Air Traffic Control Association
January 2014
www.atca.org
Sharing Information ATCA’s UAS Day Got People Talking
IN THIS ISSUE: »» A Tale of Two Towers »» Member Spotlight on The Community College of Baltimore County »» C Speed’s LightWave Radar Wins 2013 Best Innovation at Scottish Green Energy Awards »» And More
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Changes for a New Year
January 2014 Published for
By Peter F. Dumont, President & CEO, Air Traffic Control Association
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TCA just completed a very successful UAS Day on January 24. We had more than 150 attendees for a full day of panels and discussions. The timing was near perfect. The event had been postponed and rescheduled. During that time, the FAA released the names of the six UAS test sites and delayed the small UAS rule until November 2014. This led to some relevant robust discussion and solutions moving forward. Congratulations to UAS Day Committee Chair, Gary Church, the committee, Paul Planzer, ATCA’s ATC Programs Manager and the entire ATCA staff on a job well done. The press was there in full force and very interested in discussing UAS (they of course call them drones), and their commercial applications. I spoke with several reporters specifically regarding the possible economic drivers and job creation UAS integration can afford us. You can see interviews and articles at WTOP.com and Flight Global online, among others. From a staffing perspective, ATCA has experienced a number of changes recently. Bill Ellis from Midwest ATC was unanimously elected to the ATCA Board of Directors to fill the vacancy for a North Central Director. We welcome Bill in this position.
Jessica McGarry, ATCA’s Communications Manager, has left ATCA to pursue other opportunities. We wish her well in pursuit of new endeavors. Jonathan Fath, ATCA’s New Media Manager, is ATCA’s liaison to the Young Aviation Professionals (YAPs). The YAPs are embarking on an ambitious interview series where a young professional interviews a “veteran” in the industry whom they respect. These interviews will be posted on the YAP Blog at www.atca.org/Interview100. If you are interested in conducting an interview or being interviewed, contact YoungProfessionals@atca.org. The FY 2014 appropriations Omnibus Spending Bill was signed into law on January 17, 2014; and the President’s budget will be completed March 4. We are coordinating the ATCA FAA Budget Briefing to Industry. You can read more regarding the Omnibus language in my President’s Message in the Spring issue of The Journal of Air Traffic Control. Among these changes in the ATC community, and exciting times for the association, the World ATM Congress in Madrid, Spain, is fast approaching. We hope to see you there or at an ATCA event in the coming months.
Budget Briefing Washington, D.C. Area May 13 – 15, 2014
ATCA 2014 Technical Symposium Resorts Hotel Atlantic City, N.J. www.atca.org/TechSymposium
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ATCA Bulletin | January 2014
Director, Communications: Marion Brophy
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. Published by
140 Broadway, 46th Floor New York, NY 10005 Toll-free: 866-953-2189 Toll-free Fax: 877-565-8557 www.lesterpublications.com President: Jeff Lester
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Senior Graphic Designer: John Lyttle Graphic Designers: Jessica Landry Gayl Punzalan Advertising Sales: Quinn Bogusky Ken Harrison Walter Lytwyn Louise Peterson
March 4 – 6, 2014
Spring 2014
President & CEO: Peter F. Dumont
Sales Director: Danny Macaluso
Upcoming Events World ATM Congress IFEMA Madrid, Spain www.worldatmcongress.org
1101 King Street, Suite 300 Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 703-299-2430 Fax: 703-299-2437 info@atca.org www.atca.org
Sept. 29-Nov. 1, 2014
ATCA 59th Annual Conference & Exposition Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center National Harbor, Md. Nov. 13, 2014
ATCA’s Cyber Security Day Location: TBA
Distribution: Jen Holmes
© 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. 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.
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SHARING INFORMATION
ATCA’s UAS Day Got People Talking
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n the lips of ATCA’s UAS Day attendees was the impression that presenters and participants alike were discussing Unmanned Aerial Systems with passion and a rare willingness to exchange information. Controllers, engineers, UAS operators and manufacturers, policy makers, military, technical operators, ATC service providers, and students joined the discussion on January 24 at the Arlington Renaissance Capital View for a daylong symposium. Presenting the Keynote Lunch Presentation was the FAA’s Jim Williams, Manager, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office, Aviation Safety Organization. Williams discussed both the potential for UAS, and a reliable timeline moving forward – specifically in light of the 2015 National Airspace System (NAS) implementation expected by the FAA. Peter F. Dumont, President & CEO of ATCA, talked with several reporters who attended UAS Day. Speaking to Flight International about the event, he praised UAS technology for its ability to improve economic business models in industries including farming and fire and police departments. “We’ve integrated every type of flying platform into the NAS since the Wright Brothers,” said Dumont. “I believe we’ll be able to successfully regulate UAS. They’re coming. This is something that’s going to revolutionize business.”
