CFS 2021
September 27-29, 2021, Bally’s Las Vegas
REGISTRATION OPEN NOW: NATCA is excited to announce that registration is open for Communicating For Safety (CFS) 2021! We are returning to Bally’s Las Vegas on Sept. 27-29 to bring together our members, representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and leaders of the aviation community to discuss an array of safety and modernization topics. We’re working to fill the agenda with engaging panels and again make this the best safety conference on the aviation calendar.
Please note, the event registration process will include making your hotel reservations. There is no need to contact Bally’s to reserve your room.
NATCA Members: Click here to register for CFS 2021
General Registrants: Click here to register for CFS 2021
LATEST NEWS: AOPA’s Richard McSpadden Confirmed to Speak at CFS 2021
Those attending the event at Bally’s Las Vegas (Sept. 27-29) will be treated to a visit by one of the nation’s leading aviation safety experts. Richard McSpadden, former Air Force Thunderbirds commander and now the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Institute (ASI) Senior Vice President, will speak at a time when pilot-controller communications are improving and opportunities to interact are becoming more popular.
McSpadden says he has noticed the increased participation in pilot-controller seminars and the expansion of training and learning opportunities both online and, now, safely in person.
“I love it! It’s so positive for aviation,” McSpadden said. “I remember when the controller/pilot relationships were adversarial. Pilots didn’t trust controllers and likewise, controllers were suspicious of pilot intent. Now I see a much more collaborative and positive relationship.”
McSpadden was appointed executive director of the ASI in February 2017 and was promoted to senior vice president in July 2020. He currently leads a team of certified flight instructors and content creators who develop and distribute free aviation safety material in order to advance general aviation safety industrywide. ASI distributes material through a dedicated YouTube channel, iTunes podcasts, Facebook, and a dynamic website. ASI material is accessed 12 million times annually.
“Some of our most popular seminars are our ‘Ask the Controller,’ which NATCA has helped us deliver,” McSpadden said. “They always go long, with more questions than we have time to answer. It helps to dispel myths and urban legends. Pilots get direct, accurate answers from a source they can trust. It’s great to see pilots react to the face behind the voice and realize, you’re just professionals, trying your best to be good at your job, just like we’re trying our best to be good pilots.”
A native of Panama City, Fla., McSpadden started flying as a teenager and has logged over 5,000 hours flying a variety of civilian and military aircraft. McSpadden is a commercial pilot, CFII, MEI with SES, MES ratings and a 525S (Citation Jet Single Pilot) type rating. He taught his son to fly, instructed his daughter to solo in their Piper Super Cub, previously owned a 1950 Navion that was in his family for almost 40 years, and currently owns a 1993 Piper Super Cub.
“My father inspired my brother, a UPS 747 captain, and me,” McSpadden said. “As early as I can remember, we were building model airplanes and flying hand toggled airplanes around in a circle. I got hooked as a junior in college, when I saw how much my Dad was enjoying his flying lessons. I started soon after him, in Greensboro, N.C., at a small airport, Air Harbor (W88), and then signed up for Air Force ROTC to fly for the USAF.”
McSpadden served in the Air Force for 20 years, including the prestigious role of commander and flight leader of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flight demonstration team where he led over 100 flight demonstrations flying the lead aircraft.
Read our full interview with McSpadden here.
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CFS 2020 Agenda
(All times PDT)
Monday, September 21, 2020
8 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Registration
10 a.m. | Exhibit Hall Opens
9:30 – 11 a.m. | “Tech Talk Time with Tom“
Opening Remarks:
Tom Adcock, NATCA Director of Safety and Technology
General Session – Bally’s Events Center
Noon | Welcome
Steve Hansen, National Safety Committee Chair, NATCA
12:15 – 12:45 p.m. | Keynote Remarks:
Paul Rinaldi, NATCA President
12:45 – 2:30 p.m. | Panel Discussions
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Break
3:30 – 5:30 p.m. | General Session
Exhibit Hall
5:30-7:30 p.m. | Meet your Sponsors and Exhibitors
Evening Events with the NATCA Charitable Foundation
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
7:30-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast
7:30 a.m.| Registration
General Session – Bally’s Events Center
8:30-8:35 a.m. | Welcome
8:35-9:15 a.m. | General Session
9:15 – 10:15 a.m. | Panel Discussion
10:15-11 a.m. | Break
11 – 12:15 p.m. | Panel Discussion
12:15 – 1:45 p.m. | Awards Luncheon
1:45 – 2:30 p.m. | Panel Discussion
2:30 – 3:15 p.m. | Break
3:15 – 5 p.m. | Panel Discussion
5 – 5:30 p.m. | General Session
Exhibit Hall
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Meet your Sponsors and Exhibitors
Evening: Regional Dinners (locations TBA)
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. | Breakfast
7:30 – 11 a.m. | Registration
General Session – Bally’s Events Center
8:30 – 8:45 a.m. | Welcome
8:45-9:15 a.m. | General Session
9:15 – 10 a.m. | Panel Discussion
10 – 11 a.m. | Break
11 – 11:45 a.m. | General Session
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Panel Discussion
Breakout Discussion Sessions
1-3 p.m. | TBA
The 16th Annual Archie League Medal of Safety Awards
Bally’s Events Center
6 p.m. | Reception
7 p.m. | Banquet
(Seating starts at 6:45 p.m.; dinner will be served at 7:15 p.m.)
