Vol. 11-8 September Part 3

NARI receives more than $1 million in grants

Five organizations committed over $1 million in grant money to the National Aviation Research Institute to ensure the human element is portrayed in all aspects of air traffic control research and development projects.

NASA Ames, Lockheed Martin, MITRE Corp., Catholic University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University are the first institutions to enter into contracts with NARI to conduct studies into the unique job of an air traffic controller and the pilot interface.

"Humans work with equipment day after day so it is important the technology works for them and not the other way around," said NARI Executive Director Mike Connor. "Today, controllers are given a piece of equipment and told, 'Make this work.' NARI will change this mindset by placing human factors at the top of the priority list."

• NASA Ames pledged a dollar amount in the high six figures to NARI for three years. NARI will research issues such as free flight, advanced air traffic systems and pilot and controller human interface.
• Lockheed Martin guaranteed 10 months of its time and almost $56,000 to study advanced controller tools and concept development of airborne independence in free flight air traffic management.
• MITRE Corp. provided a grant of $25,000 and a contract to research advanced air traffic operations. Specific areas of investigation will include human factors in advanced systems and operational applications.
• Catholic University will study the impact of free flight on air traffic controllers, their work environment and operational procedures. The educational institution entered into a contract with NARI and will pay air traffic controller consultants on an hourly basis.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University agreed to a cooperative relationship which will lead to future research projects.

NARI was formed in July as an outgrowth of NATCA. Connor is enthusiastic about NARI's future. "Backing by these groups is an important first step and an excellent starting point for controller input. But, we will not stop here," he said. "NARI is actively soliciting other organizations in hopes of securing additional contracts."

Participating organizations will begin research this month, if they haven't already done so. Air traffic controllers will serve as consultants on many of the initiatives. "NARI's mission is to ensure the controller view is incorporated into air traffic research projectsto do this we need input from controllers," said Connor. "Depending on facility, location, availability and other criteria, NATCA members may be requested to participate in one of these ground breaking projects."

NATCA suit has implications for government-wide contracting

NATCA still waits for a decision in its lawsuit challenging the Federal Aviation Administration's contract tower program. When settled, the outcome could have implications affecting the contracting of services government-wide.

Both parties filed for summary judgment in the case in May 1997. This means the judge would make a deci-sion based on facts presented in motions. The court could grant in favor of either party, in this instance that litigant would win outright and the losing side would probably appeal. Or, the judge could deny both motions and set the case for trial.

"If this goes to trial, it would gain a lot of attention, not only for NATCA but for the issue of contracting government services in general," said NATCA General Counsel Jim Morin. "It brings into question whether or not these services can really be provided with the same quality at the lower price. In the case of air traffic control the answer is no. I think we've seen this with the recent problems at contract towers." "If this goes to trial, it would gain a lot of attention, not only for NATCA but for the issue of contracting government services in general."

Jim MorinNATCA general counsel

NATCA has made no secret of its position on contract towers. Standards at the privately run towers are significantly lower than at FAA facilities. Contract controllers are not given the tools they need to perform the job they were hired to do. Insufficient staffing levels and training contribute to a reduced margin of safety. The only option to ensure safety is for all former FAA Level I facilities to revert to the agency.

NATCA claims the FAA failed to comply with Office of Management and Budget requirements for federal agencies to determine whether services are inherently government functions before contracting out when it implemented its contract tower program. The suit is based on the fact that the FAA exempted itself from the OMB regulations under false pretenses. The agency stated air traffic control services could be provided at the lower traffic towers for less money with the same quality by private management firms, claiming it could concentrate on improving services at the higher level facilities.

Despite FAA's attempts to squash NATCA's efforts to halt the program, the union overcame agency roadblocks and succeeded in proceeding with the suit. No matter which decision the judge makes, this case will be tied up either in court or in appeals for some time. Morin believes NATCA has a good chance of winning in court. "I don't like to be overly optimistic, but I think we have a strong case," he said. "We could bring in the FAA's people and expose the deception going on for so long."