A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/1010678
radar feeds, STARS software changes, and radar software changes. In addition, SAAT is focused on mitigating tracking issues in the LA Basin due to the construction of a new NFL stadium on final approach to LAX. The LGB radar site is now back online and in use at SCT. The radar site was raised from 37 feet to 67 feet. Feedback from SCT has been positive. Agreements are being worked with the military to ensure availability and performance of the North Island radar. Adding this additional surveillance source shows promise for tracking issues around SAN airport. WAM has been plagued by numerous fits and starts harming the confidence of the facility. SBS Engineering has conducted a two-month Technical Eval of the offline WAM system to combat reliability and tracking issues seen. Analysis indicates a significant reduction in false track probability. An Op Eval took place June 27-28 and WAM was returned top operational service on June 29. No issues have been reported since. SAAT has been analyzing Potomac (PCT) Fusion issues for potential solutions. The facility has been struggling with a number of issues related to problem radar sites or a lack of coverage. Radar analysis has confirmed the benefit of adding Quantico (NYG) radar to PCT as well as reducing obstructions near Dulles. However, the funding for the additional NYG feed has been difficult to obtain. Raleigh-Durham (RDU) has suffered for far too long with tracking issues. A thorough analysis of the situation was provided in late 2017 showing that the RDU ASR itself is screened by tree growth. Efforts to reduce this screening are underway and the airport authority is awaiting a contractor. SBS has agreed to fund additional radar sensors to help with the Fusion presentation, but if the tree screening is not resolved their tracking issues will continue. System-wide changes to CLT WAM are being worked to boost availability. These include multiple redundant communication links from radios, network architecture improvements, and a closer examination of which radios are Critical. This last step could move CLT WAM away from having eight Critical Radios to only three. A Critical Radio failure means the entire WAM system is out of service so a reduction in Critical Radios would likely mean greater availability. Whether this surveillance coverage is operationally acceptable was scheduled to be examined during a flight inspection July 23-27. NATCA and Ops Support SMEs from SBS have completed a review of numerous requests for additional radar feeds across the NAS. Our team focused on those that benefit Fusion tracking. Issues such as service expansion were outside of SBS scope and should be worked through other channels. Vehicle ADS-B: 1413 vehicles equipped at 21 airports. CVG SAT completed the week of June 15, which added 116 vehicles to the inventory. LAS transmit has been approved and installation of vehicle transponders should start soon.