A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/913906
MSAW/CA Board The Board is reviewing new logic to process Conflict Alert - Suppression on Approach Path (SOAP). Several sites report nuisance CAs on aircraft when they enter extended approach pat hs to parallel finals that are in close proximity to one another. SOAP is designed to further examine these situations after existing alert logic detects that two aircraft are in conflict. The SOAP algorithm will either fully suppress the Conflict Alert or partially suppress the alert (new functionality). The Board has set a date to discuss this function in greater detail and how the parameters will be adapted. Operating Testing and Evaluation (OT&E) NATCA SMEs from NCT, MDT, BTV , and SCT attended the S6.R 4c testing event November 13 - 21. This build will allow R4 software to function with the R7 archive to support sites that will IOC using X3000 processor and Xtreme router hardware. During this event, SMEs were able to evaluate a new STARS trackball prototyp e and participate in a demonstration of SPOT - Scenario Processing and Organization Tool. Mr. Ness attended testing for S6.R6 Drop 10 the week of Nov . 13. The build was declared suitable for keysite activity. Program Trouble Report Working Group (PTRWG) The November meeting was cancelled. STARS Software Planning Board The K90/A90 merge planning process uncovered an issue related to ARSA VFR handoffs between A90 and Providence ATCT. NATCA requested a high priority software change to be delivered as soon a s possible. Field Support Mr. Ness travelled to Detroit and Birmingham , Ala., in November to support transition to R4 software at each site. During the switch to R4 at Detroit, air traffic encountered a coasting issue related to multi - lateration (MLAT) th at forced the site to fall back to the previous build. Recent changes to the MLAT adaptation settings are being tested at the tech center and pending successful results, another R4 attempt will be made at Detroit. Mr. Ness submitted a software change requ est on behalf of Houston TRACON (I90). This will change the default display of CRDA ghost targets when CRDA functions are enabled. TERM INAL FLIGHT DATA MANAGER (TFDM) Matt Baugh (IAH) is the Article 114 Representative for TFDM. Mr. Baugh's update is below . We are wrapping up our comments and suggestions that were compiled during the second of three Earl y User Involvement Events (EUIE s) in late October. These comments will not only help Leidos and Saab further their development but will also give us a head start on the list of what we want to see coming out of EUIE 3, which is now being moved from late January to late February. The final EUIE will be through release 6 of 7 and should have a majority of the system available for the team to do some pre - tech c enter testing.