DATE: February 7, 2007
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: Urge the Federal Aviation Administration to Immediately Adopt National Transportation Safety Board Recommendations
Summary:
The County of San Diego owns and operates eight airports that provide commercial, business, and emergency service support to the region. Last year San Diego County supported over 1.3 million aircraft operations. However, all air traffic is under the sole authority and control of the Federal Aviation Administration.
In February 2006, a fatal mid-air collision between two Cessna aircraft 3 miles south of Gillespie Field occurred. The pilots of both aircraft as well as one student pilot were killed. The investigation into this collision and other recent collisions have prompted the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to request that the FAA adopt safety recommendations regarding upgrades to conflict alert systems within control towers at airports.
Today’s action will direct the Chief Administrative Officer to draft a letter from the Board of Supervisors for the Chairman’s signature to support the safety recommendations outlined in the report by the National Transportation Safety Board and to urge the Federal Aviation Administration to immediately adopt them.
RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Dianne Jacob
Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to draft a letter from the Board of Supervisors, and signed by the Chairman, to support the safety recommendations outlined in the report by the National Transportation Safety Board and to urge the Federal Aviation Administration to immediately adopt them.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
BACKGROUND:
The County of San Diego owns and operates eight airports throughout the region. However, all air traffic is under the sole authority and control of the Federal Aviation Administration.
In February 2006, a fatal mid-air collision occurred between two Cessna aircraft 3 miles south of Gillespie Field. The Pilots of both aircraft as well as one student pilot were killed. The investigation into this collision and other recent collisions has prompted the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to request that the FAA adopt safety recommendations regarding upgrades to conflict alert systems within control towers at airports.
The safety recommendations made by the NTSB include:
- Redesign of the current warning system in control towers
- Review and possible revision of computer software in order to minimize “unwarranted” warnings
- Review of air traffic facilities to verify that meaningful warnings are being provided to relevant tower controllers
- Requirement that all air traffic controllers demonstrate an understanding of minimum-altitude flight rules and the local topography where they direct aircraft.
If adopted by the Federal Aviation Administration, these safety recommendations will be applied to all FAA air traffic facilities including the County of San Diego’s facilities.
The Board of Supervisors has in the past supported improvements to the County airport system that have included: lengthening a runway and construction of an Air Traffic Control Tower at Ramona Airport for the safe operation and basing of fire support attack aircraft, the building of a helicopter pad at Fallbrook for the basing of a CDF fire helicopter, and improvements at Gillespie Field including infrastructure for the Sheriff’s Astrea Regional Air Support Facility.
Today’s action will direct the Chief Administrative Officer to draft a letter from the Board of Supervisors for the Chairman’s signature to support the safety recommendations outlined in the report by the National Transportation Safety Board and to urge the Federal Aviation Administration to immediately adopt them.
Respectfully submitted,
DIANNE JACOB
Supervisor, Second District
