A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/1217493
controllers will need to obtain a CTO. Passive testing of the remote tower system is scheduled to begin in late spring 2020. Passive testing includes controllers working live traffic from the mobile tower while another team is situated in the remote tower mimicking the actions of the mobile tower. If the testing is completed satisfactorily, controllers will move out of the mobile tower and into the remote tower for continued testing. The mobile tower would then be used for contingency efforts while testing continues to optimize and evaluate the system. NATCA's Article 114 Rep for the Fort Collins remote tower is Shawn Reuth (APA). Leesburg, Va. (JYO) - Current testing of the JYO remote tower system has been halted while the new off-site location is being built out and equipment is being moved from the JYO airport to the new location that is situated approximately one-quarter mile from the airport. The new location should be ready by late Spring/early Summer 2020, and testing should resume shortly after. The new location brings additional features to the remote tower such as STARS and FDIO. NATCA's Article 114 Rep for the Leesburg remote tower is Kieron Heflin (ZDC). Overarching Remote Tower Work - NATCA participated in the next stage of the FAA's Remote Tower (RT) efforts. As the FAA begins to work toward the goal of Type Certification of Non-Federal Remote Tower Systems, they will need to conduct an Operational Safety Assessment (OSA) for RT systems. This work will help drive safety objectives, technical requirements, and design assurance levels for vendors. While much of the SMS work that has been done thus far has been of an operational nature and (Saab) system and (Leesburg) site-specific, the FAA believes they will be able to use these outputs along with general SMS guidance to expedite the completion of the system level Operational Safety Assessment (OSA). During this meeting, the FAA further explained the key objectives of the OSA and shared the contents of the draft document. PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS Lydia Baune (GEG), Chris Keyes (ZDC), and Josh Cooper (SCT) are members of the National Professional Standards committee. NATCA's Professional Standards (PS) program has now processed over 3,200 cases since the program began in 2010. The program helps to maintain, promote, and inspire professionalism throughout the NAS. The purpose of the PS program is to provide an opportunity for bargaining unit employees to address performance and/or conduct of their peers before such issues rise to a level requiring corrective action(s) by the Agency. The program uses peer-to-peer mediation, conflict resolution, and mentoring to achieve these goals. The program also provides an opportunity to recognize exceptional performance. The NATCA National Professional Standards team trains approximately 100-125 PS members each year. Southern California TRACON recently hosted training for new Professional Standards committee members and we truly appreciate their hospitality. The next training class will be held at Albuquerque Center, March 3-5. The PS program