A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/1189372
Craig Bielek and Andrew Stachowiak - On Oct. 2, Mr. Bielek supported all-day radar divestiture introduction meetings in Atlanta for the Eastern Service Area. Mr. Stachowiak supported similar meetings on Oct. 16 in Seattle for the Western Service Area. During the week of Oct. 21, Mr. Stachowiak traveled to Washington to attend several meetings: Radar Divestiture, November TIM planning, Surveillance Analysis/Enhancement, and discussions involving SENSR. On Oct. 31 Mr. Bielek supported the Radar Divestiture introduction meetings in Fort Worth, Texas, for the Central Service Area. On the same day, Mr. Stachowiak participated in the Track Based Display Mode (TBDM) 3nm simulator test in Atlantic City, N.J. This test was successful and will help ZSE and ZBW prepare for their keysite activities scheduled for early December. Mr. Bielek and Mr. Stachowiak are also NATCA SMEs on the Radar Divestiture Team that meets bi- monthly. They both assisted in telcons discussing tracking issues with low-cost uAvionix transponders that are installed in the wingtips or tails of GA aircraft that meet the ADS-B out 2020 mandate. Mr. Bielek and Mr. Stachowiak want to know if there any facilities right now not on Fusion? If so, please reach out to either of them ASAP at craigbielek@gmail.com or andrewjstachowiak@yahoo.com. They are always evaluating additional surveillance sources to help any Fusion-related challenges. ADS-B Avionics Issues - • An issue not screened by automation systems but an important assumption for future ADS-B dependent applications is the broadcast call sign of the user. ADS-B aircraft reports include this information, and automation systems compare it to the filed call sign. When a mismatch occurs a Call Sign Mismatch (CSMM) alert can be generated. The issue has been highlighted in Equip 2020 meetings since ADS-B dependent applications (CAVS, Advanced Interval Management, etc.) are dependent on this functionality. Monthly tracking continues to show this as a significant problem. The SBS Article 114 workgroup has recommended disabling CSMM alerts across all automation platforms. • NATCA SBS continues to work with the Agency toward a more proactive approach to ADS-B avionics issues that result in position error. These issues occur when standards for installation or configuration within aircraft or ground systems are not met. ADS-B is a cooperative surveillance source relying on position accuracy determined onboard the aircraft. Controllers and facilities are encouraged to report any identified events through ATSAP and via automation trouble reports. • Through a series of reports, it has been brought to the team's attention that there are issues with the UAvionics SkyBeacon wingtip mounted ADS-B unit used for general aviation aircraft. The team is participating in meetings with AVS (flight standards) and AIR (flight certification) in efforts to correct the issues found. ASDE-X Tech Refresh - Now that our terrestrial ADS-B infrastructure is deployed and the 2020 mandate is approaching, there is ongoing discussion about the desire to stop supporting MLAT on the Surface. ADS-B radios input to ASDE-X and ASSC offer the same data and accuracy to the surface surveillance systems. There would be no impact or loss of accuracy to the systems. ASEPS (Space-based ADS-B (SBA)) - • Space-based ADS-B activities have started in ZMA. The team is currently working with ZMA and neighboring facilities regarding SOPs and LOAs. Space-based will be used in Sectors 62 and 63 of ZMA. This is going to be the proving ground for space-based ADS-