For Release: Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

AVIATION SUBCOMMITTEE REVIEWS HUDSON RIVER AIRSPACE ISSUES

Washington - The House Aviation Subcommittee held a hearing today to review a variety of issues relating to the Hudson River airspace and other uncontrolled airspaces. In uncontrolled airspace, pilots operate on Visual Flight Rules and are not under the command of, or have communication with, air traffic control. On August 8, 2009, a Piper airplane and Eurocopter helicopter collided over the Hudson River in uncontrolled airspace, killing all nine passengers. Among other issues, the hearing reviewed details of the crash and a recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plan to reconfigure the Hudson River airspace.

The Subcommittee heard testimony from witnesses from the National Transportation Safety Board, the FAA, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the Helicopter Association International, an air traffic controller from the Newark tower and the National Air Transportation Association. A good deal of discussion focused on the need for better communication technology for pilots and controllers.

“We are all very saddened by the crash last month and given this and other incidents, it is imperative that we reevaluate operations in this corridor,” said Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Costello (D-IL). “I commend the FAA for quickly convening the New York Visual Flight Rules Airspace Task Force and for proposing a new design of the airspace and enhanced safety procedures. This certainly is a step in the right direction, and our discussion today has helped further refine the issues before us. The Subcommittee will continue to work to make this and other uncontrolled airspaces as safe as possible.”

###