A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/685218
2016 CBA Tentati ve Agreement Page 158 of 217 Tower and Part II Approach Control. THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND OPERATIONAL COMPLEXITY FACTORS For Towers and Approach Controls, the level of difficulty and complexity of air traffic control work is influenced by such factors as: • The varying mix in speed and performance characteristics of aircraft using the airport or transiting airspace under the control of the terminal; • The airport configuration in terms of runway and taxiway layout, lengths and capacities; • Provision of control services for secondary airports; • Proximity of other airports; • Class of airspace; • Weather observation responsibilities; • Terrain; • Interaction with foreig n countries; and • Military operations. The influence on the level of difficulty for pay setting varies depending on the kind of complexity, the category of terminal, and the level of stress associated with the control work at that terminal. Because many of these factors are static in nature and only become dynamic as air traffic congestion increases, they are considered in relation to varying levels of air traffic congestion. For example, the most complex runway configuration poses few or no problems to c ontrollers at terminals with very light air traffic. However, it has a significant impact on the overall complexity of a controller's position at higher levels of air traffic congestion. For En Route Facilities, the level of difficulty and complexity of air traffic control work is influenced by such factors as: • Mixtures of transitioning (aircraft climbing, and descending) and primarily level en route air traffic; • Number of terminals and congestion of air traffic at those terminals in the center's contro l area and areas adjacent to the center's airspace; • Military operations; • The configuration and dimension of the center's control area, converging and crossing air routes, and juxtaposition to international boundaries; • Mixture of aircraft with varying op erating speeds and performance characteristics;