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Air Traffic Controller Suspended for Watching Movie

Dave Nethers Fox8 04/18/2011 19:11
Air Traffic Controller Suspended for Watching Movie - travel - FAA - USA - Aviation


The FAA confirmed on Monday that a local air traffic controller has been suspended while an investigation is underway into troubles that happened during the early morning hours on Sunday. The information was reported first on Fox 8 News and FOX8.com.



In a statement, the FAA confirms that the air traffic controller was on duty at the Cleveland Air Route Traffic Control Center in Oberlin.

Controllers at the center are responsible for directing air traffic flying through a large area from the east coast of the United States to parts of Michigan, including a portion of southern Canada.

It is one of the busiest air corridors in the country.

In its release, the FAA said the following:

"During the early morning hours of April 17, 2011, an air traffic controller at the Cleveland Air Route Traffic Control Center was watching a movie on a portable electronic device while working a radar position. For a little more than three minutes, the controllers microphone was inadvertently activated, transmitting the soundtrack of the movie over the radio frequency for that airspace. The problem was brought to air traffic controls attention by the pilot of a military aircraft using an alternate frequency. The controller has been suspended from operational duties pending an investigation. FAA policy prohibits the use of portable DVD players and other devices from being used on the floor of the radar room."


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