Fri, Mar 24, 2006
Miami Center To Take Over Approach, Departure Control In Three
Years
Don't take our TRACON.
That's the message four congressmen sent to FAA Administrator
Marion Blakey this week, after learning of the agency's plans to
close the Palm Beach Terminal Radar Approach Control when a
new control tower goes online at Palm Beach International
Airport.
In a letter to Blakey, Florida representatives Alcee
Hastings, Mark Foley, Robert Wexler, and Clay Shaw questioned the
FAA's decision to relocate TRACON duties for Palm Beach
International Airport to Miami when the new tower is completed. The
representatives -- two Democrats, two Republicans -- say the
consolidation compromises safety, and would hamper rescue efforts
should an emergency close the tower at PBI -- or, if a disaster
such as a hurricane were to hit the Miami center.
"If a hurricane were to barrel through Miami-Dade County and
damage Miami International Airport's control tower and subsequent
radar system, as Hurricane Andrew did, then it is highly possible,
indeed likely, that emergency efforts in Palm Beach could be
dramatically hindered," the representatives wrote, according to the
Palm Beach Post.
FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Berger said Blakey has not yet seen the
letter -- but that the representatives' concerns are largely
unfounded.
"Many significant hurricanes have hit South Florida and none of
our buildings have had significant damages," Bergen said, adding
TRACON buildings are built to withstand Category 5 storms, and are
equipped with backup power generators.
In a worst-case scenario, Bergen added, a high-altitude radar
facility located three miles from PBI could assume radar control
duties for Palm Beach International.
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