A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/785247
SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT AIRSPACE Jim Davis (PCT) is the National Airs pace Representative for NATCA. Below is the update for the Atlanta Metroplex from NATCA Co - Lead, Christian Karns : On Wedne sday, Feb . 1, we met with NATCA RVP Jim Marinitt i and Jefferey Vincent (FAA). They talked to the enti re team, consisting of both ATM s , both FacReps, the team leads, and all project POC s. It was a re - edu cation on the Metroplex MOU and briefing of current st atus. On Thursday, Feb . 2, we continued with the Post Implementation with A80. At the end of day, several concepts were looked at and a consensus came down to two of the five . Vicki (FAA management Co - Lead for Atlanta Metroplex) and I met after the meetin g and on the next day, we felt that the team was at an impasse on which concept to move forward with. We looked at the pros and cons of each concept and, weighing out those options, chose to p roceed forward with Concept 5. On Friday morning, Feb. 3, we met with Donna Creasap and Mack Alexander. We briefed and updated them on the progress of the team. Monday, Feb . 6, we continued with Post Implementation. The Metroplex Team Leads (Christian Karns and Vicki Turner) announced we were moving forward with Conce pt 5. Concept 5 is Bi - directional Stars on the North side but with a crossing restriction instead o f OPD in ZTL airspace. A80 could issue the OPD when able on the downwind. Directional STARs on the South side with OPDs in both ZTL and A80 airspace. Concept 5 was designed with altitudes on the downwind, but after trying to meet A80 operational needs and SWA concerns with fly - ability, even though it passes TARGETS 5.2 criteria, we had to take the altitudes off the downwind. We discussed several options on ho w to connect the STAR to the approaches (RNPs). With the timelines we are under and the additional slots that would be needed, the team leads decided to move forward with no altitudes on the downwind and leave the connection to the approaches (RNPs) for a future project. We asked the group to design (tweak) what didn ' t work on the published procedures that were implemented in November. As of 11 a . m . Tuesday, Feb . 7, we ha ve completed all the south STAR s long and short side. They meet criteria, they are all flyable, and they meet the needs of A80. To meet TARGETS 5.2 criteria, an altitude h as been put at the last waypoint. Delta and A80 both do not support the last waypoint altitude (per TARGETS 5.2 criteria) at the end of the STAR and have asked us to seek waiver to not publish it. Things are moving better now but Delta is not happy with not having a path to EOR on the current STARs. Unless we get additional slots and more time to design, we must move forward with the tweaks that we are currently designing. DATA COMM Chad Geyer (ZLA) is the Article 114 Representative for Data C omm. Below is his update. Over 1 , 200 flights a day are receiving Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) clearances from 55 towers. New operators are coming on board weekly. Jet Blue Airlines will be participating shortly and they are equipping every new aircraft that come of the assembly line. They are also paying to retrofit older Airbus aircraft that they