NATCA Bookshelf

NiW 2015: Q & A Q Q Q A A A Does NATCA support NextGen? What is the status of NextGen? What is the update on the recent changes to the FAA's hiring process? • Yes. NATCA and the FAA have been working collaboratively on the development and implementation of NextGen. • We take great pride in our role as a partner on the leading edge of NextGen. • In order for NextGen to be successfully completed, a stable and predictable funding stream is necessary. • Sequestration and the resulting April 2013 furloughs, as well as the October 2013 government shutdown, created needless delays in the development, design, and implementation of NextGen, and increased costs in these key modernization programs for our aviation system. The shuering and reactivation of NextGen programs not only delayed their progress, but also increased costs. • The boom line is that a stable and predictable funding stream is key to a successful NextGen program. • Refer to the NextGen Now publication for additional information. • The FAA changed its hiring process in February 2014. NATCA had major issues with the FAA's 2014 process because it excluded many qualified applicants from the hiring pool. Hundreds, if not thousands, of qualified candidates were rejected as an unintended consequence of parts of the 2014 process. • Since last year, the FAA has revised its 2014 biographical questionnaire (BQ) and validated the revised version of the BQ on the current controller workforce. • NATCA's primary concern is ensuring a steady stream of eligible, qualified candidates who will pass through the training academy and be successful once assigned to facilities across the country. Q A How are you in D.C. today? Are you using duty or official time? • No. I am on annual leave/regular day off. NEXTGEN NEXTGEN OFFICIAL TIME HIRING/STAFFING NiW Today n i w . n a t c a . n e t 32

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