HURRICANE MICHAEL: OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS STILL NEED HELP!

Hurricane Michael dealt a crushing blow to the lives of several fellow NATCA members in the Florida Panhandle last week. Thanks to your donations to the NATCA Disaster Relief Fund, the NATCA Disaster Response Committee (DRC) has provided equipment, supplies, emotional comfort, and volunteer efforts to expedite the restoration process.

"I would personally like to thank (DRC Chair) Tom Flanary and the NATCA disaster relief fund for their help in assisting our facility here at ECP," said Panama City Federal Contract Tower (ECP) FacRep Harry Osburn. "Although most of us were spared a major catastrophe, others in our community weren't so lucky. It's nice to know your (NATCA) brothers and sisters have your back when you need it."  Read more .

COMMUNICATING FOR SAFETY UPDATES

CFS is happening 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, 12:45 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.
  • Live Auction - Monday, Oct. 22, 6:15-7 p.m.
  • Poker Tournament - Monday Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m.
FOR INFORMATION, QUESTIONS : Email us at [email protected].
CFS 2018: 14TH ANNUAL ARCHIE LEAGUE MEDAL OF SAFETY AWARDS, WINNERS' SPOTLIGHT
Clarksburg Controllers Team Up to Help Pilot to Safe Landing After Icing Changes His Plans: Jeff Haberland and Tim Kraniak, Clarksburg ATCT (CKB)
Jeff Haberland and Tim Krainak
Ice started forming as the four-seat light aircraft descended through the clouds. The pilot initially tried to compensate for the icing by flying lower. Twenty-eight year Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) veteran and current NATCA FacRep at Clarksburg ATCT (CKB) Jeff Haberland gave him the discretion to look for a clear spot between 6,000 feet and 7,000 feet.

Haberland, teamed with Tim Krainak, who has been at the tower for all of his six years at the FAA, helped guide the pilot to a safe landing at an alternate airport last fall after icing conditions in the clouds led to a change in travel plans. Haberland was on the radio frequency with the pilot most of the 27 minutes of the event, but the pilot declared an emergency after Krainak took over the radar position. Read more.
After Two Hours and 300 Miles of Flying, A Safe Landing Happens Just 37 Miles Away: Josh Hall, Patrick Johnson, Jeremy Lee, Darren Tumelson, Tommy Vaughn, and Andrew White, Memphis Center (ZME)
Upper row left to right: Joshua Hall, Andrew White, Darren Tumelson
Bottom row left to right: Jeremy Lee, William Vaughn, Patrick Johnson
On the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne departed Cleveland, Miss., located between Memphis, Tenn., and Jackson, Miss. The aircraft was en route to Destin, Fla., and the pilot, Charles Schindler, requested VFR flight following. Shortly after reporting on frequency, he stated that there was an issue with the aircraft and he was attempting to troubleshoot.

Within a few minutes, the problems got worse and Schindler declared an emergency. He requested to land at Greenwood, Miss., less than 10 miles away.  Read more.


Region X Commitment to Safety Award Winners: Ernest Gubry and Irene Porter, Airports Division
Ernest Gubry
Irene Porter
Moe Wagner was with his University of Michigan basketball teammates on March 8, 2017, aboard an Ameristar Air Cargo MD-83 as it began its takeoff roll down Runway 23 Left at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Mich. The aircraft, headed to Washington Dulles for the Big Ten tournament, reached 173 knots. However, due to a mechanical failure, the aircraft did not pitch up and the pilots executed a rejected takeoff. Read more.
CFS 2018: NATCA PROFESSIONALISM AWARD



2018 NATCA Professionalism Award winners (left to right): Debbie Anderson, Tessa Boykin, 
 and Ray Peters

The goal of NATCA's Professional Standards program is to maintain and promote professionalism across all of NATCA's bargaining units. We achieve that through a commitment to safety and the public's trust. We work to inspire, motivate and provide personal examples of our professionalism to others and to maintain the highest standard of excellence.

