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National Air Traffic Controllers Association

NATCA is a labor union and aviation safety organization in the United States that represents nearly 20,000 highly skilled air traffic controllers, engineers, and other aviation safety-related professionals. NATCA was certified in 1987 by the Federal Labor Relations Authority to be the exclusive bargaining representative for air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Today, NATCA is one of the strongest labor unions in the federal sector and represents a range of aviation safety professionals in 15 FAA bargaining units, five Department of Defense air traffic facilities, and 123 federal contract towers. These air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals make vital contributions to the U.S. economy and make modern life possible by coordinating the safe, orderly, and expeditious movement of nearly one billion aviation passengers and millions of tons of freight within the National Airspace System each year. NATCA is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO.

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Benefits

NATCA Benefits Partners with Cambridge Financial

NATCA Benefits is pleased to offer the services of Cambridge Financial to our Union’s members! They are well versed in our unique career fields and ready to serve. Visit www.NATCABENEFITS.org and find the “Cambridge Financial” logo under the “Financial/Retirement” tab and enjoy!

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NATCA Benefits Offers Discounts at Great Wolf Lodge

NATCA Benefits wants to save you money on a great family getaway this winter! You’re going to love sliding down their waterslides, eating at their fantastic restaurants, and building family traditions with Great Wolf Lodge! Visit www.NATCABENEFITS.org and find the “Great Wolf Lodge” logo under the “Entertainment” tab. Make sure you are signed in to…

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Events

Spotlight

Get To Know NATCA’s National Legislative Committee Chair David Skarphol

Relationship building is at the core of NATCA’s legislative activism. Earlier this year David Skarphol (Phoenix TRACON, P50) stepped up as the chair of NATCA’s National Legislative Committee (NLC), leading the team that coordinates and facilitates NATCA members’ legislative training and relationships with members of Congress. Today we take a moment to introduce Skarphol and…

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Aviation Facts

Fact: The United States aviation system is an economic driver, contributing 5.2 percent to the nation’s gross domestic product, and generating nearly 11 million jobs.

5,400

Aircraft in the sky at peak operational times

44,500,000,000

Pounds of freight moving through the National Airspace System each year

Current Traffic

Tracking 10,677 airborne aircraft with 636,859,278 total flights in the database. FlightAware has tracked 113,709 arrivals in the last 24 hours.

Aviation Acronyms

Learn acronyms used by safety professionals nationwide:

All A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U V W
There are 51 acronyms in this directory beginning with the letter M.
Term
Definition
MAA
Maximum Authorized Altitude
MALS
Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System
MALSF
MALS with Sequenced Flashers
MALSR
MALS with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights
MAP
Maintenance Automation Program
Mbps
Megabits Per Second
MCA
Minimum Crossing Altitude
MCAS
Marine Corps Air Station
MCC
Maintenance Control Center
MCL
Middle Compass Locater
MCS
Maintenance and Control System
MDA
Minimum Descent Altitude
MDT
Maintenance Data Terminal
MEA
Minimum En Route Altitude
METI
Meteorological Information
MF
Middle Frequency
MFJ
Modified Final Judgment
MFT
Meter Fix Crossing Time/Slot Time
MHA
Minimum Holding Altitude
Mhg
MegHERTZ
MIA
Minimum IFR Altitudes
MIDO
Manufacturing Inspection District Office
MIS
Meteorological Impact Statement
MISC
Miscellaneous
MISO
Manufacturing Inspection Satellite Office
MIT
Miles In Trail
MITRE
Mitre Corporation
MLS
Microwave Landing System
MM
Middle Marker
MMC
Maintenance Monitoring Console
MMS
Maintenance Monitoring System
MNPS
Minimum Navigation Performance Specification
MNPSA
Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications Airspace
MOA
Memorandum of Agreement
MOCA
Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude
MODE C
Altitude-- Encoded Beacon Reply
MODE S
Mode Select Beacon System
MOU
Memorandum of Understanding
MPO
Metropolitan Planning Organization
MPS
Maintenance Processor Subsystem (OR) Master Plan Supplement
MRA
Minimum Reception Altitude
MRC
Monthly Recurring Charge
MSA
Minimum Safe Altitude
MSAW
Minimum Safe Altitude Warning
MSL
Mean Sea Level
MSN
Message Switching Network
MTCS
Modular Terminal Communications System
MTI
Moving Target Indicator
MUX
Multiplexor
MVA
Minimum Vectoring Altitude
MVFR
Marginal Visual Flight Rules 

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