A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/645606
NATCA RECEIVES A BRIEFING ON UAS ATCT NOTIFICATION CALLS On Dec . 30, 2015, NATCA requested a briefing on new guidance for UAS ATCT notification calls. On Feb . 19, the FAA briefed NATCA on the new guidance, which puts NATCA members in the position of fielding ca lls from UAS users. NATCA is currently working on the next step with the FAA to ensure that our members are protected and will not be penalized for denying requests. NATCA POCs: NATCA Safety and Technology Deputy Director Jim Ullmann, UAS Article 48 Repres entatives Steve Weidner and Jeff Richards, Senior Labor Relations Attorney Erina Hammond, and Labor Relations Attorney Suzanne DeFelice. NATCA RECEIVES A BRIEFING ON PROPOSED CHANGES - AIR FLIGHT TEST ENGINEERS (FTEs) In Jan uary 2016, the FAA notified NAT CA that the AIR Flight Test Operation Manual (FTOM) was being released with updates that included currency requirements for Flight Test Engineers (FTEs). On Feb. 18, 2016, NATCA was briefed on those changes, which require 24 hours of currency annually for FTEs, with the possibility of waivers. At this time, we are reviewing the proposal. NATCA POCs: AIR National Representative Tomaso DiPaolo, NATCA ESW Local President Patrick Massie, Scott Odle, and Labor Relations Attorney Suzanne DeFelice. BRIEFING REQUE STS On Feb. 18, 2016, NATCA requested a briefing on AIR's Implementation of TIA, STIR, and TIR forms to comply with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 508 and to make them PDF fillable. We are currently waiting for a response from the Agency regardi ng our request. NATCA POCs: Labor Relations Attorney Suzanne DeFelice and Labor Relations Coordinator Kendal Manson. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE : The House and Senate are both in s ession the week of February 22. HOUSE FLOOR VOTE FOR FAA REAUTHORIZATION NOT SCHEDULED YET : The U.S. House of Representatives will not take up House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee Chairman Bill Shuster's FAA reauthorization bill during the week of February 22 as many members of Congress and staffers originally suggested. The T&I Committee is still working with House Republican leadership to secure floor time for consideration of the legislation. We understand that leadership does not want to bring the bill to the floor for consideration u ntil a range of concerns is addressed. There are concerns within certain GOP groups, including the House Ways and Means Committee, which will have to draft a tax title for the bill, as well as appropriators and the House Freedom Caucus, which thinks the bi ll is "a union giveaway." FAA extension will be needed : We expect that an extension for FAA Reauthorization will be the next step. As you know, FAA authority is temporarily extended through March 31, 2016 (via H.R. 3614, the Airport and Airway Extension Ac t of 2015). It is important to note that extensions are also considered legislation, and when passed and signed by the President, become law. This is all the more reason to ensure we remain involved and engaged in the process. The extension is considered a "must