HURRICANE FLORENCE: NATCA BROTHERS & SISTERS IN NEED IN CAROLINAS & VIRGINIA, YOU CAN HELP!
NATCA members from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. (NKT), went out to survey the damage and helped people in their community during and after the storm hit. NKT is located in the heart of some of the hardest-hit areas, between New Bern and Morehead City.
NKT member Benji Bonilla (left) and NKT FacRep Joey Zobel (right)

A tree fell through the house of a neighbor of Bonilla. He and Zobel helped evacuate the family to Zobel's house.

The next day, Bonilla and Zobel secured the neighbor's home and checked on the surrounding neighborhood to ensure everyone was OK and gauge their food and water situation.

While rain and wind from Hurricane Florence have finally ended, the waters from the storm have not yet receded in the affected parts of the Carolinas and Virginia. Severe flooding continues to threaten the safety and property of residents there. NATCA's Southern Regional Vice President Jim Marinitti said thankfully, all members are accounted for and safe.

According to Marinitti, in addition to recovery and relief, current challenges include addressing equipment issues at facilities like Wilmington (ILM). There, water intrusion has knocked out the use of the TRACON and members are only working out of the tower cab. Washington Center controllers are currently providing TRACON service to ILM. Marinitti added that the good news is Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fayetteville (FAY), and Charleston (CHS) are all back to running normal operations.

Three controllers who live close by ILM were at the facility working after the storm. But the flooding cut off access to the area for all other controllers that previously evacuated. The FAA provided the use of one of its aircraft to pick up ILM members who evacuated to Raleigh-Durham, Charlotte, and Myrtle Beach, and flew them back to ILM along with supplies. "Coordination with the Agency has been fantastic," Marinitti said. "We've held regular telcons to ensure nothing was getting missed."

Marinitti reported that most of the affected members have not yet been able to return to their homes. Some NATCA members who have been able to return to their homes, have found severe flooding and devastation from the storm.

Our brothers in the Cherry Point, N.C. area, shared the above photos of the devastation affecting their neighbors. NATCA has also heard that some members in the Wilmington, N.C. area have been affected. NATCA will continue to share news about our members in these areas as it comes in.

NATCA has activated its Disaster Relief Fund to assist members who may be affected by Hurricane Florence and also Typhoon Mangkhut, which has struck Guam. This fund aids NATCA members who have experienced catastrophic losses of property and helps provide a lifeline during those most desperate times. NATCA will work directly with the affected members to help them purchase food, gasoline, and any other supplies that might be required. We will have volunteers ready to deliver supplies as soon as we know the need.

If you know any members that are in need, please have them reach out to  florencehelp@list.natca.net .


Please help us make sure there are sufficient funds to support our brothers and sisters in need. There are four ways give: 

WAYS TO DONATE

GoFundMe: Please click  here Members may give through the NATCA GoFundMe account. Any donations made through this account will go directly to the NATCA Disaster Relief Fund.

PayPal: Members may also donate through PayPal. Please use  natcarelief@natcadc.org to send your donations.

Checks: Members may write a check payable to "DRF" or "Disaster Relief Fund". Please mail checks to:
NATCA
Attn.: Accounting Department 
1325 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, D.C., 20005

Automatic Payroll Deduction: Members can also donate to the Disaster Relief Fund by setting up an automatic payroll deduction, using this form.

Our Union will always be there to assist NATCA members needing help. Members needing assistance and supplies because of Hurricane Florence, or wanting to help those in need can send an email:  florencehelp@list.natca.net.
COMMUNICATING FOR SAFETY REGISTRATION CLOSING
Registration c loses TOMORROW, Saturday, Sept. 22. If you want to guarantee your opportunity to participate, register now. Any additional registration requests that come in after Sept. 22 will be placed on a wait list and will be handled on a first come, first served basis.

CFS will take place Oct. 22-24, at  Bally's Las Vegas. A video live stream of most sessions from the event will be a vailable at natca.org/cfs beginning at noon PDT on Monday, Oct. 22. The 14 th annual Archie League Medal of Safety Awards on Oct. 24 will also be live streamed on natca.org/cfs beginning at 8 p.m. PDT.

