY. The net is a nylon webbing. It is nylon webbing
of individual bands of 7,000-pound force.
We have a number of vertical elements so you distribute the load
completely over theleading edge of the wing surface.
Mr. DEviNE. Wouldn't the jet engines ingest a portion of the net ~
Mr. WEATHEBLY. No, sir. We have run these tests on military air-
craft and the civil transport dead load and we completely dup1~cated
the engine cells and we have uever even had one. The construetion is
such it pulls off the cell. We put initial tension on the cell.
You can see that the state of the art is such tha.t all of the military
services have gone to an arresting system to preveflt these overruns.
The U.S. Air Force has estimated now that there are some 250
"saves" a year accredited to the arresting gears now used by the U.S.
Air Force. With the U.S. Navy the number of ~`saves" are appreciably
higher.
Mr. WATSON. Mr. Weatherly, I have been ~ imp~essed with your
testimony and I am quite surprised that nothing has been done su!bse-
quent to 1962 in the implementation of this arresting equi~pment for
civilian use.
You mentioned earlier that a number of foreign air farces have it.
Most of our military bases have some type of arresting, equipment-
. primarily the cable arresting equipme~it. They do not have the net
equipment but they have arresting equipment.
I personally have been on an aircraft when we had to abort a takeoff
and we ran off the end of the runway.
You have given us some impressive figures here as to the number of
lives that have been lost on these aborted takeoffs. On page 1 under
example c, you say, "On November 5, 196~t, Cathay Pacific DC-8
crashed into the harbor on takeoff from Hong Kong and broke in
half-one killed."
Had it left the runway to such a degree that your arresting equip-
ment would not have had any effect anyway ?
Mr. MAoBi~m i~. * Mr. Watson, we got photographs from UPI that
showed the skid marks, going right off the end of the runway.
Mr. W~nri~m~r. The runway goes right to the edge of the water
so the aircraft was braking about maximum braking when it went
into the water and broke in half.
Mr. WATSON. Thus far, do you mean to tell me that FAA has
demonstrated no particular interest in proceeding with this arresting
equipment but rather that they are still looking for improvements in
reverse thrust and other factors?
Mr. WEATHERLY. A New York Times article of November 18, 196~,
states:
Transportation Secretary Alan S. Boyd persuaded the agency to take another
look at the value of arresting gear to prevent aircraft from rolling off the ends
of runways.
PAGENO="0330"
326
I/I
He also convinced the agency to soften its plan to oppose the use of runway
barriers at international airports-a proposal expected to be supported by the
British and French at a meeting of the world's major airlines in Montreal next
week.
. The arresting gear devices come in two basic concepts. One is a nylon net
erected at the end of a runway to trap a plane. The other is a hook-and-cable
device long in use by the military, particularly on aircraft carriers.
Mr. WATSON. You, are in th,e business of catapulting and arresting
equipment. What is theappróximate cost of the ~i1pmentthat you
are speaking of here today?
It does impress me from these examples, and from what we see at
Air Force bases, that we are not dealing in astrono~dcal cost at all.
Mr. WEATHERLY. No, sir ; not at all.
A system which would protect the full range of aircraft you could
expect would be in the range of $250,000 for completh installation.
~ Mr. WATSON. We are not `dealing with very much money. I am dis-
turbed that the FAA has .appai~ei1t1y not~proceeded to look into this
further since 1962 \vhen apparently it was proven ~that the arre~ting
equipment on a Bothng 707-I assume that is a taiihook-cable equip-
ment was effective in arresting that. ~
Mr. WEATHEELY. They ~ did proceed ~ in ohs step. They put out a
specification, which:i ha~ with xiie now, they put out a draft copy, of
the `specification, invited industry to ebme in and comment ` on the
specification, went furtherwith a finalized spec and solicited proposals
"against this spe9ificatio1~. , "
After recewing these, I quote from another New York' Times arti-
cle on Saturday, April 10, 1965, which was roughly 1 gear after the
solicitation which is headlined "Safety Decision Put Off by FAA."
It starts out
A year has. passed since three airliners skidded off slippery runways at New
York airports in one 12-hour period,, endangering the lives of 223' passengers an.d
crew. `
It also goes on to quote further
Senator A. S. (Mike) Monroney, Democrat of Oklahoma, who is chairman of
the Senate's Aviation Subcommittee, thinks the delay iias been long enough.
"The time has come," the Senator says, "to cut the red tape and put this onto
the' runways that are most frequently used by high-performance aircraft (jets).
1 think it would~ be a very' practical thing to do and' it should have been speeded
up.,,
- ` Mr. WATSON. You are on the House side, in all deference to the other
side, and we have a very determined chairman of this subcommittee.
I have onlyone' thing and then I shall yield tO the `expert.' We have
a pilot on my left here.
On page 2, in paragraph 4, you state the figures of 131 killed. All of
these were in reference to'the aborted takeoffs ?
Mr. WEATHERLY. Yes, sir.
Mr. ~ WATSON. After studying these particular accidents,' do you
believe th~t the arresting equipment would have substantially re-
duced or elim'im~ted the loss of lives in these accidents?
Mr. WEATEIERLY. There is not a single one of those' in the presenta-
`tion this'mo'rning whichwould not have been prevented in my opinion.
The particular one you refer to of the 131 dead, this is the accident
which had the people from Atlanta that were in that Boeing 707 that
PAGENO="0331"
327
went right off the end of the runway through quite a bit of real estate'
before it finally stopped.
Mr. WATSON. I am not looking for any commissions from your
company, but I want to see us push forward in this particular field.
Mr. DEVINE. Would any substantial structural changes be necessary
in the airframe to engineer in these hooks so that when they are ar-
rested at a reasonably high rate of speed it would not pop all of the
rivets and tear up the airframe ?
Mr. WEATTIERLY. Yes, sir, there is engineering required. I will tell
you about the 720 on which we put the tailhook. Part of our contract
and program with the FAA was to put a tailhook on that 720. That
installation iticluding the weight of the tailhook and the necessary
plates hooked to the fuselage weighs 240 pounds which is the weight
assigned to one passenger and minimum bag~age.
So, there would not need to he an appreciable modification. That
included the structural changes, the doubler plate that went on it. It
is a matter of distributin~ the plate over a small contact surface.
Mr. DEvINE. Would this apply to your DC-9, 707, and 880?
Mr. WEATHERLY. It would be much lighter on the 880 and DC-8
and 707 would be in this order of maghitude.
~ These other smaller aircraft would be lighter and smaller.
~ Mr. DEVINE. Pretty soon we will be talking' about , 747's.
Mr. WEATETERLY. It would be a little ` bit hard but we might be
knocking ofF a passenger and a half or a passenger and three-quarters
in weight for this.
Mr. MAcBmm~. May I add something, Mr. Devine?
Mr. Weatherly did not mention 727's and United Airlines has had
the structure of the 727's in their fleet ~t~engtl~ened or had the capa-
bility, the hard point designed into their models.
Mr. WEATHERLY. For every aircraft delivered to their airlines.
They already have this structure ready to' put a tailhook on.
Mr. DEVINE. Do you mean Boeing changes the specs on United's
720's?
Mr. MACBRIDE. Yes, sir. If we are talking about, a net arresting
gear there are no structure changes. Any aircraft can take the arrest-
merit by net.
Mr. WEATHERLY. Our concern for recommending a net system when
you look at this aspect is if we have a net system not only can we take
our own transports but then those other transports that will be using
our international airports in this country can then be saved from going
off the end of the runway because we certainly cannot control whether
these aircraft have tailhooks installed or not.
Mr. DEVINE. Is a net type of device practical for a piston engine
with propeller?
Mr. WEATHERLY. The U.S. Navy has tested this particular equip-
ment and were asked this by the press at the presentation of our test
program last November and Mr. Walter Kaufman of the Naval' Air
Engineering Center at Philadelphia answered with a very positive
"affirmative."
It will catch the propeller system. The result is the propeller cuts
some of the vertical straps in the immediate vicinity of the propeller
but we don't use those straps to cut the aircraft.
PAGENO="0332"
328
We use the straps outboard of the aircraft which are against the
wing surfaces at the time.
Mr. FRIEDEL. What size aircraft are used in the net systems in the
foreign air forces?
Mr. WEATHERLY. What size net?
Mr. FRIi~EL. Yes.
Mr. WEATHERLY. For the military system the net is about 20 feet
in height and usually extends beyond a runway 180 feet wide and 10
feet oneither side of the runway.
In military aircraft at the present time they go up to some 65,000 or
1Q;000 pounds that I can imagine at th~ moment for the military nets.
. There is already the large net which has already been built and it
has been tested b~y Aerzur of Paris, a French corporation for the
French Civil Air Ministry, so the scaling up of a structure certainly
wouldnot presentany difficulty.
Mr. FRIErEL. We hear a lot about 747's and I understand they weigh
upward of over ~t00,000 pounds. Would the present nets handle that
size aircraft?
Mr. WI~ATHERLY. It is quite an economical structure. Three elements
will handle the ~t0'T and DC-.8, which is in~ the 850,000-pound range.
It is only a matter of adding additional elements which are all in~
stalled on the same ereoting equipment to then give the additional
strength. For* the energy absorber on either side of the runway it is
only a matter of increasing this by doubling the number of energy
absorbers or sizes of it.
It is a known art.
Mr. FRIEEEIJ. I want to thank you, Mr. Weatheriy, and the gentle~
men with you.
Our next witness will be Mr. W. F. Maready, from Winston-Salem.
STAT~MF~T OP WILLIAM~ P. MABEADY, ATTORNEY, WINSTON.
SALEM, N.C.
Mr. MAREADY. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, it is
a unique American privilege for a citizen to be invited by his Con-
gress to give his views on the subject matter of proposed legislation. I
~am sincerely grateful for the opportunity.
I am a practicing attorney who owns and pilots a private airplane
and also uses the airlines from time to time. I do not represent any
organization or interest. My presence here arises out of my concern
as a citizen for safety in aviation both private and commercial.
In spite of the fact that I ~ am from Winston-Salem, I have no
(connection with Piedmont Airlines.
My comments will deal primarily with the subject of collision
avoidance.
Following two very tragic midair collisions last year, much has
been said and written on the subject. Much of this has been construc-
five. A great deal of it has been uninformed, misleading and extreme.
There has been a questionable tendency to look for blame and the
search has resulted in colored judgments and opposing views which
often go to the extreme.
We have seen this reflected in the news media and in the views of
those who represent special interests.
/
PAGENO="0333"
329
Thus, we have seen the users of our skies divided into `the two
separate camps of conmiercial aviation and general aviation.
This is a regrettable circumstance aiid overshadows the fact that
we are all striving for what is best for the country. We should approach
the problem in that spirit.
It is patently obvious that both commercial aviation, with 2 percent
of all aircraft, and general aviation, with 98 percent of all aircraft,
make substantial contributions to the commerce and mobility of our
Nation.
It is also a fact, albeit unrecognized, that there is no appreciable
difference in the fatality rates of private and commercial aircraft on
a per-hour basis.
Certainly, both interests must be recognized and the differences
reconciled. In doing so, we must act with reason and with the interests
of the American people as the ultimate consideration.
With this preface, I would make the following observations:
1. It has bee~i proposed that private and commercial aircraft be
segregated at our busiest airports. I would join in the spirit of this
proposal but would alter ~t by proposing segregation based on the
relative speeds of aircraft.
It seems to me to be too clear for argument that a jet passenger liner
with a cruise speed of 500 or 600 miles per hour has no business in
the same traffic pattern with an aircraft with a cruising speed of 150
miles per hour or vice versa. I have no desire to be in either aircraft
under such circumstances.
Of course, where such segregation of traffic is effected, ample pro-
vision must be made in the terminal area for all categories of aircraft.
Of course, this would meet the `objection of the Aircraft Owners and
Pilots Association to the effect that private aviation should not be
deprived of the use of airports because all such airports are built
with tax dollars.
No such segregation is either necessary or desirable at the vast
majority of our airports `because the volume of traffic `at them allows
for more spacing between the aircraft.
2. I would urge the Congress to undertake a crash program of
installing radar facilities at all airports used by jet traffic, particularly
passenger airlines.
Unquestionably, radar is the most effective safety item in aviation
today. Without it, the only anticollision method available, both to the
jetliner and the Piper Cub-and it has been that way ever since `the
Piper Cub-is the rule of seeing and being seen-a method limited to
the capacities of the human eye.
This is not adequate because we are involved in a situation where
the capabilities of the machine far exceed the capabilities of man.
To illustrate, on a headon collision course with a jet aircraft travel~
ing 600 miles per hour, a typical propeller-driven aircraft-and I
am referring to my own-will close with it at the rate of 775 miles
per hour or 1,137 feet per second.
From 3 miles apart, `the closure will take about 14 seconds. If the
two pilots are lucky enough to see each ot~her at' this distance, the
chances are that their eyes will be unable to perceive the relittive
position and course of each other until they are much closer together.
By that time, the chances are that neither of them will be able to
take effective evasive action.
PAGENO="0334"
330
In the case of two jet aircraft meeting each other, the example
becomes even more emphatic. It would be futile and meaningless to
seek blame for the tragedy which might follow.
It would be much more meaningful to consider that the real reason
we have not had more such accidents is because of the tremendous
mathematical improbability of two aircraft happening to occupy the
same airspace ata given moment under a very big sky.
. In so considering, we would have to conclude that such matheinatical
improbabilities include a vastly remote but nevertheless very definite
probability.
Many jet liners are now bthng routed through airports which have
n9 radar facilities. On a climb to altitude from such an airport the
pilot is, to an appreciable extent, flying blind in that he is unable to
:See aircraft which may be approaching from varftus vertical and
horizontal angles and winch may be on a collision course with him.
It is practically impossible for the pilot `to see an aircraft overhead
and on a cruise course approaching at a high rate of speed from either
the side or from the rear.
As the two aircraft converge, their respective fields of vision change
rapidly and while each pilot is able to see where he is going, he is
unable to see the converging aircraft until an instant before collision.
In considering this, we must remember that the pilot's cone of vision
from the cockpit remains constant in relation to the airplane. The
trouble is the airplane is moving constantly and at a very high rate
of speed.
This difficulty with vision on a climb-out applies not only to the
airliner but it applies to my Bonanza and it applies to most other
aircraft. Depending on the types of aircraft involved, the rate of
closure under these circumstances can be up to around 1,000 miles
per hour.
I, therefore, respectfully submit that routing a jet liner into an
airport without radar facilities may bear some resemblance to posi-
tioning artillery near an airport and then at periodic times during
the day and with closed eyes firing the artillery into the air.
This is not an extreme comparison to make. The projectile from a
howitzer will close on its target at the rate of `approximately 900 miles
per hour. Thus, we are talking in terms of closure rates of two air-
planes which compare to the closure rates of a howitzer and its target.
We are also talking in terms of projectiles ; that is, airplanes,
meeting each other which cannot see each other without radar facilities.
Considerations like these should place the danger in proper perspec-
tive. It seems to me that radar facilities for the use of such sophisti-
cated machinery is not merely desirable-it is absolutely essential.
3. The absence of more balanced use of radar facilities may be ac-
counted for by the fact that man developed the airplane thinking
only in terms of its environment being open space.
Our technicians have brought us to the point where electronic equip-
ment can fly, navigate, and land an airplane with very little assistance
from the pilot.
While developing such technology, we have failed to think in terms
of the fact that the open-space environment is no longer so open.
We have now been alerted to this and we understand that anticol-
lision devices are beingdeveloped.
/
PAGENO="0335"
331
The development of anticollision devices will repr~sent progress but
we can easily be misled by the amount of progress which they will
represent.
The primary collision danger is at and near airpoits. At a busy
airport, the aircraft are of necessity in close proximity to each other.
Because of such close proximity and the limitations on the man flying
the airplane, the value of an anticollision system is, therefore, mini-
mized. ~
Apart from the specific action which can be taken to reduce collisions,
it is my judgment that holders of pilot certificates should be required
to renew them periodically.
For reasons which are apparent, this is required in most States in the
case of a license to operate an automobile.
A pilot's certificate is now issued for life, subject only to passing
a periodic medical examination. The same considerations which made
this advisable in the case of. an automobile are multiplied many times
over in the case of an airplane.
