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T U E S D AY, M A R C H 2 1 , 2 0 1 7 N AT C A D A I LY D I S PAT C H 4 What are you most proud of in your work as COO of the ATO? We have solidified a culture of working collaboratively. It strengthens our safety and technology programs today, and will help us make the changes we'll need for the long term, as you'll hear about in the conference's safety and NextGen sessions. When we work together collaboratively, we yield better results. What value have you gotten from attending CFS for the past four years, and what do you see as the value of a conference like CFS to the safety of the National Airspace System? I've gotten to laser in for a few days on what's working – and what's not – when it comes to safety. There's a team atmosphere here that builds comradery. Everyone hears the same message. People get charged up about our mission, and leave with better insight on where they need to personally focus to improve the safety of the NAS. How have you seen collaboration impact aviation safety? A great example is the Take a Stand for Safety campaign. Weather awareness saves lives. Equipment alone cannot see the full weather picture; it takes controllers and pilots to complete that picture. FAA and NATCA are working collaboratively to address safety myths, encourage controllers to issue weather early and often, and proactively solicit PIREPS. Collaboration has had a very positive impact in strengthening our recurrent and on-the-job training efforts, and has been very beneficial in reinforcing the professional standards we all must uphold. Our members have had the benefit of hearing from you at CFS for a few years. What message do you hope they receive about the nature of collaboration between NATCA and the FAA? Collaboration is not a program; it's the way we do business. It withstands changes in administration and fluctuations in the budget. To be successful, collaboration requires us all to communicate openly, which CFS gives us an opportunity to do. Collaboration takes commitment and perseverance: it's not enough to work together to identify a solution to a problem. We have to stay involved and engaged to see it through to success. Is there anything you would like to add about your interactions and collaboration with NATCA during your term? I have deep respect for NATCA and its leadership. There's never a dull moment; Paul keeps me on my toes. At the end of the day, we're one team. We have been charged with a vital safety mission for the American public, and now more than ever we need to stay focused on that job. Q& A with ATO COO Teri Bristol Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Organization Chief Operating Officer Teri Bristol returned Monday for her fourth year at Communicating For Safety (CFS). She commended the safety focus of FAA employees and credited collaboration with moving the safety mission forward. "Every person here shares a common interest: improving the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System," she said. "While much will be debated in the coming days about the ATO's structure, what we do know is that we are the best when it comes to providing exceptionally safe air traffic services. So let's stay focused on our critical safety mission." Bristol said it's a rare moment in life when we can gather together to focus on one thing. CFS is one of those moments, she said. "It's encouraging to see the number and array of aviation safety professionals coming together to talk about safety," she said. "Whether it's the effects of weather, human factors, environmental issues, or new technologies and modernization efforts, we share a common interest of safety and efficiency and it's critical that we collaborate on these issues. Collaboration at the FAA has matured and grown in the last several years and I'm honored to be a part of that." Bristol noted significant progress in many NextGen programs due to collaboration. She singled out the Data Comm program for special mention. Since implementation in 2015, she said, "together we have produced astounding results." Bristol said Data Comm is deployed at 59 airports, 29 months ahead of schedule. An additional seven airports are awaiting deployment. "Operators have equipped over 3,500 aircraft with Data Comm's time-saving technology," Bristol said. "The program would not have been successfully deployed without significant contributions and involvement from NATCA and the controller subject matter experts who supported the programs, as well as our vendor Harris and our operators in the program." Bristol closed by imploring CFS attendees to continue their discussions around all aspects of weather and bring that back to their facilities. "Three critical areas that I would ask you to focus on are the issuance of depicted weather, soliciting PIREPS (pilot reports), and disseminating PIREPS," she said. "We will see with the Archie League Awards that going the extra mile makes a difference," Bristol continued. "We have people walking this earth today because of your attention to detail. That's something we should all be proud of. Your actions truly do make a difference, so thank you for all you do." The Importance of Collaboration: Teri Bristol, COO, ATO Teri Bristol

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