At this year's race, a lot of people are going to get there wit h the help of Performance
Based Navigation. The ATO put PBN procedures in the airspace surrounding Bermuda
in time for the races — and in 16 months, a bit quicker than the normal timetable. The
procedures include two standard instrument departures and two standard terminal arrival
routes (known as SIDs and STARs). Aircraft will now be able to follow predictable,
repeatable and published arrival and departure paths. This will enable New York Center,
which provides approach control services for Bermuda, to more efficiently and safely
control flights to and from that island.
I want to thank everyone involved with this implementation, including folks at New York
Center, NATCA, M ission Support Services , and the ATO's International Office. I also
want to thank the FAA's Office of International Aff airs for their support as well.
This PBN implementation is part of a longer - term partnership we've established with
Bermuda to help mode rnize their airspace system and help them move toward
managing their own airspace. We designed the SIDs and STARs according to our
established PBN implementation standards and processes and Bermuda published the
procedures. It's a stepping - stone for them t o take control of their airspace, a transition
that will also require more infrastructure and training for them over the next decade.
The Bermuda implementation is a good example of how we're implementing the FAA's
Global Leadership Initiative. We're maki ng targeted improvements in airspace where we
have a vested interest in making air traffic operations more efficient.
On a related note, we also continue to make progress with the FAA's Caribbean Initiative .
We've started regular air traffic operations calls and hold regular meetings with
Caribbean air navigation service providers and the airlines operating in that region.
Since we began this process, miles - in - trail for ai rcraft flying to Panama have been cut in
half, while miles - in - trail between Miami and Cuba have been reduced by more than half
in some circumstances. And as air traffic volume continues to increase throughout the
Caribbean, we continue to detect and mitiga te traffic congestion constraints and identify
alternative routings to reduce delays and keep traffic moving more efficiently. I want to
thank everyone involved with our Caribbean Initiative for helping produce these results.
Speaking of celebrating resul ts, I want to remind everyone that we are quickly nearing
the end of the nominations period for the ATO NAS First, People Always Awards .
Nomina ting a coworker or teammate is one of the best ways to help the ATO celebrate
its terrific accomplishments — but we must receive your nomination by COB Wednesday,
May 31. Please make a submission today!
Before I sign off, Monday, May 29 is Memorial Day — a day that offers many of us the
opportunity for rest, relaxation, and some summer fun. However you choose to celebrate
this weekend, I hope you will join me in giving thanks and praise to the brave men and
women of the Armed Forces whose courage and sacri fice — and that of their families —
keep our country strong and make the world a safer place. Here in the ATO we are very
fortunate to have many veterans among our ranks, working to ensure we continue to
provide the safest, most efficient air navigation se rvice provision in the world.
Thanks everyone!
Teri L. Bristol ATO Chief Operating Officer
