A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/797457
Potomac TRACON (PCT) is reporting a large number of tone events. The FAA sent a team of engineers from the MMAC to their facility to try to dete rmine the cause, and any possible resolutions. This has also caused NATCA and the FAA to take a closer look at the headsets to determine if they provide adequate protection against these events. A series of meetings has occurred to review the FAA ' s current memo regarding t he handling of tone incidences. Mr. Shedden is participating in the rewrite of FAA Order 6510.4 (A/G Order). The last version was written in 1980. There are both new and existing requirements in the order dictating how a ir t raffic must us e A/G frequencies. NATCA received a briefing from the Spectrum Office on September 27th. We have requested a SRM panel be convened to address the safety issues associated with this requirement. AJI is reviewing the request. The new order is currently in th e review process. RUNWAY SAFETY Bridget Gee (DFW) is NATCA's Runway Safety Action Team (RSAT) Representative. She also serves as the Article 114 Representative to the Runwa y Status Lights (RWSL) Program. Below is her report to the membership. Runway Stat us Lights (RWSL): ORD : Being conducted in three phases: Phase 1, Runway 10L/28R, was turned online April 27, 2016. Phase 2 and 3 are scheduled to come online 2017. Phase 1 (10L/28R): Initial Operating Capability (IOC) took place 4/27/16. Phase 2 (10C Enhancement) – 10C target operational date Nov 2017. Driven by city (CDA) and FAA ES delays in completing construction, now estimating Aug . shelter completion, plus three months of testing. Phase 3 (9R Enhancement) – 9R target operational date should be J uly 2018. Driven by delays in CDA completion of construction, they are (very) tentatively saying the work will start this fall ; testing and optimization for IOC will take place late spring. DTW : ORD declared 4/20/16. A site visit is warranted for sha dow o perations on the 21L REL s. This will occur prior to IOC. Phase 2 (21L): 3 REL (Runway Edge Lights) to be installed Spring 2017 . BWI : Pre - IOC briefing was held on 2/28/17. Shadow Ops was completed 3/2/17. IOC will take place on 3/8/17 with the RELs (Runw ay Edge Lights) only. The Build 3.1 is scheduled to be installed in May. I will return for another shadow ops for the THLs (takeoff hold lights. ) I will be on site 2/28 - 3/2 for shadow operations on the RELs. SFO : IOC (Initial Operating Capability) was de clared on 11/30/16. ORD planned for May/June 2017. BOS: Pre - construction meeting to be held on 4/12/17. Site prep begins on 4/20/17. DFW : Pre - Bid for construction to be held during the week of 1/30/17. Final bids were due 2/6/17. Work is scheduled to beg in 3/15/17.