NATCA Bookshelf

Again, while a few others may have assisted, these reps really stepped up and filled gaps with little to no notice. Long version with full details: We deployed some sort of improved system to 73 sites: 55 DataComm (CPDLC/TEDC) Towers with SJU being the last to IOC on December 9th at 2030z (3:30 EDT). 16 Enhanced PDC (TEDC) Towers ending with PBI IOC on November 18. 2 Upgraded PDC (New Software) Towers, HNL and ANC with ANC declaring IOC on December 12 at 2030z (5:28 EDT). We are currently reviewing and updating the associated training courses; TDLS Application Specialist (TAS), CPDLC and TDLS (PDC). This task is scheduled for completion by the end of January. Additionally, some ATMs have asked for a written document mandating this training. Tom Adcock is looking at the current training orders and MOUs to assist with mandating these courses for the field. DataComm, which is TDLS (PDC/TEDC) with CPDLC functionality, is a software intensive system. The future projection is for 2-3-software build per year to support enhancements, repairs and required updates. IFCET (AJW-178) is the second level organization responsible for the system. However, from my experience during this deployment, AJW-178 is not currently capable of providing the appropriate infrastructure for testing, exit briefs and potential training for each new software delivery. As a result, I am working with the program office to develop the necessary infrastructure to pave this path forward. We are currently installing the latest version of TDLS software; TDLS12.2 to all 73 sites. This is a site task that requires tracking from our side to ensure all sites come up in a timely manner due to implications with the flight deck (FMS). As of today, 40 sites are complete, 27 are scheduled between now and mid January, and 6 remain unscheduled. Each software up level requires tech ops to install the new software and air traffic to ensure their local adaptation is adequate. The delay, as with this one, is usually caused by tech ops unwillingness to comply with the request. NSDA (National Single Data Authority) is the next big step for DataComm. NSDA changes the way an aircraft logs into the system from the current airport identification, to a single US identification (KUSA). Ray Adams is our primary core team member working this upgrade / deployment. This effort requires all 20 ARTCCs to be on EAD600 or later, all DataComm Towers to be on TDLS 12.3. We will test NSDA at SDF / ZID for 5 days beginning March 17th, followed by CLT / ZTL for 5 days beginning April 30th. The entire country will move to NSDA in one night on June 25th into the 26th. The TDLS Stakeholders Information Board (SIB) is similar to an ERAM SARB / NARB combined and meets daily. The board looks at AIMS tickets and basically follows the ERAM process for triage, prioritization and packaging. Chad is currently our representative to this board. This board has now started to encompass P2 and will continue to meet daily for the foreseeable future. We have a list of proposed future enhancements to the system. We will be meeting in January to try and schedule each enhancement for upcoming software builds and to see if other enhancements are required.

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