A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/754884
Digital Approach Procedure Initiative We are still working on Phase 2 of this initiative where the primary approach advertised on the ATIS when weather conditions are below Visual Approach minimums would be the RNAV (GPS) at those facilities where the majority of aircraft can fly this type of procedure and RNAV (RNP) approaches at locations where the majority of aircraft can fly this type of procedure. The facilities that have agreed to participate are PHL, SJC, SMF, and NCT. We traveled to PHL on Oct. 25th and met with NATCA and Management to brief them on what the program was about to ensure they understood and could participate. Everyone was in agreement and the start date will be December 19th and will last for 120 days. Additionally, we meet last week with NCT, SMF, and SJC and have agreed to start on Jan. 9, 2017. The test for all facilities will end on April 9, 2017 and our final report will go out in May 2017. Performance Based Operations Rulemaking Committee (PARC) Navigation (NAV) WG We met in Atlanta on October 19th and 20th where we discussed the following: ATC Climb Gradients Precipitous Terrain RF Display Action Team On November 18th, these items were presented to the PARC Steering Group with the following outcome. Precipitous Terrain – recommendation accepted for PARC formal submittal to AVS-1 following addition of a listing of locations where the criteria changes could have an immediate impact on NAS operation. I have some of that material from Southwest, but would like to ask that any operator with locations where either the STAR-IAP change or the allowing AR final over precipitous would have an effect submit those to me with an explanation ASAP. RF Non-Display Operation – the recommendation was accepted as written. Climb Performance for ATC Altitudes on Departure – not accepted in this meeting, will be further discussed during the December SG F2F in Miami. WEATHER Matt Tucker (ZTL) is NATCA's Article 114 Representative for Weather. His update for the membership is below. Weather and Radar Processor The upgrade for WARP is nearly complete. Some issues have come to light that were not evident in testing. The mosaic only shows precipitation when the weather exceeds 29dbz. The issue that is being seen is that the higher altitudes are not seeing precipitation on ERAM and aircraft are asking for deviations. This is due to the tops not having enough precipitation in them hence not being displayed. This issue is a legacy problem due to limitations of DSR and the earlier versions of WARP and the introduction of the selectable layer's mosaic.