FAA Tackles Controller Shortage
The FAA is hoping to increase the number of air traffic controller trainees by cutting some of the training for many of them. The agency says those who graduate from Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) programs at some universities and colleges no longer have to attend the FAA’s own ATC training academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and can go directly into on-the-job training at active FAA facilities. Most grads currently spend 12 weeks at the academy along with recruits who have qualified based on their life experience and education background. The FAA says allowing the AT-CTI grads to skip Oklahoma City will make room for more candidates that haven’t attended the post-secondary programs and that should increase the number of trainees. It says it will work with the colleges and universities to ensure the grads are ready to go straight to ATC operations.
Ethiopian Buys More MAXes
Five years after the fatal crash of their brand-new Boeing 737 MAX killed all 157 onboard, Ethiopian Airlines has ordered 20 MAXes. The airline announced the order at the Dubai Airshow and CEO Mesfin Tasew said there was no trepidation in buying the planes. “We believe we have checked and confirmed that the design defect of that aircraft has been fully corrected by Boeing. We have renewed our confidence in that aircraft,” he said. The Ethiopian crash and one five months earlier in Indonesia prompted a worldwide grounding of the type to address control issues caused by the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System. Ethiopian also ordered 11 787s and took options for another 21 MAXes.
