Say Blakey Blamed Them For Capstone Woes

They've had enough... and they each want a personal apology. That's the message air traffic controllers at Anchorage Center (ZAN) have for FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, over what they perceive as slander against their professionalism and work conduct.

At issue are comments Blakey made during the recent Capstone crisis in Alaska, in which controllers say the administrator blamed controllers in Anchorage for misapplying aircraft separation rules.

The Anchorage Daily News reports National Air Traffic Controllers Association regional VP Rick Thompson sent a letter this month to Blakey, asking that she apologize to every air traffic controller in Anchorage for "publicly tarnishing their professionalism and integrity."

As Aero-News reported extensively, automatic dependant surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) capabilities were removed from controllers' screens on March 24, due to what Blakey called the Anchorage Air Route Traffic Control Center's inability to conform to FAA standards.

"This action was taken as a result of a confirmed report that an improper separation standard was being applied by ZAN (Anchorage Center -- Ed.) between ADS-B surveilled aircraft and radar surveilled aircraft," Blakey wrote to Skip Nelson, chairman of the Alaska Aviation Coordination Council.

This week, FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said Blakey had no intention of offending the controllers. "We respect and value the employees," she said. "This is about ensuring the highest level of safety."

After several back-and-forth debates between the FAA and Alaskan controllers, Capstone returned to ATC screens, in a limited fashion, on June 15. The FAA also announced plans to expand the Capstone program to other parts of Southwest Alaska.

That isn't good enough, however, say controllers -- they want Blakey to apologize.

"The FAA actions appear to be designed to intentionally misinform the flying public about the use of ADS-B for air traffic control purposes in Alaska," Thompson said. The system in its current form is flawed, he added, and to blame its shortcomings on controllers is "irrational and completely disrespectful."

The FAA's Brown stated it is safe to assume controller's consternation over ADS-B are due, at least in part, to recent contract negotiations between the FAA and NATCA -- as relations between the two parties are currently strained, at best, already.

As it stands, Blakey is scheduled to attend a July 5 meeting in Anchorage, when Senator Ted Stevens chairs a field hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Controllers will likely be in the audience, listening intently.

FMI: www.alaska.faa.gov/capstone/, www.natca.org