(L - R) Albuquerque CWSU Meteorologist-in-Charge Jim Reynolds, KOAT-TV Meteorologist Eric Green and KOAT-TV cameraman, David Hattmann (Photo: CWSU Albuquerque)
(Sept. 15, 2010) - Meteorologist-in-Charge Jim Reynolds and the Albuquerque Center Weather Service Unit were featured on a television news segment by Albuquerque's KOAT-TV.
The segment provided a rare opportunity to further awareness of the National Weather Service efforts to enhance the safety of the flying public.
During an interview with KOAT Meteorologist Eric Green, Reynolds described the functions of Center Weather Service Units and emphasized their importance to the operations of the FAA's Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC).
The FAA operates 21 ARTCC's which constantly monitor the airways throughout the Continental United States and Alaska.
Every ARTCC has a Center Weather Service Unit on site and the personnel from each agency maintain a close working relationship. Albuquerque Traffic Control Center Staff Manager Larry Rolls noted the importance of getting fast, accurate forecasts so they can divert air traffic around dangerous weather systems. View the complete KOAT story.
On an average day, up to 90,000 flights may be scheduled to transit the National Airspace System; and, as many as 5,000 aircraft could be in the air at any given moment. They include general aviation, commercial air carriers, military and cargo flights.
The National Weather Service Aviation Services Program plays a key role in supporting hundreds of air traffic controllers across the nation with the latest aviation products and services.
