COMMUNICATING FOR SAFETY (CFS) 2018
Key Deadline Aug. 28: Excused Absence Request Form

Hosted annually by NATCA, Communicating For Safety (CFS) is the aviation industry's leading conference focusing on safety, technology, and building relationships. This three-day conference is the only conference of its kind to focus specifically on the air traffic needs of all members of the aviation community who are affected by the National Airspace System (NAS). CFS will take place Oct. 22-24 at Bally's Las Vegas.

If you've attended before, you know that CFS is informative and educational. CFS 2018 will be no exception. We are working on an educational agenda full of great presentations and dynamic speakers during the three-day conference.

On or before Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018, any NATCA member wanting to attend CFS must submit the national Excused Absence Request Form. That's the first of three steps for NATCA members to register for CFS 2018, followed by submitting the Local Facility Request form to your FacRep and ATM and then completing the registration form.  For more information about this process and answers to other questions, please click here .
CFS 2018: SPEAKERS SPOTLIGHT
Brian Shul

Brian Shul is one of the most popular and dynamic keynote speakers in America today.  As an Air Force fighter pilot, Shul was shot down near the Cambodian border in the Vietnam War and severely burned in the ensuing crash. Initially given up for dead, he was finally rescued, spent one year in hospitals, endured 15 surgeries, and was told his flying days were over.  Amazingly, Shul returned to active duty flying, and became one of only 93 men in history to fly the SR-71 spy plane, the fastest jet ever built.

Shul will be speaking on Wednesday, Oct. 24. Read more
Gordon Graham

He's back! NATCA is excited to announce that the wildly entertaining and insightful Gordon Graham and his old school overhead projector will return to the CFS stage once again.  Graham divides his time between study, research, writing, speaking, and consulting in the discipline of risk management. His innovative programs, based on the values and beliefs he learned as a child along with a passion for continuous improvement, are the standard for any organization that wants to improve existing operations and prevent things from going wrong.

Graham will be speaking on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Read more
CFS 2018: 14TH ANNUAL ARCHIE LEAGUE MEDAL OF SAFETY AWARDS, WINNERS' SPOTLIGHT
Alaskan Region: Scott Eastepp (ZAN)

Anchorage Center (ZAN) Quality Control Specialist Scott Eastepp used his knowledge and previous experience in locating a lost visual flight rules (VFR) aircraft on Jan. 30, 2017, with a severe winter storm bearing down. After the family aboard the aircraft spent one night on a snow-covered abandoned airstrip, it was not looking good for them to spend a second night with another snowstorm headed their direction. 

This was an old school case of sightings by other aircraft. It was this positive identification that gave Eastepp and the team enough confidence to move the search and rescue team to new coordinates. 
NATCA NEWS AND NOTES
Retiring NNM RVP Doug Pincock Honored for 29-Year Career, Receives Timmy Award

NATCA President Paul Rinaldi and Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert presented Northwest Mountain Regional Vice President Doug Pincock with the Tim Haines Memorial Award of Honor and Distinction on Aug. 18 at Pincock's retirement party. Read more 

For more NATCA news and notes, please click on these links:
NATCA SOLIDARITY
Albuquerque   

Last week, NATCA members at Albuquerque Center (ZAB) & Albuquerque ATCT (ABQ) hosted 140 local members and their families along with NATCA Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert and Southwest Regional Vice President Andrew LeBovidge for a solidarity event at an Isotopes baseball game. Pictured above, from left to right: ZAB FacRep Mike Meredith, ZAB VP Danny Watson, ZAB Secretary Travis Hatcher, Gilbert, LeBovidge, and ABQ FacRep Aaron McCrea. Pictured with a baseball is ZAB member Jakkie Taylor.
Atlantic City solidarity event August 2018
Atlantic City   

Last weekend, NATCA members at Atlantic City ATCT (ACY) hosted NATCA President Paul Rinaldi & Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert for a member meeting and Q&A opportunity. Rinaldi and Gilbert discussed the challenges facing the National Airspace System in securing adequate funding and continuing to hire new controllers. Members also got their questions answered about NCEPT and changes to training that will better enable instructors. Thank you to ACY FacRep TJ Woodyard, VP Mike Tucciarone, and Secretary Rob Yeo for organizing the event.

Other solidarity events also took place around the country. Click these links to learn about other events in:  Green Bay | Seattle | Portland, Ore.
NATCA MEMBERS HELPING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES
LAX Leads NATCA Group in Delivering Donation to The Trevor Project

Los Angeles ATCT (LAX) FacRep Michael J. Flores and LAX members Jon Blake, Brock Shetley, Sterling Snedigar and Mark Ritchie joined NATCA Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert and NATCA Director of Public Affairs Thom Metzger last Friday in delivering a donation from NATCA members to The Trevor Project to aid in their crisis intervention services to LGBTQ+ youth.

As part of NATCA's Pride month activities in June, hundreds of members donated to Trevor, and the first $1,000 of these donations were matched by the NATCA Charitable Foundation. Since 1998, Trevor has provided life-saving services to hundreds of thousands of LGBTQ+ youth nationwide.

