NATCA President Tells Senate Subcommittee Aviation Infrastructure Needs Immediate Attention |
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Drone Advisory Committee Stresses the Importance of Gender-Neutral Language |
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Final Opportunity for the National Professionalism Award: Demonstrate, Motivate, Inspire |
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Region X Members: Vote for Your Next RVP |
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Recognizing Some of the Unsung Heroes of NATCA: Tony Nappi |
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NATCA Updates and Expands Offering of Pilot-Controller Communications Materials |
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National Office Staff Employee Spotlight: Magen Stevens |
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Member Benefit Spotlight: Cambridge Financial |
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NATCA Store Item of the Month: Money Clip Wallet |
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Union Members Feature:
American Radio Association
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Are You Registered for NATCA's Events? |
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Operation Traffic Counts Across the U.S. |
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NATCA President Tells Senate Subcommittee Aviation Infrastructure Needs Immediate Attention |
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NATCA President Paul Rinaldi testified on Wednesday, June 23 before the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation. In a hearing titled, “Aviation Infrastructure for the 21st Century,” Rinaldi said that not only does the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) physical infrastructure need immediate attention, but we also need a stable, predictable funding stream to maintain pre-pandemic capacity and modernize the system’s physical and technological infrastructure. |
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"Over the years, we have highlighted that a stop-and-go funding stream negatively affects the National Airspace System. It undermines and negatively affects preventive maintenance for the FAA's physical infrastructure," said Rinaldi. He told the panel that many FAA facilities are in desperate need of attention, needing major repairs and replacements, and many buildings have even exceeded their life expectancy. "Some of these facilities are in need of critical replacement of roofs, windows, HVAC systems, elevators, and plumbing."
When asked by Subcommittee Chair Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., how outdated towers make it harder for NATCA members to do their jobs, Rinaldi said the aging infrastructure is a distraction to the highly skilled professionals. "We really need to focus on getting our facilities updated and making them a safe place to work," he said.
Later that same evening, senators and White House officials reached a bipartisan deal on an infrastructure bill. "I am pleased that I had the opportunity on behalf of NATCA to discuss the critical needs of our members in their facilities," said Rinaldi. "Hopefully this bill will immediately address our aviation infrastructure needs as well, and allow us to focus on keeping the National Airspace System safe."
This was Rinaldi’s 18th time testifying before a Congressional committee in either a hearing or a roundtable or meeting in his 12 years as president.
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Drone Advisory Committee Stresses the Importance of Gender-Neutral Language |
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NATCA Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert participated in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Drone Advisory Committee (DAC) meeting on June 23. The DAC is a federal advisory committee that provides the FAA with advice on key UAS integration issues by helping to identify challenges and prioritize improvements. Gilbert is a member of the DAC and also the co-lead on the Operations and Technology Subcommittee which was tasked with providing recommendations to the FAA about gender-neutral language as an alternative for gender-specific terms used in the drone industry and aviation community. |
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Gilbert said the task group members agreed that the recommendations provided to the FAA will be essential for modeling the leadership and behaviors to build an inclusive aviation and drone community. “Studies show and the case has been made that a more inclusive culture is an essential multiplier and maximizes and unleashes innovation and improves profitability,” she said. Gilbert, Baker, and members of the task group presented four recommendations to the DAC for the FAA to consider. |
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The first recommendation presented was that the FAA should adopt gender neutral language in the drone industry to ensure inclusion of all, regardless of gender identity, and to avoid burdensome language. With the second recommendation, the task group came up with alternative terms to address current gender specific language (sample style guide pictured below). The third recommendation took into consideration where to apply the changes in language. For example, in social media, new documents, speeches, and even marketing material, the task group suggested that changes can be implemented immediately. In cases where there are statutory and regulatory processes, the task group said that would require more thinking on how to adopt the new language, but recommended the process begin immediately. With the fourth recommendation, the task group suggested that gender-neutral language be expanded to all of the aviation industry. The task group also hoped to encourage the FAA, industry, pilots, and operators to embrace the required change. |
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The DAC members commented very positively about the recommendations presented. Said one member, "the drone community should move forward with these changes regardless of what's happening. Changes should start with us. This is what it means to be a modern society."
"It is the hope that this will not be novel approaches with just drones, but with the whole FAA," concluded Gilbert.
