PSA CRJ-700 AA midair collision

[Autothrust Blue]

I’m curious too. Though I would suspect, just from my own experience, that it’s possible that convo may have been something akin to “that’s just that helo that tower was talking to that is maintaining separation from us”, and attention gone back to landing. As the crew possibly couldnt see the helo anyway, and weren’t likely going to maneuver to get it in sight while lining up. All the above of which would be reasonable things, if they turn out to be fact.

I mean, again, we aren't supposed to maneuver based on TCAS azimuth alone, nor in response to a TA; I've watched a TCAS 'target' dance around the MFD/EHSI/TA-VSI frequently enough to know that's a bad idea not merely due to written prohibitions.

 

[derg]

I’ve seen ADS data on the ND do funny stuff as well, which is why I wish the YouTubers would stop using that data to extrapolate information.

Even worse into ICN.

 

[N826AW]

The real irony with all the staffing talk (which 100% needs to be said) is that DCA is one of the best staffed facilities in the NAS. They have something like 25 of 28 certified controllers. Staffing is not an issue at DCA.

Interesting. I asked about staffing during tower tour (not DCA) a while back and was surprised to hear they were pretty well staffed. The tour was around the time you were moving to PA so I was surprised at the answer.

 

[GolfChuck]

Staffing varies greatly facility to facility. Since I left the center, I have mostly been at facilities in a staffing position where we are staffed well enough that there isn't a ton of OT going around, but not well enough to ever get any "spot" leave. Also very likely that call-up OT doesn't backfill sick calls, because no one answers the phone. Ideally a properly staffed facility should be staffed 20% over staffing guildline (minimum desired staffing) numbers for the purposes of safety and morale.

 

[NovemberEcho]

Interesting. I asked about staffing during tower tour (not DCA) a while back and was surprised to hear they were pretty well staffed. The tour was around the time you were moving to PA so I was surprised at the answer.

Towers are generally easier to staff if for no other reasons theres much fewer positions so you need fewer people to begin with. DCA for example, 28 for 100%. N90 (minus EWR) is 226 for 100%. Some centers are north of 300. And once you get to the big tracons and centers, staffing can vary wildly inside the building by area. ZNY for example has some areas that are near 100% staffed and others that are 50%, but the staffing number is based on the building as a whole.

 

[Wardogg]

Towers are generally easier to staff if for no other reasons theres much fewer positions so you need fewer people to begin with. DCA for example, 28 for 100%. N90 (minus EWR) is 226 for 100%. Some centers are north of 300. And once you get to the big tracons and centers, staffing can vary wildly inside the building by area. ZNY for example has some areas that are near 100% staffed and others that are 50%, but the staffing number is based on the building as a whole.

And the FAA can’t just move people around accordingly? To plus up the lighter buildings?