We held a telcon on August 25th to discuss how the HITLs would be run , as well
as a tentative timeline. The timeline would have the simulations begin around the week
of October 31st and would run through the week of December 5th. The FAA has or is in
the process of sending the information to NATCA Nati onal for participants .
National Strategic Production Planning (NSPP)
We meet every Tuesday and discuss the procedures that are scheduled for
implementation across the country and have no issue s to report at this time.
Digital Approach Procedure Initiative
We are still working on Phase 2 of this initiative , where the primary approach that
would be advertised on the ATIS would be the RNAV (GPS) at those facilities where the
majority of aircraft can fly this type of procedure and RNAV (RNP) approaches at
locat ions where the majority of aircraft can fly this type of procedure. We are looking at
SJC and SMF on the west coast with NCT being the Approach Control Facility and PHL
on the east coast.
UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS): Steve Weidner (ZMP) is the NATCA Art icle
48 Representative for UAS. Jeff Richards (ZAU) is assisting Mr. Weidner on this project
due to the workload and activity associated with it. Below is the update for the
membership.
Small UAS Rule/Part 107
The new small UAS rule created a new part to the FAR s - Part 107 as well as
codifying Section 336 of the 2012 FAA bill into the FARs. Section 336 defines how
hobbyist UAS operators function in the NAS. The Section 336 language was moved into
FAR Part 101, creating a new subpart e. This rule we nt into effect on August 29th. This
rule allows Part 107 operators to fly in Class G airspace without authorization and within
class B, C, D , and E surface areas w ith air traffic authorization.
The agency is phasing in authorization for controlled airs pace. Class G
operations went into effect immediately. Class D and E surface area approvals w ill begin
on or about Oct 3rd. Class C approvals will begin on or about Oct 31st and Class B
approvals on or about Dec 5th. All B, C, D , and Class E surface are a airspace
authorizations will be approved through headquarters via the faa.gov/uas website. The
phased implementation will allow the agency to assess the impact to air traffic as we ll as
the approval procedures.
The a gency is conducting weekly telcon s /webinars that are available for all
employees to answer questions about the ne w rule and its implementation. The calls
occur at 1 pm Eastern Time and are repeated weekly, on Wedn esdays, through
December 21st. Mr. Weidner and Mr. Richards will be participating in these calls. Here i s
the link to register : https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3378736936558080770
Addition ally, NATCA has an email address set up for individual questions about
the small rule : part107@natca.net .
Drone Advisory Committee (DAC)
We are pleased to announce that NATCA's Executive Vice Presi dent, Trish
Gilbert was recently named to the FAA's Drone Advisory Committee ( NATCA press
releas e ). The first meeting of the DAC will be held Friday, Sep tember 16th in
Washington, D . C.
En R oute UAS Contingency Operations
Mr. Weidner spent the week of September 12th visiting ZJX and ZMA as part of
the NextGen sponsored research project regarding UA S operations in the en route
environment. This research focuses primarily around lost link and how c ontrollers react
