ATCA Bulletin #10

Air Traffic Control Association

No. 10, 2014

www.atca.org

ATCA CELEBRATES DECADES OF EXCELLENCE Glen A. Gilbert Memorial Award winners past and present (L to R): Frank Frisbie, Monte Belger, Garland “Cas” Castleberry, The Honorable Norman Mineta, The Honorable Jane Garvey, Neil Planzer, The Honorable T. Allan McArtor and Peter Challan

IN THIS ISSUE: »» A Look Back at the Keynote Speakers of the ATCA 59th Annual and Civil/Military Aviation Conference (CMAC) »» A Moment in Aviation History »» Upcoming Events: Aviation Cyber Security Day and ATCA’s Holiday Luncheon »» Member Spotlight: FreeFlight Systems »» And More

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

No. 10, 2014 Published for

By Peter F. Dumont, President & CEO, Air Traffic Control Association

Looking Forward: Innovation for ATM

W

ell, I must say that was a great ATCA Annual – at least from the feedback I am receiving. We had the right people on the right panels speaking on the subjects you – the membership – wanted to hear about.

We set the conference room for more than 600 attendees and had standing room only the first day.

There were 103 booths on the floor.

The FAA System Wide Information Management (SWIM) demonstration lasted the entire three days. Plus, the presentation theaters were packed.

It is not too early to call us and be involved in the planning and execution of next year’s historic 60th Annual Conference and Exposition.

In addition, I had the opportunity last month to visit NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field in California, as a guest of Dr. John Cavolowski, Director of the Airspace Systems Program Office.

I have some history with Moffett Field – it was my second duty station in the U.S. Navy and the first tower I worked at. It was also where I met my wife Vanessa, so it holds a warm place in my heart.

I attended briefings and observed demonstrations of the ATM work that the people at Ames are working on.

Impressed is not a strong enough word to use when describing how I felt upon witnessing the work done at Ames.

Their progress and accomplishments are cutting edge and quite innovative.

I commend everyone at NASA for the work they are doing.

I encourage you to visit Ames and see how their work is progressing – how it can help you and your organization and vice versa. They are working on solutions that can and will move this industry forward. If you have been there in the past, it’s time to take another look – I can assure you there is even more to see now.

Looking forward to 2015, I hope you are getting ready for the World ATM Congress (WATMC) in March in Madrid. As you know, ATCA manages this event in association with the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO). We hope to see you there.

Between the ATCA Annual and the World ATM Congress, this association stays busy managing the two largest ATM events in the world.

1101 King Street, Suite 300 Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 703-299-2430 Fax: 703-299-2437 info@atca.org www.atca.org President & CEO: Peter F. Dumont

Director, Communications: Marion Brophy Writer/Editor: Kristen Knott

Formed in 1956 as a non-profit, professional membership association, ATCA represents the interests of all professionals in the air traffic control industry. Dedicated to the advancement of professionalism and technology of air traffic control, ATCA has grown to represent several thousand individuals and organizations managing and providing ATC services and equipment around the world.

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Nov. 13, 2014

© 2014 Air Traffic Control Association, Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of ATCA.

ATCA’s Cyber Security Day Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel Crystal City, Virginia www.atca.org/Cyber Dec. 9, 2014

ATCA’s Holiday Luncheon and Open House Alexandria, Virginia

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ATCA Bulletin | No. 10, 2014

March 10 – 12, 2015

World ATM Congress 2015 Madrid, Spain www.worldatmcongress.org

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the authors of the editorial articles contained in this publication are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of ATCA. Printed in Canada.

Please recycle where facilities exist.

A Look Back at the Keynote Speakers of the ATCA 59th Annual Conference and Exhibition Highlights from on-site issues of ATCA Today

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ith this year’s addition of the Civil/Military Aviation Conference (CMAC), ATCA’s 59th Annual Conference & Exposition boasted more keynote speakers than ever before. Here are snippets of the original keynote articles, which appeared in all on-site issues and the highlights edition of the ATCA Today. Visit atca.org/59media to read each article in its entirety.

The Honorable Michael Huerta, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – Monday, September 29 Michael Huerta Gives Update on the Chicago Center, NextGen

As an operator, director, and policymaker, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta already has a challenging job. Last week, he added yet another role – firefighter.

