N.A.T.C.A. SAFETY NEWS

NATCA Erie Tower ` Erie, PA, USA

Issue No.2004-10 October 31, 2004

National Air Traffic Controllers Association

RETIREMENT
~ As most of you are aware, I will be retiring on December 2, 2004. After 35 years of air traffic control, I am ready to hang up the old headset. I have been putting out this safety newsletter in one form or another since 1988. Jim Musone will take over as the Erie Safety Representative. Eric Weeden will take over the NATCA ERI Webpage and help Jim with computer input and web presence.
~“We” have managed to transform this facility from a TRACAB with antiquated technology to a state of the art Tower / TRACON with most of the new technology available to a facility. We have done it with perseverance and proactive pursuit... we dogged them ‘til we got what we want.
~ I am hoping that all the controllers at ERI pitch in and help Jim Musone and Jim Myak with the operational changes that we want to see happen at our facility. We have most of it now, but we want more. So dig in and work as a team…

ERI ASR-11
~ The ERI ASR-11 has been in operation since we commenced IOC (Initial Operating Capability) on August 23, 2004. The performance has been stellar.
~ The problem with commercial power (supplied by Penelec) appears to be improving. A team is now working at the site attempting to clean up all the small items identified on the hit list.
~ Soon, there will be two circuits run from the ASR-11 UPS in the TRACON Equipment Room to the control tower. One will feed the VDCU (Video Display Control Unit) and the other will feed the Radar Control Panel (RCP). They are not currently backed up by UPS.
~ The ARTS IIE MSAW and acquire/drop areas were brought closer to sync with the last patch installed this month. There will be another patch coming soon which will have the exact lat/lon of the ASR-11 antenna, which were provided with the latest survey.
~ The FAA team in town is evaluating the radar coverage to the east (in the Jamestown, NY area) now. The Erie landfill appears to be the blocking phenomena affecting the JHW airport area.
~ We will continue with IOC / ORD until all issues are addressed and we are ready to assume control of the system. We will commission when this happens.

LLWAS (Low Level Windshear Alert System)
~ Preliminary design work and layout is underway for the LLWAS for ERI. Regional and contractor personnel are accomplishing the preliminary work.

SAWS (Stand Alone Weather Sensors)
~ The SAWS was commissioned last week and all displays are operational.

SA-IDS-4
~ The program disks have arrived from Systems Atlanta. As soon as the IDS team (Jim Musone, Kevin Cromwell and Ward Waldo) get all the equipment lined up; they will commence data input and page layouts.
~ Dana has put in for the needed flat screens with year-end money.

CRU-X
~ We are still awaiting word from FAA and NATCA on when we will go operational on CRU-X. They are still having some privacy problems with the current software. We may need to retake the CBI to refresh our memories on how CRU-X works.

DVM GPS MAP
~ EW will be working on a new video map that will depict all the GPS Approaches along with the location and names of the IAFs,

RVR (Runway Visual Range)
~ We have requested a replacement RVR system for Runway 6 and a new one for Runway 24.

PENDING ITEMS:

New Tower at Erie – EMAA still working the tower leaseback issue; however, progress is delayed until funding for the runway extension and freight terminal is secured.

Runway 6-24 Extension - EMAA is still working this issue and could be completed as early as spring 2007. Waivers for the Runway Safety Area are due to expire in 2007.

ETVS - Scott Sayres is working the issue of the landline/frequency volume imbalance problem.

Transceiver Performance - We continue to have problems maintaining communication with traffic nearing/ approaching the lateral limits of our airspace.

Video Map – A video map that will correspond to the Erie County 911 system

Runway 24 VASI or PAPI Lights - Request for a visual landing system for Runway 24 has the FAA budgeting ERI for a PAPI system.

ERI Dual Power Supply - The AF Evaluation Team is researching this issue.

MIAWS – we have not heard any further info as to whether we will get the MIAWS.

ERI WISH LIST:
LLWAS system - Low Level Windshear Alert System
RVR Runway 24 – Runway Visual Range

===============================================================

This publication is a product of the Erie Tower NATCA Safety Committee

Andy Chalot (Safety Rep)

4411 W 12th St .             Home: PO Box 68
Erie , PA 16505                         Cranberry , PA 16319
814-833-0841                              814-677-2423
natcaeri@velocity.net                    achalot@natca.net

Jim Musone (Asst Safety Rep)
4411 W 12th St
Erie , PA 16505
814-833-0841

JPMusone@comcast.net

Past Safety Reports

National Air Traffic Controllers Association

CRU-X ~ We are still awaiting word from FAA and NATCA on when we will go operational on CRU-X. They are still having some privacy problems with the current software. We may need to retake the CBI to refresh our memories on how CRU-X works.

Runway 6-24 Extension - EMAA is still working this issue and could be completed as early as spring 2007. Waivers for the Runway Safety Area are due to expire in 2007.

Transceiver Performance - We continue to have problems maintaining communication with traffic nearing/ approaching the lateral limits of our airspace.

CRU-X
~ We are still awaiting word from FAA and NATCA on when we will go operational on CRU-X. They are still having some privacy problems with the current software. We may need to retake the CBI to refresh our memories on how CRU-X works.