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OPTIMIZATION OF AIRSPACE AND PROCEDURES IN THE METROPLEX OAPM NATCA PRESIDENT PAUL RINALDI JOINED THE FAA IN ANNOUNCING THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NORTH TEXAS METROPLEX PROJECT. 12 NextGen Now | Winter 2014 NATCA and the FAA announced a series of new and exciting developments during the fall quarter as the Optimization of Airspace and Procedures in the Metroplex (OAPM) project hit its stride, marked by implementation of new procedures and airspace improvements in the North Texas and Washington, D.C., areas. The North Texas Metroplex project is one of the largest implemented by the FAA to date. The FAA implemented similar changes in the Houston area in May this year. More than a dozen such projects are underway or planned in metropolitan areas across the country, including Northern California, Atlanta and Charlotte. A Metroplex is a major metropolitan area with multiple airports where heavy air traffic and environmental constraints can combine to hinder efficient air traffic movement. NATCA President Paul Rinaldi joined the FAA on Wednesday, Nov. 19 in announcing the successful implementation of the North Texas Metroplex project, telling the assembled news media that it will deliver more on-time flights for passengers while reducing pollution by thousands of metric tons each year. "The successful rollout of new airspace procedures here in North Texas proves again that NexGen is happening now. It's no longer just the future, it is also happening in the present, and that means good things for safe, efficient flights," Rinaldi said. "NATCA is a proud stakeholder in NextGen implementation. Our members here in North Texas air traffic control facilities, like their colleagues nationwide, have shown great enthusiasm for new technology and have worked very hard to meet the challenge of safely implementing so many changes in their airspace and workload." The airspace improvements will reduce miles flown by as much as one million nautical miles annually, based on flight plans. This will save up to 4.1 million gallons of fuel and reduce carbon emissions by as much as 41,000 metric tons each year.

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