A-87-054
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: PERMIT NO FURTHER RELAXATION IN FLOW CONTROL MEASURES INCLUDING THE EN ROUTE MILES IN-TRAIL SEPARATION RESTRICTIONS PRESCRIBING THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC IN THOSE AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER SECTORS AND TERMINAL RADAR APPROACH CONTROL AIRSPACE THAT FEED THE MAJOR TERMINAL FACILITIES, AND CONTINUE TO ANALYZE AND MONITOR THE EFFECT OF PREVIOUSLY REDUCED IN-TRAIL SEPARATION RESTRICTIONS TO DETERMINE THE EFFECT ON CONTROLLER WORKLOAD, CONSIDERING CONTROLLER EXPERIENCE AND THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF SUMMER THUNDERSTORMS.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The NTSB asks the FAA to stop any further easing of flow control measures, specifically the miles-in-trail separation restrictions in sectors and approach control airspace that serve major airports. It also requests continued analysis of how previously reduced in-trail separation affects controller workload, accounting for controller experience and summer thunderstorm impacts.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Closed - Acceptable Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Feb 21, 1989 |
| NTSB number | 80660 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).