AIR-ROUTE traffic-control centre (ARTCC) failures across the USA in August have prompted the US Federal Aviation Administration to set up better procedures for dealing with equipment faults.
Additional measures were ordered after the Oakland ARTCC suffered a power failure on 9 August, caused by a defective circuit board. FAA technicians and an independent power-systems consultant will review emergency and back-up procedures. New training will be introduced to help staff maintain aging equipment, and refresher courses on back-up procedures given to controllers. More than 100 extra technicians will also be hired.
The agency had already decided to install new computers as temporary replacement for antiquated operational equipment.
Source: Flight International
