A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/1156478
Northern California TRACON (NCT) as a basis for alert scenarios given the complexity of traffic and terrain. The NCT STARS traffic data must be converted to TGF format to allow the scenarios to be run in a lab environment with pseudo pilots and pseudo controllers. Representing the MSAW/CA Board, Mr. Ness travelled to the Tech Center in mid-July to assist with TGF scenario development to attain realistic traffic flows and interactions with pseudo pilots. NCT personnel will be brought in to verify scenario accuracy in regards to procedures and traffic. The hope is that the research will validate reduction to alert lookahead times and thusly reduce nuisance alerts. The optical trackball will go back to keysite with a new firmware update that prevents the cursor from unintentionally activating. Coordinated dates are PHL (Aug. 5-9); PCT (Aug. 12-16); and ACY (Aug. 20). Pending positive feedback, the trackball will roll out to the terminal NAS replacing the legacy mechanical trackball. TAMR deployment entered the phase of decommissioning STARS LITE and ARTS 1E systems beginning with Easton tower in June. These stand-alone systems will be replaced by STARS G4 systems as a remote tower off a nearby TRACON. The planned IOCs for August include remoting Eagle tower off Denver TRACON, Salina tower off Wichita ATCT, and Traverse City tower off Green Bay ATCT. NATCA SMEs will be onsite for each IOC to assist controllers with the transition. STARS Enhancements 2 (SE2) requirements continue to be refined by STRWG stakeholders. SE2 presents several new software functions including merging and spacing applications, messaging, airspace transfer, and altitude amendments. Mr. Ness and NATCA ATPA Rep Mike Sanders introduced a software proposal to add ATPA distance processing on ghost targets when using CRDA/MDA. The advent of RNP curved approaches has introduced challenges to controllers when building a final with both RNP curved approach tracks and vectored/straight-ins. Displaying ghosts and mileage relative to these RNP aircraft will give controllers more tools to be successful when RNP approaches are being used. STARS OT&E activities for August were cancelled and moved to September. NATCA has been actively engaged with TSLE tests to coordinate upcoming test activities for the R9 and R10 software builds late this fall. The STARS R8 build went to keysite at Fargo, Fayetteville, Denver, and SCT at the end of July and beginning of August. R8 is a limited release build with specific content related to tacking, surveillance reflections and hospital lists. Ross Costa, NATCA TAMR Training Lead - Mr. Costa (RSW) travelled with Nathan Taylor (A80), Jeff Gessler (PCT), Mike Tate (D01), Maurice Franklin (PCT), and Frank Asaro (RSW) to Marlboro, Mass., to visit with Raytheon on the new AT Prepare tool for AT Coach. Additionally, we took an early look at the AT Coach changes due to the new Linux Operating System upgrade. AT Prepare is a new scenario development tool that should make scenario development much easier and user friendly. The group reviewed both, outlined the changes, and offered suggestions that would improve the product. There were some changes that were identified that would need to be changed in order for AT Coach to operate as it does today. The group will be attending another demonstration later this year to see the changes that were requested. We are continuing to monitor the training needs for these changes and are working with the Agency on developing a plan for both AT Coach and AT Prepare changes.