ATCA is grateful for the dedication and work of the UAS Day Committee Members: Gary Church William Nix Chief Donald L. Shinnamon, Sr. Christopher J. Smith Wayne Taylor The Volpe Center
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ATCA Bulletin | January 2014
Missed the Event? Get a Recap. View full presentations from UAS Day and download UAS Day proceedings at www.atca.org/MediaUAS. Speaker bios are posted online at www.atca.org/UAS-Day-Speaker-Biographies.
PHOTOS COURTESYOF ATCA
More photos are posted on ATCA’s official Flickr site at flic.kr/s/aHsjRv6ejJ.
ATCA Bulletin | January 2014
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A Tale of Two Towers On the cover of The Journal of Air Traffic Control this quarter: Oakland Control Tower in California Winter 2013 | VOLUME 55, NO. 4
Consolidating Control Towers:
A MODEL OF COLLABORATION Plus
• Avoiding Turbulence Near Thunderstorms • Time for a Paradigm Shift to Privatization and User Fees in the U.S.
www.atca.org
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n June 2013, ATCA staff traveled to Oakland Control Tower as it neared the end of a substantial project to consolidate two aging towers into one – fully integrating its staff work space and allowing for a better perspective from the new tower’s location. Among other details – the impressive collaboration and successful teamwork created an atmosphere for success at Oakland. That dynamic is chronicled in the story, which landed the cover of ATCA’s Q1 Winter Issue of The Journal of Air Traffic Control – out now. Below is an excerpt from the article’s opening. Select articles from the past several issues are currently featured on the ATCA website. To download the full story, visit www.atca.org/Journal, where you can view additional photos and video of the project as well. Initially built in 1927, upon its dedication, Charles Lindbergh referred to the Oakland airport as one of the most
modern fields of the time; Amelia Earhart used it as a departure point for one of her cross-continental flights. What was later labeled the South Tower was built in 1962, filled with millwork consoles and typically five to seven controllers. Today, the airport is a 24/7-working operation, with nearly 600 daily takeoffs and landings (2012) and a FedEx air cargo operation accounting for most of the airfield’s evening traffic. In the next few years, FedEx plans to expand that location to Asia Pacific, not only investing Oakland’s local economy, but undoubtedly increasing traffic and The facility’s original tower – now labeled the South Tower – had several obscured views pop up over the years, such as the United Airlines hangar. In 1972, the North Tower was built in as a solution, though it had drawbacks as well. Only operating between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., the off-hours
In Their Words: The Tower Team
“My idea is to build them the perfect house to work in for the next 20 years, so I want their input as much as possible. ” – Rodney Ray, Engineering Technician on the Consolidation Project, WSA Engineering Services “I would have retired at 56, but this was fun. Working with Tech Ops and watching engineering build from the ground up – it gives you a greater appreciation for what other people do to make the whole thing work. I watched it from the ground-up – movers dumping piles in the swamp, steel structures going up – it was fascinating.” – Dale Bush, Lead Supervisor, Oakland Tower
activity was directed to the South Tower with limited visibility. Consequently, that impacted the Northern California TRACON and other adjacent facilities. The solution in the past has been to stagger takeoffs, which allows for safety considerations, but is the least time-efficient answer. “Making sure controllers had the correct stagger in between all that traffic was extremely complicated,” said Dale Bush, lead supervisor at Oakland Tower. In turn, delays would also affect the National Airspace System (NAS) as a whole, and weather complications – storms or the area’s well-known fog – further complicated things. All of this development reinforced the need for Oakland’s latest project – a new, modernized control tower to replace the North and South towers, which went live Sunday, June 16 of this year. A seemingly natural development, the project was several years in the making and required the cooperation and teamwork of everyone from engineering specialists, certification surveyors, and – of course – air traffic managers, supervisors, and controllers.
