 |
 Snowball Express 2018
|
|
NATCA is a proud supporter of Snowball Express, a program of the Gary Sinise Foundation, honoring America's fallen military service members by serving the families left behind. Snowball Express provides comprehensive support programs and helps the children who have lost moms and dads during military service by creating opportunities for joy, friendship, and communal healing. Each December, Snowball Express brings children together from all over the country for a four-day experience filled with fun activities, like sporting events, dances, and amusement parks. It focuses on their happiness and gives them a break from the burden and stress of life without their hero. Snowball Express is one of the programs supported annually by the NATCA Charitable Foundation.
This year's event in Orlando begins Dec. 8, and we could use your help. At these five airports (COS, DCA, DFW, FAY, and LAS), we are seeking volunteers to work with American Airlines and Snowball Express members to welcome the Gold Star families and send them off to Orlando. Additionally, we are seeking more volunteers for the events that will take place in Orlando. Click here to volunteer
.
NATCA wants to help make this a special experience for these Gold Star children.
NATCA Members across the country waiting to welcome the Gold Star families
|
CFS Keynote, Speaker, and Panel Videos
|
|
|
CFS 2018 Keynote: Paul Rinaldi
|
|
CFS 2018 Panel: The Benefits of Collaborative Safety Programs
|
|
CFS 2018 Speakers: Surface Safety
|
|
CFS 2018 Speakers: Contingency in the NAS
|
|
CFS 2018 Speakers: The Importance of Human Factors in Training
|
|
CFS 2018 Panel: Moving the NAS Towards a Trajectory Based System
|
|
CFS 2018 Keynote: Dan Elwell
|
|
CFS 2018 Panel: Challenges to Operating the NAS: Implementing Emerging Technologies
|
|
CFS 2018 Panel: Integrating Remotely Piloted Aircraft into the NAS
|
|
CFS 2018: Awards Luncheon and Beacon Award
|
|
CFS 2018 Panel: Aviation Industry's View from Outside the FAA
|
|
CFS 2018 Panel: Tried, True and Tested - Aviation Safety Professionals
|
|
CFS 2018 Keynote: Paul Dye
|
ATC Everyday Heroes
|
|
|
Honoring our ATC professionals doesn't only happen at NATCA events. Others honor them too. Featured below are two articles about two very different situations, but one same goal: safety.
|
|
Aspen Air Traffic Controllers Honored for Performance During Lake Christine Fire
|
|
|
|
Brandon Leavitt (second from left), operations supervisor at the Aspen tower, and Matthew Schlottman (second from right), air traffic controller and union steward at Aspen, accepted an FAA team excellence award earlier this month on behalf of their colleagues. Presenting the award are David Suomic (left) and Wayne Heibeck (right) of the FAA.
|
|
Air traffic controllers at the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport received special recognition earlier this month for finding creative ways to get aircraft safely in and out during the Lake Christine Fire this summer.
The controllers received a team excellence award from the Federal Aviation Administration in October during a presentation of the 2018 Regional Administrator Awards in Washington state.
"I'm super proud of them for their flexibility, creativity, and tenacity during the fire," said Wayne Hall, air traffic manager at Aspen.
Read more.
|
|
Making a Cloud Break
|
|
|
Providence TRACON controller Chris Corcoran and Operations Supervisor Andrew Martinez
|
On June 24, the pilot of a single-engine Cessna Skylane, flying with two passengers to New Bedford Regional Airport in Massachusetts, found himself stuck about heavy cloud cover, with instrument problems, unable to navigate.
The pilot made three unsuccessful attempts to land at New Bedford. After the third attempt, in which the pilot approached the runway at 600 feet below the published altitude due to unreliable instruments, the Providence TRACON controller Chris Corcoran declared an emergency and instructed the pilot to land at Providence - the airport with the most favorable weather of all airports in the immediate vicinity.
Read more.
|
Riding on Goodyear - PMP Tower
|
|
Pompano Beach Federal Contract Tower (PMP) joined NATCA in November 2011 and has been a 100 percent NATCA facility ever since. Of the five controllers there, four are retired FAA. Pompano Beach Air park is located just north of Fort Lauderdale and south of Boca Raton on the Atlantic Ocean.
