A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/752610
Airport Surface Surveillance Capability (ASSC) Rep, Andrew Stachowiak (I90), and Tom Zarick (ZDV), National Interval Management Rep. ADS-B: As of October 31: 19,489 of 27,196 equipped aircraft are broadcasting ADS-B Rule compliant avionics in the NAS. The difference in the two numbers represents problem avionics that are normally screened by ATC automation systems. An issue not screened by automation systems but an important assumption for future ADS-B dependent applications is the broadcast call sign of the user. ADS-B sends this information to automation systems for comparison to the filed call sign. When a mismatch occurs a Call Sign Mismatch (CSMM) alert can be generated. Data from ZAN showed over 2100 CSMM alerts were generated in just one month (March 2017). This prompted SBS Article 48 to recommend all MEARTS sites disable CSMM alerts and poll all ERAM sites to gauge the extent of the problem. In July 2017, over 44,000 CSMM conditions were present in all ERAM sites! Obviously, a lot of work is needed and fortunately CSMM alerts are disabled in all ERAM, STARS, and ASDE/ASSC sites. MEARTS sites can do the same with Build 16.01 or later. In October 2016, the number grew to over 55,000 CSMM conditions present in ERAM. Obviously the Agency has a long way to correct this issue. The SBS PO rough estimate of avionics installation capacity nationwide is 50,000 aircraft per year. With the Jan. 1, 2020 deadline to equip quickly approaching, concern is high that equipage levels will fall short of the estimated total NAS fleet (100,000-160,000). Users that wait too close to 2020 may find that the availability of installers falls short of demand. The Agency has launched a new incentive $500 rebate program for a limited number of piston single engine aircraft. ADS-B IOCs have been completed at all EnRoute (ERAM and MEARTS) facilities. ZSE, ZAB, ZAU, and ZMP completed their planned sort cell promotions on Oct 13. All but one ERAM site has promoted ADS-B to the top of their sort cells. Still awaiting a decision from ZMA. 84 of 155 Terminal sites have reached their ADS-B IOC and 79 are operating on Fusion. The majority of the remaining Terminal sites are ARTS 2E sites awaiting an upgrade to the ELITE (STARS) build. The Terminal ADS-B/Fusion transition proceeds in this order: Kickoff meeting, ADS-B Flight Inspection, ADS-B IOC, Fusion Operational Suitability Demonstration (OSD) and Fusion Operations. NATCA SBS team members Craig Bielek and Andrew Stachowiak have been extremely busy supporting the aggressive SBS schedule. The most recent Terminal events: Atlantic City (ACY) Transitioned to Fusion Oct 18 Gulfport (GPT) Transitioned to Fusion Oct 19 Myrtle Beach (MYR) Flight Inspection Oct 19 Fairbanks (FAI) Operational Suitability Demonstration completed Oct 20 Amarillo (AMA) ADS-B IOC on Nov 1 Roswell (ROW) Kickoff Nov 1 Wilkes-Barre (AVP) Kickoff Nov 1 Fort Wayne (FWA) kickoff Nov 3 Fairbanks (FAI) Transition to Fusion Nov 3 Spokane (GEG) Operational suitability demonstration completed Nov 8 Spokane (GEG) Transition to Fusion Nov 9 NATCA SBS continues to work with the Agency toward a more proactive approach to ADS-B avionics issues. Though these issues are rare, the Agency's approach to date has been hampered by a lack of resources devoted to investigating flagged issues within the SBS Compliance Monitor. These issues occur when standards