North Bend on list to lose air traffic control
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NORTH BEND, Ore. -- The Federal Aviation Administration announced that it will likely close the control tower at the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport.
The closure of a tower means that pilots flying in and out of North Bend will have to coordinate their takeoff and landing with each other instead of having an air traffic controller coordinate planes on the ground.
The airport says it plans to provide normal airline passenger service, even without a control tower.
"At all the airports that are losing, and that could lose, their air traffic control tower services, will stay open," said Theresa Cook, the airport's executive director. "They will just not have an operating tower unless they pay for it or provide funding for that."
The closure is a part of the federal government's sequestration of funds to the US Department of Transportation.
The FAA says North Bend and other Oregon airports are among 238 small airports under consideration nationwide with low traffic volumes and control towers operated by contractors.
The FAA is to make a decision by March 18 on closing about 170 of them. Officials at North Bend told KCBY News in Coos Bay they know they are on the list of 170 slated to close.
The Oregon airports are in Klamath Falls, North Bend, Pendleton, Salem and Troutdale.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
ATC is new? I hope they can keep it together. We haven't had little planes landing in the bay for quite a while either. Is it because they had brought on the ATC? I guess we may find out.
ya, really. What are they thinking????
Thank u Kathy, we will be sure to drive there this summer!
ok, they are nuts.
oh, geepers. We will ask our God for new ones.
I know someone that works there. It is just awful for another person to be losing their job.
The money is going away to cover the budget shortfalls caused by Congress's lack of action resulting in the Sequestration.
ATC don't need to be on location. In the history of our little airport we have been without a team longer than we have had one.
Lmao. The airport ATC is new within the last few years. 30 years without it and no issues. Looks like it's going back to normal.
Who's going to sight the aliens? Jk
Horizon airlines landed here for years with no tower it had no issues what's the problem!
Uh I'd prefer to have one thanks
If the government would stop sending are money to Pakistan and every else we wouldn't be in this situation
Doesn't visible inspection matter on a landing?
For decades there was no tower...all air traffic is done thru Seattle Center. The airport will be the same in regards to safety. Planes land at night and the tower is closed...and ya'll never knew the difference.
I will not be flying in our out of this airport. Totally crazy and it also is scary for us people who live close to the airport. Sounds like we might have some sort of crash if those pilots are not on their toes at all times.
So does this mean that with all the government tax cuts that we have to pay less taxes(ya right that will never happen)
I won't
I would like to know where mine and everyone else in coos counties tax money is going. I don't even live in north bend but i know i get taxed for the airport on my personal and property taxes
That is crazy. North Bend needs a better budget committee.
Fine
I hope local media covers all cuts at every level of local and state govt. due to the sequester and highlights each week or day.
so the hourly rate that ALL the staff made add that up for 1month of wages total..wers this money going?and how come nb can afford new sidewalks but no air traffic controlling?? that makes alot of sence.gotta give it to the persons who made that decision
not good..
I'm glad I'm flying out of Portland this weekend. And "I'm glad I'm flying" doesn't come out of my mouth, ever.
sweet that money gunna go for our schools?? or another church!