A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/778317
TAMR software training is i n progress throughout the NAS. Bill Spence (BTV) is heading up the effort to ensure all facilities transitioning to TAMR R4 software is properly briefed before operational use. We call this the "R4 training" and 5 SMEs from T AMR brief facilities on new functio nality in house, face to face. The amount of changes from legacy STARS to t he TAMR software is extensive. We had an issue in Daytona and Miami (key sites) where the controllers were not fully briefed and Miami actually fell back to a previous build. We did advise each facility prior to loading software to ensure proper training but they treated it like any other small build. This has now been resolved and the TAMR PO has agreed with TAMR NATCA to provide funding for tr avel to support this mission. Tracking issues at SCT have not been 100 percen t alleviate d but we are close. Through adaptation there ha s been a ten - fold improvement. Of course I do not agree with having to change adaptation to improve tracking when the root p roblem is with infrastructure. The radar placement throughout Southe rn California is a major issue. Improvements are forthcoming with the Long Beach radar raise and WAM bei ng introduced in the LA basin. For San Diego, SCT will include the ASR - 11 f rom Naval Air Station North Island into the FUSION tracker and have coverage to the ground at Lindbergh Field. PCT also has an infrastructure issue with the locations of radars and we will work to resolve these issues as quick ly as possible. Eric Labardini (Art 114 SBS Rep) and I are working with FUSION Focus Group, SAAT team, and TAMR to help alleviate PCT issues. On the software side of the house, Kyle Ness (M98) is working with Second Level Engineering (TSLE) and TAMR PO on priority software fixes with in STARS. Work continues on prioritizing issues and assig ning each to a software build. There is only so much room in each build and of course only so much money. Kyle and I solicit input from NATCA TAMR SMEs as well as from facilities as to which are t he most important. One build that we have no say in is R8, which is strictly Terminal Spacing and Sequ encing (TSAS). With the loss of this build it backs up some needed fixes at PCT, N90, and SCT until R9 that wi ll be completed in early 2018. We are als o working with Matt Tucker (NATCA WX Rep) to improve the display and source of weath er to the terminal controller. TAMR met with Section 804 durin g our monthly Art 114 meeting. As it stands right now the Administrator has approved some consolidations b ut we are not sur e when they will be completed. In order for the TAMR program to stay on schedule these facilities need to be c onsolidated prior to Dec 2019. Right now we are n ot 100% sure this will happen. As a result the program will stay on course to meet Congressional and NextGen dates by installing all equipment and completing training. More will be k nown in the next couple weeks. Mr. Rose is working with Mike Ragucci (NATCA WSA ERC) and Steve Hansen (NATCA Safety) to approve and issue a nationa l CAR. This will call for full optimization of long - range radars for us e in the terminal en vironment. Long - range radars were originally for centers and as a ba ck up for terminal facilities. With the advent of FUSION terminal facilities are seeing an inc rease of false targets attr ibuted to the long range feed. Joe Yannone (NATCA Engineer) and Eric Labardini (NATCA SBS) will be working closely to have this CAR approved.