Regional Affairs

FAA not budging on Palm Springs Tracon consolidation

More than 50 people attended a May 10 meeting about the FAA's plan to consolidate the Palm Springs Tracon into the Southern California Tracon. The audience was overwhelmingly in favor of delaying the consolidation until all the safety issues and service impacts are addressed. Palm Springs Mayor Ronald Oden read a resolution in opposition to the plan. But FAA officials obviously weren't there to listen; they said the consolidation was moving forward anyway. AOPA had requested the meeting after hearing concerns from local members. Meanwhile, the Senate Commerce Committee passed legislation (S.1300) on May 16 that would create a public process for the realignment of services and facilities such as tracons. The bill still has a long way to go as it winds its way through Congress.

May 18, 2007