A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/626428
• Potomac TRACON (PCT) is engaged in the SMS process to investigate the removal of their existing Emergency Communications System (ECS). Their existing system provides both A/G multi - cast capabi lity and G/G backup. An SRM panel convened in August on the removal of the ECS identified two high hazards. The FAA may convene an additional panel to readdress the identified hazards. • Grand Rapids Tower/TRACON (GRR) is reporting multiple issues with their a ging voice switch. The Voice Switching Team in Oklahoma City (AJW - 1732) is working closely wi th GRR to resolve their issues. • Mr. Shedden is in Anchorage all week (Jan 10 - 15) to discuss FSS requirements for NVS. SURVEILLANCE and BROADCAST SERVICES (SBS): Eric Labardini (ZHU) is the Article 48 Re presentative to the SBS Office. Below is the SBS report for this week. • The NATCA Surveillance and Broadcast Services (SBS) team includes: Eric Labardini (ZHU), National SBS Article 48 Rep, Craig Bielek (A90), Dan Hamilton (SFO), National Airport Surface Surveillance Capability (ASSC) Rep, Andrew Stachowiak (I90), and Tom Zarick (ZDV), National Interval Management Rep . • ADS - B: o As of this update, 18,697 aircraft are equipped to broadcast with AD S - B Rule compliant avionics in the NAS. Current projections continue to fall short of the estimated total NAS fleet requir ed to equip by January 1, 2020. Users that wait too close to 2020 may find that the availability of installers falls short of demand . o ADS - B IOCs have been completed at all EnRoute (ERAM and MEARTS) facilities. o Limited deployment activity at the Terminal sites through the holidays. o 71 of 160 Terminal sites have reached their ADS - B IOC and the maj ority are operating on Fusion. The r emaining Terminal sites are ARTS 2E sites awaiting an upgr ade to the ELITE (STARS) build. The transition t o Fusion follows and ADS - B IOC. The most recent and upcoming Terminal events: • South Bend Fusion start, January 6 • Lafayette (LFT) ADS - B IOC, January 19 • Detroit Fusion start, February 10 o Newly IOC'd Terminal sites are starting operational use of ADS - B as the priority sensor (above radar) while prior Terminal sit es are reconfiguring to do so. A plan to promote ADS - B in EnRoute site sort cells is being d eveloped; this is a subtle change that takes adva ntage of ADS - B when available. ZHU has been running in this configuration since August 13. ZKC and Z LC promoted ADS - B on January 7. Other ERAM sites can expect the SBS Program Office to start scheduling t elcon s to better explain the change. • ASDE - X Tech Refresh: o Continues with minimal issues. Dan Hamilton has been working to bridge the gap between the ATSAP program and NASE engineering. Some ATSAP reports that controllers filed regarding ASDE - X were not m aking it to NASE engineering for resolution. This was not the fault of ATSAP or NASE. It was strictly how the info was being reported. In the past weeks the ATSAP ERC has reached out to Dan and NASE engineering in efforts