Pilots come out in f ull force for Oshkosh and we're there to meet them, on frequency and
on the ground, making sure they have the critical information they need to safely
navigate the busy airspace surrounding the show. But our education and outreach
efforts don't end when th is event concludes, safety is a non - stop job that starts with us
taking a proactive look at our data and identifying other opportunities for improvement
across the country.
One of our focus areas is close encounters between IFR and VFR aircraft – a topic that
takes on special significance at Oshkosh where a majority of the operations are VFR.
We're working to dispel the myth that VFR aircraft don't need or want service from air
traffic con trol. Through a joint campaign with NATCA, we're asking controllers to issue
traffic alerts and advisories to VFR aircraft to help them "see and avoid" collisions with
other aircraft.
We're also working closely with pilots at airports across the country t o reduce the
frequency of wrong surface landings. Along with Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
(AOPA) members, representatives from airports, airlines and our unions, we formed
Runway Safety Action Teams, and we're tackling this issue head - on. Based on data that
shows us where we need to focus our attention, we created location - specific video
products to educate pilots about safety hot - spots both on and off the runway. Check out
videos for Chino (CNO) , Van Nuys (VAN) , John Wayne (SNA) , and Honolulu (HNL).
One of our most high - profile outreach efforts to the GA pilot community includes
promoting ADS - B and the looming 2020 equipage deadline . Convincing pilots t o add
new equipment to their aircraft is an uphill climb, but our message at Oshkosh was
straightforward: the deadline is not moving.
At the same time, we're continuing to move forward with a Very High Frequenc y
Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Minimum Operational Network (MON) to reduce the
number of VORs in the lower 48 to the minimum number required to provide resiliency in
support of the transition to Performance Based Navigation (PBN). This video provides
airspace users with a primer on the VOR MON and our timeline for implementation.
Whenever my job takes me out into the aviation community – at airshows, industry
conferences, a nd other public events – the feedback I get about the services we provide
is overwhelmingly positive. I always walk away proud to represent such an accomplished
and talented team of air traffic professionals.
Thank you, for everything you do to earn the p ublic trust as you operate and maintain
the safest and most efficient airspace in the world.
July 21, 2017
Flight - deck Training Takes Flight
Hi everyone.
Just this week, I spent some time with our friends at the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA),
the la rgest airline pilot union in the world representing more than 57,000 pilots at 33 U.S.
and Canadian airlines.
