San Carlos Airport control tower will remain staffed

All of the airport’s controllers, who guide planes in and out of the local airport, had resigned after a recent transition of air traffic control contracts were made by the Federal Aviation Administration, Airport Manager Gretchen Kelly said in a press statement Jan. 29. 

The FAA awarded the updated contract for the San Carlos Airport to Robinson Aviation, which Kelly said did not offer a pay that considered the area’s high cost of living. The proposed employment offers were “significantly lower” than controller’s current compensation, Kelly said.

“Understandably, all current controllers have declined RVA’s officers,” Kelly said in the statement Jan. 29. 

However, contracts are now being renegotiated to resolve this matter. 

“The County and Airports understands that the controllers and [Robinson Aviation] have nearly reached agreement, and there will likely be no lapse in air traffic control services,” Davi Howard, Airports communications manager said in a press statement Jan. 30. 

The FAA is ultimately responsible for air traffic services, even if they contract out rather than hiring its own employees. To avoid an unmanned tower, Kelly said she requested temporary staffing from the FAA, but they denied doing so. 

The San Carlos Airport sought support from U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin, D-South San Francisco, to push the federal agency to meet its obligation in providing the safety service, Kelly said. Although the need for temporary staffing is not necessary, Mullin said in a statement he will “continue to be a collaborative partner with the Airport and the FAA.” 

“Safety continues to be my top priority, and I am pleased to learn that contract negotiations have moved in a positive direction and a resolution is forthcoming,” Mullin said in a statement. 

Should such an instance occur when a tower is unmanned, “pilots remain well-trained in non-towered airport procedures,” Howard said. 

The concern over tower staffing closely follows the midair collision between an Army helicopter and jet plane Wednesday evening in Washington, D.C., the deadliest air crash in the county since 2001. The staffing at the air traffic control tower was “unusual,” The Associated Press reported, citing a report from the FAA.