Originally built in the 1940s as a World War II Navy training base, the field is now home to the Goodyear Airship - call sign N2A - as well as numerous flight schools and maintenance facilities. The traffic is an interesting mix of student pilots, helicopters, jets and, of course, the Goodyear Airship. PMP is ranked the fourth-busiest FCT in the country. Brad Burtner has been the facility representative since 2014. Burtner is also on the National Organizing Committee as the FCT rep.
(left to right) PMP members John Bonner, Frank Ambrisco, Brad Burtner, Steve Fasig, and Rick Price.
|
NATCA News and Notes
|
|
|
NATCA Celebrates Region X's 11th Anniversary
|
Happy NATCAversary to the Engineers & Architects (E&A) Bargaining Unit! On Nov. 10, 1997, the Federal Labor Relations Authority certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative of the engineers and architects who design new ATC facilities, construct or remodel new or existing ATC facilities, and replace aging NAS equipment.
|
|
International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) 44th Congress
|
(left to right) NATCA President Paul Rinaldi, Executive VP Trish Gilbert, Great Lakes Organizing Rep and Columbus ATCT FacRep Mike Weekley, and
Western Pacific Regional VP Joel Ortiz represented our Union at the ITF's 44th Congress in Singapore, where thousands of members join together to address the challenges in today's global transport landscape.
|
NATCA Academy recently held a highly-immersive Leadership Experience Acceleration Project (LEAP) class at the Airlie Conference Center, in Warrenton, Va. NATCA leaders and activists were taught principle-centered leadership skills and other tools to successfully serve their members. Sign up for NATCA Academy classes at
portal.natca.org.
|
|
Local Safety Council at Potomac TRACON Addresses Wrong-Surface Landings
|
The Local Safety Council (LSC) at Potomac TRACON received Surface Watch recognition for exemplary work enhancing surface safety at all of its airports through the development of a procedure to help controllers remember Notice to Airmen closures.
Read more.
Local Safety Council members (left to right): Johnny Sanders, Bryan McDonough, Dewayne Vaughan, James Robinson, Mike Strother and Steve Gregg. Not pictured: Bryan Carroll.
|
|
NATCA Leadership Visits EWR
|
President Paul Rinaldi and National Program Management Office (PMO) Rep Jeff Woods visited with members at Newark ATCT (EWR). Pictured left to right: Josh Finkbeiner (EWR), EWR Secretary Mike Brennan, Scott Dittamo (EWR), Matt Crumrine (EWR), EWR FacRep Bill Striffler, Woods, and Rinaldi.
|
|
Minnesota Solidarity Event
|
Executive VP Trish Gilbert, Great Lakes Regional VP Drew MacQueen, and Great Lakes Regional Legislative Rep Erin Phelps joined members at Rochester ATCT for a solidarity event in Rochester, Minn. A longtime NATCA rep from RST, Reed Miller, who retired this year, was also in attendance and was presented with a letter from Congressman Tim Walz thanking him for his three decades of federal service.
|
|
Members Participate in ATC Fall Classic
|
|
Denver Center NATCA member Patrick Casey recently competed in the ATC Fall Classic in Albuquerque, N.M. The Fall Classic gathers controllers, pilots, tech ops, and others for a round robin, winner-take-all hockey tournament. This was Casey's third year competing in the tournament, and he hopes to play in the world tournament in Buffalo, N.Y. in 2020.
|
|
Walking for Breast Cancer Research
|
|
NATCA members from Fort Lauderdale ATCT (FLL) and Miami ATCT (MIA) participated in the annual Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk to raise money for breast cancer research. They joined with the team of Congresswoman Debbi Wasserman Schultz, who is an 11-year breast cancer survivor.
|
|
Gulf Shores Hosts AOPA Fly-In
|
|
NATCA Legislative Committee Members Stan Parulski and Richard Kennington and Indianapolis Center member Bob Obma represented our Union, answered pilot questions, and spoke to aviation enthusiasts at the recent Gulf Shores AOPA Fly-In at Jack Edwards National Airport (KJKA) in Gulf Shores, Ala. AOPA fly-Ins attract thousands of pilots, aircraft owners, and aviation fanatics. As exhibitors, NATCA representatives have more than 12 hours of face time with attendees over the course of the event.
