Agency Examines New Safety Plan

The FAA hopes to develop plans at 20 major US airport for preventing runway incursions -- and top on the list are Long Beach, John Wayne and San Jose International.

"We're going to look at any possible problems and solutions we haven't considered," says FAA spokesman Ian Gregor.

Gregor tells the Long Beach Press-Telegram that FAA safety teams will investigate four main areas -- cockpit procedures, airport signage, air traffic procedures and technology.

"We're going to look at any possible problems and solutions we haven't considered," Gregor says.

The results of the study are expected by October 22nd, he told the paper.

"We're going to look at any possible problems and solutions we haven't considered," Gregor says, pointing to the high number of incursion suffered at that airport.

Between January 2003 and this month, Gregor points to some 60 runway incursions at Long Beach. Most are caused by pilot error, he says.

What's Long Beach Airport doing about this?

"Pilot education and outreach are one of our highest priorities," Assistant Airport Manager Christine Edwards tells the Press-Telegram.

But that only goes so far, she says.

"With our complex layout, we're always going to be a high-risk airport for incursions, no matter what we do."

Gregor points out that Long Beach is still "a very safe airport."

But Edwards says, "With the FAA's special attention, hopefully we can get some more money for research and safety."

FMI: www.faa.gov