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Final Opportunity for the National Professionalism Award:
Demonstrate, Motivate, Inspire
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This is your last opportunity to nominate your peers for the 2021 NATCA National Professionalism Award. Nominations are due Wednesday, June 30!
We need your help to recognize the exceptional individuals you work with day in and day out who demonstrate, motivate, and inspire others at work.
You know who we are talking about — the individuals who set high standards for themselves and also help elevate others around them. The person who when faced with conflicts or challenges, realizes that they have a choice regarding the manner in which they respond. The person who you know you can depend on for help when you need it. The person who exemplifies professionalism.
We would love to have the opportunity to recognize these members in a positive way by celebrating them at Communicating For Safety (Sept. 27-29, Bally’s Las Vegas).
Help us learn about these very special and important individuals by creating a thoughtful write-up using our nomination form. We look forward to hearing your stories about these dedicated and committed members.
Click here to learn more about NATCA's National Professionalism Award and click here to view past winners of the award.
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Region X Members: Vote for Your Next RVP |
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No matter if it's your first NATCA election or your fifth, one thing is always true: Participating in the process is important. Region X members, now is the time to vote for your next regional vice president.
Ballots were sent out by USPS mail on June 21. Return ballots must be received no later than July 30 to be collected by NATCA’s National Election Committee and counted. We encourage everyone who will be voting to not delay in returning their ballot.
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Recognizing Some of the Unsung Heroes of NATCA: Tony Nappi |
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We continue our celebration of the 34th anniversary of NATCA’s certification by the Federal Labor Relations Authority as the exclusive bargaining representative of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic controllers by shining a spotlight on the first FAA non-controller bargaining unit the Union organized and represented: Engineers & Architects (E&A). |
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Throughout our history, NATCA’s growth and success has been marked by individual efforts of leadership, vision, and dedication that – joined together with other members’ work – lifted the Union into the best position to represent our members. Some of those individuals are widely known, but many are not. NATCA’s National Historical Committee looked through our Union’s history – early and recent – to identify examples of extraordinary efforts by NATCA members that may not be well known by our membership. We continue to honor these “unsung heroes.” In the second part of our series, we introduce you to Tony Nappi. |
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Tony, now a retired member who is also married to current Engineers Atlantic City (EAC) FacRep Denise Nappi, was crucial in organizing his fellow FAA Eastern Regional Office engineers and helping to organize those working in Ops Support Engineering at the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, N.J. Tony and Denise joined with the national organizing effort of E&A and became the first non-air traffic controller bargaining unit in NATCA in 1997. Eventually, they became the foundation of Region X. The formal decision by NATCA to expand representation to non-controller bargaining units occurred at the Sixth Biennial Convention in Pittsburgh, 25 years ago this September. |
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Who Are The Unsung Heroes in Your Facility?
Do you know a NATCA member whose efforts have helped our Union move forward in an important way, without a lot of notice?
We want your help identifying unsung heroes. Let us know who they are and tell us about what they are doing to lift up your local and NATCA as a whole. Email us at [email protected].
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NATCA Updates and Expands Offering of Pilot-Controller Communications Materials |
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Aviation safety is at the core of who we are and is what drives our members each and every day. NATCA believes in promoting and enhancing safety through education, communication and collaboration together with every sector of the aviation industry. Our message to pilots is whether you’re considering learning to fly, a student pilot or a certified pilot, we’re here for you.
With pandemic restrictions on air shows and gatherings easing, NATCA is anxious to resume and grow our outreach efforts to pilots nationwide. From the largest events such as next month’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh to local meetings at airports, we strive to provide education and information to all pilots on an array of safety issues.
One handout we offer at various events are our 13 pilot-controller communications information cards. The cards address airport procedures, airspace, clearances, communicating with ATC, communications-phrases to know, control tower ops, special VFR, takeoffs/landings, uncontrolled airports, VFR flight following, VFR on top, weather, and wrong surface operations. The cards are the size of a pilot kneeboard so that they can easily be referenced during flight and fit well in a flight bag.
We also have updated our pilot-controller communications webpage, which can be found here. The webpage includes electronic copies of the new pilot-controller cards, which are suitable for downloading.
Portland, Ore., ATCT (PDX) member Richard Kennington, who has helped lead NATCA’s pilot outreach for several years, says the more pilot outreach he and his fellow members did, the more they recognized a need for consistent information for newer pilots. The cards reflect that renewed commitment to improving and expanding the offering of information.
