New FAA Computer System Is Faulted

Federal Aviation Administration employees warned that a new computer system, set to go into operation next month at Boston’s regional air traffic center, has not yet been tested for safety or performance. “They’re rolling the dice and hoping they don’t find any major problems,” charged Michael Fanfalone, head of the Professional Airways Systems Specialists union. The union represents 10,000 FAA and Defense Department workers who install, repair and maintain the air traffic control system. FAA spokesman Jim Peters said the agency has confidence in the new computer system, known as HOST, which is also set to go online next month in Los Angeles and Oakland airports.