The Federal Aviation Agency recently has proposed that certain
areas of the country be designated as high-density traffic areas, All
the aircraft entering such areas would be under positive control and
the pilot be required to follow instrument flight niles.
I take this to mean that the pilot would have to hold an. in~trument
ticket or instrument rating when entering such an area.
I agree with the philosophy behind the proposal but I disagree with
the requirement that the pilot be required to hold the IFIR ticket.
There are hundreds of pilots-and perhaps I should have said thou-
sands-who hold a private license and who are safety conscious to
the point that they do not desire to get an instrument ticket simply
because it would permit them to fly legally in adverse weather
conditions.
These are pilots who are qualified to get the rating but do not want
the problem of temptation when weather conditions make flying much
more hazardous.
It does not seem that a requirement that all pilots obtain an instrm-
ment rating in order to fly in certain parts of our country would pr'o~
mote the cause of safety.
It has been and honor and pleasure to appear before you today.
Gentlemen, that completes my remarks. As I say, I do not profess
to be the expert. These are the views of a layman.
Mr. FRIEDEL. I want to thank you for your very fine statement and
the spirit of your testimony.
I do not have any questions.
Mr. DEVINE. I have a couple of questions. I would first like to correct
the record.
My colleague from South Carolina indicated I am a pilot. I am not
a pilot, although I am in the air a good bit of the time.
I would like to compliment you for presenting your views in this
matter as an attorney-pilot.
On page 3 of your statement you say you would urge the instal-
lation of radar facilities at all airports used by jet traffic particularly
passenger airliners.
Are there a great number of airport~s that do service jet passenger
aircraft that do not have radar at the present time?
PAGENO="0336"
332
Mr. MAR]~ADY. It is my information there are, Mr. Congressman.
Asheville, N.C., did not have radar. There are a number of smaller
airports being served by feeder lines that do not have radar.
Mr. ThwiNE. They doservice jet passenger aircraft?
Mr. MAi~nr. Yes, sir.
Mr. DIWINE. I would be interested in knowing from the Federal
Aviation Agency the number of airports that do service the jet pas-
senger traffic without radar equipment.
Mr. FRIEDEL. I understand in oiie of our previous hearings it was
brought out there are quite a few airports that donot have radar and
we are trying to get. them to speed up the installation of radar equip-
tnent that ha~ve ~mmercialje~tpasseiiger service. ~
~ Mr. DEviNE. Mr. Maready, toward the bottpm o:1~ page ~ of your
statement,yoti ~y the primary collision daflger ia at arid itear airports.
~ i: am reminded of the one at Hendersonvilie, N.C., and Urbana,
Ohio. These were not in the immediate proximity of the airport ; is
tl:La)t not correct ?
I ~ Mr. M~utEADr. The accident in Asheville occurred, as I understand
it, iinmediateiy~ after the jetliner made its left turn out of the traffic
pattern. This was some miles from the airport . however, within what
would have been radar range of the airport, and, of course, within just
a minute or so from takeoff.
Mr. DEviNE. The only other one I recall offhand in the immediate
proximity of the airport was the United-TWA crash over Brooklyn
as they were approaching Idlewild but I think mid-air collisions gen-
erally occur in noncongested areas, do they not?
Mr. MAREADY. They certainly do and the one over the Grand Can-
yon was such a situation. However, as I understand the Urbana col-
lision, the airliner was in the let-down stages of its flight.
Mr. DEVINE. Again, thank you for takmg the time to appear before
our committee. I think your testimony is quite valuable.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Thank you, Mr. Maready.
Our next witness who will be the final witness for today is Mr. Wil-
11am A. Jennings, director of aviation safety, Airline Passengers Asso-
ciation. He comes all the way from Burlingame, Calif.
Mr. Jennings, we welcome you to the committee.
STATEMENT 01' WILLIAM A. J~ENRINGS, DIRECTOR OP AVIATION
SAFETY, AIRLINE PASSENGERS ASSOCIATION
Mr. JENNINGS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I shall give a brief background of the Airline Passengers
Association.
The Airline Passengers Association-APA-has a membership of
approximately 12,000, the majority of which is composed of profes-
sionals and business executives.
The beginning of the APA can be traced back to July 1960. It has
been the consistent policy of the association to speak up on matters
dealing with aviation safety.
GENERAL POLICY
At the outset, it is important that the general policy of the APA
be known. The association takes the position that there is no legitithate
justification for compromising aviation safety.
/
PAGENO="0337"
333
Much is heard about the cost of modifying present day aircraft and
designing future aircraft so that the degree of safety of their opera-
tion will be improved. Particularly this is heard in regard to improv-
ing the crashworthiness or survivability characteristics of present day
aircraft.
Air carriers, airframe and component manufacturers, and airport
operators should not be heard to complain that such improvements
will be costly, for it is the passenger who ultimately will bear the
economic burden of these beneficial changes, either in the form of
tickets or taxes.
The APA believes that every aspect of airline operation should be
directed to obtaining the ultimate in safety for the passengers, par-
ticularly wheu the compromise of safety might result in short term
economic gain by reason of load factor or other cost of operation.
The stress for maximum utilization of cabin interiors for optimum
passenger seating is an example where economic interests must be
balanced by the primary responsibility for passenger safety in the
event of an evacuation. The Government has recently taken the first
of many important ~teps to insure that evacuation considerations will
be implemented by manufacturers and air carriers. Much more remains
to be done.
Where safety results in reductions in efficiency and economy, it
simply means a re1~tive increase in the cost of operation, the economic
burden of which will utilimately be borne by the passenger.
It must be realized that safety is no accident. To assure that the
passenger will arrive alive will require the coordinated efforts of
Government, industry, and the flying public.
LETHAL THREATS POSED TO PASSENGERS BY TOXIC CABIN MATEBIALS
In the past 6 years, 174 passengers have perished in accidents which
the Federal Aviation Agency Administration calls "survivable". The
APA feels that one of the factors that has contributed to this high
death rate in survivable accidents is the fact that most `modern air-
liners can be lethal gas chambers when afire. The aviation industry
has been aware for some years that the materials contained in corn-
mercial airline cabins release toxic gases upon thermal decomposition.
It has been relatively recent that the exact nature and quantities of
these gases has been made known. Hydrogen cyanide, which is used in
California and other States in their prison gas chambers, is generated
in large quantities by the burning of certain acrylic materials com-
monly found in rugs, seats and other interior appointments.
`Tests run in mid-1966 by the Airline Pilots Association, together
with supporting airline organizations, showed concentrations of hydro-
gen cyanide of at least 50 times the lethal level. The National Bureau
of Standards pinpointed some of the substances which contained high
hydrogen cyanide concentrations.
The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, which does studies of
victims of air disasters for the National Transportation Safety Board,
admitted that hydrogen cyanide was present ill the tests run on the
bodies of the three astronauts whO were the victims of the Apollo dis-
aster at Cape Kennedy. Tests for hydrogen cyanide and other toxic
substances have not been routinely run on these victims of aviation
disasters.
92-715-68-----
PAGENO="0338"
334
The Cleveland aircraft fire tests established that the life of a pas-
senger may be endangered by the presence of these toxic fumes even
during the 90-second escape period recently established by the Federal
Aviation Administration.
In addition to hydrogen cyanide other gases that the passenger in
a burning airliner faces are hydrogen chloride, phosgene, carbon mon-
oxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen fluoride and nitric oxide, which are
also released from the materials used in the cabin interior.
This toxic environment can dehabilitate or take the life of a pas-
senger rendering him incapable of following the established evacua-
tion procedures.
The Cleveland fire tests showed that there would be an extended
period of time well beyond normal evacuation times during which the
temperatures of the cabin environment would not reach incapacitating
levels.
On October 24, 1968, new standards are being put into effect by the
Federal Aviation Administration concerning the cabin interior ma-
terials. These standards only concern flameproof criteria and do not
take into consideration the problem of toxic gases. The APA feels
that there will be continuing threats to the safety of all aboard com-
mercial aircraft until a requirement is established for nontoxic
materials.
The APA is sufficiently concerned about this problem to air travelers
that it has undertaken a special investigation at its own expense of
the status of Air Force One, the aircraft in which the President and
other dignitaries regularly fly.
The results of the analysis of the interior materials of Air Force One
will be released as soon as they are made available, hopefully by the
conclusion of these hearings.
We hope to discover whether the red carpet treatment afforded these
officials is not a potentially lethal one.
We have taken the liberty of attaching a bibliography to this state-
ment which, we feel, is a good summary of the literature on these
problems.
(Bibliography referred to follows:)
BIBLIOGRAPHY COMPILED BY THE AIRLINE PASSENGERS ASSOCIATION
"Post Orash Survival Oonsiderations", Bernard 0. Doyle and John J. Carroll,
Air Transport and Space Meeting, April, 1964.
"Human Factor of Emergency Evacuation", Stanley B. Mohier, John J.
Swearingen, Ernest B. McFadden and J. D. Garner, Air Transport and Space
Meeting, April, 1964.
"Discussion of the Post-Crash Fire Problem", Flight Safety Foundation (FSF),
December, 1962.
"Structural Design for Fuel Containment Under Survivable Crash Conditions",
P. M. Nissley, General Dynamic's/Convair, AD 609 615, August, 1964.
"Feasibility Study of Turbine Fuel Gels for Reduction of Crash Fire Hazards-
Final Report", Ken Posey, Jr., The Western Company Research Division,
February, 1966.
"Synthesis of Aircraft (Crash) Fire Rescue, and Evacuation Technology",
H.G.C. Henneberger, Aviation Safety Engineering and Research, July, 1964.
"A Study of the Flammability of Magnesium", Paul Boris, Systems Research and
Development Service, FAA, April, 1964.
"Principles for Improving Structural Crash Worthiness for STOL and CTOL
Aircraft", William H. Reed, et al, U.S. Army Aviation Materiel Laboratories,
June, 1966.
PAGENO="0339"
335
"Design, Development, and Evaluation of a Crash-Resistant Fuel System In-
stallation", W. Buckson, et al, All American Engineering Company, U.S.
Department of Commerce, December, 1965.
"Crashworthy Design Principles", D. L. Greer, FAA, September, 1964.
"Flammability and Smoke Characteristics of Aircraft Interio~r Materials", John
P. March, E. B. Nicholas, J. B. Demaree, U.S. Department of Commerce,
January, 1964.
"Protective Passenger Smoke Hood" 39 Aerospace Medicine 177, February 1968.
"Joy Ride in the Sky : Safety Takes Back Seat", George B. Parker, Institute
of Aerospace Safety and Management, University of Southern California,
Trial Magazine, August-September, 1967.
"A Study of Air Transport Passenger Cabin Fires and Materials", John F.
Marcy, National Aviation Facilities, Experimental Center, December, 1965
( U. S. Department of Commerce).
"Some Properties of Flameproof Fabrics", Marjorie Sandhozer, National Bureau
of Standards, American Dyestuff Reporter, Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 37-41, 1/26/59.
"Thermal Decomposition Products and Burning Characteristics of Some Syn-
thetic Low-Density Cellular Materials", Bureau of Mines Report No. 4777.
"Evaluation of Interior Materials for the 707 Airplane", Boeing Aircraft Co.,~
Document No. D6-1084, 1957.
"Cabin Fire Incident and Investigation TWA Boeing 707-131, Plane 7739",
Trans World Airlines, Inc. Engineering Report No. 1203.
"Flight Fatalities Studied," by William J. Reals and Richard B. Danielson,
Journal of The Kansas Medical Society, August 1963, pp. 354-357.
Mr. JENNINGS. The recent "skyjacking" experienced by National
and Delta Airlines again emphasizes the need for effective steps to
prevent such occurrences and to minimize the risk to passengers when
a berserk passenger creates an en route flight emergency.
President Kennedy and former Director of the Federal Aviation
Administration, N. E. Halaby, proposed special regulations, some of
which were adopted.
The APA feels the following additional steps should be taken to
insure greater security of aircraft.
1. A special transponder code should be set up to notify air traffic
control facilities that the particular aircraft is undergoing a skyjack-
ing operation. This would not require the use of radio communications
but would be a signal receivable by Federal Aviation Administration
ground radar facilities.
2. Uniform standards for training and arming of flightcrews
should be established. At present, some airlines permit side arms at
the pilot's option. Apparently no airlines pay for or provide for train-
ing in the use of such side arms.
3. A uniform standard should be adopted for devices allowing the
flight crew to observe the passenger compartment through a one-way
mirror or peephole. Use of such a device should be mandatorily re-
quired before the flight engineer or other crewmember opens the door.
Doors should be bulletproofed with openings for a pistol from the
cockpit side like an armored car.
At present, some flightcrews do not look before opening when a
knock on the door occurs which presumably is a stewardess.
4. Uniform radio code signals or code words should be adopted to
notify persons on the ground in contact with the aircraft by radio in-
dicating a skyjacking is occurring.
5. Training should be given to flightcrews using hypothetical sky-
jacking situations such as a stewardess or passenger hostage.
6. Dehabilitating weapons such as some gases currently used in riot
control and other military chemical agents can incapacitate an assail-
PAGENO="0340"
* 336
ant without the risk of gunfire. Such a device might be installed
adjacent to the cockpit door for release rendering a potential cockpit
intruder harmless without the risk of gunfire.
The past skyjackings have resulted in injury to thghtcrews and in
at least one instance possibly resulted in the death of 43 people.
The costs involved in protective or educational programs for install~
ing neceesary devices is minimal.
The APA highly urgee that this reoccurring problem be given im-
mediate attention.
Mr. FRIEDEL. If a man wants to skyjack a plane and he puth a gun
at the stewardess' head and he seizes the pilot, would the pilot let him
shoot the stewardess or open the door and let him in?
. Mr. J]~NNINGS. Every situation has to be judged on its own facts.
But at the present time we don't know of any training being given
flighterews in such hypothetical situations.
Some criteria of good judgment is needed. It is important that the
captain exercise the best judgment possible for the safety of his air-
craft.
We think this should be skulled around and discussed with various
alternatives.
Our recommendation No. 6 does give a possible answer for the
man who has gotten a stewardess or a passenger as a hostage in such
a situation.
In the recent Delta Airlines situation, the stewardess was coming up
apparently with some coffee or something for the fiightcrew, gave a
rap on the door and the door was immediately opened. The skyjacker
was seated in the first-class cabin up front. He then took this oppor-
tunity when she had this tray and she opened the door with her foot
and he went right in behind her.
At the present time, even those airlines that have peephole devices
aboard their aircraft in discussing it with fii~htcrews, generally what
occurs when the rap comes on the door, the flight engineer is seated at
his position which is behind the first officer, he reaches over and opens
the door.
It is a rare occurrence when that flight engineer goes up to the peep-
hole to identify. That could be potentially almost any person. We think
it should be mandatory that the flightcrew identify the person at the
door before opening the door. Large one-way mirrors may be more
useful.
The next potential idea for reducing such a risk would be a dehabili-
tating weapon, one that would not necessarily kill but would at least
incapacitate without too much danger the person who is the assailant
at the cockpit door. A double-door entry could make an enclosed space
for this purpose.
We talked about toxic gases in airplanes that could be a danger.
This might be one that would be a solution that would dehabilitate the
potential intruder.
The use of gunfire aboard aircraft, of course,. presents a potential
hazard. We have checked reports of the major airframe manufacturers
and a random bullet penetrating the skin of a fuselage of a jet at
altitudes where you might worry about rapid loss of pressure ap-
parently will not affect the structure of the aircraft and will not cause
any major accident if a gun goes off.
PAGENO="0341"
337
We feel the number of lives taken in the past by this activity,
together with the fact that apparently Castro would like to build his
own air force out of the airlines that are being operated today by
keeping the aircraft that get to Cuba, we think it is a problem that
should be given renewed attention.
Mr. FRIEDEL. I want to thank you, Mr. Jennings, for your statement.
You have a lot of good suggestions. I should like to stress one thing I
heard on the radio this morning where the FAA does not have any
regulations but they allow people to take the border patrol school
course and have a kit and tear gas and a pistol.
