NAATS Headquarters Email Update

Volume 2, #9,

November 16, 2001

At this time the conference report language for the Aviation Security Bill is not available so we don�t know what, if any, of our language is contained. Congress is expected to move rapidly today to approve the bill and send it to President Bush. After today Congress will recess until November 27.

My feeling is that, given the timing of events yesterday, it is very unlikely that our modified language is in the bill. Congressman Lipinski (D-IL) has been quoted as saying that the conference version is very similar to the Senate�s original bill so it�s probably doubtful that any of FSS language is contained.

I don�t see this as being all bad for us. I�m coordinating a meeting the week of November 26 with Chairman Young when he returns to DC. If the FSS language didn�t survive the conference then I can thank him for his efforts and begin working with him to place it on another bill. There is still the economic stimulus package as well as some appropriations bills. Even more importantly, this would also give me a chance to get him to agree to modify language to further improve our position. Regardless, I plan to continue to work the issue.

Please note that we are discontinuing the [email protected] account shortly. If you want to email me please use [email protected].

Wally Pike

The following is the ATP Liaison Report from Scott Malon.

NAATS ATP Liaison Report November 16th, 2001

Part I:

For those of us with any operational experience, the need to technologically upgrade our AFSS/FSSs is nothing new. However, since September 11th, it has become painfully clear to all involved that the current method and manner in which we, as AFSS Controllers, disseminate NOTAM information to the pilot is not only outdated, but a clear and critical safety issue. The collective effort of our workforce to mitigate this serious impact to our customer through �workarounds� and the like has not gone unnoticed, in that due attention is finally being paid towards an acceptable solution.

On Friday, November 2nd, ATP-1 Mike Cirillo called a meeting with ARU (Systems Development)/ ARQ (Research and Requirements)/ NAATS/ etc to express the fact that the AFSS Controller�s ability to perform his/her duties has been compromised by technology, creating a significant safety issue, and that it was the position of ATP that something needed to be done to FIX THE PROBLEM. Commitment was given by all to meet and develop a plan.

On Monday, November 5th, the involved parties re-convened to �brainstorm� solutions. The �exit plan� produced the following items for consideration:

1. M1FC 55-page display limitations
   An informational display system at each operational position to display all site and route-specific NOTAM data during a briefing.
2. AWP 409-state limit issue
   A direct feed to/from CNS (Central NOTAM System), eliminating the need for AWP with regard to NOTAM processing.
3. WMSCR delay issue (system updates at h+00, h+20, h+40)
   The direct feed to/from CNS would enable us to obtain up-to-date NOTAM information with virtually no delay.

To date, NAATS has expressed two (2) initial items required to facilitate this plan:

1. A method requiring only one input of flight plan information (i.e. M1FC FP mask, VM <locid> NO) to receive applicable site or route-specific NOTAMs on the additional display. An additional input device (i.e. keyboard, mouse, touch-screen) would operate the additional functions of the informational display system.
2. Only one (1) additional piece of �glass� shall be incorporated into the workstation. In addition to the informational display system, the SUAISE system would also be housed within the single display. The type of display (i.e. Windows-type/single display, Wide-screen/dual display) is extremely important, since this platform will likely house other future add-ons that the AFSS World deems needed.

While the idea of an informational display system is nothing new, the level of importance given to the concept has certainly been elevated, thus allowing traditional channels to be bypassed, in effect �fast-tracking� this project for the AFSS work environment. Your Board of Directors will be looking for your input and support to determine what is necessary to facilitate a plan of improvement for our Flight Service Stations.

NAATS ATP Liaison Report

Part II:

While technological limitations are certainly an issue, the basic textual structure and accountability of a NOTAM also weighs in heavily when measuring the impact to both internal and external users.

First, let me share with you what I�ve learned from conversation shared with the USNOF personnel. It appears that, through no fault of their own, the benefit of knowledge and experience formally used by these employees when formatting NOTAMs has been cast aside by their superiors, favoring haste in the issuance over accuracy. Oftentimes, the text of a given NOTAM has been developed outside of the USNOF, and the direction given is to issue it verbatim. I know each of you has dealt on some level with the effects of this method during the course of a briefing workday.

To address some of the problems with this, ATA-1 Sabra Kaulia has brought in some �field expertise� to help her office out with the initial �wording� of new FDC-scope TFR NOTAMs. Additionally, she expressed the desire to have NAATS included in this initial NOTAM development, so that some of the clarification issues might be addressed prior to �hitting the street�. It is my hope that the USNOF will once again be allowed to assist in their role to properly format the information given. These efforts combined should assist in alleviating some of the impact issues that have surfaced around this matter.

Additionally, the FSOSC is still being fine-tuned (see Headquarters Update 7 & 7A). With this in place, �real-time� questions should be able to be addressed, further assisting the field with timely attention.

While these steps may not �Eliminate Global Hunger�, they do indicate a positive trend by the Agency in focusing attention on the Flight Service Option.