FAA: Progress Being Made On Runway Safety

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal aviation officials will be in the
congressional hot seat today over efforts to reduce close calls on
airport runways.
Officials say they're making progress, but a recent incident in
Allentown, Pennsylvania, is expected to push the number of the most
serious types of runway incursions at U.S. airports this year to
24. That's the same number as last year.
Runway incursions are defined as an event in which any aircraft,
vehicle or person intrudes in space reserved for takeoff or
landing.
A congressional panel today will hear from the FAA, airline
pilots and air traffic controllers.
In December, congressional investigators warned of a high risk
of a catastrophic collision on U.S. airport runways. Investigators
cited faltering federal leadership, malfunctioning technology and
overworked air traffic controllers.



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