A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/619386
Loewen was able to attend a demonstration of CROPD at MITRE and then receive a briefing from the Agency IAW Article 7 of our CBA. o CROPD is an interesting concept that will connect to the tower's voice switching system and alert when it detects, via voice recognition, clearances to/from a runway that is indicated as closed in the system. o Initial testing of CROPD began in 2012 with voice recordings collected at DCA. Following some programming and adjustments, CROPD was tested on voice data at IAD. To date, CROPD has not been tested on live air traffic. MITRE is prepared to conduct a test at JFK in 2016. To prepare for the testing, CROPD will be connected to the voice switch, likely in February 2016 for system optimization and testing in the early summer. · Visual Scanning Working Group: Tower visual scanning is a Top 5 initiative for 2016. A working group was convened this past fall to begin looking at means to train scanning and the impact of new technologies on controller's scans. Work is ongoing to develop a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) for the Agency's Top 5. · Airport Construction: The Airport Construction Advisory Council (ACAC) continues to support construction activities throughout the NAS, Alaska having taken its annual winter break is the only region not actively working around construction. NATCA representative are reminded that Mr. Loewen represents NATCA on the council and can assist with challenges associated with airport construction. · RTCA: In addition to the ACAC, Loewen sits on a working group at RTCA that is formulating recommendations to the Agency to improve communication and collaboration around airport construction. From Air Traffic to Procedures, Airports, Tech Ops, NAS users, and many others there are many opportunities to improve this coordination. o Mr. Loewen is also working a corrective action request (CAR) from the ERC related to airport construction and shortcomings in that coordination. · Root Cause Analysis Team (RCAT): The RCAT will next meet on Jan. 5, 2016. Loewen will be meeting with the Agency in January to revise and update the RCAT charter to reflect changes in their internal practices over the past six years.