UAS SAFETY TEAM (UAST)
NATCA is an active participant in the UAST. The UAST is modeled after the Commercial
Aviation Safety Team (CAST) and the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee
(GAJST). The UAST recently launched a website as a resource for UAS safety. Mr.
Weidner represents NATCA on the UAST.
UAS QUESTIONS
As a reminder, any UAS related questions can be addressed to Mr. Weidner and Mr.
Richards at UAS@natca.net.
NATCA Safety & Tech Update
Week of March 5, 2018
AUTOMATED TERMINAL PROXIMITY ALERT (ATPA)
Mike Sanders (SCT) represents the membership as the Article 114 Representative for
ATPA. Mr. Sander's report is below.
We are in current development for controller training in an eLMS course. This week,
SMEs Jeremy Bolduc (P50), Lacey Borgert (L30), Greg Tipton (SBA), Jeffrey French
(BFL), Sara Haight (NCT) participated in an Operational Try Out (OTO) at SCT to
evaluate and determine suitability. We gained some really good feedback and will be
making some changes. I still don't have a definitive time on a release to the field but am
hoping April timeframe. More to come.
Any facility that would like to turn ATPA on, please contact me so we can go over
adaptation options. That way when the eLMS training is completed your facility will be
ready.
DATACOMM
Chad Geyer (ZLA) is the Article 114 Representative for DataComm. Below is his update.
Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) sites are now sending over 41,000
clearances a week.
The month started in Melbourne, Fla., to attend the DataComm Implementation Team
(DCIT). This group is made up of multiple industry participants and helps with the
development and implementation of CPDLC in domestic airspace. The group discussed
changes to tower messages, future enhancements, and En Route system behavior.
There were also conversations on when each airline would have pilots available to
participate En Route, as well as FAA OPS approval to participate. DCIT meetings are
held approximately every six weeks.
The Program Office also visited ZNY and ZDC to brief facility personnel on the
DataComm program and what will be involved with bringing CPDLC to domestic U.S.
airspace. The briefing consisted of:
• Program Status
• Introduction to CPDLC
• System Architecture
• Computer Human Interface (CHI)