Hotel & Travel
Bally’s Las Vegas
3645 Las Vegas Blvd. | Map
CFS 2021 returns to Bally’s Las Vegas, site of our previous four conferences, including our last one in 2019.
Click here for more information about Bally’s.
17th Annual Archie League Medal of Safety Awards
The ability to think quickly and remain calm under pressure while maintaining situational awareness are just some of the unique qualities that air traffic controllers possess. Their willingness to resolve complex situations without hesitation, offer a reassuring voice to those on the frequency, and ability to coordinate their efforts with other controllers help these dedicated professionals be successful at maintaining the safety of the National Airspace System.
While many controllers often feel that they are “just doing their job,” their hard work is often viewed by others as remarkable and extraordinary. The Archie League Medal of Safety Awards, named for the first U.S. air traffic controller, were first presented in 2005 to honor exceptional air traffic controller work that took place in 2004. The program highlights a variety of aviation “saves” — some which involve a team of controllers working together, while others are the result of one controller’s efforts.
Our 17th annual banquet celebration of the Archie League Medal of Safety Award winners and the Region X Commitment to Safety Award will be held on the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, at NATCA CFS 2021 at Bally’s Las Vegas.
CALL FOR 2022 ARCHIE LEAGUE MEDAL OF SAFETY AWARD NOMINATIONS
NATCA Members: The nomination period for the 2022 Archie League Medal of Safety Awards, the 18th annual, is now open. We are looking for the best saves that have occurred at your facilities since April 17, 2021. A member may nominate another member for an Archie League Medal of Safety Award. Our 18th annual banquet celebration of the Archie League Medal of Safety Award winners will be held on the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, at NATCA Communicating For Safety 2022 at Bally’s Las Vegas.
NOMINATION FORM – PLEASE CLICK HERE
If you have questions or are having trouble collecting all nomination materials, please contact Doug Church.
Learn more about the past recipients in the 16-year history of the Archie League Medal of Safety Awards. Click here.
Archie League Medal of Safety Awards Video Channel
Learn more about Archie League. Click here.
Region X Commitment to Safety Award
The Region X Commitment to Safety Award is given annually to a Region X member who has shown a profound dedication to ensuring the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS). The award is peer-nominated, and any Region X member in good standing can be nominated for work done since April 17, 2021 in their role as an aviation safety professional.
View the recipients of the Region X Commitment to Safety Award.
Every Day is a Training Day
With renewed focus and passion, NATCA has built upon its initiative to confront and defeat the status quo and emphasize the importance of training. It’s called “Every Day is a Training Day,” and reflects the ongoing effort to change the way the workforce perceives training.
“Every Day is a Training Day,” introduced in 2019, is about the goals of working to challenge the NATCA membership to pursue professional development throughout their aviation career and embracing a willingness to learn daily. NATCA has emphasized the necessity of a commitment to effective, regular training in pursuit of excellence.
NATCA President Paul Rinaldi: “As the professionals that we are, we have to break the cycle of complacency. Training is a badge of honor. We have to want to be the best. NATCA is the most important entity in aviation and in the airspace system. We need to make sure that we have given everything that we can to this organization and to the next generation that’s going to be able to accomplish all this work for our profession.
“Pilots embrace training on a daily basis, and we as aviation safety professionals need to do the same. We have to combat complacency to continue to be 100 percent, 100 percent of the time.”
