A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/750462
NEXTGEN DISTANCE MEASURING EQUIPMENT (NG DME) PROGRAM : Samed Rizvi (PCT) is the NG DME National Representative. Mr. Rizvi forwarded the information below for the membership NextGen DME intends on providing a backup t o GNSS. Curre ntly, 70 percent of the air carrier fleet is equipped with IRU (Inertial Navigation Unit) and DME, which allows those aircraft to fly RNAV rout es during a GNSS interruption. The other 30 percent of the fleet reverts to conventional routing in this situatio n. NextGen DME intends on enhancing DME coverage to provide RNAV coverage for non - IRU equipped aircr aft during GNSS interruptions. Implementation will require the installation, upgrading, and removal or various DME sites across the country . By the end of t he year, MITRE will be providing a report on operational procedure impacts due to the dis continuation of certain DMEs. Once this report is reviewed, we will have a better understanding of any impacts on the controller workfo rce and indi vidual facilities. P hrase 1 of implementation is proposed to take place from 2017 - 2021. Phase 1 i ntends on installing 90 new DME s, replace 50 due to capacity, and discontinue 67 that are not required for coverage. MITRE will be providing a preliminary analysis on operational procedure impact due to the discontinuation of 135 DME s by Dec . 3, 2016. The NextGen DME team is exploring Canadian border DME sites and DME sites listed as "non - public use" as part of the total solution. The team is working on a si te survey strategy. The strategy will: Define Site Survey Requirements Identify Categories of Sites Determine Sample Site Survey Target Numbers Determine Available Service Area Resources Document Strategy in Implementation Plan RNAV and PERF ORMANCE BASED NAVIGATION (PBN) : Bennie Hutto (PCT) is the Article 114 Representative for RNAV and PBN criteria work. Mr. Hutto's report for the membership is below. RNAV ATS Routes : We are still in the process of working with AJV - 14 and AFS - 400 regarding the "Lateral Protected Airspace Criter ia for RNAV ATS Routes", which we hope will lead to change in criteria and reduction in the basic width of an RNAV route. Pilot Controller Procedures & System s Integration (PCPSI): Our next meeti ng is scheduled for November 8 - 1 0 in Henderson, N ev. , in which Andy Marsovari, NATCA Procedures Rep , will be attending, as I will be in Montreal for the ICAO PBN Study WG meeting. Items that will be discussed or presented : Obstacle Departure Procedures Issues : Speed Guidance AIM Examples - Rich Boll (NB AA) Data Comm Program Update and Operational Considerations Inclusion of Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA) Information on SIDs & STARs - Ted Thompson – (Jeppesen) - ACF (IPG) Agenda Item 16 - 02 - 310