ATC To Reduce Services Under Budget Cuts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The FAA is planning on closing 100 air traffic control towers at airports with fewer than 150,000 flight operations per year, ceasing tower service after midnight at another 60 airports, and furloughing employees to meet mandatory budget cuts set to take effect March 1, 2013. The FAA is anticipating delays of up to 90 minutes for airline flights to major cities during peak hours. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta need to cut $600 million from the FAA budget for the rest of this fiscal year. Whether or not the budget cuts are negotiated before the effective date is to be seen, but regardless, general aviation pilots need to be reminded to follow proper procedures at non-towered airports.

For a list of the possible tower closings, go to http://www.faa.gov/news/updates/media/Facilities_Where_Shifts_Could_Be_Eliminated.pdf

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