A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/889675
diagnose issues in the system. The most difficult part of the training is figuring out how to have a ll of the controllers trained to turn the system on for use in a facility. Procedures Along with the new functionality, come additional rules and procedures for using CPDLC. Controllers work with the procedure office to develop procedures and new rules th at will be incorporated into the 7110.65 and other orders in the FAA. Once the procedures are developed they must be incorporated into the training of the controller workforce. DCNS (DataComm Network Service) CPDLC is delivered through a network of VHF a ntennas by Rockwell Collins (Formally ARINC) and Society International of Telecommunication Aeronautics (SITA) and managed by Harris Corporation. The network of antennas makes up different service volumes for each En Route Center. The service volume must e nsure coverage for equipped aircraft flying through every sector. If additional antennas are needed, they must be ordered almost 18 months before they are needed so that the Communication Service Providers (CSP) can acquire the real estate to place the ant enna. Certification Technical Operations will need to certify the equipment and software to ensure it works correctly. They must also be trained to debug issues and understand how to fix them. Airline Operators The airlines are involved in much of what the program office does. Pilots have worked with controllers on the software requirements to ensure that what they receive is also functionally acceptable and understandable to the pilots. The pilots must also be trained to use the system by the time it is turned on in a facility so both sides can use it. The Operations center must ensure their filling and computer systems are able to accept the new messages and that the airplanes have been certified by flight standards to use CPDLC. Coordination must also take place with international carriers to make sure their countries certify their aircraft and pilots to use CPDLC domestically in the United States. Implementation While all of these other activities are taking place, the Program office is working with a ll of the sites to ensure that their training, testing and planning are going to meet the dates of the deployment schedule without overburdening a facility. The Program office is also working with the Airlines, CSP s, headquarters, and other users to make sure that everything comes together to turn on the CPDLC service. ENROUTE AU TOMATION MODERNIZATION (ERAM) Julio Henriques (ZNY) leads the ERAM efforts for NATCA. Dan Mullen (ZID) provides this update. Tech Refresh 2 (TR2) is scheduled to start mid - 2018 a nd involves replacement of the ERAM processors and monitors. The Computer - Human Interface (CHI) team and Facility Tech Reps (FTRs) have been evaluating monitor choices for over a year, and are expected to make the final choice by November. The replacement monitors will either be a high - def version the same size as the current scopes, or a 43" diagonal high - def model. The large version is a very tight fit in the current sector consoles, but provides extra viewing area, which would be helpful when Datacomm an d other Nextgen programs are implemented.