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Save the Dates for Communicating For Safety 2024

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended Communicating For Safety (CFS) 2023 for demonstrating their dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment. Save the dates for CFS 2024: September 16-18, 2024, at the Horseshoe in Las Vegas. 

FOLLOW CFS ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: @NATCACFS | Twitter: @NATCACFS | Instagram: natcacfs

CFS 2023 Agenda

(All times PDT)

Monday, September 18

8 a.m.–6 p.m. | Registration open
9 a.m. | Exhibit Hall opens

Tech Talks | Exhibit Hall Theater

9:30–11:20 a.m.
Voice Communication

Jon Shedden, National Voice Comm Representative, National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)
Clarissa Riffe, Program Manager, Program Management Organization (PMO), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Airspace Modernization Roadmap (AMR)
Josh Haviland, National Airspace Representative, NATCA
Ryan Almasy, Executive Director, Air Traffic Organization Service Centers, FAA

Surface Surveillance
Chris Corapi, National Surface Surveillance Representative, NATCA
Matt McCann, Program Manager, FAA

Flow Management Data and Services (FMDS)
Matt Gammon, National Flow Management Data and Services (FMDS) Representative, NATCA
Casey Nair, Program Manager, FAA

General Session | Horseshoe Event Center

12:00–12:30 p.m.
Welcome and Code of Conduct
Presenting the Colors
Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard

National Anthem
Jennifer Lier, Former Miss Nevada

Keynote Address: State of the NAS
Rich Santa, President, NATCA

Conference Welcome
John Murdock, Chair, National Safety Committee, NATCA

12:30–1:00 p.m. | Pillars of a Safety Culture – Richard Kennington, NATCA

1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. | Keynote Speaker
John Thomas, Ph.D., Executive Director of MIT’s Engineering Systems Lab

1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Panel: Getting Real Results: A Look at Actual Events
John Thomas Ph.D., Executive Director of MIT’s Engineering Systems Lab, and Stephen Palyok, Safety Systems Engineering & Design, American Airlines

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Break

3:30 p.m. – 4:10 p.m. | Panel: Change Starts with You. Be a Part of the Solution.
Moderator: Richard Kennington, NATCA, Joe Winingar, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Director of Safety
Panelists:
Erich Chouinard, NATCA Western Event Review Committee • Dawn Johnson, Confidential Information Share Program, NATCA • Laforrest Leake, ATSAP Team Manager, FAA • Paul Soporowski, Aviation Safety Action Program, United Airlines

4:10 p.m. – 4:40 p.m. | Panel: Safety Culture at the Local Level
Moderators: Bethany Bohnenstiehl, Operational Supervisor, St. Louis TRACON (T75), FAA • Richard Kennington, NATCA
Panelists:
Alex Cisneros, Facility Representative, Southern California TRACON (SCT), NATCA • Thomas Gordan, Acting XO, SCT, • Mike Taylor, Partnership For Safety, NATCA • Joe Winingar, Director of Safety, FAA

4:40 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Keynote Speaker
Richard McSpadden, Senior Vice President, Air Safety Institute, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)

Evening Events

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m | Sponsors and Exhibitors Meet & Greet
Exhibit Hall

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | NCF Poker Tournament
Horseshoe Poker Room

Tuesday, September 19

7:30 a.m. | Continental Breakfast, Exhibit Halls

7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Registration Open

General Session | Horseshoe Event Center

8:30 a.m. | Welcome
Andrew LeBovidge, Executive Vice President, NATCA

8:40 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Keynote Address
Jennifer Homendy, Chair, National Transportation Safety Board

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Panel: Meeting the Demands of Tomorrow
Moderators: Tom Adcock, Director of Safety and Technology, NATCA • Shivanjli Sharma, ATM-X Project Manager, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Panelists: Representative (TBD), Joby Aviation •
Scott Shtofman, Senior Manager Government Affairs, Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) • Jimmy Smith, National UAS Representative, NATCA • Prakash Subramanian, Director of Advanced Transportation Operations, The MITRE Corporation • Jeffery Vincent, Executive Director, UAS Integration Office, FAA

