A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/1217493
Local SRMPs for Recreational UAS Operations Above 400' AGL - The 2018 FAA bill allows limited recreational flyers to fly at a recreational flyer fixed site, that has a written agreement (LOA) with the FAA. Several of these sites that have been identified around the country. A list and map of those sites can be found at www.faa.gov/uas under the Recreational Flyer section. Many of these sites are fine with operations at or below 400' AGL or below the UAS Facility Map altitudes. However, some of the flying sites would like altitudes above 400' AGL. In an effort to accommodate some of those requests for higher altitudes, the FAA held four local SRMPs at sites where the flying club was requesting higher than 400' AGL. Those four SRMPs were held at YIP, BUF, BNA, and LNS. LNS is a contract tower that is not represented by NATCA so NATCA did not participate in that panel. However, local and national NATCA reps participated in each of the other three panels. All three used PDARS data to look at flight tracks through the requested areas and altitudes. As a result of that data, and a thorough review of local operations, all three were able to approve altitudes above 400' AGL. High-E UAS Traffic Management Tabletop Exercise - Mr. Weidner and his FAA counterpart, Maureen Keegan, participated in a one-day tabletop exercise on traffic management for UAS operations in Class High-E airspace at NASA Ames. This airspace is rapidly becoming a high use airspace. This tabletop exercise was to discuss potential scenarios for how traffic might be managed in that airspace. Many of the operators in the airspace want to operate UAS that will stay aloft for days, weeks, months, or even years. These types of operations will present unique traffic management challenges given the length of time the aircraft will want to stay on station. These discussions are in the preliminary stages and NATCA will stay involved as these operations progress. UAS Questions - Any UAS-related questions can be addressed to Mr. Walsh and Mr. Weidner at UAS@natca.net. January 6-12, 2020 Update ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES & OCEANIC PROCEDURES (ATOP) John Lenhart (ZOA) is the Article 114 Rep for Advanced Technologies & Oceanic Procedures (ATOP). ZOA ATOP TR2 - ATOP TR2 is underway at ZOA. Techs and support arrived Jan. 6 and are currently wiring the equipment and preparing for install. Additional Tech Center support will be on hand for 30 days. NATCA has coordinated with the Agency to have the technical teams get recurrent system failure training to mitigate any unforeseen problems during install and system changeover. ATOP Rapid Recovery - No new developments with the Rapid Recovery FDN (functional description narrative). The ATOP team is still awaiting an updated draft FDN