In his keynote speech Monday morning, Huerta gave an update on last Friday’s fire in the en En Route center in Aurora, Illinois. All employees were safely evacuated shortly after a worker set the fire as part of a suicide attempt. “The individual involved is receiving treatment for his injuries and is under guard,” Huerta said. One other employee was treated for smoke inhalation but was back to work later that day.

Since then, the FAA has steadily been increasing the amount of traffic in the Chicago airspace. Huerta said on Sunday, controllers managed 60 percent of the usual traffic at O’Hare and more than 75 percent of the traffic at Midway.

The FAA was able to do this by activating the Chicago center’s contingency plan.

Huerta said air traffic control was transferred to the four neighboring en route centers, and some Chicago controllers were sent to staff those centers. Air traffic controllers established consistent altitudes for handoffs of 18,000 feet and above, and funneled low-level traffic to 17 different terminal radar approach control facilities (TRACON).

Transcontinental flights were also sent around Chicago airspace.

Teri Bristol, Chief Operating Officer, Air Traffic Organization, FAA – Monday, September 29 Unleashing the Right People at the Right Time With the Right Ideas

In his book The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell wrote that when ideas and trends cross a certain threshold, they spread like wildfire. Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is at that tipping point, said FAA Chief Operating Officer Teri Bristol during the Monday afternoon keynote address.

“When the right people get behind the right ideas, there can be major change,” she said. “We’re the right people at the right time with the right ideas.” Today’s aviation world can’t afford to fall back into silos and turf wars, Bristol said, but instead needs to capitalize on the momentum of NextGen and other initiatives.

Those initiatives fall into three major areas outlined in the Air Traffic Organization blueprint: safety, efficiency and business acumen.

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ATCA Bulletin | No. 10, 2014

ATCA 59TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION

Frank Brenner, Director General, EUROCONTROL – Tuesday, September 30 EUROCONTROL Offers Roadmap for Managing Civil and Military Airspace

Managing the civil and military airspace throughout Europe is a complex endeavor.

During Tuesday morning’s CMAC keynote address, EUROCONTROL Director General Frank Brenner shared his organization’s strategies and future plans for a single European sky for all stakeholders.

Brenner said civil-military cooperation is a vital component of how America and Europe manage their skies, and is increasingly important in Asian nations like China.

In fact, he said, it’s expected that by 2030, there will be more air traffic in Asia than in Europe and the U.S. combined.

EUROCONTROL offers a blueprint for how to manage multiple sovereign civil and military airspaces. The organization has 40 member states stretching from Ireland to Malta – 16 more than the European Union. Next year, Estonia is expected to join and bump up EUROCONTROL membership to 41 states.

Jason Harfield, Airservices Australia – Wednesday, October 1 One Team, One System, One Sky: Australia’s Pioneering Role in ATM

Australia is in the midst of doing what other countries can only imagine at this point: achieving civil and military air traffic harmonization with a single system.

In his October 1 CMAC keynote address, Airservices Australia Executive General Manager for Future Service Delivery Jason Harfield said his country has a once-in-ageneration opportunity to create one air traffic management system for all Australian flights. This is key, he said, because Australia is socially and economically dependent on aviation.

“Because of the vast distances between cities and towns, we’re a nation of flyers,” Harfield said. “Flying is part of the social fabric of the country.” It also accounts for six percent of the gross domestic product, and Australian air traffic is expected to double over the next 15 years.

Airservices Australia – a government-owned corporation – manages civil aviation, and the Department of Defence handles Australia’s military air traffic. “Together, we’re literally rebuilding the infrastructure of our skies,” Harfield said.

Tina Amereihn, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Information Services and Chief Information Officer, FAA – Wednesday, October 1 FAA Announces Bold New IT Goals, Requests Vendor Support

The Federal Aviation Administration’s information technology operations are being revamped and updated, creating plenty of opportunities for contractors, said FAA Deputy Assistant Administrator for Information Services and Chief Information Officer Tina Amereihn.

During her October 1 keynote address, Amereihn unveiled the FAA’s Information Technology Shared Services Strategy for fiscal years 2015 –17. The strategy is the result of the recent merging of all FAA information technology (IT) employees into a single organization. Over the past year, that organization has identified gaps in IT services, along with skill gaps that need to be filled by either employees or contractors.

