A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/999359
The LGB radar site is now back online and in use at SCT. The radar site was raised from 37 feet to 67 feet. Feedback from SCT has been positive. Agreements are being worked with the military to ensure availability and performance of the North Island radar. Adding this additional surveillance source shows promise for tracking issues around SAN airport. WAM has been plagued by numerous fits and starts harming the confidence of the facility. SBS Engineering has conducted a two month Technical Eval of the offline WAM system to combat reliability and tracking issues seen. Analysis indicates a significant reduction in false track probability. An Op Eval is planned June 27-28 and WAM may be returned to service shortly afterward. SAAT has been analyzing Potomac (PCT) Fusion issues for potential solutions. The facility has been struggling with a number of issues related to problem radar sites or a lack of coverage. Radar analysis has confirmed the benefit of adding Quantico (NYG) radar to PCT as well as reducing obstructions near Dulles. However, the funding for the additional NYG feed has been difficult to obtain. Raleigh-Durham (RDU) has suffered for far too long with tracking issues. A thorough analysis of the situation was provided in late 2017 showing that the RDU ASR itself is screened by tree growth. Efforts to reduce this screening are underway and the airport authority is awaiting a contractor. SBS has agreed to fund additional radar sensors to help with the Fusion presentation, but if the tree screening is not resolved their tracking issues will continue. NATCA and Ops Support SMEs from SBS have completed a review of numerous requests for additional radar feeds across the NAS. The focus of our team is those that benefit Fusion tracking. Issues such as service expansion are outside of SBS scope and should be worked through other channels. Vehicle ADS-B: 1,296 vehicles equipped at 20 airports. CVG SAT was completed the week of June 25th which will add another 116 equipped vehicles to the matrix. LAS transmit has been approved and installation of vehicle transponders should start soon. MIA outreach meeting completed on June 12th. Savannah airport has expressed interest in equipping transponders. This is interesting due to the fact SAV does not currently have Surface surveillance. The vehicle team will go through the normal process in the event the facility receives some type of surface surveillance in the future.