Loss of Local Knowledge
When approach radars are shut down at local airports and shipped to a remote location, invaluable knowledge of the terrain and geography surrounding these airports disappears. Thorough knowledge of the local geography surrounding an airport is an invaluable tool for air traffic controllers. In fact, local knowledge helps save countless lives every year. Listen here to exchanges where pilots benefited from a controller’s local knowledge to guide them down safely.
Diminished Service
When approach radars are transferred to large radar hubs, the level of services provided to general aviation aircraft is often diminished. These large radar facilities often provide radar services to larger metropolitan airports catering to commercial airlines. While FAA procedures dictate that commercial aircraft receive priority, local airports and their general aviation constituencies often see a decrease in ATC attention when approach radars are taken away from local airports.
Safety & Efficiency
FAA statistics show that large radar centers typically have over 63-percent more operational errors than combined Tower/radar facilities. Cost estimates also show that realigned facilities typically cost more to operate than the current system. There are countless examples nationwide where local ATC service has been diminished following the realignment of a approach radar as controllers overseeing the airspace are no longer located anywhere near the airport.
Have Your Voice Heard
Local airport knowledge is CRUCIAL to the continued safe and efficient operation of our local airports. Additionally, the current combined Tower/radar system is cheaper and safer to maintain and operate than a system of large consolidated radars.
Without critical input from local aviation stakeholders like you, the detrimental local impacts of approach radar closures will not be addressed. The FAA should involve local stakeholders before removing these vital services. Local airports matter!
