NBAA Cautions Crews To Plan Ahead for Northeast Ops

Concerned that recent equipment outages have “rattled pilots and air traffic controllers alike,” NBAA informed business aviation operators of several efforts underway to address those problems, but also advised flight crews to maintain level heads and work strategically within established procedures as those initiatives are implemented.

The association noted that the Department of Transportation and the FAA have formed a tiger team task force to work through issues involving the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON Area C) sector controlling airspace overlying multiple airports around New York City.

Three new high-bandwidth feeds between the New York Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) and the Philadelphia TRACON are being added to improve speed, reliability, and redundancy, NBAA noted. Additionally, the FAA is deploying a temporary backup system to maintain communications and is planning a dedicated STARS hub at the Philadelphia facility.

Other efforts involve additional controllers. Area C currently has 27 fully certified controllers and supervisors on duty, with 21 more in training.

However, NBAA warned that in the near term, flight crews should be on the alert for possible traffic management initiatives in the region that could affect operations to airports such as New Jersey’s Essex County Airport (KCDW), Morristown (KMMU), and Teterboro (KTEB).

“NBAA is in direct dialogue with the FAA to work through this situation,” said Heidi Williams, NBAA senior director of air traffic services and infrastructure. “We encourage business aviation flight crews to consider their alternatives before wheels up. Think strategically, as always, but remain flexible in your plans.”

As an example, NBAA said congestion at KTEB could spur crews to look at Westchester County Airport (KHPN) as an alternate, but could also lead to delays there. “Consider and plan for additional alternatives outside the immediate area, or drop and go operations could be an option,” Williams said. “Pilots may also consider tankering additional fuel in the event of delays or reroutes.”

Pilots can use flight planning resources available from NBAA, including the association’s Airspace/Airport Alerts from NBAA Air Traffic Services, or stay updated on the status of the National Airspace System at nasstatus.faa.gov.