A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/1206003
on ghost targets, Harden Operation STARS from training-related activities, and able to modify ERAM to allow both terminal and En route controllers to correct false starts. In addition, Mr. Kendrick attended the TAMR look-ahead and weekly OSF technical telcons. TERMINAL FLIGHT DATA MANAGER (TFDM) Aaron Rose (NCT) is the Article 114 Rep for TFDM. His report is below: A major step was completed at the first facility scheduled to receive TFDM. PHX Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) concluded on Oct. 31. Local Subject Matter Expert (SME) Kimetha Turner joined AJV-S Reps, Mr. Rose and Louis Caggiano (EWR), to begin the operational tests at the keysite. Overall, the testing was a success in that we found some issues with software and interfaces on the live system which did not present itself in the lab conditions at the William J. Hughes Technical Center (WJHTC). Most of the issues were minor and can be corrected in adaptation. STARS, TFMS, FIDO, and ERAM were all tested to ensure the connections worked as designed and as intended. Issues still persist with software bugs which are more annoying than they are a problem. We have workarounds, but with a new system which has yet to be deployed operationally, it is ill-advised to move forward until issues are corrected. The team will be once again testing live in PHX after the new year. On Nov. 7, a pre-site survey (PSS) was conducted at LGA with the PMO and NATCA TFDM representatives. Bridget Brazelton (DEN), Louis Caggiano (EWR), and Aaron Rose attended this one-day meeting which mainly dealt with training. In addition, placement of the training string and discussion of equipment took place with the ATM and FacRep. A follow-up larger site survey took place on Dec. 11-12 and included new NATCA TFDM deployment lead Nate Miller (MDW). Mr. Miller will be coordinating with FacReps or designees and will be the point of contact for each of the 89 facilities moving forward. John Short (DFW) attended a surface metering model validation meeting at LAX on Nov. 13. Noblis presented a model of LAX west flow operations that were validated by current LAX personnel (NATCA/management). The model focused on three core operational effects from metering: gate holding, taxi times, runway queues. LAX was satisfied with the information presented and is looking forward to what TFDM surface metering would bring to LAX. The information presented was in line with what TFDM surface metering would provide the facility. That same week, the remaining ops team members met in Gaithersburg, Md., at the Leidos facility for an Early User Involvement Event (EUIE). Most of the items reviewed were Build 2 surface metering tools. Blake Locke (NATCA TBFM) and Mike Hoprich (CLT) were also in attendance to ensure the TFDM team understood the requirements for ATD-2 and TBFM. Departure Spacing Program (DSP) replacement meetings were attended by Mr. Rose at WJHTC on Nov. 20. TFDM will be replacing the tower equipment and Traffic Flow