NOTABLE FAA PRESS RELEASE LAST WEEK
FAA: No Reduce d Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) Applications for Planes with
ADS - B (Aug. 7, 2017) - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing (PDF) to
change the Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) authorization process by
eliminating the need for U.S. - registered operators to apply for RVSM authorization when
their aircraft meet altitude - keeping req uirements and are equipped with qualified
Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS - B) Out systems. Read more .
ATC FUNDING AND REFORM, AND FAA REAUTHORIZATION LEGISLATION
New last week: Letter to the editor in the Tampa Bay Times
Headline: Control tower needs upgrades
By Jason Rebmann, facility representative, Tampa tower and terminal radar approach
control, National Air Traffic Controllers Association
"Looking down at Tampa International Airport from the air traffic control tower, we
see the exciting improvements coming to our airport. Unfortunately, working in the tower,
we f ace a different reality.
"Our tower is in poor condition. Parts of the tower exterior are being held together
with repair - work sealant. The large glass windows, which are essential to monitor planes
on the ground, are no longer up to safety standards. Our controllers, who work hard 24/7
to monitor one of the nation ' s most complex air systems, use antiquated technology like
paper flight strips. We ' re unable to install a modern ground radar system in part because
of wear and tear to the tower.
"The airport is undergoing a $2 billion renovation project to improve the Tampa
flight experience, yet our air traffic controllers, who are responsible for keeping travelers
safe and flights on time, work in a deteriorating physical environment with largely
outdated tech nologies.
"Although we ' re making progress by implementing modernization projects
nationwide, long - term advancements are hampered by an unstable, unpredictable
funding stream. That is why we support current U.S. House legislation, HR 2997, the
21st Century Aviation, Innovation, Reform and Reauthorization Act, which would create
a federally chartered, not - for - profit air traffic control corporation to operate the system.
The legislation would provide a stable, predictable funding stream that supports air traff ic
control services, staffing, hiring and training, long - term modernization, preventive
maintenance and infrastructure modernization. It would also ensure the system keeps
pace with current technology and would remove many of the government's slow,
bureauc ratic processes.
"Tampa International is taking exciting and progressive steps toward the future of
aviation, but modernization of our critical air traffic control function is falling behind. We
can have a seamlessly run terminal, but without an updated ai r traffic control system, we
are doing a great disservice to all Tampa travelers."
Videos – NATCA President Paul Rinaldi and Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert
address some of the most commonly asked questions about ATC reform and the current
FAA reau thorization legislation in th e U.S. House of Representatives (click on the
hyperlinked wording to view):
Why does NATCA support air traffic control reform?
How would a new air traffic control corporation be funded?
