A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/835143
The first phase is moving along rapidly. The first phase r adio updates are complete. Tuning flights were completed in ear ly April. The second round of contractor flights tuning flights to address ATCRBS performance was conducted in late May. A flight inspection planning session was held on May 23 at SCT, and the flight inspection to evaluate the service from an Air Traffic p erspective is planned for July 17 - 18. Operational use of WAM could begin as early as August 2017. SAAT has been analyzing Potomac (PCT) Fusion i ssues for potential solutions. The facility has been struggling with a number of issues related to problem rad a r sites or a lack of coverage. Radar analysis is ongoing, including the benefit of adding Quantico radar to PCT. A long - awaited estimate for adding identified radars to C LE has finally been delivered. SBS Article 114 agreed to a path forward to add multi ple radars to CLE in support of Fusion. Met with N90 management and NATCA representatives to discuss the support n eeded to transition to Fusion. The facility is targeting a January 2018 start. AIRSPACE Jim Davis (PCT) is the National Air space Representat ive for NATCA. Below are reports from the various airspace team leads and Mr. Davis. PBN/Metroplex Design and Implementation Lead Monthly Report – 6/4/17 Metroplex: Because of budget and funding reductions and concerns, there have been numerous budget dri lls conducted by the Metroplex program over the last several months. Because of the agency's self - imposed requirements for community involvement, the costs associated with this effort on a project the size of Florida Metroplex has caused the project to be unsustainable. Several options for re - scoping Florida were presented to Lynn Ray (VP, Mission Support) on March 24. We are currently looking at ways to help the project fit into current and future funding projections so we can deliver benefits to the facil ities in a sustainable way moving forward. The status of Florida Metroplex is still currently pendin g. SoCal Metroplex executed its' final implementation (Phase 3) on April 27. Post - implementation of SoCal Metroplex amendments is scheduled for October 2017 . Detroit/Cleveland Metroplex is still working towards a May 2018 implementation date. Funding issues has also caused us to look at other PBN projects as well, not just Metroplex. There has been much discussion around what to do with the ACR (Atlantic Coa st Routes) initiative. Part of the Florida re - scoping options was to incorporate all or a portion of the ACR routes. ACR may also be segmented with the northern routes (ZDC and north) would be incorporated into the NE Corridor initiative or stand - alone. Ag ain, this initiative has been stalled for several months and no decisions on the direction of ACR have been determined to this point. Also, PBN work associated with the VOR MON program may also be delayed because there is no BFOT for PBN related procedures in the VOR MON budget. The PBN office is currently working with Flight Standards (AFS), Aeronautical Information Services (AIS), Service Center Operational Support Groups (OSGs), Flight Inspection, and PASS on a workgroup to look at ways to streamline th e Instrument Flight Procedures (IFP) development processes to improve the way we validate incoming IFP requests. This workgroup will also look at ways to better prioritize valid requests that