Aviation lawyer and former Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Transportation Mary Schiavo appeared on MSNBC on Saturday, July 10, 2010 to address critical safety problems and discuss the recent, steady rise of near collisions in the sky at U.S. airports.
In an effort to improve air safety, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating mistakes made by air traffic controllers across the nation, hoping to eliminate these mistakes and make air travel safer. Current FAA regulations require that planes be separated by a minimum of three miles in distance or at least 1,000 feet in altitude. It has been documented, however, that charter jets have entered into the airspace of other crafts, elevating the potential for a collision.
On Saturday, Schiavo stressed the urgency of this matter and the importance in making sure that all aviation procedures are followed and regulated properly.
Read more about safety rules at air traffic centers.