ATCA Bulletin | No. 10, 2014

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UAS TAAC Hosted

by tHe

DECEMBER

8 –11

PHysical science lab

2014

Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort Santa Ana Pueblo NM http://taac.psl.nmsu.edu

Join us at UAS TAAC 2014 Event December 8–11, 2014, Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico

T

he UAS Technical Analysis and Applications Center (UAS TAAC) venue has always succeeded in gathering the UAS organizations that matter. Last year, we had numerous government and industry leaders at TAAC who can and do discuss critical issues regarding UAS in a productive, value-added environment.

At TAAC, we anticipate the same caliber of speakers and attendees from several federal agencies (DoD, NASA, DHS, NOAA, BLM, USGS), aviation user groups such as AOPA, AIA, as well as universities, and private industry. TAAC attracts a diverse group of professional attendees and offers timely, relevant topics, presented in both classified and open venues.

While attending TAAC, you will have an excellent opportunity to network with UAS users, providers,

and implementers. Our outstanding venue, the Hyatt Tamaya, facilitates informal interaction with all of the participants during this three-day event.

Even in this modern electronic age, nothing can replace that person-to-person contact.

The organizers of TAAC also have endeavored to provide you the most comprehensive UAS information possible. The breadth and depth of the information is expected to be tremendously valuable for all attendees.

Please plan on joining us at TAAC and enjoy some New Mexico hospitality while you are provided with top quality, UAS mission-critical program information.

For more information, please go to taac.psl.nmsu.edu.

ADV ERTORI AL

w w w. w o r l d a t m c o n g r e s s . o r g

See You Next Year.

10 –12 March 2015 Madrid, Spain IFEMA, Feria de Madrid

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ATCA Bulletin | No. 10, 2014

ATCA’s Holiday Open House & Luncheon IS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9!

RSVP to Kristen at Kristen.Knott@atca.org

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ATCA Bulletin | No. 10, 2014

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Welcome the Outgoing and Incoming ATCA Board of Directors Members

Pictured above is the 2013–2014 ATCA Board of Directors, joined by newly elected Board members, for the next term. As is tradition, ATCA’s Board of Directors met for their annual meeting on the first day of ATCA’s 59th Annual Conference and Exhibition.

Midwest ATC was honored to be awarded the 2014 IHS Jane’s Runway Award for its Kandahar Runway Efficiency program at the CANSO ATM dinner in Madrid, Spain on 3 March.

After being selected in 2003 as the first company to provide air traffic control and airfield management services in a combat zone for the U.S. Department of Defense, Midwest ATC continues to deliver safe and reliable aviation services throughout Afghanistan. That this award was earned on one of the world’s busiest single runway airfields while at the same time supporting intense combat operations is testament to the professionalism and dedication of the Midwest team at Kandahar AB. We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments as indicative of our commitment to safety and professional performance.

Whether you are looking for air traffic control, weather observing and reporting, training, ground handling, or airfield management, Midwest has over 35 years of global experience and expertise to assist in the successful accomplishment of your mission. With a track record of servicing over 100 facilities across nine countries, Midwest is a proven low-risk, best value partner with tested operational procedures to ensure the safe, orderly and expeditious flow of traffic. Its team of supremely qualified aviation experts is dedicated to providing clients with an outstanding level of safety and commitment throughout the world. Using Midwest’s flexible and professional approach will enable you to achieve success.

Midwest Air Traffic Control Service, Inc. 7285 W 132nd Street, Suite 340, Overland Park, KS 66213 1514682_Midwest ATC.indd 1

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ATCA Bulletin | No. 10, 2014

Phone: + 1 913 782 7082 Web: www.atctower.com 13/03/2014 12:03

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A Moment in Aviation History

With Chicago’s main hub dominating the headlines lately, it’s hard to believe that this happened this month just 59 years ago …

“ October 30, 1955: The first commercial flights began at the new O’Hare Field, Chicago International Airport, which had been under construction since 1949. The facility was named for Lt. Commander Edward H. O’Hare, who won the Medal of Honor as a naval aviator in World War II. Subsequent years saw major improvements at the site, and the expanded Chicago-O’Hare International Airport was dedicated on March 23, 1963.”

