FAA Computer Glitch Causes Delays - Air Traffic Control - ATC

bobcat · Posted: 11-19-2009, 07:17 AM

I just saw a story on FOX NEWS that reported there is a problem where pilots are unable to file their flight plans and delays are expected. They said it is a nationwide problem. These are the initial reports, but it should be interesting to follow.

SpinningHat · Posted: 11-19-2009, 08:23 AM

Someone probably spilled coffee on the cabinet that houses the flight Plan computer on 'accident'...

CLEATCT2010 · Posted: 11-19-2009, 08:45 AM

Well chances are also rather high the dang thing just gave out. Something similar happened in 2008. The equipment is old and the FAA is still trying to make it work like they just purchased it.

And considering that the last major hardware upgrades were in the '70s and '80s, it's no surprise. Heck, some of the equipment in use was new when controllers now retiring first started their careers.

But someone spilling coffee on the cabinet housing the computer doesn't surprise me that much... actually if it comes out that coffee caused the "glitch" I'll laugh pretty good.

SpinningHat · Posted: 11-19-2009, 09:43 AM

The NADIN outage last year was caused by a corrupted file during a daily data load. This could be another problem like that, but why would they tempt fate and do something like loading software in the middle of the day? I'm hoping it's a coffee spill, that would be hilarious.

psachs · Posted: 11-19-2009, 09:43 AM

I got an e-mail with a press release from NATCA a little bit ago. It has a few more details than what I've seen elsewhere:

Quote:

MAJOR ATC COMPUTER OUTAGE RESULTING IN DELAYED FLIGHTS

WASHINGTON – There has been a major, nationwide air traffic control computer system outage this morning, and it is having a severe, negative impact on air travel across the country. Here is what we know thus far:

- The NADIN system (National Airspace Data Interchange Network), which is the computerized system for processing flight plans and information for every flight in the country, has failed in both of its locations – Atlanta and Salt Lake City. We do not yet know the technical reason for the failure. We have some reports that the system is coming back online, which is good news, but there will be flight delays throughout the day due to the “ripple effect” of this outage.

- The NADIN failure has created a domino effect of problems throughout the country, starting with the inability of FAA automated ATC systems at major regional facilities to process flight information, forcing the manual input of information by air traffic personnel. Air traffic controllers are without electronic decision-making tools and cannot keep up with the sheer numbers of flights -- resulting in delays.

- Weather equipment is affected. NOTAM alerts (Notice to Airmen) are not processing either. Information like wind speeds at airports are not processing.

- Air traffic controllers on the ground at major airports are getting no automated flight plan information and have to enter that information manually, a cumbersome and time-consuming process.

- Airport efficiency is being cut by at least half at places like New York-JFK.

- In the New York airspace, controllers are forced to put 20 miles of space between aircraft.

- It will take many hours for the system to catch up.

GeorgeM · Posted: 11-19-2009, 09:50 AM

Failed router circuit board at ZLC. System is up now.

Mizzou80 · Posted: 11-19-2009, 09:58 AM

It's a glorious day to not be at work.....

CLEATCT2010 · Posted: 11-19-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpinningHat

The NADIN outage last year was caused by a corrupted file during a daily data load. This could be another problem like that, but why would they tempt fate and do something like loading software in the middle of the day? I'm hoping it's a coffee spill, that would be hilarious.

Why would they tempt fate? It's the FAA... why wouldn't they?

liandrajade · Posted: 11-19-2009, 11:05 AM

totally off topic, my company has been deluged by a ton of calls, the network used by the card processing companies{global payments} has been out since yesterday....i have 30+ calls hangin on my line right now....shoot me!!! days like this it sucks to a be a tech support rep....grrrr...

kycontroller · Posted: 11-20-2009, 08:17 PM

Anyone else impressed?