STORY:
FAA Completes Y2K Fixes

Third party evaluator says air traffic control system clear of Y2K bugs

The Federal Aviation Association has been given a clean bill of health in regards to its Y2K computer bug fixes. The declaration made by a third party consulting firm says the nation's air traffic control systems should not fail due to date related changes in the systems software.

Science Applications International examined and approved of the fixes that had been completed by June 30 according to an FAA announcement.

The FAA has 628 computer systems, 424 are deemed to be "mission critical," meaning they played a vital role in the agency's operations. Of the 424 systems, 152 required Year 2000 repairs according to press reports.

Earlier in the year, a congressional report gave the FAA and the Department of Transportation a failing grade for its attempts at fixing issues related to the computer date crisis.

Some older computers viewed dates in a two-digit format- "99" for 1999 -- generating concern they will malfunction as the new century begins. Computers without the bug fix may construe the new "00" as 1900 instead of 2000.

The major US airlines say they are 95 percent Y2K complaint and expect 100 percent compliance by September. Boeing and Airbus have completed test flights simulating the rollover from December 31, 1999 to January 1, 2000 without incident.

DATE: 07/23/99

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