FAA proposes to decommission direction finder in Nome

The FAA is seeking pilot feedback on a proposal to decommission a direction finder (DF) tower in Nome, Alaska, that has been out of service since September 2006. The DF tower has been out of service because it is being pushed out of the ground by frost heaves and gives inaccurate direction information. It would cost $50,000 to repair the tower. "The FAA has assured us that this is not the beginning of a movement to decommission DF towers across the state," said Heidi Williams, AOPA director of air traffic services. "The FAA must conduct a safety risk analysis study before decommissioning the tower, but pilots need to let the FAA know whether the DF tower is needed for pilot safety." Other DF towers that are in similar condition, but not proposed for decommissioning, include Kenai, Sand Point, and Ketchikan. Comments can be sent via e-mail to 9-AAL-530-Comments@faa.gov or mailed to FAA, Alaska Flight Services Information Group Area, 222 W. 7th Ave., #14, Anchorage, AK 99513-7587. The deadline is Friday, May 18.

May 4, 2007