ATCA Bulletin | January 2014
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRIS RUHAAK / HEARLTAND PHOTO AND DESIGN
QR code generated on http://qrcode.littleidiot.be
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Member Spotlight on The Community College of Baltimore County
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CCBC students exhibited at the ATCA 58th Annual Conference and Exposition in October 2013. They were often the friendly faces you encountered at the customer service desk and check-in areas.
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ATCA Bulletin | January 2014
n 2013, ATCA was proud to welcome The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) as a member – and looks forward to its students participating in ATCA functions and benefits in the future. Get to know them here: CCBC has been training aviation professionals for over 40 years. The Aviation Program offers Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees in Aviation Management with three specializations: Air Traffic Control, Flight Training, and Flight Management. The Air Traffic Control curriculum is approved under the FAA Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program. The Flight Training program is one of a handful in the area approved for veteran’s benefits. CCBC has a leading-edge aviation training complex that offers ATC terminal and enroute radar simulation and automated tower simulators. A complement of advanced flight training devices facilitate pilot and air traffic controller training. Located in the midst of the BaltimoreWashington area and Philadelphia regions, CCBC is in close proximity to a very large concentration of aviation activity with some of the most complex and challenging airspace in the world. This enables CCBC to attract talented instruc-
tors who are actively working in the aviation field. The National Capital Region offers CCBC students quick access to FAA and NTSB headquarters as well as numerous influential aviation associations. While taking classes, CCBC aviation students can take advantage of internships and work at nearby airports and aviation business operations. This valuable work experience gives students an advantage and usually leads to employment in the aviation industry upon graduation. The CCBC aviation program celebrates a strong sense of diversity. Over the past three years, this program has attracted students from 27 states and 36 countries worldwide.
ATCA Bulletin  |  January 2014
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ATCA
The CCBC aviation program celebrates a strong sense of diversity. Over the past three years, this program has attracted students from 27 states and 36 countries worldwide.
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ATCA Bulletin | January 2014
1/17/2014 1:19 PM
Media Release from C Speed
C Speed’s LightWave Radar Wins 2013 Best Innovation at Scottish Green Energy Awards
PHOTOGRAPHY: C SPEED; NEKTARSTOCK/PHOTOS.COM
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cottish Renewables presented C Speed, LLC with the 2013 Best Innovation Award for its LightWave Radar at the Scottish Green Energy Awards that was held at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh on December 19, 2013. “This is an especially timely recognition of LightWave as C Speed is delivering, under contract, the first LightWave Radar system to Manston, Kent’s International Airport. It is the first and only radar of its kind in the world that has been purchased and installed at an airport to mitigate wind turbine clutter and provide air traffic control. This new contract has driven the hiring of new staff in our Liverpool operations,” stated Mr. David A. Lysack, President & Chief Executive Officer, C Speed, LLC. “It is especially meaningful to win this award in Scotland while being included in a group of finalists that included Nautricity, Offshore Wind Accelerator and Samsung Heavy Industries,” stated Mr. David L. Colangelo, Chief Marketing Officer, C Speed, LLC.
Today, LightWave Radar remains the first and only wind turbine clutter mitigation radar system that does not require terrain screening that has been purchased, installed, and integrated to provide air traffic control in the United Kingdom and the world. Headquartered in Liverpool, New York, C Speed has multiple installa-
tions of LightWave Radar in the United Kingdom and the United States. C Speed, LLC is a global radar company that is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
ATCA Bulletin | January 2014
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The ATCA Bulletin (ISSN 0402-1977) is published monthly by the Air Traffic Control Association. Periodical postage paid at Alexandria, VA. $5.00 of annual dues are allocated for the publication of the ATCA Bulletin. 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 Jonathan Fath, New Media Manager 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 Tim Wagner, Membership Manager
1101 King Street Suite 300 Alexandria, VA  22314
Officers and Board of Directors Chairman, James H. Washington Chairman-Elect, Neil Planzer President & CEO, Peter F. Dumont Treasurer, Director at Large, Rachel Jackson Secretary, East Area Director, Jeff Griffith Pacific Area, Asia, Australia Director, Bob Gardiner South Central Area Director, William Cotton Northeast Area Director, Mike Headley Southeast Area Director, Robert Coulson North Central Area Director, Bill Ellis Western Area Director, Mike Lewis Canada, Caribbean, Central and South America, Mexico Area Director, Sid Koslow Europe, Africa, Middle East Area Director, Steve James Director at Large, Rick Day Director at Large, Charlie Keegan Director at Large, Sandra Samuel