SUBJECT: Technology and Redesign for San Francisco International Airport
MESSAGE: In the document package for the January 6, 2000 meeting of the San Francisco Airport/Community RoundTable, a news release from Sen. Torricelli summarized the Senator's efforts to provide additional funding for the FAA's National Airspace Re-Design project which would help expedite the Eastern Region (of FAA) redesign. The News Release following that this was Sen. Torricelli's latest efforts in the fight to expedite the redesign of the metropolitan New York/New Jersey air space.
In the case of San Francisco International Airport, it isn't on the list to obtain the next most helpful technology, Center TRACON Automation System (CTAS), to reduce noise from landing aircraft based on a technology that was developed at NASA Ames in the San Francisco Bay Region-Moffett Field. It has been very successfully field tested at Dallas/Fort Worth and the following cities are on the FAA schedule-Los Angles, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Kansas City, New York as part of FAA CTAS implementation schedule.
We understand that San Francisco was initially at the top of the list, but was removed. We have been unable to find the reason why SFO was removed. It could be related to the moving of the BAY TRACON from Oakland to Sacramento (delayed to 2002) or SFO's earlier overriding interest in putting new runways in SF Bay. In any case, partially as a result of increased pressure on SFO to reduce aircraft noise, Airport Director John Martin has committed SFO to obtaining CTAS (along with several other new technologies) for SFO. He informs us that he has met and discussed SFO's need for CTAS with you on two occasions, but the FAA has not yet agreed to install at SFO.
Also as you may be aware, KTVU recently did a report on the delays in opening Sacramento TRACON to the effect that the $4 million required to finish has been held up in Washington while requiring some $10 million per year just to maintain! According to the KTVU report, transcript attached, Atlanta received at least some of the funds that were destined for Sacramento.
We need the FAA to recognize SFO's need for the earliest possible installation of CTAS at SFO. It is a vital part of obtaining better control of landing aircraft, improved landing efficiency (with or without a new runway in the bay) and reduction of aircraft landing noise over the San Francisco Peninsula and surrounding communities.
What do we need to do to get the FAA to authorize installation of CTAS for SFO and to re-instate the funding to complete Sacramento TRACON?
Respectfully yours,
SUBJECT: Technology and Redesign for San Francisco International Airport
MESSAGE: In the document package for the January 6, 2000 meeting of the San Francisco Airport/Community RoundTable, a news release from Sen. Torricelli summarized the Senator's efforts to provide additional funding for the FAA's National Airspace Re-Design project which would help expedite the= Eastern Region (of FAA) redesign. The News Release following that this was Sen. Torricelli's latest efforts in the fight to expedite the redesign of the metropolitan New York/New Jersey air space.
In the case of San Francisco International Airport, it isn't on the list to obtain the next most helpful technology, Center TRACON Automation System(CTAS), to reduce noise from landing aircraft based on a technology that wasdeveloped at NASA Ames in the San Francisco Bay Region-Moffett Field. Ithas been very successfully field tested at Dallas/Fort Worth and thefollowing cities are on the FAA schedule-Los Angles, Atlanta, Minneapolis,Kansas City, New York as part of FAA CTAS implementation schedule.
We understand that San Francisco was initially at the top of the list, but was removed. We have been unable to find the reason why SFO was removed. It could be related to the moving of the BAY TRACON from Oakland to Sacramento (delayed to 2002) or SFO's earlier overriding interest in putting new runways in SF Bay. In any case, partially as a result of increased pressure on SFO to reduce aircraft noise, Airport Director John Martin has committed SFO to obtaining CTAS (along with several other new technologies) for SFO. He informs us that he has met and discussed SFO's need for CTAS with Ms Jane Garvey, head of FAA on at least two occasions, but the FAA has not yet agreed to install at SFO.
Also as you may be aware, KTVU recently did a report on the delays in opening Sacramento TRACON to the effect that the $4 million required to finish has been held up in Washington while requiring some $10 million per year just to maintain! According to the KTVU report Atlanta received at least some of the funds that were destined for Sacramento. We note per the transcript that the 12 member Northern California delegation has already written in support of Sacramento in this matter.
We need your help to get FAA Chief Jane Garvey to recognize SFO's need forthe earliest possible installation of CTAS at SFO. It is a vital part of obtaining better control of landing aircraft, improved landing efficiency (with or without a new runway in the bay) and reduction of aircraft landing noise over the San Francisco Peninsula and surrounding communities.
Respectfully yours,