Getting Very Close

If you have ever flown into Washington National Airport from the north approach — winding down the Potomac river — the tall buildings of Rosslyn seem uncomfortably close off the right hand side as the airliners bank right for final approach. Those skyscrapers are close.

Now … as The Washington Post reports … the FAA has approved construction of a 31-story skyscraper — the highest one yet — despite safety concerns from airport officials and local residents about passenger airliners flying into the airport while dodging the tall buildings. I am certain no one has bothered asking the airlines and pilots whether they have worries about the close proximity of the buildings.

This is the same FAA that has worked to block details of an $11-million NASA research project on airline safety from a commercial pilot’s perspective. So, my question is … what does the FAA really know about safety?!