A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/865677
DM27 REQUEST WEATHER DEVIATION UP TO [distance offset] [direction] OF ROUTE Full Service Altitudes will inclu de the ability to uplink Block Altitudes and will also include crossing restrictions (available in initial services) menu available in the Full Data Block so that crossing restrictions can be uplinked to an aircraft. The Block Altitude messages will includ e : UM30 MAINTAIN BLOCK [altitude] TO [altitude] UM31 CLIMB TO AND MAINTAIN BLOCK [altitude] TO [altitude] UM32 DESCEND TO AND MAINTAIN BLOCK [altitude] TO [altitude] DM7 REQUEST BLOCK [altitude] TO [altitude] DM77 ASSIGNED BLOCK [altitude] TO [altitude] The ability to Uplink Holding instructions and update EFCs will be available as well. The message set is : UM91 HOLD AT [position] MA INTAIN [altitude] INBOUND TRACK [degrees] [direction] TURNS [leg type] UM93 EXPECT FURTHER CLEARANCE AT [time] Finally, Full Services will include Advisory messages. These messages are free text only and can be saved to an advisory menu to Uplink as needed. These messages will primarily be ride report messages all though a controller could include information about weather in the sector. Sigmets and CWA s will have to be voiced as they are today since controllers are required to g ive the information to non - Data Comm aircraft as well. EN ROUTE AUTOMATION MODERNIZATION (ERAM) Julio Henriques (ZNY) le ads the ERAM efforts for NAT CA. This update is provided by Dan Mullen (ZID). The most recent release of ERAM software, EAD700, completed key site testing a t ZFW, ZHU, and ZAB August 7th. Those sites, along with Facility Tech Reps (FTRs) from other facilities, evaluated the software and t ested the newest functionality. As usual, several problems were discovered that need ed to be fixed and that process will be done in the next few weeks. EAD700 will be released nationally in early September, and the biggest change for controllers will be the ability to approve point - outs by clicking an indicator on the data block or in the Aircraft List. This will reduce the amount of time needed to verb ally coordinate in many cases. The Automated Point Out functionality was well liked by controllers at the key sites, but pro cedural questions were common. Most of the ERAM hardware needs to be replaced and the Tech Refresh proj ect has become a high priority. Some of the internal components are failing faster than first predicted, and spare parts won't b e available much longer. The first step, replacing the D - side processor, has just begun and will be complet ed at most sites by July 2018. The R - side upgrade will begin by October 2018, but the exact sche dule is still being worked out. This stage includes r eplacing the R - side monitor, and the National User Team (NUT) and Computer - Human Interface (CHI) team have been working for over a year to select a replacement. One option is an Ultra Hi - Def widescreen that would be useful to display all the new data block symbols and views coming wit h new programs, like DataComm. These monitors are a very tight fit in the existing consoles, and we still have