FAA suspends work of independent panel reviewing air traffic control
A panel of experts, including the former chair of the NTSB and former head of NASA, had been asked to evaluate the FAA’s oversight of traffic control operations.
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The panel had been tasked late last year by then-FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker to study ways to reduce conflicts of interest in the FAA’s oversight of air traffic control organization. The United States is unusual among modern Western countries in that the same agency that employs and manages air traffic controllers is also responsible for evaluating its own performance.
Jeff Guzzetti, a former investigator for the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board, said there have long been questions about the arrangement, and some experts have suggested a better alternative would be for an outside company or a separate office at the Transportation Department to conduct oversight.
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In February, the independent panel’s work was put on hold, according to one individual with knowledge of the effort who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Then a March 10 letter obtained by The Washington Post advised members to “stop all work immediately and to make no further commitments.”
In a statement, the agency offered no explanation. It confirmed the panel’s work was “paused,” while adding it is possible the independent panel may be asked to resume its review or be tapped to do additional work.
“The FAA has not disbanded or terminated the [safety review team],” it added.…”
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Duffy denied knowledge of this when asked about it directly on CNN this afternoon.
