NATCA Bookshelf

I FATC A A N N UA L CO N F E R E N C E 4 FOUNDATIONS OF PROFESSIONALISM MEANS ENHANCED SAFETY It's all about professionalism when it comes to keeping the United States National Airspace System (NAS) a world leader in safety and efficiency. That's why the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) worked together to establish the Foundations of Professionalism, an initiative comprised of different programs that proactively focus on the performance and conduct of air traffic professionals responsible for the human side of aviation safety. Last year, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded Foundations of Professionalism with the prestigious Secretary's Award for Transportation Safety. While each program focuses on different safety areas, each asks the workforce to be professional owners of the safety of the NAS. A key component of proactive safety management is the Air Traffic Safety Action Program (ATSAP), a non-punitive, voluntary safety-reporting program that is now the largest of its kind in the world. By gathering data directly from controllers and managers, it is credited with hundreds of safety improvements at air traffic control facilities throughout the United States. Linking safety culture to professional responsibility, Professional Standards has successfully provided an alternative to traditional methods of addressing performance and conduct issues. It fosters an environment that provides training and tools to resolve issues on a peer-to-peer basis. Professional Standards stresses that controllers exhibit professionalism not by simply following the rules, but by continually striving to do more. Turn Off Tune In has been strongly embraced by the workforce, significantly changing the culture in the operating work environment. Using scientific data and workforce testimonials, the campaign increases awareness and education about the impact of distractions on safety, with a focus on electronic distractions. A distraction-free workplace means controllers and supervisors are in a far better position to make potentially life-saving decisions. Fully Charged addresses a long-standing safety risk for shift workers – fatigue. Backed by science and data, this initiative provides education to the workforce that directly applies to their daily lives. Through the campaign, the workforce is learning more about personal sleep needs, sleep disorders, how to recognize and deal with fatigue, and the dangers associated with working while fatigued. The Foundations of Professionalism address the all-important aspect of the human component of aviation safety. These programs have helped instill core values of professionalism and personal responsibility to ensure the highest level of safety every day. "Be a leader for other people to follow." Jenny Benjamin, Denver Centennial Tower "Limit the external distractions." David Cook, Jacksonville Center "Come to work prepared." Joseph Cardenas, New York-JFK Tower "We have a certain trust with the public that we have earned and we need to keep." Andy Marosvari, Boise Tower/TRACON, NATCA Professional Standards Team "Taking pride in your job." Sara Haight, Northern California TRACON "Treating people with respect." Chuck Kueper, St. Louis Tower/TRACON "Holding myself to a higher standard." Troy Harrison, Seattle Center "We have a commitment to all those who we serve. We owe it to them to always do our best." Brandon Miller, Potomac TRACON "Setting a good standard." Jason Chipkin, Long Beach Tower "It means striving to be the best that you can in your job." Bill Kisseadoo, Miami Tower/TRACON "It's about being consistent." Nate Pair, Los Angeles Center Members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association are embracing Professional Standards and working to elevate their profession and careers. Here's what several of them said, when asked to define "professionalism." The theme of the 55th Annual Conference this week is The Formula Worldwide: Global Professionalism + Leadership = Safe Skies. We asked members of the Organizing Committee to tell us what the theme means to them: "The theme of the conference supports the goal of bringing air traffic control around the world to a more consistent level. By having The Formula Worldwide: Global Professional + Leadership = Safe Skies as our theme, it gives the delegates a good place to start with their discussions." ✈ Dale Wright "To me it is as simple as this: With a professional workforce and strong, organized leadership, we can create a safe sky around the world. Conferences such as this bring together the brightest, most involved, most innovative controllers from around the world to discuss issues facing the international aviation community. We can share what works in our countries and what doesn't. Get support and advice from international controllers." ✈ Jennifer Lobdell "The safety of the airspace I work is directly tied to how well I guide those under my control or, in other words, my leadership. The effectiveness of that leadership is dependent on the amount of professionalism I display. Add professionalism to my leadership and the outcome will be safer skies." ✈ Richard Kennington "It means an opportunity for aviation leaders worldwide to gather together and share in their passion and pride of the profession, while at the same time, using collaboration and innovation to promote the safety of the United States National Airspace System." ✈ Trisha Pesiri "Professionalism is doing the job to the best of your ability, every day, every time that you plug in. It's also helping another controller out, whether in the next sector or next center, if they need it. Combining that with stepping up and setting an example for newer controllers of how to do the job correctly will lead to safer skies, both now and in the future." ✈ Jeff St. Germain "IFATCA is the place where one can share with others and reflect on the fact that "safe skies" is not an easily-attained goal. Safe skies is an attitude, developed and exercised by engaging the most qualified personnel to do the job and enhanced by visionaries willing to challenge the status quo." ✈ Linda McCray How Air Traffic Controllers Describe Professionalism The theme of the 55th Annual Conference this week is The Formula Worldwide: Global Professionalism + Leadership = Safe Skies. We asked members of the Organizing Committee to tell us what the theme means to them:

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