Aero-News: Quote of the Day

ANN's Quote of the Day usually derives from current news, though we reserve the right to pick quotes out of history that have a bearing on the day's events and issues.

Sometimes, you'll find them timely and in keeping with the content of the day's news... and sometimes, they'll just be thought-provoking.

Reader suggestions and comments are welcome... and if particularly intriguing, timely, or poignant, may themselves become future Quotes of the Day.

Let us hear from you, folks!

Aero-News Quote of the Day

"It is always our responsibility to maintain the separations. In this case, when you don't know the altitude, it is very dangerous. I would have preferred to move them laterally, but it is always our responsibility to keep them separated."

Source: An unidentified Brazilian air traffic controller who works at the center responsible for directing traffic in the area where a Gol airlines 737 and a private business jet collided last month. The controller told Newsday ATC had more than an hour to notice the smaller aircraft's transponder wasn't working at the time of the fatal accident that claimed 154 people. The controller -- who stressed he was not involved in directing the planes involved in the accident -- also says controllers had plenty of time to notice the planes were on a collision course, even without the avoidance equipment.

FMI: www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/brazil/airforce.htm