Briefing: October 2012

FAA Suspends Reverse-Traffic Procedure

The FAA told air traffic controllers to stop using a procedure that allows airplanes to land and take off in the opposite direction from normal, after a mix-up with three commuter jets in Washington on July 31. The FAA didn’t blame the incident on the procedure, however, saying it was due to a communication lapse between Reagan Tower and Potomac Approach. Acting FAA administrator Michael Huerta emphasized that, “At no time were the aircraft on a head-to-head course and the aircraft remained at different altitudes.”

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