The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which has seen a rise in close calls on its runways, is one of 34 airports that will receive new radar systems to track ground traffic.

        Local airport officials, who have seen five “incursions” — when a plane gets too close to another object on the ground while it is landing or taking off — since May 1, 2000, welcomed the news. The system is expected within 12 months.

At the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, a radar system will be installed within a year. (Enquirer file photo) | ZOOM |

        Before 2000, the airport had four incursions combined over the previous three years.

        “I will point out that we have the second-lowest rate when you take into consideration the number of operations we have,” said Dale Huber, airport deputy director of aviation. “But if it isn't zero, it isn't good enough. We have always maintained that zero is the only acceptable number.

        “And this will help us get to that goal.”

        The Federal Aviation Administration Tuesday announced it was spending $193 million nationally to install the Air Movement Area Safety System (AMASS) at the 34 largest airports.

        “This new tool provides passengers an extra margin of safety on the runway,” said FAA Administrator Jane F. Garvey. “While technology like AMASS is crucial, the FAA believes that heightening and maintaining the awareness of pilots, controllers, and airport vehicle operators through education is the best way to improve runway safety.”

        Cincinnati will get the new system, which upgrades current weather radar systems, in May 2002, said FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen. It will be paid for by the FAA.

        The latest local incursion came in March, keeping Cincinnati on the FAA's watch list for facilities with the most incursions. The last incursion before March's close call was last July.

        “We're doing better than we were last year,” Mr. Huber said. “And hopefully this will help eliminate them once and for all.”

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