Letter to FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey
May 23, 2006
Administrator Marion C. Blakey
FAA Headquarters
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20591
Dear Administrator Blakey:
It has come to my attention that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has listed Pueblo as one of 170 terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities slated for review and possible realignment, specifically to Colorado Springs. I encourage you in the strongest possible terms to leave Pueblo's TRACON unaltered and in its current location at Pueblo Municipal Airport.
This listing of Pueblo's TRACON for possible relocation is especially alarming given Pueblo's status as the newly designated site for pilot screening and testing for the U.S. Air Force under contract with DOSS Aviation. According to Pueblo City Council President Michael A. Occhiato, executives of DOSS Aviation purposely identified the existing TRACON at Pueblo Memorial Airport as part of their contract proposal to the Air Force, and the Air Force later advised DOSS that the air traffic control tower arrangement played a major role in the final decision and eventual award of this contract. Furthermore, the Air Force has already confirmed to my office that the existence of Pueblo's TRACON was a consideration in awarding the contract, and is currently unable to provide assurances that such a re-alignment will not adversely affect operations at Pueblo. Realigning operations may place this contract in jeopardy and could result in delayed pilot training services during a critical time.
In addition, the City of Pueblo has invested more than $3 million in development of a Commercial Hangar Complex as well as financial incentives to attract the DOSS Aviation contract. Part of the basis for these investments has been the existence of Pueblo's TRACON facilities, which are a key selling point with many civil aviators. These are long term investments made with confidence that the Pueblo TRACON would be present for many years to come.
I strongly oppose any FAA efforts to relocate Pueblo TRACON to Colorado Springs, and I urge you to remove it from your list of TRACON facilities slated for review and possible realignment.
Sincerely,
Ken Salazar
United States Senator
http://salazar.senate.gov/news/releases/060523trans.htm