WTH. again Close call between plane and military craft at Reagan airport

Sparkchaser

A passenger flight preparing to take off near Washington DC and an incoming US military jet received instructions to divert and prevent a possible collision on Friday, officials said.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/29/close-call-between-delta-plane-and-military-craft-at-reagan-national-airport?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

telcodad

While it’s correct to be concerned, things like this tend get extra media attention when a significant case occurs.

Smoke in the cockpit? Then there’s stories almost everyday about that for a while.

A bird strike? Again, there’s stories about that then everyday for a while.

Sparkchaser

telcodad While it’s correct to be concerned, things like this tend get extra media attention when a significant case occurs.

I get that extra attention part but what I was trying to say (ask?), that there seems to be a lack of communications between the military and the Regan controllers.

broknsymetry

Sparkchaser there seems to be a lack of communications between the military and the Regan controllers.

I can’t speak for all military installations or for current practices, but when I was at NAS Cecil Field in the ’80s our primary radar data was fed by microwave directly to JAX TRACON.

A TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control) air traffic controller manages aircraft in the airspace surrounding busy airports, typically within a 30- to 50-mile radius and up to 10,000 feet, ensuring safe separation of aircraft during approach and departure

Reagan (DCA) uses the Potomac Consolidated TRACON.

Rook

telcodad Incidents are also reported more frequently.
I remember after the Sully incident in 2009, airlines and airports were more diligent in reporting bird strikes.
I’m pretty sure I read that the FAA also got more serious about airports filing the reports.
For a while the media thought it was an interesting story. That didn’t take long to pass.

HFB1217

At one time in the recent past the Military used a different Radio Channels and Frequencies than the Civilian Flight controllers and the Planes there was no ability for communication . After many incidents and Flight Control Conflicts it was mandated that both the Military and The Civilian Aeronautic Community use and have the ability for Communication

broknsymetry

I think they use the “Guard” frequencies for that, 121.5MHz (civilian) and 243.0 MHz (military) though I believe military aircraft must monitor both.