FAA to install radar in Waukegan airport

March 23, 2000

The Federal Aviation Administration, under pressure to act after the February collision over a Zion hospital that killed WGN Radio's Bob Collins and two others, has agreed to expedite the purchase of a basic radar system for Waukegan Regional Airport, it was announced today.

The airport will receive a Terminal Automated Radar Display and Information System, or TARDIS.

The system, which costs less than $40,000, provides a visual radar and beacon display on a personal computer monitor in the tower. The system is used primarily to help controllers track arriving and departing aircraft.

U.S. Rep. William Lipinksi (D-Chicago), the ranking Democrat on the House Subcommittee on Aviation, confirmed the decision.

``I want to thank Ms. Jane Garvey, the administrator of the FAA, for responding to my concerns about the lack of a radar display at Waukegan Regional Airport,'' Lipinksi said.

On Feb. 8, Collins, passenger Herman Luscher and Sharon Hock, who piloted the second plane, died in the crash as they were preparing to land at the Waukegan airport.

TARDIS, which does not provide real-time flight data, has not been certified by the FAA for use as an air traffic control tool. But it is being used at several airports to provide an extra set of eyes for controllers

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-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), March 23, 2000