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Daily Dispatch II: March 21, 2017

A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association

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TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017 NATCA President Paul Rinaldi kicked off Communicating For Safety (CFS) 2017 with a keynote address. He began by welcoming attendees from all over the world — as far as New Zealand — and from many diverse aviation groups here in the United States. That makes this a truly global aviation conference. Rinaldi stressed the United States' exceptional safety record in commercial aviation. "Aviation safety is the cornerstone of our existence," he said. "Building a robust safety culture, we have done an outstanding job and we should be very proud of what we have accomplished." But Rinaldi cautioned attendees that, "we cannot take it for granted. Everyone involved in the aviation industry must fight complacency, the enemy of progress, at all levels." He said complacency is dangerous and is unacceptable in the face of growing capacity and demand. The status quo does not provide adequate, reliable funding for the National Airspace System (NAS). He remained resolute that we must look for a new funding stream. New, advanced aviation technology exists and is being used. Without reliable funding, however, we will not be able to implement it, he said. Implementation of new technology is imperative to improving safety even further and increasing capacity and efficiency. Rinaldi said the future is happening now. He cited new technologies and new users such as space-based ADS-B, commercial space travel and Unmanned Aircraft Systems. We must be prepared to control airspace with these new complications, he said. With a lack of funding, he said, "we won't be able to keep up with today's traffic, never mind the future. With continued budgetary problems, the path we are on is unsustainable." Rinaldi cautioned that we must be able to balance increasing capacity and enhancing safety. Regulations cannot simply be removed, although some are outdated and should be reformed. Rinaldi was adamant that attendees "ignore the Washington, D.C., noise" and misconceptions about NATCA's position. He clarified that, "we do not believe that there is only one solution to ensuring a sufficient, stable, predictable funding stream for the NAS," but that we are open to discussing any option that is not the status quo or a for-profit model. "Make no mistake about it. Change is coming," he said. "It is a giant pain in the NAS but it is what it is. We wish we could tell you the status quo is fine. But it's not." He reminded attendees that the NAS is an economic engine that keeps our country running. Aviation contributes approximately five percent of the GDP and 11 million jobs. NATCA members are essential to keeping the country running, yet we continue to see attacks on federal workers, he said. Rinaldi encouraged attendees to continue to focus on running the safest, most efficient, most complex aviation system in the world. "Together we will move from a good aviation system to a truly great aviation system," he said. Rinaldi closed by quoting William Shakespeare, "Be not afraid of greatness." The NAS is great by nature, he said. We strive to be great every day and prove our greatness through our safety record. Additionally, we will be required to be great in the future as we overcome every challenge with which we are faced. Today, NATCA welcomes back the wildly entertaining and insightful Gordon Graham to the conference for a fourth straight year. Graham's presentation is entitled, "Why Things Go Right And Why Things Go Wrong." Graham made his first CFS appearance in 2014, leading a session called, "Some Thoughts for You on Real Risk Management." Graham's insight and humor made him a fast favorite of the NATCA family. Back by popular demand, his 2015 presentation, "Seven Rules of Admiral Hyman Rickover" wowed the crowd. His 2016 presentation, "The Five Concurrent Themes for Success," shared how he views the discipline of risk management. Highlights from his previous presentations include: "You're air traffic controllers. Every day you work you get the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. If all you do in your entire career is avoid that one midair collision that's great!" "We teach people how to do things, we don't teach them how to think." "70,000 flights in this country every day and you're doing it right. You're technically competent and you're making it happen. Whenever you can, try to add a little value to it, and make some 'wow.' Be technically competent, treat people right, and always look for the next best way." "Accountability is a dying word. Accountability starts when everybody in the organization knows their place with respect to systems." Graham is a 33-year veteran of California law enforcement. That, along with his education as a risk manager and experience as a practicing attorney, allowed him to rapidly become recognized as a leading professional speaker in both private and public sector organizations with multiple areas of expertise. 7:30 a.m. | Registration 8:30 a.m. | Welcome Steve Hansen, Chairman, National Safety Committee, NATCA 8:35 a.m. | Keynote Address Hon. Christopher A. Hart, Board Member, NTSB 9:15 a.m. | Panel Pilot/Controller Communications 10:30 a.m. | Break 11:15 a.m. | Panel Runway Safety 12:15 p.m. | Awards Luncheon 1:30 p.m. | Panel Weather: Complete the Picture 2:45 p.m. | Break 3:30 p.m. | Keynote Address Gordon Graham 5:30 p.m. | Meet & Greet CFS Sponsors and Exhibitors 5:45 p.m. | Demonstration Partnership for Safety (Palace 6/7) For full agenda, see page 16 Paul Rinaldi: "Be Not Afraid of Greatness" Gordon Graham: Fourth Time a Charmer TUESDAY, MARCH 21 Make sure to download the CFS App from your device's app store! Paul Rinaldi, NATCA President Gordon Graham

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