HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0420.001 1996-1998
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Stephen K. Yamashiro 1 r_ - - - - Diane S. Quitiquit
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DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
25 Aupuni Stmt, Room 219 • Hilo, Hawau %720-4252 • (808) %1-tt366 • Fu (808) 935-120.5
KONA: (808) 3295226 • Fu (808) 326-5663
E-muL• chrndev®interyac.net
August 12, 1997
MEMORANDUM
TO: BILL DAMS, MANAGING DIRECTOR
FROM: RAYMOND CARR, ENERGY COORDINATOR`htr
SUBJECT: AVIATION SAFETY INDUSTRY
Mr. William Hachmeister has asked me to forwazd you the attached copies of three
letters sent to Senator Inouye expressing support for the concept of establishing a
center in Hawaii for conducting investigations and other technical activities related
to safety issues in the national aviation industry. He also requested that I review
these letters and other information that he provided with a view to making
recommendations for further action.
I myself have no technical expertise in aviation matters; I also was not initially
awaze of any basis for Hawaii state to assume a lead role in the azeas of national
air traffic management and safety. However, Mr. Hachmeister has provided me
with a copy of a February 12, 1997 report to President Clinton from a White
House Cotnmission on Aviation Safety and Security which contains the following
first recommendation:
" 2.1. The FAA should develop a revised NAS modernization plan within six months that
will set a goal ofthe modernized system being fully operational nationwide by the year
2005; and the Congress, the Administration, and users should develop innovative means of
financing this acceleration.
Comas. Dia O~
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~ ?04 Presented tG'G
ttet. nr„ 1 9 1997
Bill Davis
% Page 2
r August 12, 1997
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~I Modernization of our aging airspace system is critical to the safety of the traveling public,
to maintaining our world leadership in aviation, and to our economic interests. The FAA's
curcent plan calls for the modernized system to he operational after 2012. That is simply
too long to postpone the safety and economic benefits that will derive from the
modernized system. Therefore, the Commission recommends that 2005 be set as the date
when all elements of the communication, navigation, and surveillance and air traffic
management capabilities defined in the NAS architecture should be fully operational. This
accelerated implementation must be coordinated with the Department of Defense, which is
a major user and provider of air traffic control services. Implementation of the initiative
announced by Vice President Gore on Januarv I S 1997 to demonstrate these systems in
Hawaii and Alaska is an imoortant step toward full operational status."
[Underlining has been added. The acronym NAS refers to the National Airspace
System.]
While I do not see a direct role for Hawaii County in this process at this stage, I
believe that we could support Mr. Hachmeister in his efforts to attract tliis type of
industry to Hawaii if there were fum reasons to believe that the Big Island would
be a candidate location. However, more information is needed before any
commitments of support are made and, by copy of this letter, I recommend that
Mr. Hachmeister further develop and submit his ideas for review by more qualified
personnel within the State Department of Transportation, Airports Division.
xc: ,/Mr. William F. Hachmeister
Diane Quitiquit, Director
Note: No attachment attached.