WEBSITE Please click here .
AGENDA :   Please click here. (Times subject to change.)

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS (all times PDT):
  • Paul Rinaldi, NATCA President (Monday, Oct. 22, 12:15 p.m.)
  • Dan Elwell, FAA Acting Administrator (Tuesday, Oct. 23, 8:35 a.m.) Read more
  • Gordon Graham (Tuesday, Oct. 23, 3:30 p.m.) Read more
  • Brian Shul (Wednesday, Oct. 24, 8:35 a.m.) Read more
  • Paul Dye (Wednesday, Oct. 24, 12:30 p.m.) Read more
NATCA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION EVENTS AT CFS (all times PDT):
  • Silent Auction - Throughout the conference at the NCF tables in the exhibition hall. Donations for items accepted through Oct. 12.
  • Live Auction - Monday, Oct. 22, 6:15-7 p.m.
  • Poker Tournament - Monday Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m.
HOTEL NOTES : For those a part of the NATCA room block and arriving Monday morning, Oct. 22, before the start of the conference, Bally's will waive early check-in fees.

FOR INFORMATION, QUESTIONS : Email us at natcacfs@natca.net.
CFS 2018: 14TH ANNUAL ARCHIE LEAGUE MEDAL OF SAFETY AWARDS, WINNERS' SPOTLIGHT
Northwest Mountain No. 1: Chris Bancroft and Jacques Mailloux, BJC ATCT
Chris Bancroft
Jacques Mailloux
On April 27, 2017, the pilot of a single-engine Mooney M20E was taxiing out to Runway 30 Right for departure at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC).

But something was definitely odd and disturbing about the situation. Eight-year veteran BJC air traffic controller Chris Bancroft, who was working Ground Control, knew it from the moment the pilot keyed the microphone. During initial and subsequent radio transmissions, Bancroft noticed that the pilot was slurring his speech.   Read more
Northwest Mountain No. 2: Jeffrey Rawson SLC ATCT
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Jeffrey Rawson
During the morning shift on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, there   were   many  factors  that 
contributed to a very complex situation  at Salt   Lake  City   International  Airport (SLC). There were snowstorms in the terminal area, and because of the snow accumulation, there were  times  that  all runways were closed.  The snow also reduced visibility to less than one mile and Runway Visual Range (RVR) advisories were  being  issued  to a ircraft on takeoff and landing. Aircraft were involved in de-icing operations.

At 12:10 p.m., Runway 35 reopened after a five-hour closure. Shortly thereafter, SkyWest Flight 5843 (SKW5843) called out of the Lima de-icing pad and taxied to Runway 35 for departure. At the time, the runway was not visible from the tower.   Read more
SEPTEMBER IS NATCA'S ROLLING LOBBY MONTH!

(left to right) Christina Lewis (JCF), Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema, David Skarphol (P50), Shyan Lasater-Bailey (PSP)

NATCA Activists Rally on Capitol Hill

NATCA legislative activists from around the country are in Washington, D.C. this month for Rolling Lobbying Week to educate members of Congress and their staff about the need to prevent both a government shutdown and a lapse in FAA authorization. Both issues carry a Sept. 30 deadline for action. View more pictures of your NATCA Activists here.
GIRLS IN AVIATION DAY (GIAD)

Thousands of students and their parents will gather at more than 80 Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD) events around the world between Sept. 8 and Nov. 17. Women in Aviation chapters and corporate partners will host the events for young women to learn about aviation and aerospace through hands-on activities, career panels, career and college expos, and educational sessions.

"We want our local girls to see that there are exciting careers available to them as engineers, astronauts, pilots, dispatchers, air traffic controllers, and dozens of other jobs within the aviation community," says Women in Aviation International (WAI) North Texas Chapter Vice President and GIAD Coordinator, Molly Martin.

