#RedForFeds
On Wednesday, NATCA members and National Office staff stood in solidarity with federal employee unions as the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) held a #RedForFeds rally just before oral arguments begin in their federal court case challenging the President's recent Executive Orders (EOs) that negatively affect federal employees and their unions.

"Federal employees and their unions are under attack right now," NATCA Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert told NATCA staff as they marched to the rally. "These executive orders are intended to weaken federal workers and the labor movement. AFGE is now the tip of the spear in these attacks. It is an honor to be at this rally to demonstrate NATCA solidarity for our union brothers and sisters. Today, we join in standing up against those who seek to take away the rights of working people. NATCA stands with all of our union brothers and sisters in the labor movement, today and forever." Read more

There are 19 Boots On The Ground NATCA retired members working in 10 states. But the place to be on Wednesday was Washington, D.C., where Boots members Tom Thompson (below left), Craig Smith, and Steve Mendenhall (below holding sign) joined the NATCA presence at the rally to support federal unions in the face of attacks. 



NATCA Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert addressed  members of the National Hispanic Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees (NHCFAE) at their annual training conference in Fort Worth, Texas.  Gilbert spoke to attendees about the importance of diversity, NATCA and FAA collaboration, current attacks on federal employees and unions, the need for stabile Agency funding, and member activism. In the photo above, Gilbert is NATCA member Jonas Palomino from Waco ATCT. Read more

This week, NATCA member volunteers from around the country welcomed and interacted with huge crowds of pilots and other visitors at the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) annual AirVenture in Oshkosh in Wisconsin. NATCA's booth opened on Monday. Below, Fort Worth Center member Kerri Phillips conducted one of the briefings done in the booth. She and other volunteers answered questions about air traffic control and operating safely in the National Airspace SystemView photos and read more

Central Regional Vice President Kevin Peterson began his Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) career in 1986 at Des Moines ATCT (DSM), one year before becoming a charter member of NATCA. It was fitting that Peterson's last National Executive Board (NEB) meeting earlier this month was held in Des Moines to honor his dedication to the Union, the membership, and the Central Region.

"The best part of my career in the FAA has been serving the NATCA bargaining units," he said. "It was special to go back to Des Moines for my last NEB meeting. Serving NATCA as a member of the National Executive Board has truly been the highlight of my 32 and a half-year career." 
The NATCA Family officially added new members in two facilities this week.  Federal Contract Tower (FCT) program facilities at Hawthorne, Calif., Municipal Airport (HHR, pictured above right), and Aurora State Airport (UAO, pictured above left) south of Portland, Ore., are now the 101st and 102nd FCTs represented by NATCA.  "That is what this organizing effort is about, representing the profession and those that make up the profession," National Organizing Committee Chairman John Bratcher said.
NATCA Honors Retiring RTCA President Jenny

NATCA representatives joined colleagues from across the aviation industry and government in a retirement celebration to honor Margaret Jenny, who served as the president of the private, not-for-profit association  RTCA for the past 10 years. Jenny is retiring from RTCA in August. She was the 2017 recipient of NATCA's James L. Oberstar Sentinel of Safety Award.  RTCA is a vital Public-Private Partnership venue for developing consensus among diverse, competing interests on critical aviation modernization issues in an increasingly global enterprise.  NATCA Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert praised Jenny and what she called the "incredible partnership NATCA has enjoyed with her and RTCA."   Read more
Star of STARS: PHL Member Hilbert Honored for TAMR Work

Chris Hilbert (pictured above climbing Loveland Pass in Colorado during the Haute Route Rockies stage race) was recognized  by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Terminal Automation Modernization and Replacement (TAMR) Program Office with its "Star of STARS" award. He calls his TAMR work some of the most rewarding of his career. "The amount of work done by NATCA members is unbelievable," he said. "I value the chance to do a task effectively and just get it done, not for the recognition, but for the improvement to the operation."  Read more


The FAA's Runway Safety Group now offers a new online simulator tool that can help pilots brush up on their taxi techniques. This online simulator is an interactive, self-guided resource designed to assist with teaching pilots surface safety best practices. It gives pilots the opportunity to practice navigating on airport surfaces while communicating with ATC. There are three increasingly difficult scenarios that test a pilot's ability to follow ATC instructions and correctly acknowledge signs and markings at decision points while taxiing.

