A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/589908
this plan. By working together, we're able to track accomplishments, identify problems early, and resolve them together. Delta CEO Richard Anderson serves as chair of the NAC. He shared with me a message he sent out to his workforce praising the FAA for the job we're doing in running the air traffic control system. He also cited the progress we're making with our NextGen modernization efforts. It's really good to hear feedback like this f rom our customers. Let me highlight some of our successes. In support of Performance Based Navigation, we completed the Charlotte Metroplex implementation yesterday, and the Northern California Metroplex implementation in April, which are helping to increa se efficiency and improve traffic flow in those regions. We also implemented Established on Required Navigation Performance for widely spaced operations at Denver airport in March, which is resulting in a reduction in track miles, fuel burn and noise. To i mprove surface operations, we've implemented the SWIM Surface Visualization Tool (SVT) at five TRACONs: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Louisville and New York, in addition to other facilities. SVT gives TRACON controllers a visual depiction of surface activity at ASDE - X equipped airports, enabling them to optimize traffic flow, cutting flight time and fuel usage. We are hearing that controllers are calling it a "game changer." In support of Multiple Runway Operations, the FAA has safely reduced wake separation s tandards at eleven locations: Atlanta, Charlotte, Louisville, Chicago Midway, Chicago O'Hare, Cincinnati, Houston Hobby, Houston Intercontinental, Newark, New York Kennedy and New York LaGuardia. We call it Wake RECAT, and we're saving time on arrivals and taxi - out times, and the airlines are saving money in operating expenses. Also, FedEx, our host in Memphis, reported that Wake RECAT is providing them with a reduction in emissions and a 17% capacity gain at Memphis airport. Lastly, we reached initial oper ational capability for Data Communication's departure clearance services at our key tower sites: Salt Lake and Houston's Bush Intercontinental and Hobby. We'll continue to deploy Data Comm at more than 50 air traffic control towers. With this departure cle arance capability, we'll be able to reduce taxi out times, controller and pilot workload, congestion on the airwaves, and the likelihood of communication errors that can occur from voice exchange. This is just some of the progress we've made toward these p riorities in the past year. I want to thank everyone in the ATO who has been involved with advancing these capabilities. To build on this success, we've decided to make the NextGen Joint Implementation Plan a three - year rolling plan. With this approach, we can continue our momentum, and evolve the plan to the changing needs of the national airspace system and the aviation community. Thanks everyone, Teri L. Bristol ATO Chief Operating Officer MEMBERSHIP AND MARKETING DEPARTMENT NATCA STORE ITEM FOR THE WEEK: Micro Fleece Jacket Features of this product: 100% anti - pill Polyester full zip jacket with side pockets. An ideal lightweight alternative to wool, our jacket is exceptionally warm, wind - resistant, moisture - wicking, wat er - repellent and quick - drying. With e lasticized waistband and cuffs. Embroide ry options for the left chest. Available sizes S - 4XL and in Black, Hunter, Red, Nav y, and Yellow. Mad e in USA. Price: $34.00 - $38.00. Made in USA.