[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 24246]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           PROPOSED CONSOLIDATION OF FLIGHT SERVICE STATIONS

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I express my concerns regarding 
Federal Aviation Administration proposals to consolidate and outsource 
the actions currently executed by our Nation's Flight Service Stations.
  Flight Service Stations are staffed by highly trained specialists and 
play an important role in providing pilots with valuable weather 
briefings and enroute communications, as well as facilitating search 
and rescue services. Each air traffic specialist is trained to 
understand the rapidly changing weather and geographic patterns of 
their area. Their expertise has kept flights running smoothly and has 
literally saved lives.
  In 1997, the Federal Aviation Administration completed a 16-year 
effort to consolidate Flight Service Stations, reducing their total 
number from 318 sites to 61 sites. Since July 2002, the FAA has been 
developing studies regarding the outsourcing and further consolidation 
of 58 of the remaining 61 stations, excluding the three stations in 
Alaska. The FAA has announced that a final decision regarding the fate 
of these 58 Flight Service Stations will be made before March 17, 2005, 
possibly as soon as January.
  I have received letters, phone calls, e-mails, and visits from South 
Dakotans concerned about the FAA's proposed actions. After the first 
consolidation in 1997, Flight Service Station sites in Aberdeen, Rapid 
City, Watertown, and Pierre, SD, were closed. Closure of the Flight 
Service Station in Huron, the last in South Dakota, would leave pilots 
isolated from weather updates, emergency assistance, and other vital 
notices. Weather is the leading cause of aviation accidents and the 
greatest contributor to fatalities. South Dakota cannot afford the loss 
of this crucial site.
  My concerns and the concerns of South Dakotans are echoed in our 
State's legislature. In February 2004, the South Dakota Legislature 
approved a concurrent resolution supporting the Flight Service Station 
in Huron, SD, and encouraging efforts to preserve its functions. 
Additionally, our Governor has publicly expressed his opposition to the 
possible outsourcing of operations conducted at the Flight Service 
Station.
  Flight safety is paramount and must be the most important factor in 
any decision that is made. However, it is the concern of many in my 
State that the proposed action will be detrimental to flight safety. I 
strongly urge the FAA to reevaluate their plans to allow for the 
continued effectiveness of Flight Service Stations.

                          ____________________