NATCA, Controllers Show Their Stuff at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
Pink shirts, roaring engines, and over 7,500 airplanes languishing in the hot Wisconsin sun could only mean one thing: Oshkosh.
NATCA’s presence was strong at this year’s EAA AirVenture, the annual fly-in and air show, held July 23-30 in Oshkosh, Wis. Controllers and National Office staff were on hand to greet visitors in the NATCA tent, answer questions, and provide plenty of educational information regarding the air traffic control profession. NATCA also sponsored six forums, designed to educate pilots and the general public about important issues in the aviation and air traffic community.
Executive Vice President Ruth Marlin was also on hand, providing interviews on NATCA-related issues to EAA Radio, the station completely devoted to all things AirVenture.
“Oshkosh illustrates the importance of general aviation,” said Marlin. “We have the most vibrant, growing, and sound aviation system in the world. Why? We have an approachable system that anyone can access.”
FORUMS
Aircraft Certification representatives kicked off the NATCA forum presentations. NATCA Aircraft Certification National Representative Tomaso DiPaolo provided an overview of the FAA’s Aircraft Certification Engineering structure, a review of office and directorate functions, products and services provided to the public, and a review of certification initiatives and future programs.
Following DiPaolo, Aerospace Engineer Tim Smyth discussed aircraft modification. Smyth explained frequently used acronyms and led forum participants through the step-by-step process of getting FAA approval for modifications.
NATCA also presented “ATC at Oshkosh: Lessons for the Rest of the Year.” Chuck Adams (Grand Forks Tower), Don Brown (Atlanta Center), and Vince Polk (Atlanta Tower) led a discussion about what it takes to control the traffic at Oshkosh: “the world’s busiest airport.”
“Why does Oshkosh work so well?” asked Adams. “It comes down to training, procedures, and communication. Structure is the name of the game here.”
In order to get to Oshkosh, controllers must go through a rigorous selection process and evaluation. Once chosen, 64 controllers are broken into 16 teams of four; these teams work eight-hour shifts together every day.
Says Adams: “It takes a very unique individual to work this airport.”
Meanwhile, Don Brown, Atlanta Center Controller and a contributor to AVWeb.com, a publication for the GA community, dissected the correct way to file an IFR plan. Brown explained the process from a controller’s perspective, including what controllers are looking for in a route of flight and how pilots can avoid those annoying reroutes.
Over 200 people turned out to another NATCA forum, “Top Ten Pilot Mistakes: The View from the Tower.” Polk was joined by Brown, Adams, Cleveland Center Controller Darren Gaines and Chicago O’Hare Tower Controller Rod Hieronymus. According to controllers, the top three pilot mistakes are:
- Not having a “Plan B,”
- Thinking he/she is the only pilot in the airspace,
- Thinking he/she is a controller
A spirited question-and-answer session followed the presentation.
Gaines concluded the NATCA forums with “General Aviation Severe Weather Encounters.” The National Transportation Safety Board has identified several accidents in the past 18 months that involve general aviation pilots encountering severe weather while in communication with air traffic control. These accidents resulted in multiple fatalities and exposed the limitations associated with ATC procedures and weather display technology incorporated in ATC equipment. Gaines analyzed these accidents in depth and discussed safety measures and strategies to cope with safely navigating in the vicinity of hazards.
USER FEES DEBATE
Garnering lots of discussion throughout the week was the issue of user fees. The Air Transport Association (ATA) wants to shift costs from airlines onto general aviation, essentially allowing the airlines to pay less and control more. ATA wants these fees to be based on number of departures and time operating in the air traffic control system—no matter the size of the aircraft, number of passengers, or airports or airspace used.
Opposition to this issue was strong among general aviation representatives. Jack Pelton, president and CEO of Cessna Aircraft Company; Ed Bolen, president of the National Business Aircraft Association; Phil Boyer, president of the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association; Alan Klapmeier, president of Cirrus Design, and Pete Bunce, president of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association joined EAA president Tom Poberezny on a panel discussion to present their arguments against the proposed user fees.
“This is one of the greatest challenges our industry has faced,” said Bolen. “The airlines drive the costs and expect all airplanes to pay the same no matter what their size.”
Echoing that statement, Pelton remarked: “Funding the Airbus A380 should not be the burden of general aviation.”
During an interview with EAA Radio, Marlin also joined in the user fees debate and how it related to air traffic control. “New fliers shouldn’t be intimidated by controllers. Air traffic control is a safety service that should be equally available to all pilots.”
When asked about the FAA’s stance, Administrator Marion Blakey, speaking at a “Meet the Administrator” forum, claimed “There is no user fee proposal. Going back to the table and engaging together with constructive proposals is what this is all about.”
The general aviation representatives, however, urged pilots to voice their opinions anyway. “Get involved,” said Poberezny. “Call your Congressman and stay informed.”
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
NATCA, looking to strengthen its relationship with the general aviation community, will expand its presence at AirVenture in the coming years.
“I want to reach out more to the GA community and Oshkosh gives us that opportunity,” said Kelly Richardson, NATCA staff researcher who organizes the union’s presence at Oshkosh. “A couple hundred thousand pilots come to this event every year—this gives us the best opportunity to work with them. My hope is to take over a pavilion so we can run our own schedule, have more forums, and maybe even bring in some panel discussions to hit on the hot topics. I really want to use this event to bridge a communication gap between GA pilots and controllers. Involving the other bargaining units is a priority as well; we can educate on more than just air traffic.”
