A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/826356
The Board reviewed a report from A90 that an IFR aircraft acquired in VFR status with MSAW processing inhibited. Further investigation showed the condition was controller induced, but the investigation proce ss also revealed an issue with STARS playback, which explained why the problem was initially misidentified. A PTR will be opened to fix the problem. System Technical Reports Working Group (STRWG) Good news is that a proposed enhancement to the STARS weath er display is said to be coming soon. This is in response to the NATCA's push to improve on distinctions between various weather levels with something other than light and heavy stippling. NATCA and AJV - 7 recently elevated a condition related to aircraft weight category not syncing correctly from STARS FSL to EFSL. It was discovered that when switching to EFSL, the software is attempting to derive aircraft weight category and synched weight class simultaneously, which produces varied and undesirable result s. The proposed solution and change to requirements are under review. Stakeholders are discussing the feasibility/option of allowing STARS the ability to display the NAS ERAM assigned flight plan assigned altitude (Field 08) on a terminal track and use th at altitude for STARS automation processing. Proposed solutions to two problems reported by C90 are nearing concurrence by all stakeholders. Program Trouble Report Working Group (PTRWG) NATCA SMEs from D10, PHL, TPA , and NCT attended the May 11 meeting at the tech center. Among items of interest were: ATPA transfer to EFSL, STARS display duplication, military alert suppression zones, disassociated beacon codes , and restriction areas. Operating Testing and Evaluation NATCA SMEs from M98, PHL, SCT, D01, A BE, NCT, BTV, TPA , and P50 participated in three weeks of software testing at the tech center April 24 – May 12. In addition to testing new functions, SMEs conduct ed numerous tests to ensure merged function perform as expected. NATCA SMEs identified five d iscrepancies during testing that will be reviewed by the Discrepancy Review Board and will eventually move to PTRWG. NATCA SMEs had a chance to test two prototype trackballs at the tech center, each proposed to replace the existing STARS trackball. Commen ts were focused on the movement of the cursor and the structure of the hardware. One had a very fluid motion and the other is a very resilient design almost impervious to contaminants. Another review session with revised prototypes is planned for the futur e. Upcoming System Engineering events: S6R6 RFR OT&E June 12 - 30 S6R4a RFR OT&E June 19 - 30 PTRWG June 8