NATCA Bookshelf

National Office Update: Dec. 30 - Feb. 3

A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association

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representatives tested the system. There was an issue that the TTL lab was needed to verify correct application of delay to the controller positions. Coordinating with local SMEs and technical representatives, this testing was accomplished as well. Once the facility was satisfied that the system was operating acceptably, this latest TBFM version was loaded on the Operational String at ZTL. The Ops Team and other support stayed onsite to work with the local SMEs to ensure that there were no issues as the system started being used operationally. No issues were found through operational usage of TBM for ATL and CLT, EDC and IDAC usage, etc. Following the activity, ZTL remained on the 4.8.4 P2 software operationally. The TBFM Ops Team members traveled to ZAB as part of a multi-week extended metering training activity in support of upcoming Denver Metroplex. This was the last of the initial round of training/system verification for the Denver extended metering system. The TBFM Ops Team met with facility TMU and area representatives to ensure that they were happy with the system moving forward and that the support is adequate for their needs. As ZAB currently uses TBFM XM, there was not as much need for training to the areas as at ZKC and ZMP, but the XM system was briefed to the workforce. Additionally, the TBFM Ops Team traveled to PNS and ZJX for the training/implementation of IDAC at PNS. Previously, PNS was slated for implementation of IDAC along with a number of other facilities underlying ZJX Center. Unfortunately, due to technical issues, the IDAC system was not able to be installed to the correct operational standards and had to be postponed. After these issues were addressed, the Ops Team returned and verified the system. The week then involved training the facility on the IDAC system and working together with ZJX for implementation of usage. By the end of the week, the facility had been trained and started utilizing IDAC in the tower in lieu of calling ZJX for a number of departure flows. The week of Jan. 13, the TBFM Ops Team members were on site at ZDV, along with support at ZMP, ZLC, ZKC, and ZAB to verify the extended metering system to Denver in the lead up to the implementation week of Jan. 27. The purpose of this activity was to verify that time-based metering delay times post correctly to the sectors, and that TMU GUIs were set up correctly. There was an issue that the selection to post times to sectors at ZMP was not adapted correctly. This was quickly identified and corrected in customization and no other major issues were found with the XM system. The TBFM Ops Team returned the week of Jan. 27 to support the facilities for implementation of the XM system. The same week, Ops Team members working on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) traveled to ZNY and PHL to meet with facility representatives. The purpose of these visits was to brief on the progress of the PHL TBFM project. Specifically, the Team covered information and facilitated conversations regarding the Phase 1 implementation of the project slated for March. Information from the PHL TBFM runs at the Tech Center and impacts of the PHL phase 1 work was discussed and there was overall good reception to the Team and the support that will follow.

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