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Patrick Forrey Testimony on Issues of Concern to the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area
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Posted: 10-16-2008
De-Combination of Philadelphia Tower and TRACON
On March 31, 2008 the National Air Traffic Controllers Association was officially informed of the FAA’s plan to de-combine the Philadelphia International Airport’s air traffic control facility by separating tower and radar approach functions in separate facilities. This decision was made entirely without the participation of those with most intimate understanding of air traffic control operations at Philadelphia Airport – the air traffic controllers who work there each day. The FAA did not seek input from these controllers who are best able to identify benefits and pitfalls and make informed suggestions for plan improvement. This shows not only contempt for the air traffic control workforce, but also a lack of sincere desire to develop a plan with the greatest benefit to users. It is the opinion of NATCA that the plan to de-combine PHL ATCT/TRACON is deeply flawed and will bring no benefit to users but will instead introduce into the system additional safety risks and opportunities for delays.
It must be understood that NATCA is not categorically opposed to all realignment initiatives. In the past, we have worked alongside the FAA to plan some of the most successful realignments of ATC facilities. This includes the formation of TRACON facilities in New York, Southern California, Chicago, Denver, Dallas-Fort Worth, Northern California, Atlanta, and the Baltimore/Washington/Virginia Tri-State (Potomac) area. However, it is our firm belief that all realignment decisions must be made with a specific operational need in mind. These changes must serve the public by improving safety, efficiency and service. To date, the FAA has been unable to satisfactorily justify their PHL plan on any of the above grounds. Instead, the administration has chosen to focus on reducing its own operating costs while ignoring the cost of delays for those who depend on our airspace for travel and commerce.
As the facility is currently structured, controllers must learn all aspects of operations required for safe and efficient arrivals and departures from PHL. This well-rounded training enables controllers to understand how their actions at one position effect the operation of the adjacent positions. With this knowledge, controllers are able to optimize their performance for both safety and efficiency. By splitting this facility, the FAA will narrow the field of knowledge for controllers. New trainees will not only be denied the opportunity to train on all dimensions of the operation, they will not even have the opportunity to observe operations at other sectors.
Creating two separate facilities will also introduce barriers to coordination between the Tower and TRACON. The collocation of tower and TRACON functions allows for simpler communications and more face-to-face interactions, resulting in greater efficiency. Philadelphia has a unique and very intense crossing runway operation which requires continuous interaction between tower and TRACON. Barriers to communication caused by physical separation necessarily reduce efficiency, potentially causing additional unnecessary delays.
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Patrick Forrey Testimony on Issues of Concern to the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area
