FAA Act: Lawmakers call for changes on the ground to make flying safer
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - Legislative leaders have urged the Department of Transportation to make immediate upgrades to safety systems in the wake of a tragic aircraft collision that killed dozens.
On Friday, Feb. 14, U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS) said she ed a group of lawmakers who urged the Department of Transportation to immediately implement key safety reforms in the recently ed Federal Aviation istration Reauthorization Act.
Rep. Davids indicated that the move follows a recent midair collision near Reagan National Airport that involved a flight that departed from Wichita, Kansas. The incident underscored an urgent need for enhanced air traffic control and aviation safety measures.
“Our skies are busier than ever, and safety must be the top priority,” said Davids. “The bipartisan FAA reauthorization gives safety personnel the tools they need to strengthen air traffic control systems, hire more controllers, and modernize outdated technology. Now, we need to ensure these reforms are implemented swiftly to protect engers, aviation workers, and communities like ours in Kansas.”
According to the Congresswoman, the legislation - which she voted to - lays out a clear plan to improve aviation safety which includes:
- More air traffic controllers to be hired to address issues with understaffing
- Updates to aging air traffic control technology and systems - many of which are decades old and increasingly unreliable
- A deployment of advanced runway safety technology to prevent close calls and improve operations
- A review of the airplane enger emergency medical kit and evacuation procedures
Davids and her colleagues called on the DOT and FAA to focus on these reforms without delay instead of getting caught in bureaucratic obstacles or proposals that could weaken oversight.
A full copy of the letter sent to the Department of Transportation can be found HERE.
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