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. | Break

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. | Panel: Staffing the Full Picture
Moderators: Elizabeth Baker, Director of Government Affairs, Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) • Dean Iacopelli, Chief of Staff, NATCA
Panelists:
Jason Ambrosi, President, ALPA • Rich Santa, President, NATCA

11:45 a.m. –1:45 p.m. | Awards Luncheon

1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. | TrainingChanging Perspectives

Part 1 – Changing the Mindset About Things That Feel and Appear Negative, But Are Not, Amy D. Grubb, Ph.D., Founder, Organizational Insights, and FBI Psychologist

Part 2 –  | Panel: How Air Traffic Can Continue to Lead, Learn, and Become Better Prepared Through Training
Moderators:  Jamaal Haltom, National Training Representation, NATCA • Tracey Johnson, (Acting) Vice President of Safety and Technical Training, FAA
Panelists:
Dr. Immanuel Barshi, Senior Principal Investigator, NASA  • Brad Simms, Safety Committee Member, Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) • Trey Turner, Technical Pilot, Southwest Airlines

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. | Break

3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. |  Panel: Surface Safety…Everyone Plays a Role
Lead in: John Murdock, Chair, National Safety Committee, NATCA

Moderator: Richard McSpadden, Senior Vice President, Air Safety Institute, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)
Panelists:
Alex Gersten, Director of Airports and Ground Infrastructure, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) • Eric Johnson, Performance Based Navigation Co-lead, NATCA • Bridget Singratanakul, National Runway Safety Representative, NATCA • Doug Willey, Chair Air Traffic Services Group, ALPA

4:30 p.m.– 5:30 p.m. | Keynote Speaker
Amy D. Grubb, Ph.D., Founder, Organizational Insights, and FBI Psychologist

5:30–7:00 p.m. | Sponsors and Exhibitors Meet & Greet

Wednesday, September 20
7:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Registration Open
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Continental Breakfast, Exhibit Halls

General Session | Horseshoe Event Center
8:30 a.m. | Welcome
Dawn Johnson, NATCA

8:35 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. | Keynote Address
Polly Trottenberg, FAA Administrator (Acting)

8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Panel: FAA Funding and Policy Priorities: What’s in It for Us?
Moderators: Eugene Freedman, Special Counsel to the President, NATCA
Panel discussed the status of FY 2024 appropriations and FAA Reauthorization: the risks to and opportunities for the NAS.
Panelists:
Dan Hamilton, National Program Management Organization Representative, NATCA • Sharon Pinkerton, Senior Vice President for Legislative and Regulatory Policy, Airlines for America (A4A) • Brad Van Dam, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, American Association of Airline Executives (AAAE)

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Panel: Our Medical: The Barriers We Face and How to Work Through Them
Moderators:
Andrew LeBovidge, Executive Vice President, NATCA
Panelists: •
Susan Northrup, M.D., M.P.H., Federal Air Surgeon, FAA • Quay Snyder, M.D., M.S.P.H., President/CEO, Aviation Medicine Advisory Service (AMAS)

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Break

11:00 a.m.–12:30 pm | CFS Panel Series: Pilots and Controllers
Moderators:
Dawn Johnson, NATCA • Richard Kennington, NATCA

Panel 1 – Go Arounds/Missed Approaches
Panel discussed the safety considerations, flight deck workload, and controller workload associated with go arounds and missed approaches.
Panelists:
Dayron Fernandez, Local Safety Council, Miami ATCT (MIA), NATCA • Brian Townsend, National Safety Representative, Allied Pilots Association (APA)

Panel 2 – Go Down and Slow Down
The panel discussed newer more efficient aircraft and the dynamics that prevent flight crews from complying with multiple clearances at the same time (e.g., slowing down while also descending).
Panelists:
Jason Herman, LAX Base Safety Chairman, ALPA • Karena Marinas, Aviation Safety Inspector Chair, NATCA • Ron Renk, Chief Technical Pilot, United Airlines • Carlton Wickstom, NATCA