I am wondering, with all of these things, if a gun is at a stewardess'
head, what should thepilot do-jeopardize all of the other passengers~
The man knows if he is brought back alive he is subject to the death
penalty under the act we passed so he would not care if he loses 100
of them. Some planes do have armed men up front,
Mr. JENNINGS. They may have reinstituted that practice, begun in
1961. I think we should train these crews in the various alternatives;
give them some situations and perhaps test their judgment because
their judgment is going to be involved. Crews dese~rve to not be totally
at the mercy of the hijacker.
Mr. FRIEDEL. This committee went to the FAA installation at Ok-
lahoma City. It is very impressive and I want to assure you that the
FAA is trying to find out all it can concerning toxic fumes and heat.
In the report of our committee, page 2, members of the Subcommittee
on Transportation and Aeronautics in October 1967 saw a demonstra-
tion of an experimental smoke and fire protective hood where the
wearer could be subjected to intense flame without injury.
We saw them get into the water and inflate little tanks-people
could survive. There are a lot of worthwhile things that are going
on in the FAA that the public does not know offhand. I wish everyone
could have a chance to get out to the installations at Atlantic City and
Oklahoma City.
I am very proud of what the FAA is doing on research in safety.
Mr. PIoKL~. Mr. Jennings, I was not here to hear all of your testi-
mony and I am wondering if your testimony covered this question
Ihave.
You say a bullet penetrating the skin of an airplane would not cause
any structural damage. What would a bullet do with respect to pres-
surization within a plane?
Mr. JENNINGS. I would assume it would cause a decompression. The
laws of physics would take care of that.
Mr. P1CKLJ~. I don't want to be misunderstood, but say you assume
it would cause depressurization. I assume that to be true, but how
severe would it be?
Would it instantly collapse the people in the cabin?
Mr. JENNINGS. There have been a number of decompressions in miIi~
tary and civilian aircraft. At the present altitudes most of our general
aircraft operate 24,000 to 39,000 feet, the decompression does not result
generally in injury.
If there are loose objects and there is a large hole, it will suck things
out that way but generally it causes a large bang, then there is a cloud
that forms in the cabin, a cloud of moisture condensation.
PAGENO="0342"
338
The breath is then exhaled out of the occupants and they must use
other available oxygen. There was one decompression that was kind
of interesting on human reactions that one of the major carriers had
where they had a decompression of 103 passengers aboard.
When the oxygen masks came down that they always demonstrated
when you get aboard the flight, out of the 103 passengers there were
only three who understood the instructions or were aivare of what to
do.
The others were not injured because they made a rapid descent to
where other oxygen was available.
Mr. PICKLE. You say then a bullet~ fired in the air which punctured
the skin of the frame would cause no more damage than the normal
loss of air pressure?
Mr. JENNINGS. From what I understand, and this question was
asked by the Air Line Pilots Association about 1963 of Lockheed and
Douglas, and perhaps Boeing as well, and their engineers felt it would
not cause-
Mr. PICKLE. What would you expect to happen if a bullet hit a fuel
line or a fuel tank or any part of the electrical circuit?
Mr. JENNINGS. We know what happens when a red-hot turbine blade
hit a kerosene fuel tank in San Francisco. Captain Hines was the
captain who brought the airplane in with abouthaif of one wing gone.
They said it couldn't fly but he flew it anyway and he landed it at
Travis.
It caused an explosion which blew a portion of the wing off, so per-
haps a bullet would do the same thing.
Mr. PICKLE. Do you say if a bullet hit the fuel line it might not
blow up the plane?
Mr. JENNINGS. I really couldn't answer your question, Mr. Pickle.
.~, Mr. PIoKt~ With respect to skyjacking, I like your idea of putting
transponders in the plane.
Mr. JENNINGS. They are in there already.
Mr. PIcKu~. This is action that would report what was taking place.
How can we prevent the skyjacking?
Do you have a specific recommendation in your testimony as to how
that can be done?
Mr. JENNINGS. I don't see where there is any means at all to prevent
a berserk passenger from getting on the aircraft.
The only thing is remedial steps you can take once he is on the
plane.
Mr. PIOKLE. We are reaching the point where this is more than an
emergencymatter. We have to find some kind of answer to protect both
the pilot and the passengers.
If this means penal action, if we could ever get our hands on them,
I think that is required. Perhaps we ought to cancel their citizenship,
seek out extradition papers if we have relations with a country and if
we don't serve notice that if that man ever comes back he will be
prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Mr. JENNINGS. I think the pattern has pretty much developed, those
people involved in skyjacking are very desperate. They sometimes ap-
pear to be under drugs. As Mr. Friedel said, they are under potential
death penalty under the present law and I don't think you could draw
/
PAGENO="0343"
339
and quarter them and cut them into little pieces-you are not going
to discourage their getting on an aircraft.
Mr. PICKLE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Mr. Devine?
Mr. DEVINE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Jennings, I might point
out to you the members of this subcommittee made a trip last fall to
Oklahoma City and witnessed tests on toxic materials from cabins of
particular aircraft.
I think literally millions of dollars are being spent in research in
this area, not only by the FAA. but also by United Airlines and other
certificated carriers who are vitally concerned with safety and sur-
vivability of passengers.
Getting to your skyjacking recommendations, I think that there
might be some resistance relative to suggestion No. 2 and suggestion
No. 6 because I doubt very much whether even the Air Line Pilots
Association will want a bunch of two-gun jockies up front carrying
guns.
They are not charged with the responsibility of guarding the air-
craft against pirates and invaders, and we may create more problems
than we would solve if we indeed trained pilots who have the primary
responsibility for the safety of the aircraft. Particularly the dehabili-
tating type of weapons that have been used, of course, by police in
some types of riot situations. However, they have run into situations
where the user has also been the victim and if he would use some type
of `dehabilitating gas that blows back on the pilot and copilot, someone
still has t~ fly the plane.
I think we will have to weigh thoroughly the possibility of arming
the crew of aircraft to prevent skyjacking.
Mr. JENNINGS. I might mention within the state of the art as far
as bullet proofing material is concerned, there are presently available
and have been for a number of years lightweight armor that could
be used for bulkhead or cockpit doors that would prevent any shots
being fired from a person on the outside who couldn't perhaps get in
but wanted to shoot it out.
That is available now but it is not being used and there is no
established requirement for it.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Thank you.
The hearing is now adjourned and we will meet tomorrow morning
at 10 a.m.
(Whereupon, at 11 :45 a.m., the hearing was adjourned, to reconvene
at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, 1968.)
PAGENO="0344"
PAGENO="0345"
AVIATION SAFETY
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 1968
HousE or REPR1~SENTATIVES,
StJBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND AERONAUTIOS~
COMMITTEE ON INTERSTATE AND FcrniaGN COMMERCE,
. Washington, D.C.
The subcommittee met at 10 a.m., pursuant to notice, in room
2123, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Samuel N. Friedel (chair-
man of the subcommittee) presiding.
Mr. FRIEDEL. The subcommittee will please be in order.
Today the Subcommittee on Transportation and Aeronautics will
continue public hearings on aviation safety.
I believe that we have only three or four witnesses scheduled and I
expect that we can conclude this series of hearings today.
Our first witness this morning is Mr. F. Lee Bailey, acting executive
director, Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization.
Mr. Bailey, you may proceed.
STATEMENT OP P. LEE BAILEY, ACTING EXEGUTIVE DIREOTOR,
PROFESSIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS ORGANIZATION
Mr. BAILEY. Good morning, sir.
The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization, on which I
should like to give a brief background because it is a new organiza-
tion, was formed as a result of the feeling of certain controllers in the
New York area which has unique problems because of its operation
of three major airports within a very small area ; that a new organi-
zation was needed because the system of air traffic control at least
from the controllers view was rapidly falling behind the demand
placed upon it and approaching a critical condition.
They requested that I act as general counsel in forming an organi-
zation, not just in that area but across the Nation, and to promote
their aims.
Since January when the organization held its first meeting in New
York, we have visited about 12 of the major facilities across the
country.
The membership is now at 4,000 and is growing very rapidly.
The controllers have pretty well reduced their major problems to
a state where. we can describe them with some degree of accuracy.
The basic problem and I know this has been said in other ways but
I think strictly from a controller's point of view is that the job of the
air traffic controller has shifted much more rapidly than he has been
able to keep pace with that shift.
(341)
PAGENO="0346"
342
That is to say, whereas 10 years ago an air traffic controller was
more of an adviser who received reports from pilots and then
advised other pilots as to the reports he was receiving, he is now
a man who accomplishes positive control through electronic aids
and is in control of the airplane most of the time.
The pilot must accomplish the landing and spend hours in between
those events cruising at an altitude where there is relatively little to do.
In that circumstance, he is not under continuing pressure.
I might say, in addition to representing these gentlemen, I will
speak with one hat for general aviation, since I own a flight operation,
including a school and a charter service, and with one hat for the
professional pilots point of view, including the airlines and business
jets and larger business planes since I own one of those and I am rated
to ~fly it.
The controller being under continuous pressure as he is often
called upon to perform tasks which we think are beyond his capability
because of constant overlOad of the system which promises to go up
as rapidly as it has in the past few years in the next few years.
The controller is very often handling more traffic on his scope
than he can safely handle, and he is fearful this will not come to
gener~il attention except by such events as the Grand Canyon incident
md other events which immediately commanded a great deal of
attention. ~ ~
First of all, there is a lack of adequate and competent personnel.
Air traffic control work is no longer attractive to young men. This
is a special breed of young men, we feel. He is a man whose decisions
must be very very rapid, much of the time more rapid than the
pilots in the cockpits. ~
He must not make any mistakes. He must carry a tremendous amount
of information in his head because the radar that we have at many
of our facilities is not adequate and it is not as good as could be
provided.
I notice from earlier hearings that no requests, or substantial
requests, for improvement in the radar systems have been made.
There is . equipment which can take a tremendous load off the
controller. As it is now, he may have to remember the identities,
airspeed, general headings, and altitudes of 30 or 40 targets.
I rather doubt that a human being can do this for a long period
of time, as controllers are now required to do, without suffering some
impairment in efficiency.
There is equipment which can print out this information so he
can direct his attention to other matters. It is operating in some areas,
asyou know. We think it could be installed on a much wider basis and
at least those airplanes which are in the professional category could be
required to have the equipment which would report in as I have
described.
In addition to that2 because of the vast shortage of personnel and
I think that this is critical and that the agency will probably concur,
the controllers are now working mandatory 6-day weeks in some
areas, while pilots are limited by law to 100 hours a month.
That being the limit, the agency feels, at which one can maintain
top-level efficiency to manage an airplane. Controllers are working
three and four times that amount. I rather think that the exigencies of
ii
PAGENO="0347"
343
their job couM be demonstrated physiologically and psychologically
as great, if not greater than, the exigencies of the cockpit.
In any event, because of that these men are burning out and I shall
say by age 40 most of them feel they are becoming too brittle to
handle the frontline jobs at the high-density areas because of the
pressures day after day. There should be some study made and effective
limitation placed upon the number of hours a controller is alilowed to
work by law.
I shall report just as an example, just very recently as I flew into
St. Louis to pick up some controllers to take them to Florida, I was
told a man named Tyson, 32 years old, died of a heart attack.
He had just had a physical and was told he was in excellent health.
Statistically, as you may know, heart attacks with people of this
age-and I will be sensitive about it since I am not much beyond
that-are very uncommon.
~ The warm bodies that are being herded in to fill the empty spaces
in air traffic control, simply because qualified personnel cannot be
had, requiring the overtime, are going to put the Nation in serious
trouble when they graduate to the frontline and the controllers who
are now just barely meeting the stress of the system are either retired
or gone for some other reason.
The controllers who formed this organization and who lead it state
very frankly that people are now being pushed up through the ranks
who do not have the necessary speed or independence of judgment
to perform this very delicate task. They are being carried simply be-
cause there is no convenient or practical way for controllers to wash
one another out.
We think, therefore, a system of checking such as is used on
professional pilots is appropriate to the business of air traffic control.
That is to say, if one were to bring a frontline controller, a highly
qualified man from one facility to another to run periodic checks
on the individual controllers operating in their positions and to flunk
them if they can't handle it before they demonstrate their incompetence
by smashing two airplanes together, that a substantial burden would
be taken from those who are now carrying people who cannot carry
the responsibility.
The air traffic controller, in our judgment, is a man who should know
much more about the business of flying than he now does.
There is a story that is often pushed around that an air traffic con-
troller is by and large a pilot. I do not believe this is so. A few are;
many, many are not.
I noticed from reading the report of the testimony of another wit-
ness in the Chicago area some controllers said they would not fly be-
cause they could see on their radar what the inherent dangers are.
I don't think this is so and I think in the future the Government
is going to have to require the air traffic controller to be a person who
received formal education in the business of air traffic control at a
university and I understand some of these are under study but none are
available, that he be at least a private pilot with an instrument rating
and more important, that he periodically spend time in the air.
I have suggested that the air traffic controller is many times flying
the airplane and I think this can be suitably demonstrated by de-
scribing a typical flight.
PAGENO="0348"
344
j make them every day averaging i,ooo miles a day or better, most
of the time in the cockpit. From the moment we light the engines we
have almost no decisions to make.
We are told in what direction to take off, what headings to follow,
at what altitude to fly, and then at a comfortable altitude we are then
told to hold that altitude. We depend on these controllers when we
are in the soup, so to speak. We are powerless to do anything about
where other aircraft are.
A more dangerous position results when there is possible obscura-.
tion. When we are under positive control but flying through clear
air where other aircraft are not, we have the dual responsibility of
carrying the controller's commands absolutely and at the same time
being on the lookout for a noncontrolled aircraft which may be in
the area and over which he exercises no jurisdiction, indeed, with
which he is probably not in contact.
The heart of this system is today, and always will be, in our judg-
ment, the individual at the radar scope.
If there is trouble, the rapidity with which he can provide a solu-
tion to a pilot who can do no more than follow his commands because
even though he has an emergency he can't tell who he is going to hit
if he heads directly toward the runway.
The other day, in coming into La Guardia when the weather was
bad and we were in ~a stack of airliners, five light airplanes were lost
over an overcast, four were recovered, one was landed at La Guardia
by an air traffic controller who talked him down.
I listened to this entire procedure and the pilot was not instrument-
rated. Fortunately, the man at the other end of the microphone could
see into that cockpit from his own experience and dictate, moment by
moment, just hbw the controls should be moved to put the airplane
on the ground.
The FAA has limited to a large extent-and our quarrel is not basi-
cally with the agency but we think this is a bad mistake in approach-
the FAA has limited the extent to which a controller may fly.
They may have imposed the following restrictions although there'
is a program called SF-160 which permits controllers to ride in airliner
cockpits in the jump seat where they can observe what is `going on in-
side the cockpit, the redtape involved, and the restrictions imposed
usually limiting a controller to one flight per airline per year at his
terminal discourages controllers from putting the time in the air.
` I have talked with the airlines' and many airline pilots and they
would be delighted to have controllers aboard any time they would
come but they are sharply inhibited from coming.
Mr~ FRIEDEL. What regulation is that?
Mr. BAILEY. The Agency has imposed that limitation. In addition,
the Agency has'imposed, if an off-duty controller wants' to fly, he may
notfly for hire, ~iveinstruction Or tak~ chaTterflights.
Our position is that every moment an air traffic controller spends in
the air makes him' a better and more valuable controller because, as
he gives his order, he can see what is happening, he can appteciate
what confronts the pilot when he is asked to reduce to the given air
speed which is near the stalling speed.
When the pilot declares an emergency `he can cooperate more closely
with him in getting that airplane on the ground more safely.
PAGENO="0349"
A burnt-out air traffic controller is not a likely prospect for any
other kind of job. He is one of the most highly trained and skilled
specialists in the narrow field that our society promotes today.
On the other hand, if at age 40 he is no longer suitable to run a
high-density scope or the "boards" as they are called in the profession
of air traffic control jargon, if he had both flight experience and the
appropriate ratings, he would be a most valuable pilot.
A~s an employer who employs nine pilots and runs various opera-
tions, I would be very quick to hire such men more so than some who
are ignorant of air traffic.
We think some required education of the pilots about what the front-
line of traffic is all about should be mandatory in the ratings.
I will not give a commercial license to anyone who takes an instru-
ment rating although the Agency permits this. We will not give a
license to anyone until they have been in the towers and observed the
operations.
