Washington, D.C. – The following are the statements of Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Tom Petri (R-WI) and Aviation Subcommittee Member Charlie Dent (R-PA) from today’s hearing on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) runway safety initiatives and the ongoing efforts to decrease runway incursions.
“Though we are currently in the safest period in aviation history, as long as humans fly aircraft, there will always be the potential for mechanical failure, human error and accidents,” Ranking Member Petri said. “But the FAA, this subcommittee, and the entire aviation community are tasked with ensuring that the U.S. has the safest National Airspace System possible. Therefore, we must remain vigilant in our oversight of this issue.
“Both labor and management must build a cooperative, collaborative relationship to achieve the safety benefits that we are all seeking. The number of enplanements has dropped since last year, but serious runway incursions have persisted. This indicates that the risk of runway incursions has not yet been completely addressed. It will take everyone’s continued effort and collaboration to get us to the goal,” Petri said.
“Although the FAA's current safety record is excellent, a recent incident in Allentown reminds us our system is not perfect,” Rep. Dent said. “My hope is the FAA and our air traffic controllers will learn from the near-miss at Lehigh Valley International Airport and take the necessary steps to ensure the safest flying conditions at airports across the country. I look forward to reviewing the findings of the NTSB’s investigation.”
Rep. Petri’s Entire Opening Statement
“Though we are currently in the safest period in aviation history, as long as humans fly aircraft, there will always be the potential for mechanical failure, human error and accidents. But the FAA, this subcommittee, and the entire aviation community are tasked with ensuring that the U.S. has the safest National Airspace System possible.
“A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on runway incursions and runway and ramp safety found that while the rate for the most serious category of runway incursions is down from 2006 – only 24 serious events in approximately 60 million operations – there was an anomalous uptick in total runway incursions in the first quarter of this year.
“Therefore, we must remain vigilant in our oversight of this issue. I am looking forward to hearing about the steps the FAA, airports, pilots, and controllers are taking to mitigate the risk for these potentially deadly runway incursions.
“Clearly, there is no silver bullet to eliminate runway incursions, but I believe that there are many ways to address runway safety. I am interested in hearing about the many technologies currently deployed or under development to reduce runway incursions.
“During our hearing in February, the FAA discussed deployment of several technologies, such as runway status lights, ASDE-X, and low cost surface surveillance, that would have the potential to drastically reduce the number of runway incursions. I am interested in hearing about the progress in testing and deploying these technologies so vital to assisting controllers and pilots during critical phases of a flight.
“In addition to technological innovations, I am interested in hearing about bricks-and-mortar solutions:
- Crushable concrete engineered material arrestor systems (EMAS) that have been installed at 21 airports.
- Improved markings and signage at airports.
- End-around perimeter taxiway, like the ones at Atlanta’s airport, where runway crossings have been reduced from roughly 650 to less than 100 per day.
“I am interested in hearing what the witnesses think about these strategies. I also look forward to hearing about the status of the FAA’s evaluation of these measures and their plan to deploy them. It is also important to explore whether the expected drop in enplanements will affect the funding streams necessary to continue these important projects.
“I would also like to hear an update on the FAA’s ‘Call to Action’ on runway safety. I join the GAO in applauding the FAA for making runway safety a priority, but it will be important for the agency to keep programs on schedule, and to continue to maintain the vigilant oversight we’re seeing now.
“Beyond the flashing lights, radar, alerting systems and concrete, it is important that we address human factors issues that affect runway safety.
“Pilot alertness and situational awareness are critical to safe flight.
“Also, as we seek to get more information to pilots, it is important that we strike a balance that does not overload or distract them.
“Although the National Transportation Safety Board has not cited controller fatigue as a causal factor for any of the runway incursions they have investigated, including the tragic accident in Lexington, Kentucky, some have cited controller fatigue as an area of concern. I am interested in hearing about these concerns, as well as plans to address them.
“As with all runway safety issues, it is critical that this discussion be based upon facts. We must be cautious when discussing safety to avoid confusing emotion with real safety concerns.
“Both labor and management must build a cooperative, collaborative relationship to achieve the safety benefits that we are all seeking. I am concerned that the combative posture employed by both sides will only lead to trouble.
“The number of enplanements has dropped since last year, but serious runway incursions have persisted. This indicates that the risk of runway incursions has not yet been completely addressed. It will take everyone’s continued effort and collaboration to get us to the goal.”
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