NATCA's Professionalism Award was created as a means to recognize those who have demonstrated a consistent personal commitment to safety and excellence and whose professional contributions and individual performance has enhanced the standing of our profession. Read more.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER


October 20 is celebrated annually as the International Day of the Air Traffic Controller. The date marks the 1961 founding anniversary of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations (IFATCA) and reminds all aviation safety professionals of the vision of IFATCA's founding members. Read more.

NATCA NEWS AND NOTES

Successful Transitions from ARTS IIE to STARS

Bristol Tri City ATCT (TRI) NATCA members

Members throughout the U.S. are reaping the benefits of modernizing the equipment in their facilities after successful transitions from Automated Radar Terminal System (ARTS) IIE to Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS). The latest successful install took place recently at Bristol Tri City ATCT (TRI).


Training Review Board Course


The Training Review Board (TRB) NATCA Academy course prepares our Union's representatives to "protect the process" by ensuring that all opportunities for training success are utilized while maintaining the integrity of the training program.

Justin Faircloth (LFT) said, "The class was absolutely amazing. It laid down a great foundation to take back to your facility or region and get to work. The takeaways for me were preparedness and attention to detail. The course work gives you a glimpse into the meticulous work our TRB teams are doing back in their regions. The instructors had us comb through a small fraction of training data and voice our findings in a mock panel so we would be prepared for a real panel, while also guiding us through the finer points of the training regulations. Even if someone is not ready to be a part of the regional training teams this class helps build your foundation to be in training, to train others, or to improve the training process at your own facility."


Secretary-Treasurer Training Class


NATCA's Southwest Region (NSW) hosted the NATCA Academy Secretary-Treasurer Training (STT) Class in Grapevine, Texas, near DFW Airport. STT Instructors Jay Tilles (ZTL) and Dontae Sanders (DAL) led 22 members through the course, offering the best practices and methods to run their local effectively and properly.
 
"From day one the training was very successful," said NSW Regional Vice President Andrew LeBovidge. "The class has been very engaged and it's been great to see the energy in the room. The desire by the membership to learn more about the all aspects of our organization is clearly evident."
 
You can sign up for the new and improved Secretary-Treasurer Training and other NATCA Academy classes at portal.natca.org. Want to bring NATCA Academy training to your region? Talk to your RVP today!


NATCA Member Participates in Ms. Veteran America Pageant

Teresa Pavljuk participates in the 2018 Ms. Veteran America pageant 

Congratulations to Houston Hobby ATCT (HOU) member Teresa A Pavljuk who placed in the top 25 out of 348 participants in the recent Ms. Veteran America pageant. Ms. Veteran is a non-traditional pageant offered to all female veterans to help raise awareness for and to support homeless women veterans.

In addition to placing highly in the overall competition, Pavljuk was awarded the Barbie Ritzco Resilience Award. The award, named after the cofounder of the breast cancer survival support group Flat and Fabulous, honors women who overcame trauma to inspire others. Pavljuk also placed in the Top 10 in the pageant's talent competition; her talent was pulling an airplane.  Click here to view.

"I am honored and proud of myself and the other women in the competition," Pavljuk said. "Thank you all for your support!"

NATCA GOES TO WALES FOR SOLIDARITY CUP 2018

Golfers from NATCA and Prospect ATCOs' Branch - the union for U.K. controllers - held the inaugural Solidarity Cup Oct. 1-3, promoting a friendly competition that forged an even stronger bond between the unions, and raised money for their respective charities. It was modeled after the Ryder Cup and was held at the Celtic Manor Resort in Usk Valley, Wales, site of the 2010 Ryder Cup.
 
The U.S. team jumped out to a big lead after the first day and went on to 17 ½ - 6 ½ victory.
 
"It was an incredible event that reminded us all of the solidarity we enjoy among our unions and our professions," U.S. team captain Mike MacDonald said. "Our hosts were gracious and welcoming and we look forward to hosting them in two years."

