JFK controller let child direct air traffic
Last Updated: Wednesday, March 3, 2010 | 10:27 PM ET
The Associated Press
An American Airlines plane sits at its gate at John F. Kennedy International Airport, where an air traffic controller's young son allegedly radioed instructions to several pilots. (Jason DeCrow/Associated Press)An air traffic controller at New York's Kennedy airport is in hot water after he allowed his young son to radio instructions to several pilots.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it has placed the controller and a supervisor on administrative leave as it investigates. FAA administrator Randy Babbitt called the episode a "lapse in judgment."
The agency says it has also suspended all unofficial visits to FAA air traffic facilities while it reviews its policies.
The few quick exchanges between the elementary-school child and jets waiting to take off from JFK became public after they were recorded and posted on the internet.
On the recordings, the child appears to be repeating simple instructions given by his father.
© The Canadian Press, 2010
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