We think a pilot ought to know what loads he imposes when he
comes into a high-density area and asks for a sudden clearance.
We feel he should know what happens in those IFR rooms when he
declares a priority and asks to be landed immediately. Just as con-
trollers must spend more time in cockpits, we think the law should
require that pilots spend more time in air traffic control.
Whereas there used to be a domination by the pilot in an advisory
capacity by the controller, there is in fact a partnership in all con-
trolled aircraft.
We take nothing from any of the pilots. Indeed, I think that that
is a highly skilled profession and must continue to be so.
On the other hand, there is no way to move an airplane, at least a big
one, in the United States today without a successful partnership be-
tween an air traffic controller and a professional pilot at the controls.
Unlike the pilot, the controller has no copilot. If he makes a mistake
it probably won't be picked up in time.
Unless the personnel shortage, which is the most critical problem,
is alleviated, the controllers have two decisions.
They can either permit the increase in traffic to further overstress
the system until collisions began to occur and people are willing to pay
great attention or they can exercise their responsibilities to absolutely
refuse to take that additional traffic into existing facilities and thus
curb the annual increase.
Their feeling is that judgments as to where the limits of safety may
be are daily judgments in a rapidly expanding system and it is their
responsibility to make those judgments and to live with them, not the
responsibility of those higher up or further out in the Agency who are
not familiar with any individual scope on any given day.
For that reason, in the exercise of their responsibilities, they take
the position that they should and. will in areas where the operation is
really existing only on the resilience of an able young man who is
able to operate overstressed for long periods of time but should not be
doing so, but when he finds he is losing some of his targets or that
near misses are occurring, he should at that time refuse to take another
handofF until his radarscope is in control.
I should like to see exhibited before this committee a videotape with
an audiotape of air traffic controllers operating a radarscope or operat-
1
345
PAGENO="0350"
346
ing from the tower at something like O'Hare, where an airplane is
taking off every 17 seconds and I understand that record was set the
other day.
There is what is called the slowdowil. These are thought to be demon-
strations by the controllers who have long been frustrated about their
positions and crying for some kind of help.
However, it is ironic to note that a slowdown is no more than obey-
ance to the regulations.
If the r~gu1ations were to be enforced at Los Angeles, Chicago, and
New York today ; if the separation supposedly required were to be
enforced, the air traffic into each of those areas would be dropped sub-
stantially as a matter of physical limitation on any day where a bad
day rec~juired the controllers to bring every airplane in and out of
those airports.
If the controllers' position and status can be improved to the point
where young people capable of doing this kind of work are willing to
do it, and are willing to go into air traffic control so that the conscrip-
tion now being conducted is not necessary-and I may say even that is
not adequate to fill the ranks-then better equipment must be obtained,
a little more realistic approach given by those who are in the business
of constructing airports without bothering to find out whether the air-
port is operable.
As a recent example, various city fathers in New York and New
Jersey are having great dissertations on whether they should place an
airport in Morristown or Saulberg or elsewhere. They are not mindful
of the fact that there is no air left in New York to bring additional
planes to that area.
In addition to that, New York cannot stand a further increase in
traffic. It is handling all it can handle now without crossing the lines
of safety. Unless an airport is activated from the present holocaust
north of the Kennedy and La Guardia Airports it is not going to be
operable.
The failure to provide a guide slope path at 150 and 190 knots and
anything built today can fly at those speeds but most aircraft cannot
fly at both. Unless this method is used much concrete, money, and time
is being wasted.
An air traffic controller cannot be made overnight. Now they are
reaching the front line iii something like 4 years.
This is probably the result of need rather than qualification in many
areas. We could not provide an adequate number of air traffic con-
troller~ if we were given unlimited funds and the willingness of every
qualified person in the United States in order to meet the current de-
mand in less than 2 or 3 years, and that would take some optimism.
Therefore, the position of the controllers is largely this : that the
system is operating today, and', as you know, it is not in a state of
panic and we do get, by and large, airplanes in and out of major
terminals.
On the other hand, it is necessary that everybody approaching New
York, the Kennedy Airport, must anticipate a 1-hour delay on the
average when the weather is bad. The average over a period of a year
is 20 minutes at Kennedy. I believe it is the highest in the country and
that is average again on good days where all aircraft land on schedule.
PAGENO="0351"
347
This is simply a limitation in the system. The controllers have gone
as far as they can without running a substantial risk of collisions in
order to even go this far.
Even where the collisions do occur, they are not the fault of con-
trollers ; it is because they lack the proper equipment and because they
are too busy to afford advice to airplanes that are on the way to their
way of making a mistake.
Let me cite an example. Some time ago Eastern Air Lines in a Con-
stellation collided with a TWA-I believe it was a 707 or a 720-over
New York or upstate Connecticut.
It appears from the investigation that one of the airplanes was off
altitude by 1 ,000 feet.
If the printout ~ information which is available now-whether or
not it was then, I do not say-if it had been in operation the controller
would have instantly noticed two targets converging which he assumed
had altitude separation, both reporting the same altitude, advised one
of the pilots or both of them, and that accident would not have
occurred.
If he had not been as busy as he was at the moment and had had
the time to constantly recheck the pilots, because when he sees two
blips converging he has no way of knowing whether there is any
separation there from what he can see.
He relies wholly on the pilot. If he had time to recheck that it was
on collision course and doublecheck the altitude, that accident would
not have occurred.
We do not know how many chalked up to pilot error could be avoided
if the air traffic control system was adequate to meet its needs.
If it is adequate it is just barely adequate in some places. It will not
be adequate tomorrow. The anticipated' sophistication of equipment
will not be accommodated by our present facilities.
We have a saying in flying that when it comes to checking out pilots
"you are either ahead of an airplane when you fly it or you are be-
hind it."
There is no such thing as being even with the airplane. I think the
same thing is true of air traffic control. Unless they are able to stay
ahead of what they are doing, to be constantly anticipating every
move required of an aircraft or another, then they are behind the sys-
tem because they can i~ever be even with it.
Controllers now I might say, who are required to work overtime
are unenthused about doing so because they are paid less for their over-
time than they are paid for their normal working hours.
Many controllers are on tranquilizers because of the stress of the
job. Some of them have reported in and have been temporarily relieved
of duty until their nerves have been repaired.
Because of shortages, controllers sometimes sit 3, 4, and 6 hours
without a break at a position continually handing off and receiving
aircraft and maintaining overloaded scopes.
All of this, we think, is destined for some difficulty. There is a duty
on the part of these gentlemen before that becomes imminent to bring
it to the attention of those who can do something about it.
In my judgment, after evaluating the problem, after talking to the
airlines, with general aviation, with probably more controllers than
any other human being has visited in the last 3 months, with the FAA,
PAGENO="0352"
348
the Air Transport Association, I believe that the remedy for this situ-
ation is not within the Agency.
I believe that the remedy involves a much broader step, in essence,
a scrapping of the present system and the creation of a new system in-
sofar as the individual controller is concerned.
We anticipate presenting to the Congress I should say within a
time-I have in mind the fact that this very rapidly growing orga-
nization is trying to accomplish in 6 months what would ordinarily
and properly take 2 years-some kind of legislation to provide for a
professional air traffic controller, perhaps analogous to the circum-
stances of those in the Federal Bureau of Investigation but probably
attempting to reject the whole notion of GS ratings which we think
inappropriate to this business.
He is as important as a pilot, he must be as highly skilled as a pilot,
and in order to attract that type of man he should have something
somewhere roughly comparable to what the pilot has and will con-
tinue to have.
We are very hopeful that this will receive the attention of the Con-
gress and we do not intend to rest it simply on the fact that the air
traffic controllers demand this.
We are hopeful the Members of Congress will visit the facilities.
Congressman Minshall was flying to Ohio and requested radar ad-
vice from the controller and the controller said, "No, I am too busy;
you can't have an advisory."
He went down to the facility to see why he couldn't have advisories
and I am satisfied, because he spoke at one of our meetings, that he, as I
am certain many others do, realizes the gravity of these problems and
their potential danger.
This in synopsis is pretty much what the professional air traffic
controllers have in mind. I have a letter here with me that I sent to
General McKee explaining, basically what we are doing and why.
I might say the organization does not have the backing or involve-
ment of any other organization, that it is entirely self-supporting, at
the moment rests on the initiatior~ dues of its members and will rest on
their dues periodically taken.
We hope that by the time our legislation comes up for attention we
will represent virtually all of the air traffic controllers in the United
States.
We rather think that that is possible. Up until this time they have
had no effective voice, at least in their own judgment, to bring these
problems to the attention of the Congress in a proper, efficient, and
sober way.
We rely wholly on the evidence. We do not think that any reasonable
person knowledgeable in the business of aviation can spend any time
listening to a radio frequency in any of our high-density areas-and to
just tick off the worst of them, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York-
listen to the pace at which these people make decisions, and none can
be wrong, and imagine the retention in the minds of an individual that
much information when planes are constantly coming in and going out
without realizing this is a critical pattern, that without much further
delay we should make the effort to secure~ the use, judgment, and skill
of everyone who can be found.
PAGENO="0353"
349
The business of the controller will get tougher as will the business
of the pilot, but it is no longer possible just to recruit anybody who
may come in off the street, and the present demand for qualifications
I consider to be very low according to information promuTigated by
the FAA.
These people are not going to be able to do the job when the present
front line controllers are gone unless someone comes in to replace them;
the business of air traffic control could very well wind up and very
quickly wind up in a very nasty mess.
I thank you very much.
Mr. FRIEDEL. I want to thank you, Mr. Bailey, and I wish to assure
you and everyone here that the chairman of the full committee and the
chairman of this subcommittee are very much aware of the matters
that you mentioned and we are very much interested in the safety of
aviation for the benefit of all.
We know there are areas where we need more controllers and we
need more radar facilities. There is a need for a collision-avoidance
system.
All of these are being worked on right now and I think the con-
trollers are dedicated men, doing a good job, and I think in the appro-
priations bill we passed last year we provided for more controllers
than we had the year before and we hope to have more.
Mr. STAGGERS. I have no questions. I would like to thank you for
your very clear presentation of a problem which we all recognize is
going to have to be worked on and I think you have done a real fine
job in presenting it.
Mr. BAILEY. May I leave for the committee our letter to General
McKee which is a formal presentation to the Agency of what this
organization is (See p. 351.)
I must emphasize that this is just about as far from a union effort
as you can get and nothing in the letter promotes the organization.
Since we expect to appear again and again before the Agency, not
as a union looking for its own advancement but just speaking for con-
trollers generally, whethey they do or do not belong, because they
simply have the problems-we simply want the aims of the organiza-
tion on record in case other suggested aims are brought forward.
Mr. DEvINE. I have no questions, Mr. Chairman, but I want to say
that we do not want this subcommittee used for any organizational
purposes.
Mr. BAILEY. Absolutely not. I hope my remarks are pertinent to
every controller in the United States whether he belongs to any
organization or otherwise.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. Your reputation as an attorney if not as an
aviation expert has preceded you here, Mr. Bailey.
How large a radarscope would it take to put altitudes on in O'Hare
or the New York area?
Mr. BAIr~EY. The ones I have seen operating at Atlanta in the alpha-
numeric system I should say are 24 inches in diameter.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. You are not implying they would be large enough
for a highly congested area?
Mr. BAILEY. I don't think the question of the size of the scope is
necessarily determinative because the areas are broken up into many
areas and one scope covers a small area .and they overlap.
~)2-7i5-68---23
PAGENO="0354"
350
I know there has been some talk of giant screens on the wall where
all aircraft could be viewed and I think this is something worth
investigating.
Most controllers feel that would not be a good system.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. In my visits to FAA centers and in standing
behind and watching these terribly busy people operate, at the present
time it is indicated that the state of the art is not ready for the alpha-
numeric scope that we have.
I know in the context of trying to put myself in the shoes of a rated
air traffic controller I would probably find it about as difficult as a lot
of them would trying to put themselves in my shoes. They have their
problems and we have ours.
I want to know if you know about the fact that the Civil Service
Commission has just recognized the professional status for 17,000
aviation administration employees.
Mr. BAILEY. I read that in the paper this morning. It confuses me
as to how the professional status was recognized. I read it as consisting
of an increase in grade.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. It means an increase in pay.
Mr. BAILEY. I don't think it will come close to some having our
problem. The job is still unattractive.
Mr. KUYKENDALL. Have you read the testimony before this corn-
mittee from the two previous organizations who are representing the
same group of people?
Mr. BAILEY. In summary form it has been reported to me.
Mr. KIJYKENDALL. I would say you have about 99 percent duplica-
tion of their testimony. What do you mean when you say in the first
person "I" will not give a commercial license?
Mr. BAILEY. As the operator of a flight school-
Mr. KIJYKENDALL. I thought FAA gives licenses?
Mr. BAILEY. I understand that, but we cannot send anyone up for a
recommendation until our own instructors-
Mr. KiJYKENDALL. I thought you knew something I didn't know.
Mr. BAILEY. As a matter of fact, we do give licenses. Our own
people-our employees-are authorized by the FAA to issue licenses.
Mr. KTJYKENDALL. But the FAA issues the license?
Mr. BAILEY. They have authorized us to issue the license.
Mr. KTJYKENDALL. The thing that bothers me here, and about the
other two organizations also because the testimony is practically
identical, is that you have a great many "shoulds" but you seem to
come up with the same old dollar poultice for the cure.
Everybody who comes in appears for every disease known to man
and has a dollar poultice. I would like tO have some ideas from your
organization and others about training, education, and some specifics
about how to do a PR job.
For instance, we all know that one of the New York life insurance
companies has done a terrific job in putting in national magazines full
page advertisements which say as an example "would you like your
son to be a doctor?"
This skilled manpower shortage is not only true in your field. We
have tremendous areas where there are shortages of highly skilled
people. We need not so many "shoulds" but a lot of "hows." This is
what we are looking for.
PAGENO="0355"
351
We are concerned with this problem as you are. We sat and listened
to the last words of the pilot on the tape in the New Orleans crash. It
creates concern in anybody. We have done that here and in Oklahoma
City and elsewhere ; so please give us "hows" and not so many
"shoulds."
Mr. BAILEY. I would be pleased to give you a few "hows." First of
all-
Mr. KUYKENDALL. I have been called downstairs to another com-
mittee. In the "hows" I am talking about specific proposals.
Mr. BAILEY. You would like me to submit it in writing?
Mr. KIJYKENDALL. Yes.
Mr. BAILEY. I would be happy to do so.
Mr. KtTYKENDALL. They are the types of things we expect to use
and I know you are a brilliant attorney and have great retention but
I suspect you would like to study your proposals before you put them
in writing.
Mr. BAILEY. I am prepared to give them right now, but I will be
pleased to submit them in writing.
Mr. KTJYKENDALL. I don't retain as well as you do, and I would like
to have them in writing.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Your letter to General McKee will be included in the
record.
( Letter referred to follows:)
PRoFEssIoNAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS ORGANIZATION,
Boston, Mass., March 25, 1968.
Gen. WILLIAM F. MCKEE,
J~drninistrator, DepartmeiU of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administratioi~,
Washington, D.C.
DEAR GENERAL MCKEE : This letter results from a conversation held between
Mr. I). D. Thomas of your office and myself some weeks ago, wherein lie requested
that a letter of description and a charter be furnished as soon as possible in
order that the Agency might have some concrete evidence of the structure and
objectives of this organization. I am in the process of drafting a temporary
charter ( since a detailed constitution and by-laws must await our first con-
vention in July, 1968) , and will forward a copy to you as soon as it is complete.
Meanwhile, I ask that you accord us your recognition as an organization based
upon the representations set forth herein,
PATCO was formed in January, 1968, at a meeting in New York of controllers
in that area. Because of the critical traffic problems in that area, the New York
Controllers felt that major steps would have to be taken in the immediate
future if air safety was to be maintained in the face of steadily increasing
loads. They explained to me that because of conditions that now exist they were
operating inferior equipment for excessive periods of time, and that because
of the low pay and lack of realistic retirement periods, many of those now being
recruited to become controllers were incompetent to discharge the heavy re-
sponsibilities involved. As in any other line of work, where the working conditions
are unattractive to the caliber of man needed, that caliber does not apply.
