The NOTAM Manager Tool is fed by the National Airspace Systems Resources (NASR)
database , which is the FAA's authoritative sourc e of aeronautical information. Technical
Operations uses the Facility Services Equipment Profile (FSEP) database and many of
their tools rely on FSEP data. There are many discrepancies between the two systems
(NASR and FSEP) which cause confusion at the co ntrol center level and, oftentimes,
make it unable to issue pre - populated NOTAMs for the facilities whose FSEP and NASR
data don't match. In these cases, we may have to issue free form NOTAMs; this takes
longer to ensure that the information is in the prop er format. In some cases a control
center may have to call the flight service station to issue these free form NOTAMs, and
they could potentially take longer to issue and cancel because additional coordination is
required. The longer it takes to inform pil ots of equipment malfunctions, the greater the
safety risk.
Technical Operations has been going through and resolving their discrepancies. They're
about 85% through the process, and they've also established a plan to catch future
discrepancies sooner. Thi s way, we can issue and cancel NOTAMS in a timelier way.
In the next year we'll be keeping a close eye on all Top 5 corrective actions to ensure
that they have had the intended impact in reducing risk. In our business we can never sit
still and be content with the progress we've made. We just don't have the luxury to relax
when it comes to safety.
That's why, even with the success of the FAA's Top 5 program, we will be making
improvements to it starting in October. Currently we select a new Top 5 list eve ry year,
but we've learned that it sometimes takes more than a year to implement fixes, and even
longer for those fixes to have the intended effect. So, in the future we'll have a
continuous Top 5 Hazard List and a hazard won't come off the list until the safety
performance targets have been met. At that point we'll fill the slot with a new Top 5
hazard.
I want to thank everyone involved in our Top 5 effort and in our various safety risk
mitigation efforts. On that note, NATCA President Paul Rinaldi and I produced this
video thanking our controllers for their commitment to keeping distractions out of the
operation as part of our Turn Off Tune In campaign. I hope you'll check it out.
Finally, I want to remind everyone to consider nominating your co - workers for the ATO's
NAS First, People Always awards. Nominations will be accepted until Ma y 31.
Thanks everyone!
Teri L. Bristol ATO Chief Operating Officer
