A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/793416
program that will modernize and replace portions of the Alaskan National Airspace System Interfacility Communications System (ANICS). ANICS currently provi des highly reliable communications to En Route, Terminal Air Traffic Control (ATC), and Flight Service in Alaska and the associated ocea nic airspace. ANICS carries 90 percent of the inter - facility communication for critical ATC, but it is nearing its end - o f - life (EOL), which creates the need for ASTI. ASTI will prevent a loss of service to NAS systems due to ANICS supportability issues; improve network reliability and availability by replacing deteriorated EOL components; establish and improve life cycle s upport elements; improve information system security; optimize satellite bandwidth utilization; an d constrain maintenance costs. The Agency is currently two years behind schedul e in implementing the program. Once it receives an In - Service Decision (ISD), A STI will initiate a limit ed deployment for three sites. The Agency plans to implement ASTI at additional sites in fourth quarter FY17 and co mplete implementation in FY19. ASTI will impact 63 sites in Alaska, including four hub sites, 48 dual - antenna sites, and 11 single - antenna sites. During the briefing, the Agency recognized that it has not had a NATCA representati ve involved with this program. NATCA expressed its interest in collaborating with the Agency on this program and will work with the Agency to establish national representatives for ASTI. POCs: Alaska RVP Clint Lancaster, Director of Safety and Technology Jim Ullmann, En Route Technology Coordinator Mark Prestrude, Labor Relations Attorney Grant Mulkey, and Phil Barbarello . NOTICE FOR JO 8020.X XX On Feb. 21, 2017, NATCA received a briefing from the Agency about the Notice for JO 8020.xxx: Use of the Accident Package Generator and For mal Accident Package Contents. The Notice provides guidance mandating the use of the Accident Package Generator to asse mble formal accident packages. It also addresses when to include a copy of FAA Form 7230 - 4, Daily Record of Facility Operation, in the formal accident package. Finally, the Notice removes the requirement to include Mandatory Occurrence Reports (MORs ) i n the formal accident package. MORs are now to be maintained in hard copy in a file at the facility. POCs: National Safety Representative Steve Hansen, Director of Safety and Technology Jim Ullmann, En Route Technology Coordinator Mark Prestrude, and L abor Relations Attorney Grant Mulkey . SURVEYS NATCA recommends participation in the Government - Wide 2017 Benchmarking Custo mer Satisfaction Survey (CSS). If you have any questions, please contact Kendal Manson, Labor Relations Coordinator at kmanson@natcadc.org .