FAA's launch of the first phase of an airspace redesign for the New York area is triggering concern among controllers after incidents of aircraft flying the incorrect heading from Newark airport.
As part of the first phase of the redesign Newark in December 2007 started using fanned headings that eliminate the need for departing aircraft to follow each other out one-by-one.
Members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) say on 17 November three aircraft flew the wrong heading, bringing the total number of departures operating in the wrong direction to 20 since project launch.
NATCA also claims FAA recorded only one of the three incidents that occurred earlier this week.
"The agency never set up a process to properly evaluate if the new headings were working safely, and then when we have brought problems to their attention, they often don't even bother to make a record of it," NATCA explains.
FAA responded to NATCA's claims in a statement explaining the Newark Airport Traffic Control Tower has filed four pilot deviations related to departure procedures flown improperly by pilots this year, with two occurring on 1 October followed two more incidents on 16 October.
"There have been times since the implementation of the dispersed headings when other aircraft have departed the airport to the south and have not followed the assigned heading upon takeoff," FAA says. "In those instances controllers - as they are trained to do - quickly brought the aircraft back on course."
Furthermore, FAA says before it initiates new procedures at an airport, it completes an evaluation to ensure they are operationally feasible and safe. Part of that process includes training controllers to use the new processes.
NATCA is also voicing concern over FAA's expansion of fanned headings at night, and has asked for a suspension of their use during nighttime operations.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