I was asked to assist in the formation of this organization, and to act as its
general counsel once it had been placed on its feet. It was decided that the tenor
of the group would be professional, in every sense of the word, as distinguished
from a unionistic approach, and that only active controllers current and pro-
ficient in the actual control of aircraft would be eligible for membership.
Since the orginal meeting in New York, we have visited a dozen major facil-
ities across the country. According to our present figures, between 85 percent
and 00 percent at each visited facility have joined. We will shortly publish ouy
first Journal, partly to explain to all interested parties what PATCO is and
where it intends to go, and partly to communicate with those controllers whom
we are unable to reach by direct meeting.
PAGENO="0356"
352
We do not think that the remedy for the numerous grave problems which
flow exist is to be found within the Agency itself, although we do support the
Agency in every way. We intend to ask Congress to enact a new law, which
in essence will :
(1) Take Air Traffic Controllers outside the GS rating structure, and place
them in a separate group similar to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(2) Provide much higher compensation for front-line controllers, and at the
some time limit the number of hours which they may work during any one
week (as pilots are limited) and permit early retirement.
(3) Increase future qualifications for controller-applicants to include formal
education and flight education~
(4) Authorize by law the participation by controllers in flight programs of
all kinds, including unlimited familiarization flights with consenting carriers.
It is our thesis that the more a controller knows about flight the better controller
he will be. In addition, he will then be suited for some useful occupation when
he is no longer sufficiently resilient to take the pressures of air traffic control.
I should like to emphasize that this Organization involves only air traffic
controllers, and is not backed or financed by any larger group. We have refused
offers of outside help, and will continue to do so. It is our view that the con-
trollers of vast changes in the duties and responsibilities of air traffic control
during the past few years, and similar changes forecast for the years to come,
must be sharply upgraded if they are to have any chance to keep pace with
demands confronting them. I hope that we may have the support of the agency
in accomplishing our aims.
Agency officials are welcome at our meetings and are invited to make any
suggestions they may think appropriate.
Very truly yours,
F. LEE BAILEY,
Acting Ewecutive Director.
Mr. PICKLE. Mr. Bailey, when was your organization formed?
Mr. BAILEY. January 1968.
Mr. PICKLE. Then you have only been in operation a couple of
months or more?
Mr. BAILEY. Yes.
Mr. PICKLE. Why did you form this organization when there were
two organizations in this field?
Mr B ~ULEY It was the controllers who formed the organization
and they approached me and I am simply their general counsel until
they can afford an active competent executive director ; we are satis-
fled neither of those organizations could accomplish their objectives for
two reasons:
First, one was a militant union type organization operating under
the Executive order which they did not feel was appropriate to their
professional status and their professional aims and responsibilities.
Another factor was that a professional organization which at one
point had quite a large membership but which included in addition
to controllers those who are clearly in the business of management
and the controllers did not feel that it represented their interests.
Second, because of a failure to support individual controllers in
trouble in times past, the organization's strength had dropped and a
gre it deal of hostility had set in in certain areas They felt rather
than working back up to a beginning in an organization in which they
lost faith, they felt it was better to start with a new concept.
Mr. PICKLE. Do you say these two organizations have lost faith and
have not done their job?
Mr. BAILEY. I would say because of their sharp differences in
strengths in different areas and the hostility that exists in a given area
that does not have strength it has tended. to divide the controllers and
PAGENO="0357"
I
mom
~. BAILEY. 1
L~. PICKLE. I
iization in attempting to
that the NAGE and the ATCA have
record bears this oat.
u have a strictly proJ~essiox
~, A REPRESZNTATIVE
~ OP OHIO
with the
92- 15-68-24
PAGENO="0358"
354
quest* in this area, as I ~sui~ you ~e subeoiiimfttee o~i wffich I serve
shall.
For the record, I wi~li to `inchide.articles from the Cincinnati En-
quirer and Cincinnati Post, which emphasize the in~reasing need for
air safety funds. *
(The articles referred to follow:)
[From the Cinc1ni~att Enqu1rer~ Feb. 5,' 1968]
PANELISTS' AG~E~ $~ ~BILiiIO~t N~DTD FO~ AtE SAI~ETY
(By BGb Brumfield, Enquirer Aviation Writer) *
The19e8 Air Safety Oonference `Is~1d in Cincthnatl Sunday proved that Ohio's
congressmen and a blue ribbon panel of aviationexperts are vthally interested in
flight safetybut don't knowwhere to get $~ billion.
It also indicated that airline pilots disagree with general aviation pilots, botiL
disagree with air traffic , control, everybody is sore `with the Federal Aviation
~utbority and airport managers are caught ii~ the middle.
FOrtunately for the cause of air safety, in airing their differences of opinion
on just about every faee4 of flying, the spokesmen for the various assoei~tion~
and agencies repre$ented at Sunday's meeting pointed up the many problems
involved and the va~ious options available for solving them.
And according ~ Reps'. Robert Taft Jr. and Donald D. Cl~ncy (R., Cincinnati),
co-sponsors of th~~ conference, tba1~ was the idea of hav1i~g it in the first place-
to inform the public and their elected officials.
Since the meeting featured four congr~ssiaen-Rep. Donald E. Lukens (B.,
Hamilton), Rep. William E. Minisball (R., Cleveland) and Representatives Taft
and Olancy, it could have developed into a political show. It didn't.
The legislators spokebriefly at the beginning of the conference sticking strictly
to aviation and flight safety, then turned the meeting over to Cincinnati attorney
Carl ]~. RublE, who served as chairman for panels on ai~ traffic control, uniform
standards for airport certification, airport constructiOn and mo'derization, flight
crew training and all-weather flying and noi~e abatthnent procedures.
`Panelists included repr~sentatives from the Federal Avi~tlon Administration,,
Air Line Pilots Association, City of Cincinnati, Greater Cincinnati Airport, Flight
Safety Foundation, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and Air T~raffic Con-
trci 4ssoeiatioii.
The basic needs, as revealed by the panelists, ~ are familiar ones-more people
to operate more and better equipment at better airports, all paid for by more
money.
Maj. Gen. Joseph D~ Caldera, USAF' (Ret.) , president of Flight Safety Fo~nja-
tion, termed the present air tnaffie control system, which is under the jurisdieUon
of the FAA, totally inadequate to handle the present and future needs of aviation.
Byton Hood, chairman of the Ohio Area Chapter, Air Traffic Comtrol Associa-
tion, and control tower ` operator at Gi~eater Cincinnati Airport, said the big
problem in air traffic control is `the small number of trained ` people ayailable.
He said the FAA simply ha:sn'*t done much hiring in past years~ and that now con-
trol towers must operate with "no bench."
Hood also said a computer assistance system ror airport control radar is
needed, and that the FAA `has been very remiss in providing ~nch equipment.
Thomas Basnight, director of regulatory matters for th~ Air Line Pilots Associ-
ation, disagreed with Hood, arguing that the need is not for more manpower on
the ground, but for utiliation of space-age technology and placing the decision-
making function for collision avoidance "in the cockpit" with the pilot.
"Yeah, but we still get blamed for cra~bes," countered Hood.
Robert Monroe, representing Aireraft Owners and Pilots Association, said a
new method for controlling air traffic must be found, but added : "When there is
sUch ,a good economic justification, why use the safety argument?"
He said more people die frotn therapeutic accidents in doctors' offices' than in
airplane accidents.
Oii the subject of airport modernization and construction, Capt. John McDonald
called for certification of airports and airport managers by the FAA. He said that
some airports do not even require fire fighting equipment, and stated that many
I
~1
PAGENO="0359"
355
airport rnäiiagers are ~tà1ified~for thejob onI~ ihatc~li~'ar~ the :brtt~he~s of the
wives of mayors., ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ` ~ . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Byron Dickey,' manager Of th~eater C1ihnat1Airt~ rèplled~that hewas not
the brotbe~ o~ the wife of any mayor, but tiiathe kno~s*~ ttMt most a1i~p~rts can't
modernize properly `withIn th~ ~rnrrent bmIg~t for Co~g~ress~ ~ ~ ~ ~ i~ . .
McDonald said air safety~ dO~ i~ot eo~tmoiiey.'~Laek of air~afety eonts~r~ney,"
he stated. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ` ~ U ~ ~ ~
He cited the cost thatonë airplane cr~h ith~ses oi~1n~üranee companies and
the owners of the aircraft involved, s;ayIn~ that this eo~t ~wou1d nt,re than pay
fQ~ aix' safety equipment at aü airport. * * * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . ~ ~ ~ ~
Ar~d so the meeting we~1t,throngh all the ~
at the same question : Where dOes the estirnát~d $~ billion needed for air. safety
during the next 12. years come from ? ..
If the aviation indusi~r j~ to have adequate airports; ~tisfaetory. nc~ise abat~
went, improved simulatots for training, closer ~crutiriization and cèrtificati~a~
by the FAA, sophisticated new co~itroi ec~iiipment, irnpr~ved lnstrumen.tatlônfor~
aircraft-in short, air safety-who's going to pay forit? . ~ . ~ . . ~
Nobody at the ~onferen4~e vthuliteered to pIck up the check.
[From tile Cincinnati Post and Tijnes~Star, Feb. ~, 1968~
AIR SAirn~ IS~G Tq fl~
(By Dick Rawe)
Plane crashes at the Greater Cincinnati Airport weren't supposed to be dis-
cussed ~aAt the Cincinnati Air Safety Conference, but they came up for dis~uss1on'~
anyway, if only indirectly. . . .
~kperts from all fields of aviation agreed that billions of dollars mu~t be spe~xt~
in the future In aviatio~i and much of It for air safety. They didn't agree en
who should footthe bill. ~
Financing of larger, better eqi4pped airports, new instrumenta;flon in plane5~
and better trained personnel lii l~iation came it~to each of the 45-mirnite panel
discussions held yesterday durii~g?tb4~ safety conferelice a1~ the U.S. Poistoflice and
Courthouse. ~ ~ . ~
During a discussion on "Airport Construction ~nd 1\4Tod~ni~atlon," Capt.~
John McDonald, a United Air Lines. pilot who flieS Out Qj! Detr~Oit,~tid, "I cannOt
disagree, safety does cost money. But the lackOf taking s4féty precautions cost
more." . .. ~ : ~ ~ .
He then explained a standard which suggests cbmpnctior~ of soil ortpaved run-
way shoulders to a distance one-third the width of the runway~. This woulçl
mean soil compaction 50 feet wide on. either side of a 15O-fo~t wide paved runw~.
The cost of "one accident you ma~r tiave had already because of the lack of 1~his~
feature would pay for this (comp~ctthn) at every airport in the state of Ohio.
You spend it irE destruction of.tbe airplane, in 1o~ Qf Income from that airph~n~,
in litigation. Why not spend that money 1~or something to prevent accidents ?" he
said. . . . ~ . ~ . ~ .
He was referring to the Nov. 8 crash in wh1~h a TVA )3oeing 707 slid off th~
west end of the east-west ruflway at the airport. & Delta Airliner was mir&1~in
the mud off the same runway. The co-pilot fiyi~g the TWA p1an~ has said he he~d
a thud as he passed the ~n1red plane and aborted, the flight which restdteci in the;
crash. . . . ~ ~
Capt. McDonald is chairman of the Air Line Pilots Assn.'s enfOrcement ~ pro-
cedures study committee , and has been active In accident ii~vk~tlgations. He
said sliding off runways is. one ot th~ worst things facing pilots tddä~, ~ "One
major carrier bad 11 planes go Off runways last year," h'e said. ~ ~
George Gary, eastern regior~al director of the Federal Aviation Agency, was
asked if the FAA certified airports~ He said tht~i3'A4 did not, that it wasleft up
to local governments. . . .
McDonald said that because it does not certify airports the FAA doeS not
require them to have fire fighting equipment~ Noting that the Greater Cincinnati
Airport has a fire department, he said, "A lot of airports dG not, even ha.~e a
bucket of sand and yet air traffic is authorized into those airports." He said
most everyone associated with aviation is certified and airports should be, too.
PAGENO="0360"
356
PAGENO="0361"
that is V
rement.
t~wards to
whose ar
t minor
t me repol
irs last
way. The latest available Fi~
corn~rater ation with
PAGENO="0362"
:358
~T:~ Ouri~oi~1 ~` sbows~ur copi~1~or saMyand our. plea today is oniy
that the p1atitu~. ~bc foris ~ ~ aIç~n afl4 that .tI~ order Qf priority be die-
tated b~y reality. ~ ~ ~ ~
Reality dictates. that the capacity of the a~r transportation system
be increased. We are all aWare of the existing voh~me Qf air traffic
ti~d of predictions a~: to the volume that the public requirement will
generate in the short~term future. ~ ~ ;, ~ .
Yet, no recent Federal proposal. offers ~ny hope or promise ~f sig-
nifleant system capacity increase. Several major Federal programs,
such as the semiautOma~ed~ ~ir traffic control system, offers probable
benefit in terms of saf~1~ We ~ould notwish to belittle such programs,
but rather to place them in proper perspective.
A series of four consecutive recent Federal actions have all been
highly restrictive to the capacity of the system. Briefly, they are:.
1. The 250-knot speed limit;
2.~ The special VFR rule;.
3.* The mandatory IFR proposal ; and
4. ~Ehe terminal airspace proposal.
Each of these proposals has at least some partial justification on
the basis that it would o~r a probable improvement in safety. Some,
but not all, of this claim of improved safety must rely on the obvious
fact that less traffic meaaas, greater safety on a direct ratio to the ulti-
. mate point where total safety may be equated with zero air traffic.
I ,~ We would even agree that certaiii portions of these four consecu-
tive, most recent Federal proposals are ~iecessary. But we would nly
so agree following our reluctant observation that there ha~ been no
Federal proposal that would offer significant capacity increase, nor,
despite our aggressive efforts, have we been able to, learn of any such
piitnned or impending program'.; `
in a climate where there ` will be . no significant capacity increase,
~ artificial reStrictions to fulfillment of th~ public demand for air trans-
portation are probably inevitable. ~ ~.
, This absence of program to increase capac~ty exists despite specific
recommendations frcsm NBAA and from other aviation organizations
~and interests. Some major `portions of thes~ recommendations have
been repeated over a .W-year period. Nearly all of the equipment and
the technology have been available for a similar period. The problem
is that~ as the Federhi has preempted in the area of air traffic control,
ftu~ther progress bl the industry cannot be made without cooperative
Federal action. ~ .~
By this we mean th~Ct aircraft operators will not install costly im
provernent in the airborne display of navigational data unless there
are procedures `~nablihg'4he ATC~eontroller ~to utilize such airborne
~ capability and `p~r~ision. Similarly, airports cannot build runways to.
, separate slow and fast traffic unless~ Fedoral. criteria are developed to
show how the runways must be plac.~d; before ATO ccn'trollers may
clear aircraft to them',on an indepen~eb~t and nonconflicting basis.
~ , It is `our behefthat tI~'central thèm~ of the means to inereas~ system
capacity can be s~mpl~ defined if we strip away the maze of supporting
`technical det~i1,
hr t'he eatly: days of ~ir traffic control, `the pilot,had an elementary
display of navigational data that `would po~mit him to fly only directly
PAGENO="0363"
`359
to o~ directly from a ground-based i~avi~tjona1 facility. 4s the con-
troller had no navigational display, he relied on position reports from
pilots to issue clearances, monitor progress, `and i~solve potential con-
flict. This was'known a~ a cooperative sy~tem as~the factor which held
it together was cooperation between the pilot and the controller.
Tt w~is rea4ily agreed that the controller could do a better job of
issuifl~ c~earances, moiiitoring progress, and resolving potential con-
filet if he bad a~i independent means of observing the traffic flow and
did not have to place complete reliance on position reports. ~
Ground-based radar did this job beautifully and still does. Auto-
mated radar will do it even better.
The problem is that the pilot's display was not improved even
tho~gh the tedimology ~ to do so was concurrently developed. As ~
result, the pilot had to ~ go from point to point, but the controller
could take `him over an infinite number of routes due to the area naviga-
tional capability of radar.
As this area navigational capability of radar enabled an increase in
system `capacity, it was so used as it is now and as it will continue to
be according to Federal plan. One result is that, particularly in the
complexities of tei~rninal area ro'utings, the pilot is always slightly
lost until the controller vectors him onto a route that his navigational
display can identify and enable him to follow. We do not call this a
cooperative system. We call it a ground-dominated system.
