The FAA is phasing out National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters at all 21 Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs), opting instead for an automated weather system.
The NWS Employees Organization announced the decision, claiming forecasters will be laid off on April 20 and that the move will "endanger flight safety."
The FAA did not directly confirm but stated it is "working on a path forward" with NOAA, assuring that weather safety in the national airspace remains a top priority.
The current system of staff meteorologists at ARTCCs was implemented after a deadly 1980s crash where the flight crew received no warning of severe weather.
The FAA is eliminating National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters at all 21 of its Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC) in favor of an automated system.
The alarm was raised by the National Weather Service Employees Organization ib Monday. The group says forecasters will be laid off on April 20.
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Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.