NATCA Runway Safety Rep Bridget Singratanakul (Gee) helped write the scripts for the scenarios and is featured in the audio as the controller in all three.  View here

Southwest Region, ZFW: A Text Connection In the Nick of Time Turns Perilous Journey to Triumph

First in a Series: It was an emotional moment on Jan. 10, 2018 when pilot and Paris, Texas neurologist Dr. Peter Edenhoffer met and thanked the air traffic control team at Fort Worth Center (ZFW) that came to his aid on Super Bowl Sunday 2017 when his Cessna Cardinal experienced complete electrical failure. Hearing Edenhoffer describe how he texted his son to tell him goodbye, thinking he was not going to survive the experience, hit the controllers hard.  But Edenhoffer did survive, thanks to the teamwork and quick, outside-the-box thinking demonstrated by the team of professionals at ZFW with more than 150 years of combined experience. ZFW Members Phil Enis, Thomas Herd, and Hugh Hunton will be honored at the 14th annual Archie League Medal of Safety Awards banquet Oct. 24 at Communicating For Safety in Las Vegas. 
Five and a half years ago, Turn Off Tune In was created to u phold the safety of the National Airspace System by building awareness and education regarding the safety impact of distractions, with an emphasis on electronic distractions.  We have come a long way since our first meeting.  It is all making a difference and we are seeing it out there. But we can never rest while we move forward.  Read more
NATCA Solidarity

NATCA members and their families gathered recently at several locations for solidarity events. Click below to learn more about each event:
NATCA Well Represented at Minneapolis Pride Parade

Minneapolis Center (ZMP) member John Orr and his daughter marched with other NATCA members and the AFL-CIO in the Minneapolis Pride Parade last month. The annual event draws crowds of nearly 400,000 people.
NATCA Members Helping in Their Communities

NATCA members' great generosity and commitment to their local communities was on full display this month. Please click below to learn more about several special efforts.
A80 Members Host Delta Pilots for Facility Tour, Briefing

NATCA members at Atlanta TRACON (A80) hosted 30 Delta pilots for a behind-the-scenes tour of their facility in Peachtree City, Ga. In addition to a tour of the operations area, A80 FacRep Jacob James and A80 training manager Jonathan Gillis gave attendees an overview presentation and answered their questions. Read more
SkyOne Federal Credit Union Hosts, 'Connecting Professional Women with their Professional and Financial Goals'

Last week, women in aviation safety professions gathered for networking and financial education in a joint event in Manhattan Beach, Calif. "Connecting Professional Women with their Professional and Financial Goals" was hosted and sponsored by SkyOne Federal Credit Union and Professional Women Controllers, Inc. (PWC). Read more
Benefits Corner

 
Keeping people safe is what we do as aviation safety professionals. We are there to keep things moving and more importantly, provide help if things go wrong. You could say that we are somewhat like insurance policies for every flight across the National Airspace System.

At the end of the day, who has your back when it comes to insurance policies? With a wide array of all types of insurance, the Southern Insurance Group (SIG) is one of NATCA's longest-standing partners. They have been serving the needs of our members since 2002.

From the UNUM long-term disability insurance that protects your income, to life insurance to replace FEGLI, and all your needs in between, George Regitko and Danny Brooks are the guys that have the backs of the folks who have the backs of the flying public!  Learn more

Penn State World Campus: July Newsletters

Penn State World Campus is marking its 20th anniversary. Learn more about this great NATCA benefit partner in these latest newsletters:

This NATCA golf umbrella will provide protection from the wind, rain, and sun both on and off the course. Features include: 62-inch arc., nylon material, fiberglass shaft, and black foam handle. Black with red NATCA print. Union made in USA. Price: $49.

For more information and ordering: Please 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 .

While you're on The NATCA Store website, check out our trendy new items, including:
  • Brooklyn Pen (1 doz., $14.95)
  • Passport Case ($3.00)
  • Stylus Twist Pen (1 doz., $16.00)
  • Tech Taco Wrap ($3.00)
  • Pocket Coolie (new design) ($9.95 for pack of 10)
FAA WorkLife Wisdom: Becoming More Resilient

When life makes it tough to bounce back, you need to be resilient. Resiliency will help you through life's challenges. While it's not always easy to process the various trials that you'll endure in life and work, the good news is that you can take practical steps to learn how to be more resilient in the future. Read more
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