Grant will help determine ways for pilots, airport to improve

September 12, 2008

 Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign today announced a $100,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to Clark County for a safety study at North Las Vegas Airport.

 The grant will provide money to conduct a Safety Management System (SMS) study at the airport. SMS is a proactive approach to managing safety, and the results of the pilot study will determine current compliance with international standards and possibly areas needing further development.

 "We've all seen the recent tragedies at North Las Vegas Airport, and they are deeply troubling," Reid said. "We're going to provide the resources for the county and airport officials to work together with pilots to ensure the highest safety standards are met. Both the users of the airport and the people living in neighborhoods near the airport must be protected from future problems."

 "The recent events at the North Las Vegas Airport highlight the importance of safety at our airports," Ensign said.  "Safety in the airline industry is of the utmost importance, and this grant will help to maintain the rigorous safety requirements necessary to ensure that travelers reach their destinations."