A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/587238
Federal Aviation Administration had insufficient contingency plans and security protocols in place at a Chicago air traffic control facility that was set on fire last year". · Members of Congress requested that the DO T inspector general review the emergency and security protocols to prevent or mitigate the impac t of future emergencies because , "thousands of flights were delayed and cancelled into and out of Chicago O'Hare and Midway airports, and aviation stakeholders and airlines reportedly lost over $350 million dollars . " The AIG's objectives f or the report were to access if Chicago's ATC facilities had a business continuity plan that would provide for adequate levels of redundancy and resiliency, and evaluate securi ty measures in place to mitigate potential risks to the ATC system. · The report also noted: o The FAA ' s plans " did not contain procedures for transferring air traffic and airspace responsibilities from Chicag o Center to other facilities. " Divesti ng airspace is not a requirement in the 1900.47D: Air Traffic Control Operational Contingency Plans. o The AIG reported that Chicago facility employees did not have adequate training on the contingency plans, as required in the current 1900.47D. o Afte r the event, the FAA's ATO completed a 30 - Day Assessment of Operational Contingency Plans as directed by the FAA Administrator. The Assessment identified the next steps to be completed within 1 year. o Establish a central office to manage contingency pla nning, including policy and oversight of facility plans. · In February 2015, FAA created the Temporary Operational Contingency Office (TOCO) tasked to "ensure all ATO facilities have Operational Contingency Plans (OCP) that are aligned and in complia nce with an overarching, consistent strategy for executing operational contingencies to ensure continuity of operations; ensure that these plans are operationally viable, periodically tested, actively managed and effectively trained." o Implement target levels of efficiency while simultaneously achieving target levels of safety during NAS contingencies. o Return Core 30 airports to 90 percent operating capacity within 24 hours, and return Center and TRACON airspace to 90 percent of normal operating capa city within 96 hours. o Update FAA Orders and facility contingency plans to address requirements for site - specific contingency plans. o FAA is drafting a new OCP Order requiring Centers to develop a plan for transferring control of airspace to surround ing facilities. o ARTCCs are meeting this month with the TOCO to finalize divestiture agreements for OCPs to meet requirements of the 1900.47E. o Air traffic facilities will be developing new plans, but they cannot be implemented until the new order is published. o The 1900.47E has passed the national SMS process and will soon be published after local SMS process has occurred, mandated by the VP of Air Traffic Services. o FAA's next steps are focused on determining what infrastr ucture and system changes are needed to achieve these targets. o The FAA's ATO is reviewing existing technological limitations of