A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/812028
the Air Line Pilots Associatio n. Since 2006, he has brought honor and distinction to his positions on the Board. NATCA, which represents nearly 20,000 aviation safety professionals, has been privileged to work with him to advance the level of safety in the National Airspace System." N ATCA also thanked NTSB Board Member Bella Dinh - Zarr for her service as Vice Chairman. Her term ended on March 29. Additionally, NATCA saluted NTSB Board Member Christopher A. Hart, who led the Board as its Chairman through the safest period in U.S. aviati on history. Hart completed his 2 - year term as Chairman last month. On March 21, he spoke at NATCA's Communicating For Safety conference. NATCA presented him with the James L. Oberstar Sentinel of Safety Award, its highest honor for aviation leaders outside NATCA who have displayed outstanding achievement in the advancement of aviation safety. "NATCA has really enjoyed and valued the positive working relationship we've had with Member Hart over the course of his career, both at the FAA and at the NTSB," NATC A Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert said. "He has worked tirelessly to not only ensure the safety of the National Airspace System but all modes of transportation. He is a strong advocate for collaboratively involving all stakeholders, including NATCA, in the important processes and work led by the NTSB." NATCA is dedicated to the NTSB's safety mission. Its Air Safety Investigations (ASI) Committee's primary task is providing an objective, controller - based perspective to NTSB investigations of aircraft accidents or incidents that involve air traffic control services. The NATCA ASI Committee works as part of the team of investigators to help prevent future occurrences. THE ATC REFORM / STABLE FUNDING STREAM ISSUE Eno Center For Transportation Webinar: Air Traffic Control Reform, From the Perspective of Labor Featuring NATCA President Paul Rinaldi Yet another po ssible government shutdown looms later this month . It's bad for the National Airspace System (NAS) and the country. But it provides a fitting and timely backdrop for NATCA to again make the strong case for why the status quo is broken, unsustainable, and incapable of handling the current and future needs of the NAS. On Thursday, March 30, NATCA President Paul Rinaldi joined former Senator Byron Dorgan for an Eno Center for Transportation policy webinar entitled: Modernizing Air Traffic Control from the Labor Perspective. Before an online audience that included aviation community members an d some media, Rinaldi laid out the bottom line for NATCA: we must have a stable, predictable funding stream for the NAS. "It's no secret that our status quo is unacceptable, with unpredictable, stop - and - go funding, short - term extensions of FAA reauthoriza tions, sequester, furloughs, constant threats of shutdown, and now new threats of shrinking resources and budget," Rinaldi said. "We cannot sustain a robust aviation system if we don't fix the status quo." Read more: NATCA Insider article about Paul's message