AVIATION NEWS:  June-July 2001

FAA Publishes Leaflet on Unruly Passenger Behavior, United Airlines to Help Distribute Leaflet

APA 48-01
July 30, 2001
Contact: Marcia Adams
Phone: 202-267-3462

In an effort to educate the flying public about the consequences of interfering with flight crewmembers performing their duties aboard an aircraft, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has published a leaflet entitled "Safety is Everyone's Responsibility."

"Flight crewmembers are critical to the safety and security of the skies and the flying public," said FAA Administrator Jane F. Garvey. "Unruly passenger behavior cannot be tolerated."

The leaflet, which can be downloaded from the Internet on www.faa.gov/apa/newsroom.htm, outlines the penalties for unruly passenger behavior. The act of threatening, intimidating or physically assaulting flight crewmembers, or other unruly passenger behavior is subject to civil and criminal penalties.

United Airlines will place this leaflet in the airline ticket jacket it issues to passengers at its five hub locations at Denver, Washington Dulles, Los Angeles, Chicago O'Hare and San Francisco airports.

Passengers are encouraged to report any aviation safety concerns to the gate agent or flight crew. In addition, any incidents or concerns also may be reported to the aviation safety hotline on 1-800-255-1111.

A camera-ready copy of the leaflet is available from FAA's Office of System Safety by calling (202) 267-7770. The camera-ready copy may be used freely by anyone with or without the FAA/DOT logos, but if the copy is changed in any way, the logos must be deleted.

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FAA Introduces Air Traffic Control System to the Public

APA 43-01
July 9, 2001
Contact: Tammy L. Jones
Phone: 202-267-3462

MEDIA ADVISORY

WASHINGTON - The Federal Aviation Administration will introduce the new Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) program to the nation on Tuesday, July 10, at 12 noon, at FAA Headquarters. Administrator Jane F. Garvey will be available at noon to demonstrate the system and to answer questions for the media.

STARS is a key component of modernizing the national airspace system. The joint FAA and Department of Defense program will replace air traffic control computers and displays at more than 300 facilities nationwide. Controllers will use STARS to provide air traffic control services to aircraft in the congested areas around airports.

A mobile van is being used to introduce STARS to the nation. The van is the first of its kind in the U.S. for demonstrating air traffic equipment. The van is equipped with a STARS standalone console and two displays.

A nationwide tour begins at FAA Headquarters, 800 Independence Ave., S.W. on Tuesday. The van will be parked on the C Street side of FAA Headquarters.At that time, the 28-foot long van will be open for demonstrations of STARS.

Following the Washington kick off, the van will visit all of the facilities where STARS will be installed. Demonstrations will be available for controllers, local officials, airport operators and others.

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FAA Names New Chief Financial Officer, Former Hill Aide Chris Bertram Named to Post

APA 41-01
July 5, 2001
Contact: Henry J. Price/Kristina McAlister
Phone: 202-267-3462

WASHINGTON - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Jane F. Garvey has named Chris P. Bertram as Assistant Administrator for Financial Services and Chief Financial Officer. In his new position, Bertram will oversee a combined operating and capital budget of more than $13 billion and will serve as Garvey's principal advisor on budget, performance management, and financial issues.

"With more than 13 years of budget experience in the federal government, Chris's knowledge and insight will be a valuable addition to the FAA," Garvey said. "His background in transportation policy and budget management will certainly assist him in taking on a job of this magnitude."

Prior to joining the FAA, Bertram served as a senior professional aide for the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the U.S. House of Representatives. During his time on the committee, he drafted major legislation including the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21) and the Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21). AIR 21 increased aviation funding to make skies safer, modernize air traffic control, reduce flight delays, and boost airline competition.

Bertram has also served in various positions in the White House Office of Management and Budget and the U. S. Department of Transportation. He holds a master's degree from Harvard University and a bachelor's degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX.

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FAA Gives Trinidad and Tobago IASA Rating of Cateory 2

APA 40-01
July 5, 2001
Contact: Paul Takemoto/Alison Duquette
Phone: 202-267-3462

WASHINGTON- The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that Trinidad and Tobago does not comply with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), thus giving the country a Category 2 rating following a reassessment of the country's civil aviation authority. Trinidad and Tobago was previously rated Category 1.

The government of Trinidad and Tobago has indicated its desire to correct the issues identified as a result of the FAA reassessment. The FAA will continue to remain engaged with the civil aviation authority of Trinidad and Tobago and will periodically review the situation.

This announcement is part of the FAA's International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program, under which the agency assesses the civil aviation authorities of all countries with air carriers that operate to the United States and makes that information available to the public.

The assessments are not an indication of whether individual foreign carriers are safe or unsafe. Rather, they determine whether or not foreign civil aviation authorities (CAA) are meeting ICAO safety standards, not FAA regulations.

