Non-working Yeager runway lights cancel more flights - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

Non-working Yeager runway lights cancel more flights

Posted: Updated:
By David Iversen, Reporter - bio | email
CHARLESTON, West Virginia -

 

Two separate problem at Yeager Airport have lead to more plane delays and cancellations, said Yeager Airport Director Rick Atkinson. 

Lighting systems that are used as a navigational aids for pilots have been non-working for more than three years. This lighting system is operated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  

The other system is called a "glide slope" and is used by pilots to tell the distance to the runway. At Yeager, the system has been having problems since the summer.

"We believe it took a lightning strike during the derecho," said Atkinson. 

The system has been working off and on since June. As a response, Yeager has raised its standards that planes are allowed to land. 

"If something does not work, is not working, then the weather conditions have to be better to be able to land," said Atkinson. 

The FAA issued the following statement:

 

"FAA technicians are repairing the Runway 23 Approach Light System (ALS), a navigational aid that provides visual and directional guidance to a runway to help pilots land safely. The Central West Virginia Regional Airport Authority is repairing part of the steel bridge that provides structural support for the ALS. When all repairs are completed,  the ALS will be returned to service. When a navigational aid, such as an airport approach light system is not available,  pilots use information on the instrument approach procedure chart to land on the runway."