NATCA Bookshelf

Mr. Rose traveled twice over the reporting period to WJHTC for both R8, R7, and R6 software testing. While in New Jersey, meetings with Terminal Second Level Engineering (TSLE) and TAMR hardware took place to ensure STARs software and hardware enhancements continue to deploy. New features we have asked for are in the works to include callsign readouts with a single keystroke on VFR ADSB equipped A/C. This will make identifying A/C much easier for controllers on the operations floor. Continued deployment of the optical trackball and enhancements to trackball speed are coming in builds which are scheduled to deploy within a year. The new operating system (LINUX Red Hat) will be deployed in 2022. Until then, we will be pushing facilities to move to the newest software to enable the program to meet all milestones promised to Congress. Safety and security of the system is still our greatest concern and if a facility needs help understanding the new software builds, we are available to assist. R4C software is needed for the remaining ARTS 2E facilities since they are using the new and improved routers. The SSM was completed just before the holidays to ensure no issues arise prior to transition dates in January. Mr. Rose is working closely with James Keith, Andy Marosvari, and Aaron Katz in regard to color usage on the STARs display. Requirements, Procedures, and Human Factors have to decide which colors are approved and for what purpose. This has been an ongoing discussion and TAMR hopes a resolution presents itself prior to February 2019. New programs and facilities are pushing for increased color usage especially since color displays have been introduced with the NAS-wide deployment of STARs. There are 11 Phase One transitions left to complete prior to Dec 31, 2019. For Segments two and three, more sites need to transition prior to May 2019. The Section 804 transitions will be completed prior to June if everything stays on schedule. Thank you once again to all the TAMR NATCA Reps, FacReps, and controllers that have made this happen. By the end of 2019, all but JCF (Re-Host) and HCF (Micro- EARTS) will have terminal STARs. JCF will transition on a Dept. of Defense timeline in the middle of 2020. HCF is still unsure of whether they will receive ERAM, STARs, or a combination of the two. The off-shore program is on hold at this time. A new scoping document is being worked at the lower levels of NATCA and the FAA for terminal support, after the deployment and implementation of STARs. NATCA will continue to have a voice in development, testing, training, implementation, deployment, and the evaluation of existing and future terminal automation. TAMR Software/Hardware – Operational Testing and Evaluation (OT&E) – S6.R8 Drop Three testing concluded Dec. 13. The R8 build integrates TSAS tools and display elements into the STARs baseline. The testing was done to check the latest drop to ensure existing STARs software wasn't adversely affected, and to allow TAMR SMEs to test TSAS functions. Thanks goes out to the NATCA SMEs from DCC, SCT, PHL, A80,

• Cover
• ERAW received a briefing from Second Level Engineering and the Program Office on the Alternate Display Path in support of R-side Tech Refresh. The goal is to allow the AIX processor to provide data to the glass in the event of an MDM failure due to th...
• SE2 Use Case Updates
• o 4th Line – The team reached agreement on the 4th Line use case referencing the ON/OFF switch functionality. Once all team members concur, the use case will be sent to SLE.
• o Airspace Transfer – The team discussed the changes to the use case and a section was added for the "Push" function. The team also decided that language should be added to capture review of national procedures.
• DataComm CHI
• o The uplink type for Speed and Route Generic Uplinks was discussed. A recommendation was made to modify the classification of the Confirm Speed (uM134) and Confirm Assigned Route uplinks from Temporary Generic Uplinks to Permanent Generic Uplinks. Th...
• ER 195554 AHI and Point Outs
• o The team reviewed and reached agreement on the problem statement, "The desired behavior is to add system functionality that will insert an AHI (Auto Handoff Inhibit) for an aircraft from the initiating sector to the receiving sector after the receiv...
• ER 194653 Pending Font and Brightness
• o The team discussed and reached consensus on the problem statement, "Its desired behavior is to change the button functions on the SAA Filter Menu so that both hot and pending airspaces can be changed independently."
• Altimeter CAR
• o The team discussed updating altimeters at a more frequent rate. A task team has been created to work the issue with SLE and respond to the CAR.
• ER 186070 Weather Updates
• o The ER describes a situation where the weather report for a specific station did not update and the old weather remained displayed. A draft problem statement will be created with a desired behavior of reporting weather observations as missing, if th...
• PDRR/ABRR
• o Critical AIMS 196440 was written against PDRR and a software fix is needed to correct the issue. The ERAM fix will be delivered in April 2019, and the TFMS fix in 2020 or later. The initial suggestion is to disable PDRR at the facility level until t...