FAA increasing air traffic control staff, supervisors at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is increasing support and oversight for the air traffic controller team at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) following a fatal midair collision over the Potomac River that claimed the lives of 67 people.

In a statement on Wednesday, the FAA announced it will increase operational supervisor staffing from six to eight people, and review certified professional controller staffing numbers at DCA.

The change comes after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued safety recommendations for DCA following the deadly Jan. 29 collision involving a commercial plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter.

In addition, FAA officials are also evaluating current arrival rates at DCA, which has the busiest runway in America, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).

Read Full Article Here