NATCA Bookshelf

development guide will be submitted shortly for review. We discussed the review process and general timelines to receive and review materials. Raytheon, AJV-7 requirements, and NATCA have been involved in an ongoing discussion to schedule an R7 training review. Planning is underway for a three-day review of materials within the next few months. Additionally, an overall discussion about how we can provide a better training product to the field. Mr. Costa and Bobby Faulkner (D01) traveled to A90 for the K90 consolidation into A90. We will review the training conducted prior to transition and develop lessons learned to apply to future sites. Overall, the transition appeared to be smooth. Mr. Faulkner and Mr. Costa also reviewed plans for STARS LITE to STARS ELITE training. TAMR Software/Hardware Report Submitted by Kyle Ness (M98) System Technical Reports Working Group (STRWG) Stakeholders are nearing concurrence on two proposals to reduce nuisance conflict alerts when aircraft are turning to final or level off when descending or climbing. A proposal to display system off indicators in the System Status Area is on hold while stakeholders get clarification on display requirements. MSAW/CA Board Reports continue to come in from the field concerning MSAW alerts that did not meet controller expectations. The Board invited a member of the AJI Independent Safety Assessment Team to participate in a Board meeting to discuss how MSAW functions and why it does not alert controllers to separation requirements outlined in the 7110.65. Coincidentally, after reviewing some of these reports, some discrepancies were noted between General Terrain Monitor (GTM) bins and the obstacles contained in them, specifically obstacles less than 200 feet. The question of why was put to AVN who explained that is it due to the way the database is designed and anything less than 200 feet is not evaluated. The AVN delivery notice even states that a 200-foot buffer should be applied to GTM bins to accommodate for these obstacles. From a process perspective, the MSAW algorithms cover these areas but the Board is evaluating whether to increase the GTM buffer or change documentation. The board is also discussing how to resolve the MSAW validation tool checks 10 nm outside the lateral airspace boundaries of the servicing ATC facility's airspace and how it examines multiple terminal sectors or noncontiguous airspace. Operating Testing and Evaluation (OT&E) There will be multiple testing events over the next several weeks. From February 13 to March 23, there will be testing for the S6.R6 build, Tower Display Monitor, System Archive and S6.R4c build. NATCA SMEs from MDT, PCT, P50, NCT, SCT, TPA, A80, GRR, D10, A90, M98 and PHL will be participating. On top of that, NATCA SMEs will also participate at a Raytheon software evaluation of the S6.R9 build late February in Marlborough Massachusetts. During these "play dates," SMEs get an early look at the software build and can give feedback directly to the developers who can make necessary changes before a formal delivery to the FAA. The R9 build content has several functions that show on the glass so having NATCA controllers test the build early on will be beneficial.

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