A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/575032
Hi everyone. Partnership for Safety (PFS) is one of the ATO's key safety efforts. As part of this program, e ach facility has a Local Safety Council (LSC), made up of at least one member from NATCA and at least one from management. The LSC has access to the PFS Safety Data Portal, a national database where they can see operational performance metrics for their ow n facility, as well as de - identified ATSAP reports submitted by the facility's controllers, as long as the submitter checks a box to allow it. With this information, LSCs can see their facility's safety trends, identify potential hazards, and devise correc tive actions. They can then report their best practices and lessons learned on ATC InfoHub, another database that is part of the PFS effort, so that LSCs at other facilities can benefit. The PFS national program office also conducts monthly national webina rs for all LSCs to promote awareness of safety topics for the coming month. During last month's webinar, they discussed topics including mitigating unstable approaches, best practices for runway crossings, and controller alertness and fatigue. Also, April O'Connor and Christopher Herbert, LSC co - leads at Miami Center, discussed an event they're holding on October 15 called Spotlight on Safety. This event will bring controllers and system users together to address ongoing safety concerns such as controller - p ilot miscommunication, lack of timely communication, and weather issues. Controllers and pilots will step into each other's shoes so they can better understand each other's roles and responsibilities. Thus far, pilots and/or ATC liaisons from 20 airlines, Embraer, and the National Business Aviation Association have confirmed their attendance. Another great example is the work being done by the LSC at Salt Lake TRACON. They worked to improve safety during parachute jumping through their airspace, which has a dded challenges because of the mountainous terrain and the close proximity and layout of adjacent airports. They worked with controllers at Ogden airport and Hill Air Force Base to clarify what procedures can and can't be used when parachute jumping is in progress. In addition, the LSCs at Salt Lake TRACON and Salt Lake Tower worked together to enhance the safety of Opposite Direction Operations (ODO) procedures at Salt Lake City airport, in accordance with nationally - issued safety guidance. An ODO occurs w hen aircraft are landing and departing on the same or parallel runways – operating in opposite directions from one another. Because of the mountainous terrain to the east of the airport, departing aircraft are limited to either a west turn or a straight ou t departure to the north or south. The LSC workgroup faced the difficult challenge of considering how to run the airport's ODO, which was complicated by three parallel runways and the inability to turn departing aircraft east to avoid an ODO arrival. Depar ting aircraft had to be airborne and across the inbound course of the parallel runway ODO arrival before the arriva l reached the cutoff point. I'd also like you to review a video we recently posted that c aptures work by Miami Tower's LSC to enhance the safety of taxiing operations. I want to thank the LSC s at Miami Center, Salt Lake TRACON, Salt Lake Tower, Miami Tower, and at all facilities around the country. Your knowledge of the local airspace and your dedication to safety and teamwork is enabling us to tailor solutions th at will drive down safety risk. Finally, all LSCs are encouraged to volunteer and share their best safety practices and lessons learned at upcoming monthly webinars. If you're interest ed, you can contact the PFS national team at: 9 - aji - ask - pfs@faa.gov . Teri L. Bristol ATO Chief Operating Officer