A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/770043
the level of work involves transitioning from ARTS IIE to STARS. During 2017, these sites will see NextGen automation platforms turned on in their facilities. SEG2 ARTS IIE to STARS G4 ELITE MGM, LEX, CHS, BTR, MWH, MLI, DLH, MOB, BGR, ABI, SUX, RFD (ASR8 CTD Key Site), GGG (ASR8), FAY, PSC, ROA (ASR8 CTD Key Site), MSN, AGS, CMI, TOL, NMM, ACT, YNG, CPR (ASR8), AVL (ASR8), ASE, GTF (ASR8) , AND SPI for a total of 28 Phase 1 G1/2 to STARS G4 DAB, D21, CVG, CMH, P50, SAT, P IT, CLT for a total of 8 PHASE 1 G1/2 to STARS G4 ELITE IND, ABQ, TUL, ICT, R90, Y90, SBA for a total of 7 This level of activity and transition to an automation system has never been attempted for 43 operational cutovers in one year. There are two compl icating issues to this level of work and ea ch presents its own challenges. First, in order to complete the STARS waterfall and eliminate all Common ARTS systems in the NAS (ARTS IIE and IIIE), the TAMR program must digitize the 41 ASR8s that feed automati ons systems currently. Some of these are already digitized with a near end of life asset in the TDX - 2000. By the end of the waterfall, all TDX - 2000 are to be replaced with the successor equipment. That equipment is called the Common Terminal Digitizer (CTD ). It will replace some legacy components of the ASR8 itself and not merely digitize the signal. As an example, the old analog radar receivers in the ASR8 will be replaced with state - of - the - art digital equipment. However, the system is behind schedule an d is threatening to derail the waterfall. Successful deployment Key Sites ROA and RFD will allow for continued deployment at analog ASR8 sites. However, further delay will leave those ARTS IIE sites in Common ARTS. Second, and key to the overall success o f the TAMR program is having the entire NAS on one software baseline. This means achieving a state where all facilities in the NAS are running the same software and have same software capabilities. Once deployment of the common software baseline is complet e, facilities from N90 to SCT to EVV to IND will all have access to the same advanced aut omations available to the site. The first sites have already transitioned to the R4 software baseline. NATCA and the TAMR program are activity working to develop a de ployment waterfall of the R4 build. This is a very large change to legacy STARS sites and is not l ike a normal adaptation change. With 43 operation cutovers, deployment of the CTD to digitize the ARS8 and the deployment of the R4 Software build, it promis es t o be a highly active TAMR year. TERMIN AL FLIGHT DATA MANAGER (TFDM) Matt Baugh (IAH) is the Article 114 Representative for TFDM. Mr. Baugh's update is below.