A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/905671
schedule is the driver for TAMR Elite rollout and therefore the drive for the follow up ADS - B/Fusion rollout. 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 alternatives to help improve overall surveillance i n the SCT airspace. The result is a multi - faceted approach including WAM, raising LGB radar, introducing o ther nearby radar feeds, STARS software change s, and radar software changes. In addition, SAAT is focused on miti gating tracking issues in the Los Angeles Basin due to the construction of a new NFL sta dium on final approach to LAX. The LGB radar site i s now back online and in use at SCT. The radar site was r aised from 37 feet to 67 feet. Feedback from SCT has been positive. Agreements are being worked with the military to ensure availability and performa nce of the Nor th Island radar. Adding this add itional surveillance source shows promise for tracking issues around SAN airport. The first phase of WAM achieved an IOC on August 10, and was soon promoted to the h ighest priority in sort cells. Analysis of formerly identified radar tracking issues show ed much imp rovement with WAM implemented. Feedback from SCT per sonnel has been very positive. However, a false track event on October 19 caused the site to lose confidence and disable the service until investigatio n and mitigation was complete. Indicati ons from the provider are that a resolution is forthcoming and will be made available as soon as possible. SAAT has been analyzing Potomac (PCT) Fusion i ssues for potential solutions. The facility has been struggling with a number of issues related to pr oblem rada r sites or a lack of coverage. Radar analysis is confirming the benefit of adding Quantico (NYG) radar to PCT as well as redu cing obstructions near Dulles. Funding for the additional NYG feed is being sought. SBS Article 114 agreed to a path f orward to add multiple radar s to CLE in support o f Fusion. The radar sensors should be incorporated at CLE by June 2018. Recent N90 discussions on a transition to Fusion have centered on th e continued staffing concerns. The facility is in a critical sta te and does not expect to be able to support Fusion transition activities until September 2018. Vehicle ADS - B: 1279 vehicles equipped at 20 airports. Further inquiries continue to come in regarding equipping airports in the NAS. A reorganization of per formance compliance and monitoring is currently underway. WEATHER Matt Tucker (ZTL) is NATCA's Article 114 Representative for Weather. His update for the membership is below. NEXTGEN Weather Processor (NWP) and Common Support Services - Weather (CSS - WX) B oth programs are progressing toward integration activities at the FAA Technical Center, Harris delivered their hardware and installed in July and Raytheon's hardware arrived at the Tech Center on Nov . 17 . The testing teams have been working on developing t he integration testing and will begin testing CSS - WX in January once the latest software builds have been delivered. A number of items that should have been in the Factory