Now, It Just Looks Like Another 'Jobs' Program

Now that it's built, and equipment is moving in, what might be a "hole" in design simulation software is starting to show up, at the new Port Columbus (OH) International Airport tower.

The tower, 224 feet tall, was supposed -- everyone assumed -- to have given unobstructed views of all the movement areas at the airport. As long as they didn't put the equipment in there, it probably would have, too -- but with the screens and things in place, some of the controllers have told the press that it's going to take more people up there, to see what needs to be seen. Besides, the tower, they now know, can't face two directions at once. After all, it has just 16 sides.

The FAA now plans to use double crews in the tower, to make sure everything that needs to be seen, will be seen.

Controllers had suggested raising the floor; the FAA noted that, if that were done, they couldn't see enough of the sky.

The tower, located between the two main runways, will need 25% more union controllers than the present design, raising the total complement from 48 to 60. [That's what the government calls, 'doubling' --ed.]

The tower, slated to become operational in April, was hosting tours, when one of the alert controllers noticed he couldn't see part of the north runway. Sure enough, when he repositioned himself to see that area, he couldn't see other things. Thus began some lively discussions.

The contractor said that seeing all movement areas wasn't part of the specification. Sure enough. Oops...

FMI: www.faa.gov