[Infowarrior] - JFK: A 5 y/o directed air traffic!

[Richard Forno]

Incredible.  -rf


JFK tower allowed a kid to direct air traffic

FAA opens probe; child, apparently with supervision, made 5  
transmissions

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/35683779/ns/travel-news/
NEW YORK - Air-traffic control tower employees at New York's Kennedy  
Airport are under federal investigation for apparently allowing a  
school-age child to direct pilots.

The FAA said the child was brought to the tower by its parent, a  
controller, on Feb. 17. The controller and the controller's supervisor  
at the time have been relieved of their duties.

"Pending the outcome of our investigation the employees involved in  
this incident are not controlling traffic," the FAA said in a  
statement. "This behavior is not acceptable and does not demonstrate  
the kind of professionalism expected from all FAA employees."

The youngster, apparently under adult supervision, makes five  
transmissions on a tape obtained by Channel 26 in Boston and confirmed  
as genuine by the FAA.  The agency did not give any information as to  
the age of the child.
In a statement Wednesday, the National Air Traffic Controllers  
Association condemned the incident.

"We do not condone this type of behavior in any way," ATC's Director  
of Communication Doug Church said. "It is not indicative of the  
highest professional standards that controllers set for themselves and  
exceed each and every day in the advancement of aviation safety."

Directing JetBlue flight

According to reports, the clip indicated the child cleared traffic  
over the course of five radio transmissions.

According to the recordings, one exchange went like this:

JFK TOWER: JetBlue 171 contact departure.

PILOT: Over to departure JetBlue 171, awesome job.

A male voice then laughs.

JFK TOWER: That's what you get, guys, when the kids are out of school.

In another exchange, the kid is playful with a pilot from Aeromexico  
flight 403, adding "Adios amigos," to his directions for the pilot.