Tuesday March 26, 2013
Volume CXXXVI Issue 9
The FAA closes towers near you Andy Lichtenstein Staff Reporter
On Feb. 22, your lovely FAA announced plans to cut 637 million dollars from their budget for the remainder of fiscal year 2013. On March 22, the organization announced that it will close 149 towers across the country starting April 7. Granted, any tower can remain open, as long as the facility is able to independently hire a company to provide such services. Of the 149 facilities, 14 Florida airports will lose their towers. • Naples Municipal (AFP) • Boca Raton (BCT) • New Smyrna Beach Municipal (EVB) • Page Field (FMY) • North Perry (HWO) • Lakeland Linder Regional (LAL) • Leesburg International (LEE) • Ocala International – Jim Taylor Field (OCF) • Ormond Beach Municipal (OMN) • Punta Gorda (PGD) • Northeast Florida Regional (SGJ) • Albert Whitted (SPG) • Witham Field (SUA) • Space Coast Regional (TIX) There were 24 additional airports that have been removed from the chopping block and will remain open for the foreseeable future. Those in Florida include the following. • Jacksonville Executive Airport at Craig (CRG) • Kissimmee Gateway (ISM) • Opa-Locka Executive (OPF) • Cecil (VQQ)
The FAA has not provided an update in regards to those facilities that may close at night. Those Florida facilities include the following. • Daytona Beach Tower (DAB) • Fort Lauderdale Executive Tower (FXE) • Jacksonville Tower (JAX) • Pensacola TRACON (P31) • Palm Beach Tower (PBI) The FAA has also announced that it will maintain a cost-sharing program with 16 facilities across the country, allowing the towers to remain open. The FAA stated that these facilities will receive a 5% funding cut, but will remain open “because Congressional statute sets aside funds every fiscal year for these towers.” Additionally, the FAA is planning to “furlough the vast majority of [the organization’s] 47,000 employees…for approximately one day per pay period…” Interest groups have worked feverishly and will continue to work with the FAA to maintain a standard of safety and efficiency in the national airspace system. Among these organizations include the National Business Aviation Association, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. For more information, visit http://www. faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story. cfm?newsId=14414 For all my aeronautical science majors, flight minors, and pilots alike, if you plan to go up before April 7, pay a visit to New Smyrna, Ormond, or any of the other airports on the tower closure list. Sure, it won’t keep the towers open, but at least it will provide a way to thank those controllers who may now be out of a job.
PHOTO SOURCE WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
ULA launches GEO-2 satellite Andy Lichtenstein Staff Reporter
United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched an Atlas V rocket at 5:21 PM EST on Tuesday, March 19. The United States Air Force contracted ULA to launch the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) GEO-2 satellite. The SBIRS program has been developed as early warning system that detects potential ballistic missile
RICHARD WEAKLEY/AVION
and nuclear threats. The RD-180 engine, with all its 860,000 lbs of thrust, launched the vehicle away from Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral, into successful orbit, following the GEO-1 satellite launch in
May 2011. Because of the issues associated with the GEO-1 launch, the GEO-2 is expected to enter service prior to its counterpart. This was the third ULA launch this
year, the 37th Atlas V launch, and the 69th launch since the company was founded in December 2006. “The ULA team is honored to serve a pivotal role in placing this critical capability in orbit for our women and men serving around the world and protecting our freedom,” said Jim Sponnick, ULA Vice President, Mission Operations. “From nearly two years ago when we began production of the launch vehicle, through today’s successful mission delivery, this very strong and well-integrated government and industry team has ensured that mission success remains the highest priority at every step in the process,” said Sponnick.
DENNIS HSU/AVION