A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/851086
On June 30 the Surface Concept Team participated in a telcon with the CLT ATD - 2 team represented by Pete Slattery of CLT TMU and Al Capps and Shawn Engelland of NASA. Two specific items were discussed in depth: 1. Where does tactical surface metering transition to strategic surface metering, and who is the final authority on either? There continues to be a misunderstanding of exactly what is happening when surface metering is taking place. In the non - movement area, there is no real authority of the FAA who can tell airlines that they can or cannot meter their planes. At an airport such as CLT, where American represents almost 90% of all traffic, they are certainly within their rights to hold planes at the gate or in the ramp area if they feel that it will benefit the airport overall, even if ATC does not know or does not concur. But as that sort of near term tactical metering extends into the future toward strategic metering, ATC must retain final authority to act as the Departure Reservoir Co ordinator (DRC) to implement a Departure Metering Program (DMP), as that program will have real time effects on the congestion and complexity of the ground traffic. After some involved discussion, all parties decided to table the issue for until a later ti me. What will be the terms of the tech transfer of the NASA ATD - 2 technology? Michael Huffman, Project Manager for TFDM, explained very clearly that certain ideas being explored by NASA in ATD - 2 would have to meet TFDM budgetary standards to be included in the suite of TFDM technologies. The NASA representatives understand that not everything that they will be able to offer in the tech transfer will be accepted; due to the specific constraints that TFDM will be required to adhere to. 2. As of July 7, the A irports Surface Efficiency Office lost its program manager, Susan Pfingstler, due to her being hired away by United Airlines. As of September 27, the Surface Concept Team will lose its project lead, Maureen Szcygyielski, who will no longer be able to trave l due to inadequate supervisory staffing at her home facility, BOS ATCT. These were the two main people in setting the agenda, arranging telcons and meetings, and promoting the engagement of the Surface Concept Team with connected technology groups such as ATD - 2 and the CDM Automation Team. Until their positions are filled on more than a temporary basis, the Surface Concept Team may be slowed in promoting the accurate data transfer between airlines and ATC that will help improve surface efficiency .