NATCA Director of Safety and Technology Tom Adcock: “The purpose behind this effort is to help our members understand that training is something that continues throughout our entire career. Whether it is new procedures, new equipment, or new rules, training is a part of a continuous self-improvement process, from the time we start as a developmental, to the time we retire. We should always be looking for ways to improve our performance as a workforce to make sure we are always operating at peak levels whenever we plug in.”
Every Day is a Training Day Video Series
Part 1: A Lot of People are Dependent on You Being Excellent All the Time
Part 2: Excellence Has Got to be the Norm Not the Deviation
Part 3: It’s In Your Hands to Make Every Day a Training Day
Archive: Past CFS Coverage
CFS 2019
Sept. 16-18, 2019, Bally’s Las Vegas
CFS 2019 PREVIEW BOOK
Uberflip
2019 ARCHIE LEAGUE MEDAL OF SAFETY AWARDS BOOK
View on Uberflip.
CFS TUESDAY
Our 16-page e-newspaper includes news and information about Monday’s Day 1 (Sept. 16, 2019) highlights and this week’s conference. You can view a PDF or view it in an easy-to-read format on Uberflip.
CFS WEDNESDAY
Our 16-page e-newspaper includes news and information about Tuesday’s Day 2 (Sept. 17, 2019) highlights and this week’s conference. You can view a PDF or view it in an easy-to-read format on Uberflip.
FULL COVERAGE: Published on Oct. 16, 2019. Please click here.
CFS 2018
Oct. 22-24, 2018, Bally’s Las Vegas
CFS 2018 PREVIEW BOOK
2018 ARCHIE LEAGUE MEDAL OF SAFETY AWARDS BOOK
CFS TUESDAY
Our e-newspaper includes news and information about Monday’s Day 1 (Oct. 22, 2018) highlights and this week’s conference. You can view a PDF here or view it in an easy-to-read format on Uberflip.
CFS WEDNESDAY
Our e-newspaper includes news and information about Tuesday’s Day 2 (Oct. 23, 2018) highlights and this week’s conference. You can view a PDF here or view it in an easy-to-read format on Uberflip.
FULL COVERAGE: Please click here.
CFS 2017
March 20-22, 2017, Bally’s Las Vegas
CFS 2017 DAILY DISPATCH
View on Uberflip
2017 ARCHIE LEAGUE MEDAL OF SAFETY AWARDS BOOK
View on Uberflip.
CFS 2017 TUESDAY DAILY DISPATCH
Our e-newspaper includes news and information about Monday’s Day 1 (March 20, 2017) highlights and this week’s conference. You can view a PDF here or view it in an easy-to-read format on Uberflip.
CFS 2017 WEDNESDAY DAILY DISPATCH
Our e-newspaper includes news and information about Tuesday’s Day 2 (March 21, 2017) highlights and this week’s conference. You can view a PDF here or view it in an easy-to-read format on Uberflip.
CFS 2016
March 21-23, 2016, Bally’s Las Vegas
CFS 2016 DAILY DISPATCH
View on Uberflip
2016 ARCHIE LEAGUE MEDAL OF SAFETY AWARDS BOOK
View on Uberflip.
CFS 2016 TUESDAY DAILY DISPATCH
Our e-newspaper includes news and information about Monday’s Day 1 (March 21, 2016) highlights and this week’s conference. You can view a PDF here or view it in an easy-to-read format on Uberflip.
CFS 2016 WEDNESDAY DAILY DISPATCH
Our e-newspaper includes news and information about Tuesday’s Day 2 (March 22, 2016) highlights and this week’s conference. You can view a PDF here or view it in an easy-to-read format on Uberflip.
CFS 2015
March 2-4, 2015, Rio Las Vegas
CFS 2015 DAILY DISPATCH
View on Uberflip.
2015 ARCHIE LEAGUE MEDAL OF SAFETY AWARDS BOOK
View on Uberflip.
CFS 2015 TUESDAY DAILY DISPATCH
Our e-newspaper includes news and information about Monday’s Day 1 (March 2, 2015) highlights and this week’s conference. You can view a PDF here or view it in an easy-to-read format on Uberflip.
CFS 2015 WEDNESDAY DAILY DISPATCH
Our e-newspaper includes news and information about Tuesday’s Day 2 (March 3, 2015) highlights and this week’s conference. You can view a PDF here or view it in an easy-to-read format on Uberflip.
Archive: CFS Videos
Archive: CFS Photo Albums
CFS News
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