To watch Senator Capito’s questions, click here or the image above.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a leader on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, participated in a hearing entitled, “Close Calls: Improving Safety Across the National Airspace System.” This hearing examined recent near-miss and runway incursion incidents and efforts to strengthen safety across the National Airspace System.

HIGHLIGHTS:

ON NEAR MISS INCIDENTS:

Senator Capito:

“I have a feeling there's a lot more near misses or near tragic instances than what is formally reported. Are you each satisfied with the data, the formal data that we see in front of us? And do you believe it's collected properly so that we the full scale understanding of what is happening and what could possibly happen?”

Governor Chris Sununu, President and Chief Executive Officer, Airlines for America:

“The data is absolutely there. But there are many more, thousands of more, of near misses, than are probably out there in the public, and that, you know, get the headlines. There are hundreds of them every single day.”

Mr. Todd Hauptli, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Association of Airport Executives:

“Senator, we have a concern, and that is information sharing between pilots, air traffic controllers, airports, airports aren't getting all the information we would like to get, and part of that reason is because airports are subject to open record laws, and FOIA requests, and so there's a reluctance from time to time from other parties to share that important safety information with our members for fear that it will be published publicly. So, there's an important issue there for Congress to address.”

Mr. James Viola, President and Chief Executive Officer, General Aviation Manufacturers Association:

“I think the close calls have benefited from aircraft being equipped with ADSB and being, having that additional information, and as we're learning with the data that is being put into the system, I think it's helping us as we're doing this mitigation, as we're holding this hearing today, that we're moving the right direction, get as much data as possible, and then how do we implement it, to continue to increase the safety in the system.”

Captain Jason Ambrosi, President, Air Line Pilots Association:

“There can always be more data. We appreciate your initiative in the FAA bill to get more voluntary safety reporting data available. So, getting more data and more reports, not just from pilots or air traffic controllers, but from other people involved in the aviation ecosystem is essential. And then, as has been addressed, is the actual sharing and working through that information. So, you know, go back a little bit in the way back machine, the cast or commercial aviation safety team was very good about digesting this data, that has seemed to fall off a little bit, so we would urge in this process to make sure that there's more, you know, again, de-identified, but get that data together, so we can address that.”

ON ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE AS A TOOL IN AVIATION:

Senator Capito:

“Mr. Sununu, you obviously have the larger airlines within your realm. We hear so much about AI, to the point where we’re wondering where this is going, where does AI go to help with this system and help prevent accidents? Do you see a future for that?”

Governor Chris Sununu, President and Chief Executive Officer, Airlines for America:

“AI can be an amazing tool. There's no question about it. But at the end of the day, it's all about the people, right, that are behind the tool and the analytics used. So, do we see AI being integral in, flight planning, things of that nature, warning systems, potentially, but you have to have the training and the people behind it, which is why our effort is always about whether it's air traffic controllers, pilot training, whatever it might take, so that that tool is being properly utilized. But it's a tool, it's not a solution.”

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