The ground-based portion of the ATC system is controlled by the
Federal Government and operated by Federal employees. That this
portion should dominate is the apparent preference of the Federal
Government despite the colossal inefficiency of such an arrangement.
There are two reasons why this arrangement is inefficient:
First, to provide navigational guidance by radar vectors, the con-
troller must `concentrate intensely on each aircraft ai~d should hanc~le
only `about four at one time, wihereas `he can monitor the progress of a
large number of aircraft.
Second, radar, ~ a magnificent tool for monitoring traffic flow, is too
inaccurate ~ `and too unrealiable for preci~ navigational guidance.
A reason for this is that the controller's display miniaturizes miles of
airspace into a 36-inch circle so that aircraft a mile apart often
appear to toudh.
The safe resolution of these inefficiencies is to provide huge blocks
of airspace `around eac~h aircraft enabling a relatively small number of
aircraft to create a crowded sky.
Existing precise airborne navigational displays are so much more
accurate than ground-based radar that the same terminal airspace
would theoretically accommodate at least twice as many aircraft in
greater safety. We will not know the exact number unless the Federal
Government permits a broad scale operational evaluation.
Another advantage of the cooperative system is its lower total cost
and the fact that most of the cost is placed directly on the user.
Another portion of the total problem is the airport. The cooperative
system described previously w'ould free reliever or satellite airports
from their existing restriction's which is caused by the fact that the
airspace over them is no'w used and dominated by operations to and
from the primary,, or major hub airport. A~~the presenj,, time, for
PAGENO="0364"
360
ion under~
we that sa
S a systeri
proce 1
Woods.
eare in support of H.R. 3400.
PICKLE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
No questions, Mr. Chairman.
~. Thank you very much.
witness will be Mr. John B. Galipault, president of Gall-
sociates, Worthington, Ohio.
PAGENO="0365"
361
- ~ipau1t's prepared stateme
STATEMENT OF Jorn~ B. (
ny may be mad~ a part
Li be included in the record as
t follows:)
)ENT, GALIPAULT & ASSOCIATES,
[10
PAGENO="0366"
; ~frsrktce shoflid be rë~trk~ted, ~ c~ on1ys~~ it ~ should accbmrnod~tte all parties
iki a~afe, efficient, and equitab1ernanrrer~ ~ ~ . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I! ~ Until somec~e c~r~ pr~wide valid arime~i~ tO t1~e contrary, it is. our view tha~;
the nation's airspace should be available to . aU members of the aviation corn-
munity on a >first come first serve basis. Forth'e past ftvè rnonth~, ~onsiderablé
dialogue' ha& bE~n presented by `two ~ interest groups in a~iathn. The Air
Transportation Association, on one side, is advocating limited use of airspace
by other than larger, revenue producing aircraft, and general aviation groups on
the other areGppo'sing tbis'!po'sit~ion. Both aiUe~ ~ou~1d like to `~e to heaven with~~
OU!t dying"-éàch ~OuIdlikè absolute fr~edorn ` in `aii~pace utilization without
having to pay a price ~ it. ; . ~ ~ ` ` ` ~ . ` ~ ` ` :
I feel we must encourage careful and sensible specification of operating limi-
tations in our airspace. How~er, we shouidfirst be çQncemed with those char~ges
in procedures axid~ regulations .~~hieb enhance sa~ty and not the econ9~n&e gain
for any specific interest group. ` UnfOrtunately, theretis mounting evidence that
new regulations and procedures have, and will contihue toJ~e, initia~ed that have
economIc bases. I will dlscu~s ~TO such rule changes later tn my testimony.
` ~Poday's air traffic control system is basically a good one for traffic lçads of
ten years ago. It has evolved over the past thirty years into a, ~asq~tb1y safe
aii~j c~ffective , system for moving limited numbers of aircraft. ITówever, the non~
linear growth of~ aviatkn negates the validity of thiss~rstem. The time has
arrived for aU of us to become actively concerned wi~ ~ystom changes. While
the events at Hendersonville, ~ Urbana, Grand Canyon, an~ ~ New york bring to
mind the mutual interference of aircraft, there are other equally critical prob-
lems, ATC is like the prQy~rbial tceberg,i.e., there ar~ hundreds of problems below
the surface of which the general public Is not aware. Th&t~e are short-term solu-
tions to some of these problems. I would like to direct my attention to the short-
term problems, because o~ the e~eët they ean have oa the ~ e~sting situation and
allow for orderly system growth and development.
The eoi~troIler-p~i1ot air traffic system ~s rn.uch like the pilot-aircraft system
in the following manner. The aircraft. J~s ~1~wn~ physical and flight operating
characteristics. The air traffic system has several known characteristics among
a ~large number of vartabies. The ~i1ot; i~ith skill and experiemee, can make his
aircraft into a far better vehicle by ht~ expertise.' If the aircraft is capable of
~erform141g ~hort-fleld take off ami~ landings, the pilot usually can exceed the
pubithhed pei~fonnanee capabilitie~through expert flying. In the same manner,
the air traffic controller is able to do a better job of controllingair traffic~ with
existing radar and other hardwa~*e~devices, than the original requirements set
fOrth by the system designers~ This Is true onl~ if theconti~oller has ~ornefre~-
d~n1 hi operational decision-making. Given a good working en~1ronment~ acle~
quate visual aids and communication channels, the controller can ~greatly 4th-
prove upon the existing s~ystern. However, in todars ATO system, the controller
i~ greatly constrained, inhibited, and demoralizedbecause of inappropriate, re-
stirictive procedures and poitcies and conditions of overwork without prosjects
of tangible rewards. ~ . ~ `
` . At this point, ` I would like t~ sep~trate the pr~bierns of air traffic control into
Iwo catego~ties and talk briefly ab~uteaeh. They are *s~tem. oriented problems
and the human oriented problems. These problems arenot'thdependent of each
tther ; they `interact vigorous1~, and d~, in geueral~h;ave ` a debilitating e~ffect
on ATO. ` ` `
` The key system orientedprdblem stems fr~m traffic density. A salient th~rac-
teristic of ATO . which promotes congestion is the necessary convei~gence and
divergence of aircraft on single points. This is true in the enronte airway navi-
gation structure and, of course, in airport terminal areas. Because of this point,
convergence characteristic, controllers have only a few techniques for main-
taming proper aircra1~t `~eparation~ These include altitude, airspeed, and heading
differences. Unfortunately,. the controller can only manipulate . aircraft that
communicate with him aild followbis colmuands. He does have aids inploviding
aircraft , separation such as * radar, instrwnent lluxllngt systezus,~ and volc~
communications. ` ` ~ . ~ *~
~`By and large, the limftat4ons placed ~ii the ` controller are thd~e of communi-
~thtion~~ mi~tbers of `airdrartbeikgitbandled;ahd lcnowledgeof the ~4rcraft's poab
tthns in spa~e. *" ` ~ ~ , ~ ` ,` ` ` ` ` `~ . ` ` ` ` ~ !, ~ ~ ~
`From a ~s~stem operation'~iewpoiut,~ the sti~plest~control1lng task ~ `ifl real
i'~the~ flying' weather. Dnri'ii~ 1~PB ~in~1~ruinent Fli~ht Ritle~ opcrati~M,
th~ `controller i~ ab1'~ `to effe~ti~l n~éiT~nLreraft to and from `~ii~ports and on
PAGENO="0367"
udes.
find the' controller
tegrity at all
isplay r~d~
rmatio~
contr(,Jer
ohn Q. Public,
all the~
Lequnte job pf fkn
~ do n&'
oll*i~s i tiób4lity. Yet, I (
ioaials. They are &%~erw9rk~d, `un
to the. second point-~--thuma~i c
~rti~ulài~, are I
7 structure is
~ in the ii
~ikewise, the ~
numerous a
~nany
atlon and
need for
procedures are ex
a ordex
lOts and
is `tht~
lug,
ion
of IFR
approxim
For e'~'~
ems-
i~ the an~orn1t'
~theam ~-
aviation cot
do promotion
were not allowed t.~ ~ out.
ial air' cttrr
PAGENO="0368"
364
/
PAGENO="0369"
-~ ~s quite a~
alternatives av~
to have radar in
an ~
I have two aircraft on final ap
n and have them land safely
t of service three 1:~
not aware t here ~re c
~ of aircraft. You do not have
~atest ones we
ic control system
mont does a fair
~aslonç
PAGENO="0370"
36
.~ why they would like to have unrestrioted use of the airspace with no
delays.
But, by the same taken ~ am a user of ~ the airspace mys~lf and I
like to have node~ayst But, I guess i~1oils~down to this : Both parties
want to go to heaven without dying andwe dust cannot do this.
We all ~ have t6 trade ~ sbmething ofF in order to use this ~airspace.
Until we reach an impasse and ~tart coope~ating ~aiid understanding
each other's problems, we are going to have miich'confli~t and further
deterioration of safety. ~
I think we have to be careful in the specification of the dperation
limitations of our airspace. We should be concerned with fii~st those
procedures, those ri~'les, those changes in the rulesthat are directed to
safety and not economic gain by some special interest group.
., There i.s mounting evidence that there ar~ numerous regulations on
the books which have economic bases on behalf of the air carriers.
I will cite you anexarnple.
There is a modification of part 93.113 . of the FAR's, which will
terminate special VFIR privileges at 33 "hi~b" airports in the United
: States. Questionnaires, I am told, were forwarded to all `terminal fa-
cilities of the FAA seeking opinions from the. controllers, supervisois,
and management personnel about the value of special VFR. There
was a docket announcement in October of last year concerning this
proposed rule change.
As a result, a tremendous inflow of mail was made to NBAA, NATA,
and AOPA concerning the mochfic~tion of special VFR and yet there
were no opportunities for these parties to . express themselves.
Within the last month, there~has been a ~ change in the regulation
without r~presentation by all parties.
So now there . is no special VFR permission at these hub airpOrts.
Yet, you talk to controllers w1~io provide separations and clearances
for aircraft in these sitUations and they say, "No, special VFIR is not
a bad thing. It does not hurt anyone as lbng ~as it i~ used properly."
I feel that the general aviation public ha~ not been pi~operly heard
or represented on this problem. . . .
I think at this point. i would like to talk about system concept as it
applies to air traffic~ control.: Any system. is made up of components.
These components are usually ~michine components and human corn-
ponents. Machines and humans a~ connected together by communica-
tion ]inks. I think one of the most ridiculous situations we have in air
traffic system today is the arëhaic method of information transfer, the
communication link between the man, the machine, and other men.
Let me give you a verysimple example of this.
This is a roll of paper. This is teletype paper. If I were to plan a
flight from Columbus, Ohio, to Richmond, Va., I would have to look at
16 feet of this paper. It is in cryptographic or that I must decipher,
that I have to intëg~ate into a picture and that will ±ell me whether
or not ii: can safely fly frOm COlumbus to Richmond. In the process of
looking at this information or calling to a flight service station-~when
the phone ~s not busy-~or calling a flight service representative on the
radio, I can consume anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes seeking that
information.
Last week I was grounded in a northeast city. I won't tell you the
city for a definite reason. I had my own aircraft there. I wa~ trying
PAGENO="0371"
367
tO `~etuImd~o. Columbus, O1~ii~, H ~y~o~i recall, last Wednesday through
Saturday we had some rather ugly weather.. Cloud ceilings at this
northeast pity were down to 1Q0 ~ feet with anywhere. from a~ mi1e~ 1~ç
one-eighth of a~ mile visibility. ~ . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I made phone calls at least six times in each of 3 days trying to
find a "window" through which I could ~iy, trying to . get back to
Columbus ; a window which ~ would keep me from picking up ice ; ,a
window that would keep m& away from s~vere stçrms and turbulence;
a window which wo~jJd allow me to reaclipiy çlestinatiom with adequate
fuel ; and a window which would allow meto. find a suffipiently close
airport that 1 could reach and still h.av~e the required fuel reserve. 1
never found that window because there was a lack of information.
The .p~oblem was basically at that point of departure. The atmos-
phere, had an. uncommon characteristic dtiring that perio4 ; that is an
mversiou where temperatures wènt up instead of down as you in-
creased in altitude. This was a cjesir~b1e situation during that period
because it would allow me to fly at a higher' altitude without pickiiig
up ice which, in my aircraft, we had no means of removing. ~
` The ternperature on the ground at this `airport was 33 degrees, I had
the suspicion that the first 3,000 feet would put me in rather high
icing CQnditions. I would have gladly paid $25 for that information;
that is, who is pickingup ice ? Has anyone picl~ed up ice ? Nobody could
tell me ~at the flight servjce station. I said, "Will you. give me the~te1e-
phone number of the approach control ?" They `said, "No, we cannot,
it is an unlisted phone number."
I could have , gone to the tower and asked permission , to enter the
tower and ask them to contact an aircraft coming in. Instead,, I went
to my airplane, started the engine i~ii4,turned on the radio to a ground
control frequency. ~ ~ ` ` `
A Mohawk BAC-lil just landed and I called the pilot asking if he
picked up any ice in his landing approach. He said, "No ; very little."
At that point, I had my information. But it seems. rather ridiculous
that yo~ have to go through `this exercise to gather information in
order to make a decisi9n whether or not to fly. ` ` ~`
I hwve done some very interesting research on risk acceptance in
pilots,. In this experiment we asked pil9ts to fly at a 2-foot altitude
toward two bamboo poles and try t~fit th~ aircraft between the two
poles. We would vary the width `of the poles in a random' fa'shion so
tile pilot never knew the size of the opening with respect to the air-
craft's wing span. We did not give him any information. We let him
ask us for information. We said, "Ti~y to go through. If you cannot,
pull up and go over it." ` `
As a result of this experiment, we were able to get a fingerprint on
the pilot which described his willingness to accept risk. We found
where he wa's willing to take risks and where `he was not. We found
out who was the Casper Milquetoast and~ who was the so-called tiger.
One interesting result of this research was `that the so-called tiger,
the one who took the b'ig chance and didn't really understand what the
consequences were, was the pilot who did not seek mformation.
This is significant, and it is borne out in many of the accident
reports.
All you haire to do is look at them. This i~s one of the major problems
we have in our airway system.
PAGENO="0372"
/
s quite incongruous
dn't see tli
-~-"Icou
368
1 do v
the vital I
an adequate j
~. I don't
~rs ~ho would
without bias a
better deci
~, to take the
really are.
-the
without C
we want a
PAGENO="0373"
369
rial. As a
Ihavethat~
are ~
~s.
~,dmiration for the controllers across the
able job?
I would like the job, I would
would not be recognized as
cial aircraft or a corporate
a and it just happens
have respect but they
communication, of ex-
communication.
~ing new ways for
have no means
`i the people
a with whom?
functions-
controllc
PAGENO="0374"
370
are under psychiatric~ c~tre, or are suffering from frustri~tions as a re-
suit of their occupations ? . ~
Mr. GAj~IPAUrJr. As ., to. the first two things,definitely. no. Ses~era1 of
them drink socially with: me and that is the extent of it. Some do have
ulcers that are not detected in their annual physi~ai examinations.
They do suffer from many frustrations and I think one of the major
frustrations is the inability to have themselves heard on the problems
of air traffic control operations. ~
Mr. Th~vii~. By their~p~urent agency? ` .
Mr. GALIPAULT. By their parent agency. ~ . ~ ~ ~
Mr. DEVINE. I have a final comment which does not~ re'ate toyou but
again it relates back th the testimony of M~' Bailey when he cited a
singular example of a man in his thirties who had a heart attack which
may or may not have been connected with his duties. ~
Mr. GALIPAULT. The gentleman sitting behind me is about 47 `years
old and he has been a controller at Columbus for ~O years and he is one
of the finest pilots I have ever had occasion tO fI~ with.
I am embarrassing him iiow but I think he is typical of the men at
the facilities. I think perhaps he is no different' than anyone else, you
or I. Really, there are pressures on him and I am sure `Mr. Bailey is em-
phasizing these pressures. They are there. I khow' if I had targets con-
stantly converging on a radarscope I would be mighty concerned. Let
me give you an example. ` `
Sunday, February 4, 1968, at ~ Columbus was a beautiful clear day.