|
|
Members Attend COCTAM Meeting in Mexico
|
|
NATCA members Joshua Cooper and Chris Schenk gave presentations about CISM and Professional Standards at the recent COCTAM meeting in Tijuana, Mexico. NATCA member Joel Weiler also attended and assisted with interpreting during the presentations. The COCTAM group included about 60 controllers who asked a lot of questions on implementation of the CISM and Professional Standards programs. Joshua and Chris reported that COCTAM could be moving forward with their own version of CISM. Joshua reported that everyone enjoyed the NATCA activity books and lanyards, PS pens, and RESPECT stickers. Chris, Joel and Joshua were all overwhelmed with COCTAM's hospitality and generosity.
|
|
12th Annual Aviation Education and Career Expo
|
|
NATCA members from Washington Center (ZDC) and Potomac TRACON (PCT) helped showcase aviation careers to young adults at the 12th annual Aviation Education and Career Expo at Leesburg Executive Airport.
The event introduced more than 700 students to exciting careers in aviation and aerospace through live demonstrations, and displays from dozens of organizations.
|
|
Houston TRACON Celebrates Family Day
|
|
Houston TRACON (I90) recently held its third annual family day, a chance for family and friends to see what I90 NATCA members do every day.
"The weather was absolutely perfect for BBQ, music, water slides, face painting, snow cones, cookie decorating, and trunk or treating," I90 member Lee Moore said. "Thanks goes to everyone that helped out and made family day possible, it truly was a giant group effort."
|
|
AOPA High School Aviation STEM Symposium
|
NATCA member and Atlanta Center (ZTL) controller Dawn Johnson recently represented our Union at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) High School Aviation STEM Symposium in Louisville, Ky., discussing diversity in aviation jobs with other panelists from aviation careers including maintenance, dispatch, the U.S. Air Force, and drone manufacturing.
"The number of women entering the ATC sector has remained largely stagnant since I entered the profession," Johnson said. "But I'm hopeful that associations like Women in Aviation International can continue to help open the door."
AOPA's High School Aviation STEM Symposium brings dedicated educators from around the nation for two full days of insight, ideas, and best practices for starting and building aviation STEM programs. It is the only high school event in the nation that specifically targets aviation and aerospace content. This year's symposium was hosted by UPS in Louisville, Ky.
Johnson serves as the NATCA Eastern Service Area Air Traffic Safety Action Program (ATSAP) analyst and also as the Chair of the National Reloaded Committee.
|
|
NATCA Walks for Mental Illness
|
Each year the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention holds fundraising walks all over the country to remember those who succumb to suicide and to raise awareness and funds to prevent further tragedy. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for veterans, who make up a large percentage of NATCA's membership.
Southwest Regional VP Andrew LeBovidge and Southern Regional VP Jim Marinitti joined other NATCA family members in a walk in Washington, D.C., in honor of the son of retired NATCA member Russ Miller. More than 100 NATCA members and family donated to the walk.
|
NATCA Trainings
|
|
|
|
NATCA's 2016 Slate Book contract with the FAA gives us rights to protect all building occupants. This webinar will help us use these tools. To register for this webinar,
please click here.
|
|
|
|
This first-ever, in-person, day and a half training course has been designed for NATCA representatives with varying levels of experience, and provides them with the background and knowledge of the different safety programs, processes and requirements. This interactive course features practical exercises and will give you the confidence to promote the safety programs at your facility to the best of your ability. Sign up now at
portal.natca.org.
|
|
NATCA Benefits: Lenovo
|
|
NATCA has partnered with Lenovo to offer our members exclusive discounts:
Satisfy holiday spending with big savings! Shop Lenovo's Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on tech and accessories, up to 74 percent off now through 11/27/18 or while supplies last. FREE shipping on all web orders.
Be sure to check the website often--special offers change frequently.
|
NATCA Store Item of the Week:
Hooded Fleece
|
|
Layer up without the bulk! Try the NATCA zippered hooded fleece jacket, which is 80 percent cotton and 20 percent polyester with stylish pockets, taping, and exterior finish with spandex ribbed cuffs and waistbands. Available in sizes S-4XL. Union made in USA.
Price: $45.00
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 Employee Assistance Program: Finances
|
|
|
Smart Money Management for the Whole Family
Like many people, you may wonder if you're being smart enough with your money. Perhaps it's time to take a closer look at your finances.
One way to start tracking where your money is going is to consider your financial goals. What are your immediate, short-term and long-term financial goals? Would you like to get out of debt? Purchase a new car or a home? Relocate? Save for a child's education? Once you've identified and prioritized your goals, you can decide if you'll need to make changes in how you're managing money. Read more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
