STORY:
FAA Flies Through Y2K Test

The Federal Aviation Administration conducted its first, full-scale public test of how its computers will work in the Year 2000 and according to a story in the USA Today, there were no reports of major disruptions.

The story says all equipment worked normally as technicians tested computer systems that simulated the early hours of Jan. 1, 2000.

Thee FAA says computers that control radio beacons and landing lights to those that display aircraft radar positions and airport weather reports all worked properly.

The FAA has been criticized by Congress and watchdog groups for late starts on efforts to ensure that computers don't crash in the new millennium and become victims of the so-called "Y2K computer bug.''

The test created a mirror of the USA's air traffic control system by monitoring scores of computers across Colorado and Wyoming.

It linked computers as far away as Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota and United Airline's flight plan computer in Chicago. It involved two test aircraft and 45 technicians at three Colorado airports.

At the same time, air traffic in the area was handled routinely on computers that read the real date. Controllers sitting across the room simulated directing the same traffic on computers set for 2000.

Source: USA Today

DATE: 4/13/99

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