Countries with air carriers that fly to the United States must adhere to the safety standards of ICAO, the United Nations' technical agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance.

The FAA, with the cooperation of the host civil aviation authority, assesses countries with airlines that have operating rights to or from the United States or have requested such rights.

Specifically, the FAA determines whether a foreign civil aviation authority has an adequate infrastructure for international aviation safety oversight as defined by ICAO standards. The basic elements that the FAA considers necessary include: 1) laws enabling the appropriate government office to adopt regulations necessary to meet the minimum requirements of ICAO; 2) current regulations that meet those requirements; 3) procedures to carry out the regulatory requirements; 4) air carrier certification, routine inspection, and surveillance programs, and 5) organizational and personnel resources to implement and enforce the above.

The FAA has established two ratings for the status of these civil aviation authorities at the time of the assessment: (1) does comply with ICAO standards, (2) does not comply with ICAO standards.

• Category 1. Does Comply with ICAO Standards: A civil aviation authority has been assessed by FAA inspectors and has been found to license and oversee air carriers in accordance with ICAO aviation safety standards.
• Category 2. Does Not Comply with ICAO Standards: The FAA assessed this country's CAA and determined that it does not provide safety oversight of its air carrier operators in accordance with the minimum safety oversight standards established by ICAO. This rating is applied if one or more of the following deficiencies are identified: (1) the country lacks laws or regulations necessary to support the certification and oversight of air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards; (2) the CAA lacks the technical expertise, resources, and organization to license or oversee air carrier operations; (3) the CAA does not have adequately trained and qualified technical personnel; (4) the CAA does not provide adequate inspector guidance to ensure enforcement of, and compliance with, minimum international standards; and (5) the CAA has insufficient documentation and records of certification and inadequate continuing oversight and surveillance of air carrier operations. This category consists of two groups of countries.
• One group is countries that have air carriers with existing operations to the United States at the time of the assessment. While in Category 2 status, carriers from these countries will be permitted to continue operations at current levels under heightened FAA surveillance. Expansion or changes in services to the United States by such carriers are not permitted while in Category 2, although new services will be permitted if operated using aircraft wet-leased from a duly authorized and properly supervised U.S. carrier or a foreign air carrier from a Category 1 country that is authorized to serve the United States using its own aircraft.
• The second group is countries that do not have air carriers with existing operations to the United States at the time of the assessment. Carriers from these countries will not be permitted to commence service to the United States while in Category 2 status, although they may conduct services if operated using aircraft wet-leased from a duly authorized and properly supervised U.S. carrier or a foreign air carrier from a Category 1 country that is authorized to serve the United States with its own aircraft. No other difference is made between these two groups of countries while in Category 2.

The FAA has assisted civil aviation authorities with less than acceptable ratings by providing technical expertise, assistance with inspections, and training courses. The FAA hopes to work with other countries through ICAO to address non-compliance with international aviation safety oversight standards.

The FAA will continue to release the results of safety assessments to the public as they are completed. First announced in September 1994, the ratings are part of an ongoing FAA program to assess all countries with air carriers that operate to the United States.

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Media Advisory - FAA to Release Runway Incursion Risk Categories

APA 35-01
June 20, 2001
Contact: Fraser Jones
Phone: 202-267-3883

WASHINGTON - Federal Aviation Administration director of Runway Safety Bill Davis will brief reporters today on a report that divides 1,369 runway incursions into four risk categories.

The report shows that the number of highest risk incursions leveled off between 1997 and 2000, but that the total number of incursions grew because of an increase in low-risk incursions.

The report will be available today at the newsroom site on the FAA's home page at www.faa.gov

BACKGROUND: The first step in analyzing runway incursion trends was to establish runway incursion categories that more accurately represent the inherent risk or severity associated with each incident. This study assessed both the national and airport-level trends of runway incursions. Each runway incursion event was 're-constructed', analyzed, and classified into one of the four runway incursion categories.

This session is for accredited news media only. Members of the press unable to attend can participate by phone. Call 202-267-3883 for the call in number.

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FAA to Discuss LaGuardia Demand Management Options

APA 30-01
June 6, 2001
Contact: Fraser Jones
Phone: 202-267-3883

WASHINGTON - Federal Aviation Administration officials will brief reporters today on the notice inviting industry comments on options under consideration to better manage aircraft congestion at New York's LaGuardia Airport.

To be published in the Federal Register, the options offer long- and short-term measures to address congestion at LaGuardia, which recently has accounted for as much as 25 percent of delays nationwide.

This session is for accredited news media only. Members of the press unable to attend can participate by phone. Call 202-267-3883 for the passcode.

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