A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/575032
terminal and enroute options to avoid un - necessary time for training. · Talked about c omputer - based training besides the OKC addition to the airspace class. · Plans are underway to start the development of P hase two of SDAT to perform its namesake function of d esigning airspace. o The goal would be similar to the older program based designs and it would be easily transferrable to our NAS databases. o More to come on this and NATCA will be requesting volunteer s for this work. SURVEILLANCE and BROADCAST SERVICES (SBS) OFFICE: Eric Labardini (ZHU) is the Article 48 Re presentative to the SBS Office. Mr. Labardini and the members of the SBS Article 48 Team have forwarded the reports below for this week. · Eric Labardini (ZHU) – Article 48 Lead o Monday, traveled to DC o Tuesday, participated in th e quarterly Equip 2020 meeting. The group consists of representatives from the Agency, commercial aviation, corporate aviation, general aviation, manufacturers, an d NATCA working together to resolve challenges in meeting the January 202 0 deadline to equip with ADS - B. Many issues have been resolved bu t significant obstacles remain. For one, the Agency's certification process is quite lengthy for aircraft and many air craft types, primarily commercial and rotocraft, still do not have a cert ified ADS - B solution available. Corporate concerns wit h privacy still remain as well. NATCA participated in a breakout session on benefits where we pointed out that ADS - B Out provides significant improved surveillance coverage; this means that advisory services a re now available in more areas. The NextGen office has developed an ADS - B equipage website with educational informa tion on the topic: www.faa.gov/go/equipADSB o Wednesday, met with SBS Ops Support and AJT representatives to discuss concerns surrounding the lengthy SR MD and Notice approval process. The SRMD process is lengthy enough, but the Agency is often requiring Notice approval o n the same topic to recirculate through the same approvers bef ore a project can move forward. This duplication of approvals adds significantly to the overall timeline for any project. Traveled back to Houston afterward. o Thursday, participated in a Gulf o f Mexico A DS - B expansion kickoff meeting. Three additional ADS - B Radios and a new VHF RCAG site based in Mexico are expected to be operat ional by April 2016 or earlier. Group discussed plans for the flight inspection planned for January. o L ed our NATCA SB S weekly telcon. Discussed SBS ongoing and upcoming activities. o Friday, participated in th e weekly SBS Hot Topics telcon. Discussed SBS ac tivities with Agency Co - Leader. Participated in an agenda prep meeting for next week's SBS Article 48 work group mee ting. · Craig Bielek (A90) o Monday participated in the SBS Implementation, SBS Weekly and TSLE telcons.