A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/1042796
TRIBUTE FOR INDONESIAN CONTROLLER NATCA's Charitable Founda on is at Communica ng For Safety 2018 to raise support for some really worthy causes. A por on of the proceeds raised by NCF at CFS will be donated to Snowball Express, a program of the Gary Sinise Founda on. Snowball Express honors America's fallen military service members by serving the families le behind. Snowball Express provides comprehensive support programs and helps the children who have lost moms and dads during military service by crea ng opportuni es for joy, friendship, and communal healing. Each December, Snowball Express brings children together from all over the country for a four-day experience filled with fun ac vi es, like spor ng events, dances, amusement parks, and focuses on their happiness and gives them a break from the burden and stress of life without their hero. On Saturday, Dec. 8, flights carrying these children will take off at a number of airports across the United States. If these flights will cross your airspace, listen for the "Snowball 1 to 13" call sign, and welcome these important flights and their precious passengers, as they make their journey to Orlando. Pilots on these flights o en allow the children they are transpor ng to hear the air traffic controllers' gree ngs. At these five airports (COS, DCA, DFW, FAY, and LAS), NATCA is seeking member volunteers to welcome the Snowball Express children, send them off, and coordinate NATCA's ac vi es. NATCA also is looking for member volunteers to help with the main Snowball Express ac vi es in Orlando. If interested in volunteering, email ZFW FacRep Nick Daniels or ZDV controller Jennifer VanRooy at NATCA.SBExpress@gmail.com. About NCF's efforts, Nick Daniels stated, "Please help us make this a special experience for these Gold Star Children. Visit the NCF Booth at CFS to learn more about Snowball Express and NCF's other charitable partners. Please donate to NCF, so they can support important chari es like this and many others." ONE OF NCF'S CHARITABLE PARTNERS AT CFS: SNOWBALL EXPRESS On Monday a ernoon during Communica ng For Safety 2018, CFS par cipants observed a moment of silence to honor the memory of the Indonesian air traffic controller, who sacrificed his life to give clearance to a passenger jet to take off while his airport was devastated by an earthquake. On September 28, one of the deadliest earthquakes in a decade struck Indonesia. Indonesian air traffic controller Anthonius Gunawan Agung was on duty at the airport near Palu. His colleagues had run for their lives when the tower started to sway wildly, and walls started to crack. He refused to leave the tower un l a Ba k Air Airbus 320 carrying hundreds of passengers was airborne. A er the jet took off, Agung found the tower's stairs unpassable. In a desperate a empt to escape the crumbling tower, he made a four-story jump and ended up suffering serious internal injuries. He was taken to a nearby hospital, but he died soon a er. Agung's brave decision to stay on his post cost him his life, but the pilot of the Ba k jet, credited Agung's ac ons with saving the lives of the passengers on his flight. The pilot posted a tribute thanking Agung for guarding him un l his jet was safely airborne. NATCA has joined other air traffic controllers from around the world in dona ng to Agung's family to help defray the cost of his funeral service. At CFS, the announcement about the moment of silence stated, "NATCA extends our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. We hope they find some comfort in remembering his bravery. Let us all take a moment to honor the brave ac ons of our brother air traffic controller who demonstrated the best quali es of our profession, making the ul mate sacrifice as he guided a plane and its passengers to safety." COMMUNICATING FOR SAFETY Tuesday, Oct. 23 7