– FAA Historical Chronology, Department of Transportation

Join the growing conversation

Aviation Cyber Security Day

November 13, 2014 Learn more at atca.org/Cyber ATCA Bulletin | No. 10, 2014

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NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: ATCA WELCOMES FREEFLIGHT SYSTEMS

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reeFlight Systems designs, manufactures and supports electronics systems that enable and support the global NextGen Air Traffic Management transformation.

FreeFlight is expert in the core technologies at the heart of this exciting and challenging change. Building on systems engineering and integration know-how, FreeFlight Systems effectively implements comprehensive, high-integrity avionics solutions. The company is focused on the practical application of NextGen technology to real-world operational needs – OEM, retro fit, platform or infrastructure.

The technologies and applications FreeFlight offers are centered around the NextGen cores of position/state sensing, navigation/flight management and data communications. FreeFlight provides complete solutions and systems for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipage, training and ground infrastructure – Area Navigation NAV_CANADA-Oct-2014.pdf 1 02/10/2014 2:00:07 PM and Required Navigation Performance equipage. The com-

Know of a corporation in the aviation or air traffic community that hasn’t yet become an ATCA member?

Refer them to ATCA’s Membership Manager Tim Wagner! Contact Tim at tim.wagner@atca.org or +1 703.299.2430 x314

pany’s dedication to open systems architectures and industry standards also allows FreeFlight to offer key elements for integration to third party system solutions, such as GNSS sensors, timing sources, altitude sensors and a variety of datalink/ATM radios.

With this passion, FreeFlight Systems has a proven record of innovation, including a significant number of NextGen Industry firsts – the first airborne WAAS/GPS receiver; the first rule-compliant ADS-B UAT TSO; the first UAT STC and the first FAA approved UAT for ground vehicles.

FreeFlight’s business model is focused on the success of each and every customer. The company stands by all products, and to this day continues to support many legacy products that FreeFlight’s customers find valuable - some over 30 years old. FreeFlight is committed to maintaining the highest technical and quality standards, while providing the lowest cost of ownership solutions to customers.

E NGAG E W I T H ATC A Join ATCA’s LinkedIn Group www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1823489 Visit ATCA’s Flickr Photostream www.flickr.com/ATCA_now

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Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/AirTrafficControlAssociation

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CM

Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/ATCA_now

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CMY

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Visit us at the World ATM Congress, Booth 826.

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ATCA Bulletin | No. 10, 2014

TRAFFIC JAM AHEAD. PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

Transforming the air traffic management (ATM) system is essential for improving safety, efficiency and the environment around the globe.

Boeing is fully committed and uniquely qualified to help make ATM transformation a reality. It’s the right time and Boeing is the right partner.

The ATCA Bulletin (ISSN 0402-1977) is published monthly by the Air Traffic Control Association.

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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ATCA BULLETIN, 1101 King Street, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Staff Marion Brophy, Director, Communications Ken Carlisle, Director, Meetings and Expositions Kristen Knott, Writer and Editor Christine Oster, Chief Financial Officer Paul Planzer, Manager, ATC Programs Claire Rusk, Vice President of Operations Mindy Soranno, Office Manager Rugger Smith, International Accounts Sandra Strickland, Events and Exhibits Coordinator Ashley Swearingen, Press and Marketing Manager Tim Wagner, Membership Manager

1101 King Street Suite 300 Alexandria, VA  22314

Officers and Board of Directors Chairman, Neil Planzer Chairman-Elect, Charles Keegan President & CEO, Peter F. Dumont Treasurer, Rachel Jackson East Area Director, Susan Chodakewitz Pacific Area, Asia, Australia Director, Peter Fiegehen South Central Area Director, William Cotton Northeast Area Director, Mike Ball Southeast Area Director, Jack McAuley North Central Area Director, Bill Ellis West Area Director, Chip Meserole Canada, Caribbean, Central and South America, Mexico Area Director, Rudy Kellar Europe, Africa, Middle East Area Director, Jonathan Astill Director at Large, Rick Day Director at Large and Secretary, Sandra Samuel