High-tech,
bad-weather alert
system slowed
by problems

The air traffic control project,
funded two years ago, is expected to
be hooked up by Jan. 1

By Helen Altonn
Star-Bulletin

Hawaii's air-traffic control specialists sit next to equipment that could let them see thunderstorms via weather radar sites to alert interisland pilots.

But the equipment has never been activated, said Ward Simpson, Western Pacific regional director of the National Association of Air Traffic Specialists. "It's a typical government snafu."

Simpson said the Federal Aviation Administration was given money two years ago for the project and "chose to use the money for something else."

He said the Honolulu automated flight service station is the only one of 61 in the nation that isn't equipped to access the Weather Service's Next Generation Radar sites.

Thomas Rea, FAA Pacific representative, said it's true that money designated for the new system was reallocated before it reached Hawaii.

Also, he acknowledged, "We're slightly behind on automated flight service stations' access to that equipment."

He said, however, that a decision was made to provide the Honolulu station with an enhanced system, allowing controllers to access both satellite and NEXRAD data.

The earlier equipment has been replaced with a system from a different contractor that will be cheaper to maintain, as well as provide more data, Rea said.

He said he hopes it will be hooked up in the next few days or at least by Jan. 1 in time for the winter season.

"I think the federal government would be the first to admit it's not as timely as it should have been," Rea said.

As a result, Simpson said, "The data is not getting to air-traffic control specialists talking to the pilots."

Instead of seeing weather as it's happening on the radar screen, they must rely on weather charts, he said.

"It's the flying public that's really paying for it," Simpson added in a telephone interview from his Alameda, Calif., office.

"Hopefully, something will be done before there is another serious accident," he said, noting that the last few fatal crashes in Hawaii were weather-related.

Air-traffic specialists are responsible for providing advisories to pilots flying visually around the Hawaiian islands, Rea said, pointing out that large air carriers and military planes aren't affected.

With access to the four island NEXRAD sites, Rea said, the controllers will be able to see storm activity as it's occurring so they can notify pilots of severe weather at their destination.

Simpson said: "I'm still waiting to see if that's going to be satisfactory or not to our people working aircraft there."