NATCA Bookshelf

• The Agency is solidifying a pivot to other potential areas where Space Based ADS-B could be beneficial. ZMA's Caribbean airspace is currently the primary focus to prove this capability. • The ZMA Caribbean effort will require a formal kickoff meeting, planned for Dec. 18, and a follow-on SRMP. These are being coordinated with ZMA and other parties. • ADS-C reduced separation efforts are proceeding under a separate effort from SBS. ASSC • After some extensive testing, the spectrum office came out with a report stating that the wireless connectivity with ASSC RUs (remote units) created excessive "noise" that needs to be mitigated. Although this does not affect controllers, it could have an effect on the ASSC deployment schedule. • Extended field familiarization in MCI continues as technical issues continue to be worked out. • PIT field familiarization started on Oct. 25. Fine tuning continues as the system is optimized. • MSY CADRE training is scheduled the week of Nov. 12. MEARTS Fusion • 3nm Fusion in MEARTS is a complex undertaking requiring multiple tower, approach, and en route sectors to come online with Fusion at the same time. The lessons learned in this undertaking will help the effort with future MEARTS and ERAM sites. • ZAN has been on Fusion since August 2015. HCF has been on Fusion since Aug. 1, 2017. ZUA transitioned to Fusion on March 26, 2018. • A Fusion kickoff meeting, Air Traffic Cadre, and some limited Fusion observations took place the first week of April at San Juan CERAP (ZSU). Analysis of the observations resulted in a need for automation changes. • A Fusion Operational Suitability Demonstration took place the week of Sept. 24. Multiple issues were found, and the end result was a failed OSD. AJM-25 indicated that they have resolved the identified issues and next steps are to set up a preview at the Tech Center and reschedule the OSD. The next OSD should not occur without AJM-25 support on site. Surveillance Portfolio Analysis Work Group • Eric Labardini and James Keith (NATCA AJV-7) have been working closely with the Agency's multifaceted analysis of post-2020 radar infrastructure needs. The ADS-B business case was built on an assumption that today's robust radar infrastructure could be reduced once ADS-B becomes the predominant surveillance source. • The Agency built their business case on an assumption that 100+ secondary radar sources could be removed throughout the NAS. This causes concern in airspace that does not require ADS-B. NATCA has been pointing toward another option, removing overlapping radar sources completely rather than harming operational capabilities nationwide.

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