NATCA Bookshelf

As always, I will continue to keep the best interests of NATCA members at the forefront of every decision made and every action taken related to ATD-2. AIR TRAFFIC PROCEDURES (AJV-8) Andy Marosvari (BOI) is the Article 114 Representative in the AJV-8 Office. Mr. Marosvari forwarded the summary below for this update. NATCA participates in nearly every meeting regarding every change that the FAA is working on. Additionally, most clarifications and interpretations, previously done without collaboration, are now written with NATCA involvement. Below are a few of the issues I have been working on with the AJV-8 (FAA Procedures Office) in Washington, DC. 2−1−13. FORMATION FLIGHTS As the result of several reports of errors attributed to formation flight breakups and an interpretation request, AJV 8 and NATCA wrote new guidance for controllers when clearing aircraft out of a formation and joining up aircraft into a formation flight. The Notice became effective May 3 and the .65 will include the guidance in the September 2018 change. 3−10−5. LANDING CLEARANCE Wrong runway and wrong surface landings continue to be a safety issue in the NAS. Several years ago, a change was made to require the phraseology "CHANGE TO RUNWAY (number) CLEARED TO LAND" when changing a landing runway. A Document Change Proposal (DCP) has been written and is out for Field Review that will add "CHANGE TO RUNWAY (number), RUNWAY (number), CLEARED TO LAND." This is being done in an effort to reinforce the runway change to the pilot. 7110.65 PCG Definition - Class G Airspace Currently, the Pilot/Controller Glossary (PCG) defines Class G airspace as "That airspace not designated as Class A, B, C, D, or E." The definition also does not provide guidance for controller responsibilities while providing service to aircraft in Class G airspace. There are differing interpretations throughout the NAS as to what is expected from ATC. A change was written two years ago that clarified the differing interpretations but has been delayed by the FAA legal department. I will include an update next month when the issue should be resolved. 4−4−1. ROUTE USE – Impromptu Route SRMP In April 2014, the use of GNSS point-to-point routes without radar monitoring was permitted under certain conditions NAS-wide. Since that time, facilities have asked for a means to transition from one point-to-point route to another if necessary for weather deviations, pilot requests, or operational need. Current procedures do not account for this need. This change allows GNSS aircraft, during non-radar operations, to transition from one point-to-point GNSS route to another, utilizing an impromptu route of short duration, provided vertical separation is utilized to facilitate the transition.

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