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TIM JOHNSON |
January 30, 2003 |
Washington
Office |
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The
Honorable Marion Blakey Dear Administrator Blakey: I am writing to express my concerns about Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposals to consolidate flight service stations. I have strong reservations about these plans. In particular, I am concerned over the possible closure of the single remaining station in South Dakota as well as the possible privatization of services. The flight service station in Huron, SD provides an invaluable service to pilots who utilize the air space in our region. Each air traffic controller is trained to understand the rapidly-changing weather and geography patterns of the state in order to provide assistance to pilots and other air traffic controllers in the time of an emergency. Each controller is familiar with the FAA regulations and operations. The expertise of the controllers has kept flights running smoothly and has literally saved lives. The only remaining flight service station in South Dakota is the Huron facility. Turning over flight services to the lowest bidder could result not only in inadequate coverage of the region but also could result in the closure of the Huron station. If the state is served with either poorly trained controllers and/or no station at all, the safety of pilots and passengers who use South Dakota airspace is at stake. It is my
understanding that the FAA began its A-76 process to review this issue in
August, 2002 and is scheduled to be completed in late 2004. However, there are
efforts to accelerate the process. In my view, this is too important an issue to
be decided in a hurried manner. In the last year, the federal government has
taken over flight and baggage screening from the lowest bidders in the private
sector in an effort to ensure the safety of passengers. We must consider the
safety of those same passengers in flight operations before any hasty decisions
are made. Please provide me with a report about FAA deliberations about this
process as well as your views on this matter. I hope that you will strongly
consider the viability of the Huron flight service stations during these
deliberations. Flight safety is paramount and must be the most important Thank you
for your consideration
COMMITTEES; APPROPRIATIONS: BANKING. HOUSING. AND URBAN AFFAIRS.- BUDGET; ENERGY AMD NATURAL RESOURCES; INDIAN AFFAIRS |
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