This gentleman advised me that there were 93 targets on a radarscope
at Port ` Columbus within 25: miles of Port * Columbus airport at a
specific time of day. An American Airlines aircraft took off to the
northwest. This gentleman advised me that he heard the taped con-
versation between the controller and the pilot. The controller called
traffic to American 16 times before he passed through 5,000 feet. The
pilot was able to identify 11 or 14 of these targets. Of the 93 targets,
the controlie~ had knowledge of the altitude of less than 10 percent of
these because they w&'e ` the only aircraft that either reported an
altitude or were on instrument flight plans.
Now, thi~ is a case' in point. When you have 93 aircraft in such
limited airspace crisscrossing at unknown altitudes, the contrOller `is
like a pilot flying without. any flight controls-he is helpless. He just
ha~ to sit there and watch it happen and it is not easy for him.
Mr. DEvINE. I think our hearings over the years would demonstrate
that the fellow who comes up with this, and maybe you will in your
research, a radarscope that shows altitude will help solve these
problems. . ` ~ ~ .
Mr. GArAPArnZP. It will help.
We have this equipment available but try to get it-you can't and
it is so desperately needed.
Let me make this point: I can take an airplane of known ciharacter-
istics and I can make a better airplane out of it because I am a good
pilot.
I have to say I am a good pilot because that is something I have to
believe in order to be a pilot.'I can make it better than the manufac-
turer thought it would be because I bring out things in it that are not
really emphasized.
The same thing goes with the controller. He can make an archaic
system into a workable system-he is doing it every day. i
PAGENO="0375"
DEPAI~TMENP or TEANSPORTATION,
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD,
Washington, DXJ., Mctrclv 11k, 1968.
371
I[t~II you now that ho is ~ ii~ ha~ tc- ~ but h~ ~
inakingthè s3~stem better; ~ ~ .~ ~ , ~ ~ , ~ ~
Now, ~ add a few things, ~ eh~n~ a few prpeedures, and you might
make it even beft~ but d~n't let ~it toniic frcm the top down ~ where
special interest'gro~p pressure is applied for the sake ~ of ecoilomics
or profits. ~ ~ : ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ .
~ That is not how we shpuidir~proite the system. It has to come from
the bottom up, from the people who know the problems. The only
people who know th~ problems are the people there doing the job.
Mr. DEviNE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. ` ~
Mr. FRIEDEL. I want to thank, you very much, Mr. Galipault, for
your very fine testimony.
Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Ohairman., I notice that Mr. Stimpson from the
FAA is present in th~ `roOm and there is something I would like to
have in the record before' this matter is concluded.
It does not deal with the ~ comments of our witness he~e but, Mr.
Chairman, if you recall,' the National `Transportation Safety Board
recently madt~ some recommendations , regarding j~art `135 of the
Federal Air R~u1ations.
This dealt' with air traffic operators and safety air taxi operators.
This is a matter of some con~em to me and I would like to ask if
the Chair would not. request of the FAA comthents as to what that
agency proposed to do about the matters that were in the recommenda-
tion by the Air Safety Bo~ird.
, I feel quite strongly on'this. ,
I believe that a careful review of the record will show that the POst
Office Departmeiat requires rather greater care on the part of operatois
of its equipment than1 ~1oes the FAA require of air taxi operators.
I have always felt v~y' strongly that it was important that we
should provide thern highest p'ossibie,,safety for people even though we
do want the mail to get' through.
I would appreciate having Mr.' Stimpson provide us', for the benefit
of the'record, first; the `communication rec~ived by the FAA regarding
the air taxi operators aiid; second, a statement of what the FAA pro-
poses to do regarding those recommendations which I think are im-
portant to air safety.. . .
Mr. FRIEDEL. The FAA, through Mr. Stiffipson who is present, is
requested to furnish the cO spondence to which reference has been
made.
(The following documents were ~ubsequently submitted as re-
quested:)
Hon. WILLIAM F. MCKEE,
4dministrator, FeO~e~k~Z Ariat~on Administration, Department of Transportation,
Washington, D.C.
DEAR GENERAL MCKEE : The Safety Board has become increasingly aware in
recent months of the very rapid expansion in the `operations of the air-taxi
operators, and within that group ~ similar burst of activity on the part of the
scheduled air-taxi operators.
Also of interest t9' us, and in the same general area, is the rapidly expanding
use of such . operators by the Post' Office Department in the contract carriage
of mail. `
PAGENO="0376"
372
is our i
e Departn
provisions
of the Post
Brators -
~erest of safety are i
PAGENO="0377"
PAGENO="0378"
3.4
I~~Y TEE I~DUST$)~
i~ A: ~Di~*a~ijzed ~i~c~ups of sch~d~1~jd atr4axl operators are nrged to devote thei~
e~nergies to the safety o± t~ie~r operations to an extent ~uQr~ ~easonab1y related to
the .amornit pr~sently teing. ~zpe~d~1~r .tl~e è~aneen~t of their econ~n~ic
oppoJ~;unh1:iE~s.~ For example, it wouj~ not ~eem eit~aer beyond the capabilities of
the~ie o~rganizatioi~s o~ adyerse .tqrjlie intelligent .se]~f-inl~est of their members
were they to institute. prograrns devised to giv~expert guidance ~o operators in
setting up operating rules and establishing desirable opera1~ing practices in areas
involving safety (a large portion of accidents in this field are attributable to
deilcieneies in operations, i.e., inadequatemaintenance, Inadequate training e't~).
~ B: Scheduh~d airlines are~urged to take affirmative action commen~urate with
their responsibility for th~ saiety of~passengers being canned by scheduled a1r~
taxi operators pursuant to Interline agreements or specific contracts fOr the
operation of * route segnhlentE. Her~ ~ if the earners are unwilling, for whatever
reason, *0 assume affirmative responsibility for safe operations of air-taxi op~
erators with whom they have either interline agreemeut~r specific contracts to
cp~rate route segments, serious consideration should be givem.tohavliig the CAB
condition its approval of any such ~ontractUal arrangewente on the' existence of
contractual undertakings by. .ea~li atr~taxioperatoir to k~o~hp1y with' a set of safety
rules comparable or at l~ast ~i~a~l to thetben~oohtractual arrangements between
the Post Office and its air mail eätrier~. ~
IL B~ T~E GOVERNMENT ~
-r~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . , ~,.. ~ ~ ~ `~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ .
~ ~ A~ 9~h~ ~ed~erai.AviaUon Ad~i~i~t~ation ~hou1d launch irnp~çdiately a program
addressed to the scbe4ui~4 air~taxieperatQv~ and the ~ under contract
wj4h I~1~e lj~ost Office Department ,whieh would involve not lyi~ve~lance of the
oepyei~tional type, but also the. teaching of this group ~io~ better to perfOrm ~a
basically common carriage operation, witI~ emphasis on assQci~atqd safety aspects~
P~prqgram should b~liide .s~nding in FAA teaals(}P~Q r~view ai~1 ~ccomplish
th~e ~ec~ary upgrt~ç1~n~of t1;~eir safety .practic~es ; ç~nçI ~. ~ ~ .
~ B. Tha1~A~b~ ~A4 pia~ee$~ie safety supe~visiop of seIi~dulq~L air-~~4, ope~aiors
and Pg~t Office contra~~operators orgaiLz~t~z~ally un4er FA4 ota~ associated
with the handling of ~iir carrier safety op~!á~o.ns,~ and proeee4 prQmDtly to
~stablLsh safety programs ~d stacnd~rds for, them cowme~s'tp~ate with their cur-
reitt an~i, long-range status,: act~v~ti~s; :ancI importance ~ in av~ation. ~ ~ ,
;~4du4~tec1ly~ the progra~s :repc~~~ended ~ herein for actioi~ by ~ the ~E'ederai
A~~tion A4~nii4stratio~ tl~ ~r~rri~rs, ancl~t1~e ~jr4axi operators, are beyonc1~
the'scopeof what.the~4dmi~t~&tL~n ai~d the Industry have be~i either equipped
or~~~peeted to do, and ~igh~t notreven be favorab~y received b~ the, group of air-
ta~x1 operators ~ich prugraw~ woi!]~d 4be intanded ~o help. ~ ~ . ~ ~ ~ ~
However, the need is real ~ndirnnaediate and it is our i~iewtbat ~ Citi~ati?ofl
will i~o~wait~?ithe~ f~rj'~s. usual" incit~st~'y practices or for4~e ~rd1nary yegula-
tory ~ te it ~ . ~ ~ ~ ~ , ~ ~ ~ . ~. . ~ ~ ~
. Sineerelyt1 ~ ,: ~ *~ ~ ~. ~ ~ ~ ,. ~ ~
H ...,. Jo~a~u J. O!Oo~Eu~, J~r.,
_____ a'irman
FEDEEAL AY~IO~ A*I~IsTRA~ON
A.pril ~1968.
Oha1rintln~ National~ Transportation Safety
To :. Hon. Joseph L~ O'domieli~ Jr.,
Board.
From : Administrator. ~ ~ . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . ~ : ~ ~
S~ft?:Ject A~r ~an op~ra~1ons
The agency ;~Las been incre~siiigly ~onc~ned with the prôblem~s associated with
the rapid ~owth ~i! air taxi operation a1x~d I can apprthate and understand the
~on~ern exi~r~eid~ ~ your Iette~ ~o th~ o~ Mkj~1~ 14, 19k3~. ~ , .
Pttblication of tl~e agency ~ stat1st~es on ~ehOduled air taxi operations as of
October ~ together withth~ ~vènt~f~ilr tá±I airinairop~atioñ~, ha~é served
t~ focus, atté~itthn on th~~rO~+thkf th~ ~fr ta~1 lii&t~str~r in recent months. ~
`While it i~ c~1iite trueth~tf~we have pruvld~d ~shiatancea*d guidai~eto Post
Office officials at their request, the safety st ~ird~ we s~g~sted to ~thein' were
generally derived from requirements already Imposed on many of the larger and
PAGENO="0379"
3/75
more active air taxi operat~r~ through operations speéifieati~na Similar, az~d
more stringent operations specifi~ation~, which inelude appropriate sections of
Federal Aviation Regu1at1on~, Part 121, have beeit applied to air ta~t opera-
tore who operate segmei~ts of certificated air~arriers' routea Itis our opinion
that these air taxi operators have affirmati~e ~ references to safety practices
through their operations1 speeifieat~oüs despite the lack of specific references in
their ec~ntra~tual agreements With carriers:
~ In~ recetit ~eàrs, we have sent * sj~ecia1 teams to review operating iiractices of
air taxi operators when there was reason to believe that their operations were
substandard. The procedures followed by these teams closely parallel those
used when conducting special inspections on certificated air carr1ers~ holding Civil
Aeronautics Board authority. Additionally, at least one region is ai3plying the
Systems Worthiness A~nalysis' Program (SWAP) to some of the larger air taxi
operators on atest basis.If this proves practical,We will instittite it On a national
basis. ~ ~ 4 . ~ . ~ ~.
I have noted `yom~ suggestion that we consider the use of personnel assigned
to our Project 85. This is a test program implem~mted in two regions with a
limited numbèrof personnel. We do not feel it would be wise to divert the person-
nel in this program.
Your suggestion that we use air carrier inspectors to conduct . surveillance of
scheduled air taxi operators is one that we have considered in the past. As a
matter of fact? our field air carrier people have ~ participated in developing
standards and requirements for the operations specifications of air taxi opera-
tors. Additionally, we have considered transfei~ing the responsibili~~ for policy
guidance of air taxi operations from our General Aviation Oper~itions Branch in
Flight Standards Service to the Air Carrier Operations Branch. The reason we
have nOt done this is primarily because of personnel shortages and ~iling limita-
tions under which we currently are operating. This is not to say tMt our Air
Carrier Operations Branch does not involve itself with problems relating to air
taxi operations. It does, as the need arises.
With regard to your suggested industry programs, I believe we may be con-
siderably further down the road than many people realize. For example, the
National Air Taxi Conference (NATC) , with the encouragement and partici-
pation of FAA, held an Air Taxi Seminar last November in West Palm Beach.
Approximately one hundred persons, some from as far away as Massachusetts
and California attended the one~day session which eovered management prac-
tices, operating methods, regulations and related subjects. Three more seminars,
sponsored by NATO are scheduled for this spring and early summer. ~ ~ .
S Also, it's worth noting that individual air `carriers have made space wVáil-
able in their own training and management programs for air taxi operatOrs. A
number of major air carriers have participated in the programs presented at' the
NATC annual conventions. ~ Recently we discussed' with the Air Transport As-
sociation the~ po~sibUity of participating in an industry `program similar to that
which you suggest. Their, iflitial response ~ was favorabh~ and, in light of your
sugg~stion, we will be pursuingitfurther. S ~ "
Insofar' as government action is concerned, we are well along with a program
addressed to the scheduled air `taxt opera1~ors, including ~no~ only' those who
carry mail, but also' those who' hold interline agreements or conduct regular
or frequent "on demand" operations. Iii February of tbL~ .ytar we asked our re-.
gions to place special emphasis on the surveillance of air taxi operators falling
in any of these categories. As I ~ mentioned' earlier, many of our field offices al-
ready have issued operations specifications based on the local or regional operat-
ing conditions and envii~ohments. These "~~atio~s sp~cifik~atióii~' `include `such
Items á~ prescribed' traitting prOgrams, plot-in-command requirements, pro-
ficiency checks and flight time limitatidns e~ual to or more restrictive than those
imposed by the Post Office. S
` We agree that effort should b~ made to advise and' counsel these operators
in how better to perforth cominox carriage ~ ~ipethtions, with empha~is on safety.
Regrettably, our manpower situation does not permit `us `to devOte as much effort
to such `a prbgram as we wouldilke.' ~J~*~ver~ we shall continue `working with
A'OA, NATO ` other groups ` at s~Ihars~ ~ annual ~ conventi0n~' and wherever
else we believe we~càir help ththn~fo hclp~hem~ei~es make thei~ :o~erations safer.
We agree that the safety supervision of air taxi operators wito engageprlmarit~
in air tr~n~'porfà'tióñ' (a~' o~pösedt~o~tho~e who hbid ~n `al'i~taxi eert1fic~te as ~n
adjunct to another primary ~viattoa 1nter~st such ~ a flying ~chôélr~or fixed-base
operation) should beair carrier oriented~ Unfortunately,±nost air taxi operations
are not located in the immedtate~ ~V1cinLty ~f our air carrier offices.' As a matter of
PAGENO="0380"
, many &f them
e located a considerable distance fror -
people,
~d a Not~
i take every
a that I ca:
~u expressed.
is well as ti
you tin
are is
m
Saferl `Itt .~da
well to ii part of or
be inserted in our record.
Mr. FRIEDEL. Without objection, it will be i:
(Article referred to follows:)
[From the Washington Post, Mar. 24, 1968]
`ToRTunnn' JETS SAFER THAN CARS
(By David Hoffman, Washington Post Staff Writer)
In the evolution of automobile travel, more drivers and more passengers have
meant more accidents and more fatalities, the toll now standing at 145 deaths
a day.
Air safety experts have long predicted a similar fate for air transportation-
that disasters will inevitably multiply as air travel booms. But a decade of hard
statistical evidence is proving the experts wrong.
Last year was the tenth consecutive one in which U.S. airlines flew turbojets.
And there was no measurable increase in the number of fatal accidents, the num~
ber of fatalities or the fatality rate per passenger mile.
Judged by that most meaningful ratio, the accident rate per aircraft flight Jiour,
the tenth year of jet travel was the safest. In 19~7, the accident rate per 100,000
aircraft hours dipped to a record low of 1.2 for U.S. commercial operators.
Enjoying such odds, a passenger can expect to fly a 13.5. airline nonstop for
80 years before an accident might cost him his life.
WORKING SINCE 205
By automating air traffic control, enhancing the competence of pilots, expanding
airport facilities, improving the turbine engine and perfecting the jetliner itself,
the aviation establishment has engineered a system in which more users survive
each year.
Just as the Federal Government moved last year to regulate roadworthiness
and crashworthiness into 13.5. built automobiles~ it moved In the 1920s to regulate
safety into 11.5,-built aircraft.
