November 4, 2009
The Honorable J. Randolph Babbitt
Administrator
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20591
Dear Administrator Babbitt:
As you may know, in 2006 the Teterboro Airport (TEB) Industry Working Group assembled a diverse group of aviation industry professionals who are using the airport. The mission of the TEB Industry Working Group is to bridge the interests of the aviation community and airport neighbors proactively and voluntarily, and to offer practical and workable local solutions that address the unique nature of TEB. Comprising experienced aviation experts representing TEB’s fixed base operators, airport users and tenants, and national and local aviation industry associations, the TEB Working Group is the first all-industry group to step forward to work with its owner, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Congressman Steve Rothman to address community concerns.
Teterboro Airport, one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country, shares some of the most crowded airspace in the world, being located just outside New York City, NY. Over the last several years, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has invested nearly $100 million on a variety of safety improvement projects at TEB, including new taxiways, lighting improvements, and the installation of a new Engineered Material Arresting System.
As members of the TEB Industry Working Group, we would like to raise a critical safety issue confronting the airport: the need for the FAA to prioritize the construction of a new air traffic control tower at the airport. The existing air traffic control tower was constructed in the early 1970s and went into operation on October 29, 1975. At that time, the tower was built only as a temporary facility. The tower is now more than 30 years old and in desperate need of replacement. A new tower would enhance safety and reduce delays at the airport by improving the air traffic controllers’ line of sight, increasing their view of the airfield, which is partly obstructed, and equipping the tower with the latest, state-of-the art technology. For years, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has asked the FAA to make this a priority within the agency’s Capital Plan priority list, but to no avail, as TEB continues to remain a low priority for the replacement of the existing air traffic control tower.
We strongly encourage the FAA to make TEB a priority to receive a new air traffic control tower. In doing so, safety would surely be enhanced and delays reduced at the airport.
Sincerely,
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James K. Coyne, Co-Chair
TEB Industry Working Group
President, National Air Transportation Association |
James C. Christiansen, President
NetJets Aviation, Inc. |
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Matt Boyle, Sr. Vice President & General Counsel
Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation |
Richard V. Heslin, Airport Manager
Teterboro Airport |
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John Langevin, Senior Vice President & GM
Jet Aviation |
Jacqueline O. Vibbert, General Manager
Signature Flight Support |
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Jens Hennig, Vice President of Operations
General Aviation Manufacturers Association |
Ken Forester, CEO
Meridian Air Charter |
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John Panarello, Project Manager
AFCO AVPORTS Management LLC dba AvPorts
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Dean R. Saucier, Northeast Regional Rep.
National Business Aviation Association |
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William C. Thomas, Managing Director
First Aviation Services
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For general press inquiries, contact Shannon Chambers at 703-298-1347 or schambers@nata.aero.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has been the voice of aviation business for more than 80 years. Representing nearly 3,700 aviation businesses, NATA’s member companies provide a broad range of services to general aviation, the airlines and the military and NATA serves as the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before Congress and the federal agencies.