"We put in hours pouring over the content to include that would help pilots get over their fear of using ATC services and make them successful,” Kennington said. "Wherever we have gone, pilots clean us out of all our inventory which is a good problem to have. They recognize that these cards are a great resource, especially for new or lower time pilots."
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National Office Staff Employee Spotlight:
Magen Stevens
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We have an amazing National Office staff that our membership can be very proud of. They work hard every day and are committed to providing our members with the very best service and representation in organized labor. Today, we feature Assistant General Counsel Magen Stevens. Thank you for all you do, Magen!
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Where are you from, or what places have you lived?
Stevens: I was born and raised in North Carolina, spent a couple of years in Charleston, S.C., and eventually found my way to Washington, D.C. eight years ago.
Where did you go to school, or what other education do you have?
Stevens: I went to the University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill for undergrad (Go Heels!) and eventually ended up at George Washington University, in Washington, D.C. for law school.
How did you come to work at NATCA?
Stevens: I interned for another union in law school and loved working for labor. After law school, I did a legal fellowship at that union and, as that position was coming to a close, opportunity presented itself at NATCA. It was important to me to stay in the labor movement, and I'm happy to have been able to make that happen.
Do you have family members who are involved in unions?
Stevens: No, the opposite – I have a lot of family members who are both blue collar workers and staunchly anti-union, which I've never understood!
What's the most rewarding part of being a member of NATCA’s staff? What's the most challenging?
Stevens: A thing that drew me to working in labor is knowing that, at the end of the day, I've spent my time trying to make work (and therefore life) better for people. It's always rewarding to know that, no matter how stressful or difficult the project I'm working on is, it's going to help better things for our members.
Do you have any hobbies or any other activities you enjoy outside of your work for NATCA?
Stevens: I really enjoy travel, and try to plan as many trips as I can budget in a year, so the past 14 months have been less than ideal on that front. I'm also a huge college basketball fan, so quarantine has been rough on my hobbies!
Has there been a favorite moment for you while at NATCA?
Stevens: I've missed all the good stuff! I came in right after the last convention (April 2018) and then half my tenure has been working from home.
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Member Benefit Spotlight:
Cambridge Financial
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When was the last time you had access to sound financial planning advice at work? NATCA’S trusted partner, Cambridge Financial, has not been able to visit facilities for obvious reasons. You however, still need to plan for your financial future. This is why Cambridge can now offer virtual consultations around your busy schedule! You will no longer have to cut your time short to report back to position, or table items to confer with your significant other. Simply take advantage of a NO COST consultation about your financial future by clicking here and booking one today!
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NATCA Store Item of the Month:
Money Clip Wallet
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Features of this product: Black leather credit card money clip/wallet with insert and die struck brass. NATCA logo etched into the magnetic clip. Easily fits in the front or back pocket. The item is made of soft 100% cowhide leather. It is union made in the United States.
Price: $42.
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].
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Union Members Feature:
American Radio Association
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NATCA continues to highlight our union sisters and brothers who are also essential contributors across our nation's workforce. Today we highlight and thank our siblings of the American Radio Association (ARA), AFL-CIO.
ARA has been representing seagoing radio operators, Electronic Officers, and Master Electronic Officers employed on U.S. flag merchant vessels since the 1930s. ARA membership through training and recruitment over the past decade or more have transitioned from primarily communications officers and watch standers under the Safety of Life at Seas Convention (to monitor SOS calls), to more than 29,000 skilled electronics officers.
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Are You Registered for NATCA's Events? |
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Join Us in Houston in August! |
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To register or modify your registration for the 18th Biennial Convention, to be held Aug. 10-12, please click here. The convention will be held at the Marriott Marquis in Houston. Make your hotel reservation here. Your event registration does NOT get you a hotel room at the Marriott Marquis. Hotel room reservations must be made separately. The deadline to reserve your room at the Marriott Marquis is July 15.
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Come to CFS in September! |
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Registration is ongoing for Communicating For Safety (CFS) 2021. We are returning to Bally's Las Vegas on Sept. 27-29 to bring together our members, representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, and leaders of the aviation community to discuss an array of safety and modernization topics. We’re working to fill the agenda with engaging panels and again make this the best safety conference on the aviation calendar. Click here to register.
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Operation Traffic Counts Across the U.S. |
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