REFLECTOR: Dream Panel

[NMFlyer1 at aol.com]

Ronnie, 

You are right! In fact, the FAA isn't doing a whole lot of things that need 
to be done "from a safety standpoint".  Most of the folks around here don't 
even have a clue about the TIS system, and in fact about the only knowledgeable 
person is a tech., that is also a pilot. 
In addition, I thought I would bring up a peeve of mine:

  Recently the FAA began using "URET" which is supposed to replace the old 
paper flight strips. It has a lot of fancy bells and whistles that would make it 
look really fantastic to folks unfamiliar with the air traffic system. One 
BIG problem that I notice is that most controllers don't pay any attention to 
VFR Flight Following stuff any more. I have literally had dozens of aircraft 
that were supposed to enter the area I work, that were Hours overdue, and no-one 
looks. Much of it can be traced to typo's, incorrect ground speed entries 
(Center computers think every VFR goes 130 kts... regardless of type) but it boils 
down to fancy equipment and laziness. Many others don't bother keeping track 
of approach clearance info to uncontrolled airports.  
  I keep telling the coneheads I work for that the FAA is going to get their 
ass sued off due to laziness. There will be an aircraft that goes down, and 
no-one is going to look for it (well, I and a couple others would). This has 
happened before at Albuquerque Center, and Washington covered it up (the crew of 
a downed B-1 froze to death because nobody would admit there were survivors to 
look for).  

Moral of that rant:  Flight following is no longer as good as it used to be. 
If you really want some extra "piece of mind", you must file a VFR flight 
plan. In addition, use some good OLE Friend or Family flight plan. Make sure 
someone knows where you should be..... less you have a problem and no-one knows you 
are missing. 

 The shortage of controllers now days, mandatory overtime, poorly maintained 
equipment, and scores of other problems are frankly an embarrassment. I wish I 
could fix it myself, but the machine is way too big for my hammer. I used to 
think it was odd that I would be forced to retire when I was 55. Now... I kind 
of look forward to it (even though I still really enjoy working airplanes).  

How is that for a Soap Box Ronnie :) 

Kurt Winker
173 FGE 340HP Aluminum V-6
Albuquerque Center







In a message dated 3/1/2006 3:32:54 PM Mountain Standard Time, 
romott at adelphia.net writes:

Unfortunately, I hear the FAA is not implementing TIS broadcast in all 
locations and is disabling it in others.  Makes absolutely no sense from a 
safety stand point.

Maybe it is time to find out why - or else push real hard for what the 
Aussies are doing.  They are even considering providing handheld ADS-B to 
all small planes which would be far cheaper than implementing radar all over 
Australia.  See http://www.auf.asn.au/navigation/adsb.html

Here's a portable, desktop receiver which sells for under $1000.  An 
aircraft mounted unit wouldn't cost much more (needs GPS and altitude 
inputs).  http://www.kinetic-avionics.co.uk/SBS-1ProductSpec.pdf

But FAA could be dragging their feet - they complain that they don't have 
enough folks to service the growing air traffic in the USA, but they sure 
don't get in any hurry in implementing something that would take a whale of 
a lot of work off of ATC in calling conflicting traffic.

I'll get off the soap box before I slip off and bust my butt.

Ronnie Brown
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