Prospect ATCO's Branch (left) versus NATCA golfers (right)

The U.S. team was comprised of: MacDonald, Steve Abraham (retired, New York-JFK ATCT), Bob Aitken (Engineers New England), Sean Carreras (Fort Lauderdale ATCT), Sean Davis (Southern California TRACON, SCT), Phil Hughes (Boston TRACON), Kyle Kirchheiner (Fort Lauderdale ATCT), Andy Lewis (retired, Rochester ATCT), Kevin Maney (New York TRACON), Moe Scoville (Boston Center), Jim Ullmann (retired, Seattle Center, current Director of Safety and Technology), and Steve Weidner (Washington Center). Alternates were Jeff Richards (Chicago Center), Stan Parulski (Pensacola TRACON), and Paul "Boogie" Bugarin (SCT).

 
The event benefited both the NATCA Charitable Foundation and the U.K.-based aviation charity Aerobility. The teams are still tallying the total but money raised is believed to be in excess of $10,000.
 
Paul Winstanley, Chair of Prospect ATCOs' Branch called this event the "first of many to raise funds for our respective charities whilst promoting and cementing the bonds within the air traffic profession worldwide."


 

NATCA CONGRATULATES JOE DEPETE ON ELECTION TO LEAD ALPA
President-Elect Joe DePete
On Wednesday, during the Air Line Pilots Association, International's (ALPA) 47th regular board of directors meeting, ALPA elected Capt. Joe DePete to be their union's 11th President. Capt. DePete will begin his term on Jan. 1, 2019. In 2014, DePete was elected to serve as ALPA's first vice president. In this role, he served as ALPA's national safety coordinator, overseeing the Association's Air Safety Organization, which manages the union's Safety, Security, Pilot Assistance, and Jumpseat programs. He has also served as treasurer for ALPA's political action committee. DePete is a captain on the A310/300 at FedEx Express.

"NATCA and ALPA have a long history of collaboration and solidarity that has advanced the lives and professions of the members of our two great unions," NATCA President Paul Rinaldi said. "ALPA continues to be a reliable partner, working with NATCA to improve, modernize, and preserve the safety of our National Airspace System (NAS)."

Rinaldi continued, "We thank Capt. Tim Canoll for being a great friend to NATCA during his tenure as ALPA president and we congratulate Capt. DePete on his election. We look forward to working with him and ALPA's other leaders as we continue to advance our common interests including aviation safety and labor rights."
NATCA BENEFITS:  GEICO

NATCA members specialize in multi-tasking.They are capable of pulling off literally hundreds of tasks in a mere 15 minutes! Add one more item to those 15 minutes (we've all seen the commercials) and see if you can save more money as a NATCA member by switching to GEICO! 

GEICO provides auto insurance coverage for over 15 million policyholders and insures more than 22 million vehicles. 

NATCA has partnered with GEICO to provide a special discount of up to 8 percent for qualifying members. Existing GEICO customers may also be eligible for this discount.

You may request a quote by:
Don't miss these opportunities for your exclusive discounts. For more information  contact the Benefits Committee,  [email protected] .
NATCA STORE ITEM OF THE WEEK 

Water Bottle Insulator

Keep your water fresh with our convenient and stylish water bottle koozies. These insulators are made with durable neoprene, a sleek finish, and a drawstring closure to ensure your bottle stays in place, along with a plastic hook that can be attached to your belt or backpack. It can fit 12-ounce longneck bottles or smaller. Available in red or blue colors. Union made in USA.

Price:  $5.00

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 [email protected].

2019 Pocket Calendars

If you would like to receive ONE free NATCA Pocket Calendar, please submit your request through the  NATCA Portal . Ensure your mailing address under "My Profile" is correct. Once you have verified the information, click the Event tab and submit under "Request for 2019 Pocket Calendar." 

Please make your request no later than Monday, Nov. 12. The pocket calendars will be mailed to your residence by mid-December.
FAA WORK/LIFE SOLUTIONS: 
Helping Children Cope with Violence

Incidents of violence leave concerned parents wondering how their children could be affected. This handout offers helpful information on how to speak to your child(ren) about violence; how to help ease their anxieties and fears; and how to protect them from future violence.

With the media's coverage of acts of violence, virtually all children will be aware of violence. Yet how they respond will vary depending on a child's age, personality and maturity level.   Read more.  
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