Regional Affairs

Pilots concerned about possible tracon consolidation

More than 150 aviation enthusiasts concerned about the possible Beaumont/Southeast Texas Tracon consolidation voiced their opinions and questioned FAA officials August 7 during a public meeting in Port Arthur, Texas. Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas), who called the meeting, joined the crowd in expressing concerns to the FAA. Poe introduced a bill in May that would place a temporary moratorium on consolidating tracons. The bill is currently before the House aviation subcommittee, of which he is a member. During the meeting, he said the FAA needed to make sure the consolidation would not erode safety or operational efficiency. AOPA Southwest Regional Representative Shelly Lesikar deZevallos attended the public meeting to express the association's concerns about pilot services and question how a consolidated tracon would handle airspace operations in the event of system or equipment outages.

August 10, 2007