A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/1016075
The STRWG is reviewing a proposal to improve backup failure notification. Presently when the STARS backup system is not available a two - letter indicator is displayed in the System Status Area. However, that SSA field be inhibit ed and even if it is displayed, the indicator is green in color and can easily be missed. NATCA requested the SSA indicator display in yellow and be forced in the SSA regardless of controller settings. Another related proposal will show the controller when weather messages are not being received by the STARS system by also displaying a yellow indicator in the SSA. Stakeholders are also refining requirements documents for the STARS Operating System transition from Solaris to Linux. In summary, the approach i s to restructure the primary and secondary disk drives to provide a common area which is available to both operating systems in a co - host fashion. This allows for the new OS to be installed while providing fallback capability. Rules Technical Report RTR W orking Group (RTRWG) The RTRWG approved a new rule to allow specific SCT remote towers to view each other's coordination list since certain extended departure paths conflict with one another. This rule will allow the towers to appropriately request release for their respective departures without verbal coordination with the TRACON. Program Trouble Report Working Group (PTRWG) A recent change to initial track uncertainty values in R6 is causing 'ISR' to briefly display on departure tracks when a STARS displ ay is in PAM mode. A PTR has been written and NATCA will be advocating for a fix when possible. The next PT RWG meeting is scheduled for Aug. 16. STARS Software Planning Board The S6R8 build is dedicated to TSAS functionality and can be delivered to a site with TSAS tools either on or off. To achieve greater utility from the build in a TSAS off configuration, NATCA requested specific software content be added to the R8 build in hopes of delivering software fixes to a limited number of sites based on need. T hese include tracking improvements, handling of flight plans and PTL modifications. Keysite is planned for the summer of 2019. TAMR Deployment and Common Terminal Digitizer (CTD) Update Submitted by Jim VanZee (GRR) TAMR has successfully deploye d modern d ay STARS into over 90 percent of the NAS as of Aug. 1, 2018 and is on pace to attain its mandate to have the terminal world on one common automatio n platform by the end of 2019. Throughout deployment, our NATCA team continues to perform strongly in all fac ets: Collaboration : Even 90 percent of the way through the program, we continue to be involved in assisting Labor and Management at the facility level to work hand in hand with each other and everyone involved in the hardware and software transition. Our team is routinely engaged with the OSF, the Program Office, Engineering Services, TechOps, Terminal Requirements, and whoever else is needed, in order to ensure that Air Traffic at the facility understands and is happy with the performance of their new technology. Education : NATCA's team of floorwalkers continues to provide critical support to the controllers at each facility when switching over from CARTS to STARS for the first time. Our team not only has an in - depth level of knowledge about the fun ctionality of the