A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/597273
· Conducted the TFMS Release 13 Safety Panel. · Reviewed one of the items being considered for Work Package 4. This is the next group of TFMS enhancements planned for the time period of 2016 - 20 20. This session focused primarily on tools to improve prediction demand modeling for sectors. · The team discussed which facilities should have access to another ARTCC's departures through the PDRR RAD tool. Currently, the system is designed so th at any ARTCC can amend flight plans that depart from any other ARTCC. The TFM DT members do not support this functionality. We are currently pursuing a configuration that will allow each ARTCC to determine which other ARTCCs will have access to amend fli ghts departing from their facility. · Reviewed the CBI for the Departure Viewer tool. · Release 12's operational date has been pushed back until late January due to the delays created by the power upgrade at the Tech Center. Due to the delay, there will most likely be another OT session scheduled for some time in January. · The second R12 OT session occurred October 14 - 15 with members from DCC and ZME participating. · On October 18 I participated in a telcon to review the issues found from the second R12 OT session. These issues were ranked for severity and prioritized for getting fixed. · The next TFM DT meeting is scheduled for November 17 - 19 at the FAA Tech Center. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM (UAS): Steve Weidner (ZMP) is the UAS Article 48 Representative and is assisted by Jeff Richards (ZAU). Mr. Weidner's report to the membership is below. · Participated in discussions on the Pathfinder 3, Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. NATCA attached a diss enting opinion to the SRMD for this operation siting several issues with the panel and the proposed operation. BNSF flew it's first BVLOS operation in rural New Mexico last week under the Pathfinder 3 umbrella. The Insitu Scan Eagle was used for this ope ration. · Met with Elizabeth Soltys (FAA Program Manager, Pathfinder 4) to discuss Pathfinder 4 operations. Pathfinder 4 is a new effort to attempt to detect rouge UAS operating in the airport environment. The FAA entered into a Cooperative Researc h & Development Agreement (CRDA) with CACI to test equipment and procedures under this effort. · Participated in the weekly Pathfinder 4 meeting hosted by Marke "Hoot" Gibson (Senior Advisor for UAS Operations) · Met with Jodi McCarthy (FAA Dir ector of Airspace Services) to discuss UAS operations. This is a regular meeting. · Met with Lynn Ray (ATO Vice - President, Mission Support) to discuss UAS operations. This is a regular meeting. · Participated in a call with Travis Mason (Google) to prepare for Mr. Weidner's appearance on a UAS panel at the Google UAS Airspace Seminar · Participated in the Google UAS Airspace Seminar panel at Google's Washington DC HQ. · Participated in a call to prepare for his appearance on a s UAS panel at the