A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/639552
Deployment is going well. Fifteen new radios are in work or are going operational in January at various sites across the NAS. • NAS Voice Recorder Program (NVRP) is the replacement for existing NAS voice recorders (DALR, DALR2, DVRS, DVR2). Vendor meetings occurred between November 19th and December 3rd. There was an NVRP Stakeholder meeting on Januar y 21st discussion requirements and information from the vendor RFI s (Request For Information). We will continue to work on refining req uirements for the new recorder. • The Headset contract (Plantronics) is expiring in June of 2016. The FAA program office is currently in the vendor selection process and expected to announce the selected vendor in the spring 2016 time frame. There will likely be changes to the availability of existing headset models regardless of the vendor selected, although the most popula r models will remain unchanged. • 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 capability and G/G backup. An SRM panel convened in August on the removal of the ECS identified 2 high hazards. NATCA and Tech Ops are engaged locally to address the continued maintenance of the system. • Grand Rapids Tower/TRACON (GRR) is reporting multiple issues with their aging voice switch. T he Voice Switching Team in Oklahoma City (AJW - 1732) is working closely with GRR to resolve their issues. There ' s also a radio coverage/spectrum issue being worked, as well as an issue with Tech Ops Mai ntenance staffing and training. • Waterloo Tower/TRACON ( ALO) is reporting issues with the phone system used operationally in the tower. The issue is currently being worked through the ATSAP process. SURVEILLANCE BROADCAST SERVICES (SBS) OFFICE: Eric Labardini (ZHU) is the SBS Article 48 Represen tative for NATC A. Mr. Labardini and the SBS Team have forwarded the information below to the membership. • 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, 19,578 aircraft are equipped to broadcast with ADS - B Rule compliant avionics in the NAS. Current projections continue to fall short of the estimated total NAS fleet required 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 EnRout e (ERAM and MEARTS) facilities. Enhanced ADS - B coverage in the Gulf of Mexico is expected with the activation of three Radi o Stations shared with Mexico. A successful flight inspection w as completed at ZHU on Jan 12. ADS - B Coverage in the Gulf of Mex ico remains a challenge with