WAI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing networking, mentoring, and scholarship opportunities for women and men who are striving for challenging and fulfilling careers in the aviation and aerospace industries.
Many of the Girls in Aviation Day events are free and open to the public, but some require registration. Find an event near you  for the young aviators in your life!
SARASOTA AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER DEDICATED

The FAA, Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority and Florida Department of Transportation  celebrated the new Sarasota Air Traffic Control Tower (SRQ) at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport with SRQ FacRep Elena Nash, her fellow NATCA SRQ members and Southern Regional Vice President Jim Marinitti recently. The 128 foot-tall tower is a significant investment in our nation's airport infrastructure and enhances air traffic controllers' ability to provide the safest, most efficient service to flights at the busy Florida airport. 

NATCA NEWS AND NOTES

Three Areas at Chicago Center: 100% NATCA

Members of the North, Northwest, and East Areas of Chicago Center (ZAU) gathered for a picture wearing their 100 percent NATCA membership shirts along with their FacRep, Toby Hauck (far right). The members pictured here are a small representation of the 138 members who belong to the 100 percent Areas from ZAU. They are proud to demonstrate their Areas' 100 percent commitment to NATCA membership. "These shirts celebrate pride in solidarity and let others know 100 percent membership is attainable," Hauck said. "We are stronger when we use our voices together." 

Center FacRep Meeting

NATCA Center FacReps gathered in La Jolla, Calif., recently for a meeting. NATCA President Paul Rinaldi and Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert met with them to brief on some of the more challenging of the Administration's policies, current decisions from the FAA/ATO, and their impact on the NAS and our membership, and NATCA's legislative efforts and impending deadlines. "It was great having Paul and Trish join us so we could hear directly from our leadership team about the state of the FAA and challenges we face," said Nate Pair, Los Angeles Center (ZLA) FacRep and Region Alternate Vice President. "We appreciate them taking the time to be there and answer our questions."

Professional Standards Leadership Meet at NATCA

The district chairpersons for the Professional Standards Program gathered recently at the NATCA National Office to discuss training and implementation for the RESPECT initiative to benefit members and collaboration. NATCA and the FAA are committed to maintaining workplaces that accept and are tolerant of differences, that demonstrate empathy and compassion, and where all team members are treated with dignity and respect. These values will enhance the work environment in facilities, and ultimately create a better and safer airspace system. Visit the website to learn more about the RESPECT  initiative.
NATCA CHARITABLE ROUNDUP: Members Give Back
The NATCA Charitable Foundation (NCF), along with members across the country, donated their time and talents for many different efforts throughout the US. To see some of the ways NATCA members have recently reached out to help others, CLICK HERE.
NATCA BENEFITS:  Office Depot/OfficeMax & Keurig 

Utilize your access to exclusive members-only discounts at Office Depot and OfficeMax. Your discounts can be used for personal or business purchases on thousands of eligible program items such as ink and toner, paper, cleaning and breakroom supplies, and even furniture!

Most recently, we caught the attention of Keurig, who is now able to offer you   even deeper discounts   on their products, especially K-cup beverage pods.  
Don't miss these opportunities for your exclusive discounts. For more information  contact the Benefits Committee,  benefits@natca.net .
NATCA STORE ITEM OF THE WEEK: Knit Cuff Beanie Hat

Features of this product: NATCA beanie hats will keep your head warm in the cold temperatures and complete your winter gear. This soft 100 percent acrylic knit hat is One Size Fits All. Measuring approximately 12.5 inches long. Colors available are Black, Navy, Charcoal and now in Orange. Union made in USA. 

Price :  $13.00

To see the item and how to order : Click here  Select USPS or UPS as your shipping preference on your orders. To check on stock availability or for further assistance, call 800.266.0895 or email natcastore@natcadc.org .

FAA WORK/LIFE SOLUTIONS: 
Join 'Step into Sports': The Warm-Up Starts Today

Announcing the FAA's Step Into Sports step challenge, a fun way to get active with your co-workers while exploring sporting events from around the globe. The challenge started Sept.18, but it's not too late--e ach member of the winning team gets a $100 Amazon.com gift card!  Read more
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