U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROPOSES AVIATION BLUEPRINT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROPOSES AVIATION BLUEPRINT    The Bush administration's four-year aviation spending plan submitted to Congress Tuesday proposes about $3 billion per year be appropriated for federal aviation facilities and equipment, and raises fiscal year 2004 operations and maintenance spending 7 percent to $7.5 billion.
   Much of the money will be used to redesign air traffic control networks and hire control tower personnel.
   The aviation reauthorization proposal, or the Centennial of Flight Aviation Authorization Act, includes $100 million for safety research, engineering and development in fiscal 2004 and improves safety oversight of operators, repair stations and others, according to a DOT news release.
   If enacted the reauthorization would allow more funds for airport expansion and other projects to be targeted to airports with greater needs.