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Post by fzraman on Apr 4, 2016 8:00:01 GMT -5
The current FAA reauthorization that was due to expire on March 31 was apparently extended again to July 15th. The Senate is still working on their bill which when passed will go through September if 2017.
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Post by skobie on Apr 4, 2016 10:55:38 GMT -5
Just kicking the can down the road, AGAIN. We don't want this to give the FAA reason to have this transition plan "put on hold" as it has been rumored recently, we want it stopped and put to it's death. On the positive side, it does give us more time to keep writing letters, making phone calls, emailing, and making friends in the form of important contacts who can help us stop this nonsense. In fact I just sent out about 60 emails to individual contacts, Industry groups, airline execs, etc., along with about 30 letters to different Congresspeople (mostly on the Aviation Subcommittees) who have been on the case (or need to be) to inform them what kind of fiasco of a meeting specifically went on at my own local SRM and the crap the FAA has tried to pull at many SRMs, including my own. I'm guessing that if they hear this crap from the 400 or so weather observers currently affected by this lousy FAA plan, then it will start to sink in and there will be Congressional action (hint-hint). Ultimately, the FAA is trying to push this through without any Congressional oversight, but some have grown wise. So keep taking action and to those who have taken action who are not on the list, I say thank you and way to be proactive as well! skobie
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Post by toofarnorth on Apr 19, 2016 15:45:36 GMT -5
Passed the senate this morning.
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Post by alstein on Apr 20, 2016 0:04:54 GMT -5
The three who voted against were Rubio, Lee from Utah, and Barbara Boxer.
Cruz and Sanders weren't present today for obvious reasons.
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Post by weatherwatcher on Apr 20, 2016 5:57:41 GMT -5
Little Marco
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Post by tornado on Apr 20, 2016 8:05:19 GMT -5
We're still not out of the woods. The House Of Representatives could still strip that provision from the bill before they pass it. The battle is not over!
If the House passes the bill as is, the President would still have to sign it into law. Then the battle would be over- for now. The war would go on though, beyond Sep. 30, 2017; when the mandate to keep the CWO program open, would expire.
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Post by snowwx on Apr 25, 2016 23:35:01 GMT -5
The FAA clowns still dont get it...Today the memo came out on the reauth bill on the ATC side and it was a review of all the things in it...The FAA(IAA) whiners said the CWO will remain in place till 2017, causing the FAA to not save money as we should...Duh!! It will cost you more to trash the CWOs than to keep them...Cant you people see that!! ATC demands will cost 3x more than what you have now...The FAA has been dead set against the CWOs since the NWS gave it up in 1996...in a CULTURE OF SAFETY as the ATO keeps spouting off about...getting rid of CWOs is a violation of the safety culture that the FAA keeps spewing out...you cant have it both ways...To save money, how bout getting rid of the clowns that want to trash weather since 1996 and look at the big savings then...
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Post by skobie on Apr 26, 2016 7:19:23 GMT -5
Do you have or could you post a link to that memo snowwx? I'd like to read it and then attach it to my dartboard. I call it recycling.
skobie
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Post by snowwx on May 24, 2016 3:54:07 GMT -5
skobie...in part there's the memo for you...sorry it took so long...been out of town...
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Post by gftlwx on Jun 9, 2016 23:06:36 GMT -5
Some positive support from heavyweight Senator Murray within the last couple weeks...
“I believe we must do everything we can to keep families safe when they travel, which is why the proposal to eliminate Contract Weather Observers at Spokane International Airport is so short-sighted,” said Senator Patty Murray. “I am proud to stand with the airport to fight for this critical safety program in the Senate transportation funding measure, and I will keep working to prevent these changes from taking place in Spokane or elsewhere to ensure the safety of travelers coming in and out of our region.”
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Post by gftlwx on Jun 9, 2016 23:09:53 GMT -5
And more Senate support days ago...
"Because of the unique weather challenges in Eastern Washington, it’s critical we keep the weather observer program in place to maintain the highest level of safety possible,” said Senator Cantwell. “From infrastructure improvements to passenger safety, we must continue to provide our airports the resources they need to compete and be drivers of economic growth.”
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Post by gftlwx on Jun 9, 2016 23:30:10 GMT -5
Senator Patty Murray’s Questions for the Record: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. “Fiscal Year 2017 budget request and funding justification for the U.S. Department of Transportation”
“I understand that the FAA is proposing to eliminate the Contract Weather Observer (CWO) program at 57 airports, including Spokane International Airport in Washington State. Today, the CWO program provides weather monitoring, augmentation, and back up for automated weather systems (ASOS) at 136 airports across the nation.”
“I believe this proposal would compromise aviation safety. The ASOS is limited in its ability to detect and accurately report on rapidly changing weather conditions and weather sensors periodically fail or malfunction. For example, weather such as freezing rain, freezing drizzle, smoke, and haze are critical to flight safety at Spokane International Airport, but these conditions are not reported by ASOS. In fact, in December 2015, the CWO program at Spokane International Airport documented over 900 separate augmentations to ASOS measurements. In addition, adding weather observation duties to air traffic controllers would degrade the speed and accuracy of the weather observations given existing workloads managing aircraft and requirements to for air traffic controllers to remain in the tower and make weather observing their lowest priority.”
“Secretary Foxx, the CWO program is vital to the safety of our nation’s airspace and I am very concerned with this proposal. What analysis has the FAA conducted to ensure that such a change does not increase safety risks and hazards at these 57 airports? Furthermore, if the FAA believed air traffic controllers can and should take on weather observation duties why is this change not being proposed for all 136 airports that currently have the CWO program? What makes the remaining 79 airports with CWO programs different? I respectfully request that you reconsider this proposal and ask that you provide a full explanation of FAA’s initial decision to eliminate the CWO program, including the stakeholder input and public comment that contributed to this decision.”
Patty Murray...Very wise & asks the tough questions!
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Post by swifterz on Jun 10, 2016 11:38:21 GMT -5
“Secretary Foxx, the CWO program is vital to the safety of our nation’s airspace and I am very concerned with this proposal. What analysis has the FAA conducted to ensure that such a change does not increase safety risks and hazards at these 57 airports? Furthermore, if the FAA believed air traffic controllers can and should take on weather observation duties why is this change not being proposed for all 136 airports that currently have the CWO program? What makes the remaining 79 airports with CWO programs different? I respectfully request that you reconsider this proposal and ask that you provide a full explanation of FAA’s initial decision to eliminate the CWO program, including the stakeholder input and public comment that contributed to this decision.” Patty Murray...Very wise & asks the tough questions! That last sentence!!! They won't be able to answer it though because they never received stakeholder input or public input lol. I'd love to see the stuttering and scrambling from Huerta to try and answer that.
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Post by skobie on Jun 10, 2016 18:10:37 GMT -5
I don't think Huerta even knew that the plan was being formulated based on his "deer in the headlights" look when questioned by Congress a couple months ago. Way to keep on top of your underlings buddy!
skobie
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