Bridging the Gap

Keeping the NAS up to date and sustainable

Air traffic controllers at Anchorage Center and the Honolulu Control Facility can look forward to an upgrade to their automation system for managing high-altitude flights off the coast of Alaska and Hawaii.

The two air traffic facilities will replace their outdated and unsustainable flight-tracking systems with En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM), the modern, digital system en route center controllers use to track high-altitude flights across the National Airspace System.

“As ERAM evolves and grows, Honolulu and Anchorage will be part of that evolution; they won’t be left behind. And bridging that gap between the offshore sites and the [contiguous United States] will help us continue to grow,” said Abdullah Kakar, the team manager for the Offshore Automation Program.

The ERAM system provides benefits for users and the flying public by increasing air traffic flow and improving automated navigation and conflict detection services, both of which are vital to meeting future demand and preventing gridlock and delays.

Kevin Young, group manager of Air Traffic Management Programs in the PMO, and Kakar emphasized that the existing offshore automation system was no longer maintainable and is not flexible in the same way as ERAM. Implementing ERAM, the NAS standard for tracking high-altitude flights, will streamline training, logistics, platform support and maintenance to be more aligned with the other contiguous facilities.

“It’s great we were able to get all the stakeholders on board and really emphasize the urgency of replacing the legacy systems,” Kakar said. “Having support from our chief operating officer really helped to drive it home.”

Read more about this collaborative effort on FocusFAA.

New Year. New Opportunities.

A new year gives all of us an opportunity to create a better future. And that means reaching out to a new generation of aerospace workers, an effort the agency tackles through several programs and outreach events, like the upcoming first-ever HBCU Aviation Day, Gateways, Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) internships, and Aviation Workforce Development Grant programs. “All of these events and initiatives will tangibly help the FAA develop a diverse workforce to meet the growing demands of our industry.”

From Flight Instructor to ASI

For Beth Ann Senk, Manager in the Flight Program Operations Aviation Safety Training Group, keeping her feet on the ground simply wasn’t meant to be. She became a flight instructor at 19,  teaching aerobatics and formation flying, and her path eventually crossed with the FAA, as she became an aviation safety inspector. “My motto has been to do for one what you wish you could do for all. As an ASI, this is how I approach work, and as a manager, this is how I approach my employees and peers.”

Job / Detail Opportunities of the Week: New agency-wide vacancy announcements and detail announcements, updated every Monday.

Finishing Strong: It’s the last week to participate in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) - donate now through January 14.

IT Alert: Tomorrow, the new MyAccess MFA service will secure access to IACRA for FAA users. If you have not yet registered for the service, please do so now.

International Travel? Do not bring your FAA devices or login to the FAA network outside of the U.S.

The Power of Thanks: When you see someone doing the right thing at work, show some appreciation with an INSPIRE moment.

1. Submit artwork for the FAA's Aviation & Aerospace Art contest by January 27.

2. Hire students and recent graduates through the Gateways Program.

3. Review policies for facility closures and delays and where to find operating status information.

4. When in doubt, contact an ethics counselor for guidance to avoid a potential violation.

5. Learn the right (required) way to wear your PIV card.

Need a space to work or host a meeting? Use Reserve-it, the agency’s workspace, meeting room, and office amenity reservation platform.

Today's Headlines

U.S. FAA proposes requiring airplanes to have 5G safeguards by early 2024 – Reuters
Requirement for 5G C-Band-tolerant radio altimeters or approved filters proposed.

SpaceX plans largest launch in world history next month – Yahoo! News
The combined Starship and Super Heavy Booster rocket will be the largest in history.

Walmart made over 6,000 drone deliveries in 2022 – Retail Dive
The retailer seeks to eventually deliver one million packages by drone annually.

AAL pilots raise 'serious safety concerns' about cockpit protocol changes – USA Today
The airline’s pilots union claims they had not been given time or training to learn them.

Several US & Canada Flights To Mexico Canceled Amid Civil Unrest – Simple Flying
The decision comes after an Aeromexico flight and Mexican Air Force planes were shot at.

100 Years Of Gyroplane Flight: Is There A Future For The Aircraft? – Simple Flying
Gyroplanes may soon be seen in the skies above major cities, operating as air taxis.

Founding Fathers Watch Frenchman Fly Over Philly

January 9, 1793: At approximately 10:00 am ET, 39-year-old French aeronaut Jean-Pierre François Blanchard ascended from the courtyard of the Walnut Street jail in Philadelphia, PA, aboard a hydrogen-filled silk balloon. Aboard were various scientific instruments and a small dog. Exclusive tickets were sold to view the launch at $5, later lowered to $2. Among the crowd were President George Washington and future presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. The balloon ascended to about 5,800 feet from its launch site near the Independence Hall and sailed towards the Delaware River. After 45 minutes of wind-assisted flight, the balloon landed on a farmer’s field (today behind a Walmart) in Deptford, NJ, approximately 8 miles from the launch site.

Safety Culture 101: Do you know the five elements of an effective safety culture?