Letter: FAA should relocate office

Tuesday, Sept. 7, 1999 | 9:42 a.m.

As a flight instructor, former Federal Aviation Administration accident prevention counselor and former owner of a McCarran-based flight school, I am concerned over the recent accidents occurring near North Las Vegas Airport. In studying the two airports, I found there is a notable difference between my experience at McCarran and at North Las Vegas.

When I was in business at McCarran my school was only steps away from the local headquarters of the FAA. Experts were readily available to assist me, my fellow instructors, mechanics, students and licensed pilots with any problems. Furthermore, FAA inspectors were often seen doing random "ramp checks" of airplanes and their pilots.

A ramp check usually consisted of an inspector requesting to see an airplane's airworthiness records along with the pilot's license, medical certificate and proof of currency. In recent times such diligence is seldom seen on the ramps at North Las Vegas Airport. In fact the local FAA's headquarters is no longer located at an airport.

I suggest that the FAA relocate their Flight Standards District Office from its present off-airport business park location on Warm Springs Road to the North Las Vegas Airport where it is most needed.

The familiar sight of friendly FAA inspectors doing random ramp checks would inspire heightened awareness of safety and could possibly help to prevent future accidents near this very busy and vital facility.

STEVE MILLER