A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/898522
A change to 7 110.65 X, 4 - 4 - 1 ROUTE USE would permit ATC to clear airborne GPS equipped aircraft, beyond ground - based NAVAID limitations in non - radar conditions. Ther e is guidance currently in the .65 to permit this for aircraft departing an airport with certain provisions. This change would allow short distance, impromptu routings to establish a non - radar aircraft on a point - to - point routing that could exceed NAVAID l imitations regardless of RADAR coverage. The SRMP for this change will be held January 8, 2018 through January 12, 2018 and will NATCA will be have two controllers on the panel. Based on an interpretation that was issued by the FAA last year, a change to 2 - 1 - 13, FORMATION FLIGHTS, was written, paneled and is in the final stages of approval. This new guidance will permit ATC to issue clearances to any aircraft within a formation flight to effect separation during flight formation break up. It also provides guidance on formation join up, currently not very well addressed in the . 65. This change missed the publication deadline for March of 2018 but I will be requesting a NOTICE be issued to make it effective immediately. Other initiatives and changes being wo rked on include Class E airspace functions. Class E airspace is actually divided into different parts, yet it is charted on VFR sectionals the same. This work was precipitated by an interpretation request from a Flight Standards District Office and involve d a Class E extension to Class D airspace. The term Digital and Digitized are both used in the 7110.65 and several requests for interpretation were received to clear up ambiguities when using both terms in the context of STARs displays versus ARTSIIE dis plays. A Document Change Proposal is being written to clear up the inconsistencies and will most likely be published next October. Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or suggestions for changes to either the 7110.65 or AIM. AIRSPACE Jim Davis (PCT) is the National Airs pace Representative for NATCA . Below are reports from the various airspace team leads and Mr. Davis. Denver Metroplex Update (Mark Ostronic Denver Metroplex Article 114 NATCA Lead) The Denver Metroplex Project is ongoing and i s currently involved in the Evaluation Phase of the project. The Denver Metroplex Team is working closely with the various lines of business as the Environmental Assessment is being conducted. The Draft Environmental Assessment is tentatively scheduled for public review with workshops and a public comment period in 2018. The Metroplex team continues to work closely with the ANM Regional Administrator's office and the Airports Division to fully utilize their expertise on noise sensitive areas. The Denver Me troplex team is working with neighboring Centers to create a more efficient Time - Based Flow Management System for Denver area traffic along with developing strategic and tactical localized game plans to further optimize the flows. The Team has begun to cre ate the training plans for individual areas and sectors along with the necessary training problems. Initial reviews of LOA s and SOP s have taken place to begin necessary changes for implementation.