NATCA Bookshelf

WEDNE SDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 WEDNESDAY: National Media Perspective: NBC's Tom Costello NBC News Correspondent Tom Costello will open CFS this morning with a discussion about reporting on aviation. Costello is a veteran reporter and has covered many stories that have included NATCA. CFS has never before featured a member of the press as a speaker, and this prestigious honor is only fitting for Costello, who has a stellar knowledge of aviation and air traffic and was the first national television correspondent to report on the Archie League Medal of Safety Awards. Costello is based in Washington, D.C., and reports daily for the "Today Show," "NBC Nightly News," MSNBC, and CNBC. In addition to covering aviation for the network, his assigned beats include transportation, NASA, and regulatory and consumer-related issues. Costello's high-profile assignments with NBC have included the deaths of 29 coal miners in West Virginia, the disappearance of an Air France flight over the Atlantic Ocean, the crash of a Continental Connection flight in Buffalo, the US Airways/Miracle on the Hudson river landing, and the death of Senator Edward Kennedy. Tom Costello Correspondent, NBC News Rio Pavilion Ballroom • 8:35 a.m. Spotlight: Hersman to Receive Sentinel of Safety Award The James L. Oberstar "Sentinel of Safety" Award was created as a way to honor a member of the aviation or legislative community who has displayed outstanding achievement in the advancement of aviation safety. This year NATCA is excited to honor President and CEO of the National Safety Council Deborah Hersman, former NTSB chairman, with our highest award for a person outside of NATCA. Upon receiving this award, Chairman Hersman will join the ranks of such NATCA champions as Congressmen Frank LoBiondo, Alcee Hastings, Peter DeFazio, Jerry Costello, and Steven LaTourette, Senator Frank Lautenberg, former FAA Administrators Jane Garvey and Randy Babbitt, former ALPA President Capt. Lee Moak, former ATO Director of Safety and Special Projects Jim Fossey, and last but obviously not least, the award's namesake, Chairman Jim Oberstar. Chairman Oberstar was the quintessential champion of safety in aviation and a dedicated fighter for the labor rights of this nation's aviation safety professionals. His recent passing was a tragedy, but we are proud to share his legacy with this award for years to come. There are many reasons why we chose Chairman Hersman as our 2015 recipient. From her vigilance in investigating the 787 battery problems, to her tireless crusade to improve the safety record of general aviation, to exposing the systemic issues of fatigue and workplace distraction, she has proven herself to be an outspoken advocate for safety and accountability within the National Airspace System (NAS). Under Chairman Hersman's leadership at the NTSB, NATCA worked to tackle the insidious problems of fatigue and distraction in the workplace. Our Turn Off Tune In and Fully Charged programs are a testament to the work she did to ensure a safer operation and NAS. We thank her for helping our organization adopt the Foundations of Professionalism program that now encompasses Turn Off Tune In and Fully Charged, among others. Deborah Hersman and Chairman Jim Oberstar in 2004 Preview: Fireside Chat with Administrator Huerta NATCA President Paul Rinaldi and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta will sit down for a candid conversation on the CFS stage this afternoon. The two leaders will discuss the current state of the FAA and the National Airspace System (NAS) and how collaboration between the Agency, the Union, and numerous industry stakeholders is benefitting the flying public. As the Agency continues to implement NextGen advancements that will lead to enhanced safety and efficiency, the capabilities and needs of the workforce will continue to change as well, especially with the introduction of new technologies such as UAS. Join us for this important discussion on the past, present, and future of safety and aviation in the United States. FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and NATCA President Paul Rinaldi Rio Pavilion Ballroom • 1:40 p.m. 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. BREAKFAST 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. REGISTRATION 8:30 a.m. - 8:35 a.m. WELCOME Steve Hansen, NATCA National Safety Committee Chair 8:35 a.m. - 9:25 a.m. KEYNOTE ADDRESS Tom Costello, NBC News Correspondent 9:25 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. PANEL Air Traffic Control Modernization & Safety 10:45 a.m. - 11:25 a.m. BREAK 11:25 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. PRESENTATION National Safety Initiative 11:55 a.m. - 12:40 p.m. AIR TRAFFIC FEUD Championship Round 12:40 p.m. - 1:40 p.m. LUNCH 1:40 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. FIRESIDE CHAT FAA Administrator Michael Huerta NATCA President Paul Rinaldi 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. WORKSHOPS (see page 6 for details) 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. BREAK 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. WORKSHOPS (see page 7 for details) 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Archie League Medal of Safety Awards Reception 7:30 p.m. Archie League Medal of Safety Awards Banquet Ticket required for admission. For full agenda, see page 12. Edward Bolton, Jr. Assistant Administrator for NextGen, FAA "We're going to remain focused. We're going to be transparent. We're going to collaborate. We'll fight for you. At the end of this, it's up to you to make it happen. We're just here to help." "We get work done by collaborating with the people who operate the system. It's about teamwork." "With your input, we've prioritized the NextGen capabilities that will deliver the biggest benefits now."

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