Many other NATCA members this month continued to show great generosity and commitment to their local communities. Please click here to learn more about these efforts:  Kansas City | Alaska.
LABOR 2018
The AFL-CIO this week kicked off a television ad campaign highlighting the wave of collective action sweeping the country. From surging organizing victories to the defeat of Prop. A in Missouri, working people are on the rise. As AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka puts it:

"Brothers and sisters, it's time...And, I know you can feel it...Let's fight for those who fight for us...You see, something is happening in America... When we stand together, we have the power." 

The ad will run on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News through at least Labor Day, coming on the heels of some major victories for working people:
  • 262,000 working people joined unions last year. Three-quarters of them were under the age of the 35.
  • Labor elected pro-worker candidates in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Alabama, and elsewhere across the country.
  • Prop. A (regarding so-called "right to work") was voted down by two-thirds of Missouri voters, including half of Republicans.
  • The New York Times declared that the wind is at labor's back, and The Wall Street Journal described how unions are on the march.
  • Labor unions' approval rating has risen to 61 percent, the highest point in nearly 15 years.
NATCA BOOTS ON THE GROUND: Hard at Work in 10 States
In Michigan last week, Boots On The Ground members Veronica Green Stein and George Wiewiora attended Lansing's "National Night Out" event (pictures above), where they formed relationships with local police, fire, government, and labor representatives to grow the #NATCAfamily & benefit their community. Click on the links below to read more Boots On The Ground news.

AIR TRAFFIC SAFETY ACTION PROGRAM (ATSAP)
"Complete an ATSAP Report While it's Fresh on Your Mind." That's the message on a new poster that many of you may have already seen at your facilities (above, the poster hanging up at Boston ATCT [BOS]). It features NATCA Runway Safety Representative  Bridget Singratanakul (Gee). 
FAA AIR TRAFFIC ORGANIZATION AWARDS
Helena Wins ATO Award as Top Level 4-6 Facility of the Year

Helena ATCT (HLN) was honored at this month's FAA Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Awards with an award as the Outstanding Air Traffic Facility, Level 4-6. Pictured from left to right: FAA ATO Chief Operating Officer Teri Bristol, HLN member and former FacRep Jarrad Tumblin, William "Buck" Zimmerman, HLN Air Traffic Manager, and Tim Arel, FAA ATO Deputy Chief Operating Officer.

"We're ecstatic to see that the air traffic control tower got that award," Airport Director Jeff Wadekamper told KRTV in Montana. "Our congratulations to all the folks over there. I think it's great that they got recognized." 
ZSU Receives ATO's 'NAS First, People Always' Award

The San Juan CERAP (ZSU) received the ATO's 2018 "NAS First, People Always" Award. The facility received this prestigious award for their outstanding efforts during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. ZSU NATCA members (represented by FacRep Woody Camp, pictured above second from left) worked tirelessly during unprecedented conditions to restore the air bridge to the U.S., bringing critical aid to the residents of Puerto Rico. 
TAMR Team Receives Exemplary Program Management Award

The NATCA-FAA Terminal Automation Modernization and Replacement (TAMR) Team was honored earlier this month with an FAA Air Traffic Organization Award during a ceremony at FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C.  The team received the Exemplary Program Management Award.  Pictured above, left to right: Kyle Ness, Scott Kendrick, and Aaron Rose.

Also in good TAMR news,  Jackson, Miss., ATCT (JAN) transitioned to the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS). The onsite NATCA TAMR SMEs reported the transition went smoothly and everything is up and running. Read more

Look for more ATO Awards coverage in an upcoming NATCA Insider.
NATCA MOURNS PASSING OF BOB RICHARDS
Former PWK, ORD Member Who Spoke Passionately About ATC Profession

Bob Richards, a dedicated 30-year veteran air traffic controller and NATCA member who spent the bulk of his career at Chicago O'Hare ATCT (ORD), brightened every room and conversation with his unforgettably upbeat smile and personality, and continued to speak passionately into retirement about his profession and the men and women who work tirelessly to ensure safety, passed away on Aug. 7. He was 61. Read more
NATCA BENEFITS SPOTLIGHT: Pet Insurance

Protect yourself and your pet!  You love your pet, but how about those vet bills that can come with the joys of having a pet? Union Plus and Pets Best Insurance can help with some of those unexpected vet bills. As a NATCA member, you can save up to 10 percent on a policy. Take the worry out of a trip to the vet and get the peace of mind to choose the best and most comprehensive care for your pet, when these situations arise.  Learn about all the benefits of having pet insurance .
NATCA STORE ITEM OF THE WEEK: Poly Ottoman Polo Shirt

Features of this product:  100 percent moisture-wicking polyester material, detailed stitching on the collar and subtle texture on the body, color-matched buttons, taped placket, open cuffs, and side vents. Available sizes: S-4XL. Made in USA.  Price: $34-38.

For left chest embroidery, choose from a variety of logos, including Boots On The Ground. Note that apparel orders take 3-4 weeks to deliver. Rush shipment is available upon request but expedited charges may apply.

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 WORK/LIFE SOLUTIONS

Providing you with the right tools, wherever you are in life. From simple questions like quick ways to de-stress or how to find more time in your schedule, to more difficult issues like finding support after the loss of a loved one, your program is there to work with you and offer suggestions, options, and information. Read more
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