A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/865677
SCT issues continue to be a large focus. NATCA SBS is heavily involved in the Surveillance Automation Analysis Team (SAAT), which is examining long - term alt ernatives to help improve overall sur veillance in the SCT airspace. Their efforts are aimed at mitigating tracking issues in the LA Basin, including the effec t of the new s tadium near LAX. NATCA and the Agency have agreed to move forward with raising t he LGB radar site. This was thought to be one of the easier solutions to put in place, but the Agency cannot seem to get out of their own way to do so. Current target date for completion according to Western Service Area is October to November 2017. WAM in the LA B asin area will be in three phases: update nine existing ADS - B r adios to support WAM via Virtual Radar (CLT configuration), add eight new r adios to supplement the WAM coverage (still using VR), then update STARS to allow for WAM in Native format (1 second update rate). The first phase of WAM achieved an IOC on August 10. Feedback from SCT per sonnel has been very positive. WAM has been promoted to the highest priority in sort cells. Analysis of formerly identified tracking issues with radar showed much imp rovement with WAM implemented. Feedback from NAT CA SCT has been very positive. Former issues seen frequently in the LA Basin area have been greatly reduced by WAM. This first Phase of WAM at SCT is a limited configuration of Radio Stations. The syst em has shown some vulnerability to ref lection on the surface of LAX. While this does not affect the tracking of actual targets, the test target injected into the system for TechOps certification h as been affected periodically. Until the system has more r adios or other options for certificati on, this will likely continue. SAAT has been analyzing Potomac (PCT) Fusion i ssues for potential solutions. The facility has been struggling with a number of issues related to problem radar sites or a lack of cover age. Radar analysis is confirming the benefit of adding Quantico radar to PCT as well as redu cing obstructions i n the area. Follow - up discussions with PCT have been delayed due to facility availability. A long - awaited estimate for adding identified rada rs to C LE has finally been delivered. SBS Article 114 agreed to a path forward to add multiple radar s to CLE in support of Fusion. The radar sensors should be incorporated at CLE by June 2018. N90 discussions point to a planned transition to Fusion in J anuary 2018. Support activities could star t in November 2017 or earlier. A discus sion with N90 on the exact time line is planned for September 26. Vehicle ADS - B: 1170 v ehicles equipped at 18 a irports. DAL and IAH will deploy additional vehicle transponders this month. CVG has equipped and is waiting for deployment of ASSC to go live.