A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/1177430
Mr. Costa then travelled to Cleveland Tower/TRACON with Dick Thomas (GEG) and Curt Fischer (A90) to act as a floorwalker for the 804 transition of Mansfield (MFD) and Canton-Akron (CAK) TRACONs into Cleveland. Jefferson Bishop (A80) and Scott Carnes (P50) assisted MFD tower while Jon Bealles (A80) and Pat Carter (D10) assisted CAK tower with the transition. Overall, the transition was smooth, and the controllers did a great job at acclimating to the new equipment and procedures. There were several identified adaptation changes that were made, and we will continue to work with the 804 process to further develop lessons learned from these events. Finally, Mr. Costa travelled to Boston with Nathan Taylor (A80), Jeff Gessler (PCT), Frank Asaro (RSW) and Mike Tate (DEN OSF) to visit Raytheon for an ATPrepare demonstration. ATPrepare is a new tool to assist in the development of scenarios for ATCoach. The tool is intended to streamline the development of the scenarios, comply with the new Linux transition and greatly improve the Graphic User Interfaces in both scenario development and running a scenario. The team worked at identifying issues and product improvements in an attempt to make the product the best it can be for field deployment. The team will continue to work with Raytheon, UFA, and the Agency to ensure that the concerns are addressed appropriately. TAMR Operational Support Facilities (OSF) Update by Scott Kendrick (North Texas- OSF) - I attended the STARS software release S6R10 playdate at Raytheon HQ in Marlborough, Mass., focusing mainly on Approach Runway Verification (ARV). Users were able to get an early user look of the functionality and provide comments. In addition, Mike Tate (DVOSF) attended the second look of AT Prepare, the new interface with ATCoach, which is needed due to the operating system change for STARS. System Technical Reports Working Group (STRWG) - Stakeholders continue reviewing proposed software modifications to STARS STR 29824, In trail distance, and should be available for ghost targets in ATPA processing volumes. Raytheon is updating this thin spec based on NATCA AT and AJV comments for STR 28955 FAAst2570, Add 7 Char OTP/VFR Assigned/Requested Altitude. Program Trouble Reports Working Group (PTRWG) - We reviewed six items on the Watch List, one of which will be closed. FAAst13362 (ATCoach: Aircraft Repositioned in Scenario using Range/Azimuth/Heading Syntax Has Problem During ATCoach Playback Mode) is working as designed. For various reasons, the other five PTRs reviewed will remain on the Watch List. Several PTRs regarding the Linux ATCoach product, based on a presentation, but not actually seeing the product "on the glass", were put on the WL pending actual review on the Linux ATCoach product. Reference PTRs FAAst14624, FAAst14609, FAAst14608, FAAst14607, FAAst14606, FAAst14605, FAAst14604, FAAst14603, FAAst14602, and FAAst14600. Software Planning Board (SPB) - Stakeholders continue to work changes in the software release contents package list for S6.00R10.