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M O N D AY, M A R C H 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 N AT C A D A I LY D I S PAT C H 9 Seven facilities have successfully deployed Wake RECAT Phase 1.5. This allows controllers to safely apply new separation standards between certain aircraft. RECAT teams are now looking to move forward with Phase 2 this year, beginning in Anchorage. Phase 2 is a site-specific program that will focus on the fleet mix of the facilities involved, instead of using a general matrix. Phase 2 will also provide additional benefits to the facilities, as it is catered to the local traffic. RECAT implementation is currently scheduled for seven additional facilities over the next 12 months. The Wake RECAT team is also working on Phase 2.5, to include a further expansion of use for departures on closely spaced parallel runways. RECAT WAKE TURBULENCE RECATEGORIZATION Performance Based Navigation (PBN) is an advanced term for Area Navigation (RNAV). PBN provides precise tracks that lead to safer and more efficient operations in the NAS by allowing more aircraft to use less airspace than was previously required. They navigate at a higher level of fidelity, allowing departures, arrivals, and en route traffic to seamlessly interact throughout the NAS. PBN encompasses much more than just navigation. It allows airspace, route changes, and usages that weren't previously possible. PBN PERFORMANCE BASED NAVIGATION TAMR Phase 3 Segment 1: Originally, there were 11 Automated Radar Terminal System (ARTS) IIIE facilities on the modernization list, but now only two remain. Denver TRACON, Louisville ATCT, Northern California TRACON, Southern California TRACON, Atlanta TRACON, Minneapolis TRACON, St. Louis TRACON, and Potomac Consolidated TRACON have all transitioned to STARS. The remaining two sites, Chicago TRACON and New York TRACON, will transition to STARS by May 2016. This was a monumental undertaking that many thought was impossible, but because of collaboration and NATCA's total immersion in the program, it's happening. TAMR Phase 3 Segment 2: Of the original 94 ARTS IIE implementation sites, 79 re-main. TAMR teams have an extremely aggressive schedule over the next two years to continue transitioning these sites. This is the most aggressive deployment schedule of automation the FAA has ever undertaken. The biggest obstacle to the TAMR team is the aging infrastructure of Airport Surveillance Radars, like ASR-8s, that need to be digitized. This is known as the Common Terminal Digitizer (CTD) program. TAMR Phase 1: Legacy STARS facilities and Technical Refresh upgrades the software of existing STARS facilities to either STARS G4 or STARS G4 Elite. Implementation is complete at six of 47 facilities. TAMR/STARS TERMINAL AUTOMATION MODERNIZATION & REPLACEMENT STANDARD TERMINAL AUTOMATION REPLACEMENT SYSTEM tbfm NASA and the FAA initially developed Time Based Flow Management (TBFM) in the early 1990s. The program was developed to address airports experiencing regular demand and capacity imbalances. TBFM's capabilities have expanded, including tools like Terminal Sequencing and Spacing (TSAS) scheduled to start deploying in late 2018. This will extend the center metering to the terminal area for sequencing and spacing. TSAS initially is scheduled to be implemented at nine airports. Current guidelines for en route controllers require flights to deliver their meter fixes within +/- 60 seconds of the flight's scheduled arrival time. TSAS requires improved delivery accuracy (+/- 30 seconds) to produce the desired flight efficiency gains. This will be a two-way communication operation between TBFM and TSAS, with each impacting the other. TIME BASED FLOW MANAGEMENT NAS Voice System (NVS) is the voice switch replacement for legacy terminal and en route systems in use today, and the key voice communication component for NextGen. NVS is currently in testing and development, and the FAA is scheduled to begin testing the First Article system at Harris' factory in Melbourne, Fla. later this year. The First Article system will be a 255-position system, proving the system's capability as a total voice switch replacement in the NAS. Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) will follow the First Article test at the William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City. At OT&E, groups of controllers will be evaluating the interface and functionality of the system to determine its suitability for deployment. First deployment will be to the three NVS Key Sites: Seattle Tower, Seattle TRACON, and Seattle Center in mid 2018. NAS VOICE SYSTEM nvs Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) activity has risen dramatically over the past three years. The lack of a defined process for operators of UAS has the potential to create a safety concern. That's where NATCA comes in: actively working with other stakeholders on this issue to ensure safe integration of UAS into the NAS. Since controllers already work UAS traffic every day, NATCA is able to provide the air traffic controller perspective on UAS operations. One notable challenge facing air traffic controllers is the inability of UAS operators to see and avoid other aircraft. NATCA also participates in the Know Before You Fly campaign, which provides consumers and prospective business operators of unmanned aircraft systems the knowledge and tools they need on how to fly safely and responsibly before taking to the skies. The International Civil Aviation Organization has international workgroups addressing UAS operations. NATCA, through its Safety and Technology Department, has represented the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations on this workgroup. NATCA will continue its work to ensure the air traffic controller voice remains a part of discussions about UAS operations. UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS uas

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