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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is undertaking efforts to lessen the chances of collisions between helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, focusing specifically on Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport. This initiative follows a crash earlier in the year that highlighted certain aviation safety concerns. Las Vegas, a bustling city known for its fame among the affluent as well as aerial sightseeing tours, experiences significant helicopter activity. This contributes to a heavily trafficked airspace around the airport.
Based on a Rotorcraft Safety Roundtable Media Readout, the FAA's research identified Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport as a key area needing attention. The FAA is "using machine learning and language modeling to scan incident reports and mine multiple data sources to find themes and areas of risk." The analysis found "several immediate issues" linked to helicopter operations at this Nevada airport.
"The agreements with local helicopter operators require them to avoid arrival and departure corridors that lack defined vertical or lateral measurements. Tower controllers do not issue traffic advisories between returning air tour helicopters and arriving or departing airplanes, resulting in a routine lack of compliance with Class B separation rules," the FAA reported.