Now, almost 80 percent of the world's jetliners are manufactured in Western
American states and the craft share one thing in common : their construction was
supervised by the Federal Govern~nent, by the Federal Aviation Administration's
Western Regional Oflice. ~ ~
In trade jargon, this Federal supervision is called "certification." It entails
dozens of semiformal bargaining sesslosas In which engineers and pilots from
the company and the Government argue the cost of extra safety and try to
anticipate-and eliminate- the causes ~f futhre accidents.
376
ositive and
)verlooking t
mation or~
WILLIAM -
PAGENO="0381"
Meane
fuselage
, the a
a moving
adicator wa
airline service,
r flaws, which
`rect the flaws.
to the aii~lines
izon as
agency to f
also, until the, safety belt restrained
below. But
rE~ `PICKLE SWITCH'
dents during certiflc~
to trim away
~f his finger-
PAGENO="0382"
I
3~Th
neously, CAB and Goveri~ux~eut. agents were collecting debris from ~ ~]ie accident
site hauling it 40 miles 1~ç Miaith and rebuilding the jet s carcass in a $100 000
search for clues or causes ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ i~, ~ ~ . . ~ ~ . ~
Northwest Airlines in cou)unction with the Battelle Institute, set out to
assess all the evidence. , ~ ~ . . ~
Northwest Capt. Paul Soderlind toured the country warning fellow pilots
not to actuate the pickle switch in turbulence, warning them not to chase
their airspeed indicators in violent up~ and ~ downdrafts. Airspeed indicators,
he reminded them, are notorious for flipping back and £orth across a 200-knot
speed band even while the airplane pro~ee4~ at ~ a constant speed.
~ ~ ~ How should they penetrate thunderstorms ? Slow the jetliner, keep it straight
~ and level and ignore pressure-~ensing instruments, Soderlind said. ~
In November, 1963, Boeing distributed to all airlines a handbook entitled
"Flying in Severe Turbulence,~ which elaborated ~ on earlier company telegrams.
Recommendations in both bad already been incorporated into all pilot training
programs. ~
~ An urgent advi~ory from Boeing's Renton, ~ Wash., headquarters Instructed
airlines to limit maximum possible stabilizer movement by about 25 per cent.
~ . ~ ~ A BASIS FOR ACTION *~ ~
In the ca~e ~ of Northwest Airlines, tragedy triggered a massive response
But must ~ the aviation establishment await the impetus of tragedy before
ridding air transportation of hazards long identified by engineers and pilots?
Phe question was put to Lee Warren, deputy director of FAA's Western
Regional Office. ~ ~
"You can't junk the whole (air transportation) system just because you've
developed a mathematical model that predicts the likelihood of an accident,"
he said. In promulgating safety rules, Warren added, "FAA holds its ground
best when it hlis precise facts in hand.~' .
To justify a safety regulation that oo$ts big mouey, FAA must demonstrate
that the regulation will save big money, as did the mandatory ~ installation of
airborne radar during the 1950s. Or FAA must shOw that the regulation will
si~ve lives. If no lives have been lost in the regulation's absence, the agency often
must backtrack. For example :
Many within FAA believe that today's heavy jets are being flown from run-
ways too short * for safety. Airline pilots agree overwhelmingly. But neither the
agency nor the pilots have mustered enough statistical evidence to convince U.S.
airlines or the operators of U. S. airports that a hazard exists. Unfortunately,
that evidence is beginning to collect.
A UNIQUE SPEED
On Nov. 6, at 6 :41 p.m., a controller in Cincinnati's traffic tOwer cleared a
Trans World Airlines 707 for takeoff. : Unknown to the TWA pilot, another
jetliner was mired in the mud alongside the takeoff runway, hidden In the
darkness. ~
Like a car accelerating in high, the TWA jet rumbled down the runway,
slowly gaining speed,. Again and again, the eyes of its pilot, Capt. V~ D. Matheny,
returned to the airspeed indicator before him. At this point in the takeoff
sequence, he was concerned with one speed and one speed only-the speed pilots
call Vi.
Vi is a unique speed, one that varies with the weight of an airplane, the
length of its runway and the temperature of the day. It's the precise speed to
which a pilot can accelerate, suffer failure of an engine and still do one of two
things :
He can stop on the runway remaining, or he can continue the takeoff with
only three engines operating. If engine failure occurs before Vi, ~ he must stamp
on the brakes and stop on the runway. Should it occur after Vi-even one knot
after-the pilot continues aloft with three good engines, circles the field and
lands.
As Matheny approached Vi for Cincinnati, 132 knots, lie saw the other jet-
liner "loom up in my landing lights." Its silhouette appearqd dangerously close
to the runway. The TWA 707 sped by the stationary DC-9 and at that precise
moment the TWA pilots heard what sounded like a cannon shot, or the sound
~of metal ripping into metal.
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. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ T~IE ~ CONVERS+~TION * ~
~ ,Wh~1t occui~ed in theco~j1t is told best by an edited and aijnotd~ed ~tran~
~ cript from tile pi1ot~' vôt~ ~1~ëco~dÔr' It 1~egins at the point ~
oi~t~o the runwayi~or tákêöff. ~ ~ ~ ~ ., ~ ~ ~ . ~
Mathëhy: "Close ~s I can get to tile end, Ron, without backin~tt ilj." (Only one
nose gear steering ~V1ieé1 ~is installed in the 707, a1or~gside the jdlot's left knee.
Sitting in the 1e~1t~eat, lVIatlieny has positioned the jet at the fatthe~t end of
~ Cincinnati's runW~ty ~o th~tt none of its length ~`oes wasted behind. hith. Now
be turns the aircraft, over .l~o rlrstOfflcer Ronald 3. Reic)aardt, who will perform
the takeoff.) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ Olneinnati Tower ~"TWA 159, cleared for takeoff." ~ ~
Reicbardt: "O.K."
Cincinnati Tow~ : "Delta 379, yo~re clear of the runw~, aren't you?"
(Delta Flight 379, the DC-9 jet, has just latided and ~Ls rolling to a stop i~ar
the runway's end. fore, the controller wants to be certain the runway is clear
for TWA's takeoff. Clearance shbuld have been ascertained before the controller
gave Matheny and Reichardt the go signal.)
Delta 379 : "Yeah, we're in the dirt, though." (The DC-9's tail section is just
seven feet from the edge of the runway. ) ~ , ~ ~ ~
Cincinnati Tower : "Q.K., TWA 159, he's clear of~ the runway, cleared for
takeoff, company jet on final behind you." (The controller, in effect, tells Matheny
to hurry up because another TWA. jetis descending to land on the same rth~way~)
Reichardt : "O.K., we're rollin'." (Engine roar reaches its highest pitch here.)
Matbeny : "Eighty knots, you got `er," (The jet's rudder becomes effective at
80 knots. Matheny takes his hand from the nose gear steering wheel and passes
control of the plane to Reiehardtin the right seat.)
Matheny: "Not very d'an~n far off the runway." (EEc sees the Delt~ jetliner
appear in the darkness.)
Reichardt: "Sure as hell isn't,"
Matheny: "See that fire in the end?" (lie spots the orange torch of fire belching
from the DC-9's tail-mounted engines as the Delta pilots attempt to pry thair
craft from the mud. A loud boom i~ ~flperimposed on this transmission. Engine
noise decreases dramatically as Reichardt elects to abort the takeoff.)
Rei'chardt: "Good God, I hit him
THE RIGhT PROCEDURE ~ ~ ~ . ~ ~
Both pilots stomped down on the brake pedals. Matheny raised the s~ol1era-
large metal flaps that kill lift atop a jet's wings. NOw the plane waS si~pposed
to stopbefore it ran out of concrete.
But it didn't stop. Instead, the 707 rolled off the far end of the `(800-foot rm~way,
plowing into a ridge of earth. After its landing gear sheared, the plane belly~
skidded to a halt on the grass. All 36 aboard leaped from Its cabin just before the
outbreak of a fuel-fed fire~ There were no fatalities.
Reichardt had been wrong, however. His jet had not collided with another ; it
had inst~ad produced a rare kind of backfire. Not knowing this, Reichardt elected
to abort the takeo~f, doing prç~4sely the right things, quickly, ~ hi prQcisely the
right sequence~. ~ ~
~ Because the ~ccldent killed no one, there was little fanfare on Dec. 5 when
the National Transportation Safety Bôsrd cOnvened a public hearing to in~esti-
gate its cause. But at ti~fit hearing, a young attorney built a ease that the FAA,
the airlines and the manufacturers are finding difficult to ignore.
~ Using the C'incini~ati accident as evidence,., he argued that on hundreds of
~ U.S. runways, when a jet engine fails at the all-impçrtant speed Vi, a crash
çbacomes inevitable. ~
Donald W. Madole's credentials are unique 111 a highly speciaUzed profession-
aviation ~ Fo~ ~sev~a~ years, h~ w~ chief of the Civil Aeronautics Board's
Hearings and Rep~r~ Div1~ion ~n~,hs such, presided .ov~er many an accident
hearing. Be is alsO a Navy plane commanderwith some 5000 bour~ of pilot time.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ,~Q 5~U'ETY MAIWIN
Madole's j~b, as he saw it, was to expose a weakness in the certification proces~
This is how he proceeded:
Using the TWA jet's cockpit voice recorder, Madole ~howed that exactly 19
seconds elapsed between the time M~thcnv called 80 knots you got er and the
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ion May 4and ~ 1965, 25~ men frrnx~the FAA met at the Boe~gp1ai~t With 32
company èi~p1oy~s. All were exp~*ii~,some aerot~itLcá1 s~ecia1ty ; together they*
zthde up~the Pre11thi±~u,y J~i~ Oerttfi&~t!on B~ar~1~fc~ithe 737~ ~ . ~
~ Rocco L. Lippis~ assistant dhief bf th~AfJ~Engine~rifig Dhrision in FAA's
W~stern Rê~ionai Office,wásoi~e ~ the pari~»=4~aiits, and in a reeet~t Los Angeles
inte~ie~v he explained the why~ si*li: ~ : ~ *
~ prior th ~ the ~reiiminary board, all that ~ FAA knowe about th~ airplane is
what it may look like and that the manufacturer has applied to build it. At this
point, Boeing familiarizes the agei~y with the whole jet, what it will be made of
and how it is supposed to fly. ~ If Boeing como~ up with some new system that
hasn't been tested yet,, ~r if Vliere's a system that's causing trouble, then FAA
atta~ehe~ "sj~ecia1 k~Ond!tion" to 1t-meani~g that the ~geney Intends to look it
over vei~ey ekrefully,Lippis s~üd. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mintite~ ~ that prelimixary bo~ai~d disclose that an~o~ig many spe~lal eoñdl-
tion~ attached to the 787, * at least two resulted dii~eetly frOm the Northwest Air-
lines accident. ~ ~
Und~r the first, ~AA asked Boein~ to instrument the ~ilot'~ seat in a flight
test 73~'; then fly the craft throngii sevete thnriders'tortas. Instruments Would
record how the jolts ~ vihrátion~ mig~t impair the pilot'~ ability to' see his
instruments and manipulate flight controls. They would also reveal the effective-
ness . of ailerons, rudders arid eleVators in counteracting the impact of up and
down drafts. ~
~ thider the ~eeond speci4i condition, FAA asked Boeing to put the 737 through
its paces fully untrimmed' (with its ixuovthle stabilizer full up or down). In that
unstahle condition, Boeing and FA~A test pilots wrung out the airplane, rolling it
into tight turns, forcing it tnto stee~i~ dives and punishing pullouts, and after each,
the plane obedientlyrighted itself ~ ` ~
Not until after the Nórth~~t 4irli~ies accident Was Boeing's earlier 720B put
through comparably demanding testa ~ But the ~t was, and it pased With flying
colors during its eight-month, $14.3 ~nilthMi fiighttest prog~ram.
A ~ CONTEST FOR TIME
Many within FAA view the initial stages of certification as a kind of techno~
logical debate between the Government and the manufacturer. With all its exper-
tise, the manufacturer presses for speedy certification of its product so as not to
lose in the marketplace, wh~re conrpetitors are busy ~olling.
Befo1~e the certification process evet1~begins, the btiilde~, is convinced that his
pw~duct is airworthy~-~afe ror pass~ngé~*a. And, ur~Iike anto manufacturers, he
has already sold it, promising purchasers a prc~fltab1e~r4tnge, speed and payload.
The FAA~ meanWhile, fights a holding ~tction~, tr~ng with relatively few tech-
nicians (there are tFOiñ the `Western~regioñ) t ifi~ect and t~t as much of the
whole airplaneas time and manpower permit.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
By way * of comparison; several acres of ~i~1ri~rs and draftsmen sit side by
side in one of Boeing's Washington State factôries~ TJ4 through the engitieers
ranks rose J. E. Steiner, becoming chjef project êngiiie~r for the incredibly sue-
cessful 727 fri-jet, then Boeing vice president In dhai~ge Ôi~ ~i~&hict development.
Stein~r emphasizes another facet of the certiflthition process-the one Boeing
pursues independently, as if FAA didn't exist. ~ * .
"We set criteria for every ~ystem in every airplane, and al1no~t always ours
are tougher than those required by the FAA~~be saldin an intei~v1ew. "A group
within our Service Department (wiiich `ha~' *o~ld*M~ repres~ntation) investi-
gates every accident Involvinga B~ing ~oduct, ~éediñg bach analyses into the
Design D~pái~t~ent." ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
TESTING TO DES1~flTOPIO~ ~
Usually, Steiner says, Boeing telegraphs precautionary instructions to its
customers before FAA can issue an Airworthiness Directive, and the customers
comply. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Although FAA doesn't reqttire it,V he said,: "we're testing to destruction one
737 (sale price $3 million), two 727s (sale price $11 million) and two 74Th (sale
price $44 million)."
For such tests, Boeing mounts a 737 fuse~~ge~ in a hangar, wiring it with hun-
dreds of stress gauges. i~iien the company ap~Jies pres~ure. Huge hydraulic jacks
bear down on the wings or the tail or the landing gear, simulating the loads to
be imposed by turbulence, G forces or hard touchdowns.
/
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Hidden computers balance the forces : a downward force on one wing is offset
by an upward force on the other. Qradually, the pressure is stepped up as the
jet absorbs energy like a woundup clock spring. Then comes the explosion as
some primary structure gives way, releasing the stored power. Now Boeing
knows precisely the toughness and resilience of its product.
Consider two other 737 tests that stopped short of outright destruction:
The 737's tall vertical tail fin is most sensitive to side loads-the kind that might
be imposed on landing in a vicious, gusty crosswind. FAA requires that the fin
withstand a 50-foot per second gust imposed at normal cruising speed. In FAA's
opinion, if the 737 can endure such a blast, its passengers will be adequately
protected.
But Boeing upped the force level 50 per cent. The 737's skin aged instantly
under the impact, wrinklipg and cracking. Its fuselage twisted and bent. Sig-
nificantly, however, nothing failed or yielded In a way that would have endangered
passengers.
THE BURSTING POINT
As with all pressurized transports, the higher the 737 flies, the greater the dif-
ference in air density between its interior and the air outside. The question
naturally arises : How great can that difference get before the fuselage bursts
like an overfilled balloon?
To find out, Boeing mounted huge fans in the 737's doorways and began pump-
ing air into its cabin. Not until the pressure reached 17.3 pounds per square inch
did the company turn off the fans. That pressure was 225 per cent greater than
the differential the plane would ever encounter at maximum flight altitude.
As 737s begin amassing flight time in airline service, bugs Inside the jet
doubtless will be discovered, as they have in every U.S. transport. But the odds
are extremely high that the problems will be identified and corrected, either by
the manufacturer or the FAA, before they down an airplane.
It is for this reason that airliners generally grow safer even as they age.
Mr. Fiw~EL. This concludes this series of safety hearings.
We are all concerned with maintaining and improving safety. In
the very near future, I believe that the announced date is April 1,
1968, the Secretary of Transportation is to send up a broad legislative
proposal concerning airports and airways.
I feel that these hearings and the studies and in-plant visits which
many of us have made will serve as a useful and current background
for any new legislative recommendations.
The meeting stands adjourned.
(Whereupon, at 11:45 a.m., the hearing was adjourned.)
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