THE FEDERAL Aviation Administration’s actions regarding information and controllers aren’t coming through with flying colors.

The Associated Press this week revealed: “Air traffic controllers’ work schedules often lead to chronic fatigue, making them less alert and endangering the safety of the national air traffic system, according to a study the government kept secret for years.”

Even though the study was kept secret, it’s been no secret that air controllers’ schedules have been an ongoing problem.

According to AP, agency officials posted the study online Monday, hours after AP had reported the findings- and noted the FAA had declined to furnish a copy despite repeated requests over the past three months, including a Freedom of Information Act filing.

The FAA, however, isn’t the only government agency which wouldn’t release the study, which was produced by NASA at the FAA’s request.

A NASA spokesman also wouldn’t release the study, noting since the FAA requested it, “they own the rights to decide its release.”

Not only was the FAA initially refusing to share the study with the press, but it wouldn’t share the report with National Academies researchers, who advise Congress on science matters, and didn’t provide a copy to the National Transportation Safety Board even though the impetus for the study was a recommendation from that board and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association about revising controller schedules to provide rest periods long enough for sufficient restorative sleep.

An FAA spokeswoman, who didn’t provide answers to The Associated Press about controller fatigue for more than a month, sent an email late Monday that noted, in part, the agency now requires there be at least two controllers on duty after midnight and they be provided at least nine hours between certain shifts to rest.

The transportation safety board, however, told the FAA in 2013 about its concern that a nine-hour break may not allow enough time for an employee to obtain eight continuous hours of sleep.

THE FAA is supported by taxpayers’ money. The study wasn’t a matter of national security, but pointed out the need to combat controllers’ chronic fatigue.

That agency’s website notes: “Our continuing mission is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.”

For our sake, let’s hope the agency starts living up to that mission.