NATCA Bookshelf

Upgrading facilities to the newest software and hardware does not happen without difficulties, which include funding worries, SME requests being denied due to staffing, and hardware (CTD – Common Terminal Digitizer) issues. Through it all NATCA worked collaboratively with the agency to overcome or mitigate the 2017 issues. 2018 will be another year and a whole different animal. With the constant threat of government shutdown and staffing shortages throughout the NAS, we will work on the behalf of the union to ensure NATCA has a say in all things STARS. The team is looking forward to a successful 2018. Looking ahead to 2018, NATCA TAMR will help collaboratively to successfully transition 10 CARTS to STARS and 16 legacy STARS to TAMR STARS facilities. Working with the agency to ensure the new radar digitizer, CTD (Common Terminal Digitizer), deploys on time and in working order. On the training front, Section 804 consolidations, SPOT (terminal simulation platform), and STARS LITE/ARTS 1E facilities. Software wise NATCA TAMR will be working with NATCA TSAS (Terminal Spacing and Sequencing) on both inclusions into software and in training support. It will once again be another busy year. Mr. Rose is working with Matt Tucker (NATCA WX Article 114) on moving the agency closer to requiring a new source of weather for terminal use. The ageing infrastructure mainly with ASR-8 radar systems produce false WX and amounts of AP that is unacceptable. During this reporting period, Mr. Rose attended the following telcons and meetings: CTD SRMP, A11 Pre-IOC (Initial Operating Capacity), TAMR internal risk board, hardware telcon each week, Western and Central Service Area TAMR telcons each week, TAMR/Raytheon Joint risk board, STARS R8 software timeline, CTD risk board, N90 Post ORD, ELP CAI, MCI and A11 IOC go/no go. This is just a taste of the telcons and meetings completed. Mr. Rose coordinated with Brandon Miller (PCT FacRep) about key site for new optical trackballs. As of now, three new trackballs will be installed on the ops floor for testing. Coordinating procurement of three more for testing for a total of 6. The trackballs are not in mass production yet, awaiting results of the operational test at PCT. PVD would like to swap out a TCW (Terminal Controller Workstation) for a TDW (Tower Display Workstation), coordinating to ensure they receive the TDW. NATCA TAMR is beginning to delve into the deep end of the pool when it comes to STARS LITE and ARTS IE site transitions. Facility visits will start after the New Year led by Robert Faulkner (D01). Not all nine sites are NATCA towers but we will be a part of each and every one of the transitions. Mr. Rose joined four SMEs on the PTRWG (Program Trouble Report Workgroup) meeting on Dec. 7. In addition, the BFL TAMR ARTSIIE to STARS G4 shakedown out brief was held the same day. TAMR is advancing on BFL, moving the facility left on the waterfall. IOC scheduled for June 2018. MCI and A11 both transitioned to STARS G4 on 12/5. LCH, SPI, and BMH transitioned on 12/11. Welcome to the STARS G4 family. These five sites closed out the year. The next IOC dates are not scheduled until March 2018.

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