A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/848197
WEEKLY UPDATE FRO M FAA ATO COO TERI BRISTOL June 30, 2017 NextGen Progress Showcased at NAC Meeting Hi everyone. I was in Memphis this week attending the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC) meeting. As you may know, the NAC is made up of key aviation stakeholders who are he lping us prioritize and complete our NextGen activities. Through this forum, we're able to address common concerns and commit to joint plans of action so we can deliver the benefits of NextGen which help passengers reach their destinations on time while re ducing fuel burn and lessening environmental impact. We continue to make progress on our four near - term priorities: increasing the use of Performance Based Navigation (PBN), implementing Data Communications, increasing surface data sharing, and making mul tiple runway operations more efficient. For instance, our Metroplex procedures have allowed us to increase efficiency at airports where PBN is implemented. As of last week, Washington, D . C . , Houston, Northern California, and Charlotte Metroplex sites are c omplete, and we're in the final stages in Southern California, Detroit, Cleveland, and Atlanta. The NAC has been instrumental in helping us make this progress. They've given us some very thoughtful recommendations on how to improve our engagement with loc al communities when we develop and publish PBN routes. The NAC has also given us good guidance on developing time, speed , and spacing tools. The FAA presented a PBN Time, Speed, and Spacing plan as a new implementation approach to deploy automation tools i n geographical operating areas. This new approach will enable us to deploy the right tools for the right location at the right time. The progress we're making, and the collaborative culture we've forged through the NAC structure, are laying the foundatio n for moving to time - based air traffic operations. This will help us realize our longer term NextGen vision of conducting trajectory - based operations that will bring more predictability, efficiency and flexibility into the NAS, while minimizing the impact of disruptions due to weather, or system or facility outages. At the NAC meeting, we discussed capabilities to tackle congestion in the Northeast corridor, an area where half of all daily airspace delays originate. We're also looking at the potential saf ety and efficiency benefits of reducing oceanic separation minima through space - based ADS - B or other improvements to surveillance. As we modernize the system, and ensure air traffic safety and efficiency, we create a sense of order in the airspace system . Without this order, our ability to exercise our freedom to travel would be much more limited. And speaking of freedom, this Tuesday is July 4 th – our Independence Day. Many of us will have a chance to relax, watch some fireworks, and have some summer fun . I want to thank those who will be working on the holiday, as you'll be helping our citizens enjoy their holiday celebrations or get wherever they need to be. As our nation celebrates its birthday, let's reflect on our founding values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Let's think about how our rights to freedom and self - determination enrich our lives and make our country great! July 7, 2017 Now Hiring: ATCS