A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/617391
underway at Minneapolis, Houston and Los Angeles centers. We expect to have it introduced at all en route centers by 2018. In addition, we'll expand TBFM's Integrated Departure and Arrival Capability (IDAC) in 2016. IDAC monitors departure demand, identifies slots in the overhead stream of traffic, and deconflicts departur es that would otherwise enter the slots simultaneously. In 2019, we'll add the Terminal Sequencing and Spacing (TSAS) tool to extend the metering and sequencing capability of TBFM into terminal airspace, and further enable use of more efficient curved path PBN approaches. The second program, the Traffic Flow Management System, is our primary suite of automation tools to manage the flow of air traffic across the nation and plan for future demand. It's being used at the Command Center and 88 air traffic facil ities. TFMS helps traffic managers predict demand, identify constraints, maximize capacity, and reduce delays. Through TFMS, we can capture and disseminate data that enables us to incorporate preferences by system users, so we can be more responsive to the ir needs. TFMS tools are reducing costs for system users. For instance, the Airspace Flow Program saves the airlines an estimated $3.5 million every severe - weather day. In the coming year, we expect to start receiving Estimated Off Block Time (EOBT) data f rom the airlines. With EOBT, we'll be able to update our departure times, which will help us better model system demand, and make surface operations more efficient. More efficient surface operations will also be accomplished by our third T program: Terminal Flight Data Manager (TDFM). It will automate flight plans and integrate them with surveillance data to create accurate, real - time predictive tools for the terminal environment. With flight, surveillance, and traffic management information, control lers can better manage the efficiency of departure queues and decrease the time the aircraft spends waiting to taxi, resulting in less fuel usage and emissions. We expect to award a contract for the development of TFDM with a plan to implement capabilities incrementally starting in 2020 to 89 sites. I look forward to completing this investment decision, and seeing continued progress on all three of these programs. I want to thank everyone, including our labor partners, for working together to make these pro grams a success. Let's keep up the great work! Thanks everyone, Teri L. Bristol ATO Chief Operating Officer MEMBERSHIP AND MARKETING DEPARTMENT NATCA Store Item of the Week: Tablet Cover Get stylish with your tablet. Try o ur mahogany cover — measuring 8 ¾ by 11 ½ when closed. The NATCA Logo is featured in gold foil hot stamp. The cover is an adjustable holder to suit a variety of tablet siz es. Other features include foam - padded covers and t urned edge construction. The cover style also includes a black elastic closure piece and a black vertical spine on the back. The lining allows tablets to be placed inside on the left or right panel to suit your preference. Price: $25. Made in USA. Click here to see the item and order it on the NATCA Store website. Select USPS or UPS as your shipping preference on your orders. Reminder: Apparel items take 3 - 4 weeks to deliver from date of order. If you need items by a certain date, please