A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/806148
SAT : An Initial Operating Capacity (IOC) date of March 27, 2017 has been finalized. SAT will transition from G1 STARS to G4 STARS. ICT Equipment Delivery (ED) : ICT moved one step closer to upgrading their G1 STARS system with the delivery of G4 STARS ELITE. CLT Contractor Acceptance Inspection (CAI) has been scheduled for March 31, 2017. CLT will have their G1 STARS system upgraded to STARS G4. AVL Contractor Acceptance In spection (CAI) : The G4 STARS ELITE equipment has been installed and accepted by the FAA for AVL. Next it will be adapted for transition to replace the ARTS IIE. ACT Contractor Acceptance Inspection (CAI) : The G4 STARS ELITE equipment has been scheduled fo r April 6, 2017 at ACT. LCH Contractor Acceptance Inspection (CAI) : The G4 STARS ELITE equipment has been accepted by the FAA for LCH and will be adapted for transition to replace the ARTS IIE. CAI was accomplished in Kanas City, M o . LCH STARS system will be installed by Engineering Services. This provides the TAMR program a cost savings and waterfall flexibility. YNG Equipment Delivery (ED) : YNG moved one step closer to NextGen by becoming the next site on the ARTS IIE waterfall to have their STARS equip ment delivered in preparation for install. R90 An Initial Operating Capacity (IOC) date of April 12, 2017 has been finalized. SAT will transition from G1 STARS to G4 STARS ELITE. R90 is the k ey s ite for this type of transition. NATCA will have an SME on s ite during the transition to ensure smooth and complete transition. GCN (ARTS IE) Initial Site Survey (ISS). Grand Canyon is the first ARTS IE replacement. Over the past three weeks, the NATCA team has assisted the TAMR PMO to adjust to the changing lan dscape of the NAS. Work has started on the elimination of STARS LITE and ARTS IE from the NAS. The LITE and IE systems are non - certified, desktop systems that should not be confused with an automation system. They merely provide remote towers in ARTCC airs pace a NAS de signation and "extend the eyes." These systems are not NEXTGEN compliant and will be replaced by the TAMR PMO. The plan moving forward is for these LITE and IE systems will be hosted by TRACONs for automation. This will improve quality of serv ice provided and allow for increased functionality , however this will not change which facility provides approach control service. Work continues to reconfigure several facilities as Remote Towers based on S804 realignment decisions. Akron (CAK), Lansing (LAN), Grand Rapids (GRR), Saginaw (MBS), Mansfield (MFD), Erie (ERI), Flint (FNT), and Muskegon (MKG) will transition to remote towers as the agency prepares to move the approach control service. The NATCA TAMR team understands these activities are very sensitive and we continue to work to ensure the membership receives the systems they need to work traffic in their new configuration.