Panel 3 – Round Table
The third panel was a round table with the military, general aviation, and business pilots along with controllers to discuss specific issues, how to communicate better, best practices, explicit vs implicit clearances, and take questions from Slido
Panelists:
Scott Fineron, National Procedures Representative, NATCA • Paul Flynn, Industry Affairs and Industry Analyst, NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) • Josh Haviland, National Airspace Representative, NATCA • Jason Herman, LAX Base Safety Chairman, ALPA  • Maj. Jack Ingber, United States Air Force  • Richard McSpadden, Senior Vice President, Air Safety Institute, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)

12:30 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. | Main Stage Closeout
John Murdock, Chair, National Safety Committee, NATCA

12:40 p.m. –1:15 p.m. | Lunch, Horseshoe Exhibit Hall Level

Breakout Sessions
1:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Merging and Sequencing Pilots and Controllers: Continue the Climb
Exhibit Hall Level, Rooms Bronze 3/4

1:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Professional Standards (By Invitation Only)
Exhibit Hall Level, Event Center Office

1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. | A Look into Investigations and Role of the Air Safety Investigator
Exhibit Hall Level, Palace Rooms 1/2/3

1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. | Voluntary Safety Reporting Program (VSRP)
Exhibit Hall Level, Palace Rooms 4/5

2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | The Role of Air Safety Investigations
Exhibit Hall Level, Palace Rooms 1/2/3

2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Safety Advocacy Training
Exhibit Hall Level, Palace Rooms 4/5

Evening Events | Horseshoe Event Center

19th Annual Archie League Medal of Safety Awards
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Reception
7:00 p.m. | Banquet

CFS 2023 Sponsors and Exhibitors

CFS 2023 sponsor and exhibitor information: Click here.
CFS 2023 Sponsorship Application: Click here

Grand Benefactor


Diamond Sponsors


Platinum Sponsors


Gold Sponsor


Silver Sponsors


Bronze Sponsors


EXHIBITORS:
Advanced Air Mobility – Booth 502
Advanica Corp. – Booth B11
AA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI)
Hypoxia Chamber – Booth 816
FAA WorkLife Solutions Program – Booth B10
MIT Lincoln Laboratory – Booth 804
National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees
(NBCFAE) – Booth 906
National Hispanic Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees
(NHCFAE) – Booth 904
NASA – Booth 503
Professional Women Controllers (PWC) – Booth 908
Safety Programs – Booth 301
The MITRE Corporation – Booth 805
Transportation Safety Institute – Booth 14
University of North Dakota Student Air Traffic
Controllers Association – Booth 902

COLLABORATION BOOTHS:
ATO Top 5 Program – Booth 200B
Collaborative Decision Making – Booth 213G
FAA/NATCA Collaboration Program – Booth 803
FDMS Flow Management & Data Services – Booth 213H
National Airspace & Procedures Committee (NPAC) – Booth 511
Operational Risk Management (ORM) – Booth 213F
Professional Standards – Booth 402
Runway Safety – Booth 200A
Risk-based Safety Management (RBSM) – Booth 200E
Safety Culture – Booth 200C
NATCA Surveillance Team –
Surface Situational Awareness – Booth 200D
Terminal Computer Human Interface (CHI)/
Human Factors – Booth 213J
Terminal Precipitation on the Glass (TPoG) – Booth 509
TBFM (Time Based Flow Management) – Booth 213I

BENEFIT PARTNERS:
Aviation Medicine Advisory Service – Booth B17
BENEFEDS – Booth B15
Cambridge Financial Partners – Booth B5
Union Plus – Booth B6
Unum/NATCA Board of Trustees – Booth B7

NATCA COMMITTEE BOOTHS:
Air Safety Investigations – Booth B13
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) – Booth B9
Disaster Response Committee – Booth 910
Information Technology Committee – Booth B19
NATCA Benefits Committee – Booth B2
National Organizing Committee – Booth B1
OSHA Committee – Booth B12
Region X – Booth B16

Hotel & Travel

Horseshoe Las Vegas

3645 Las Vegas Blvd. | Map

CFS 2024 returns to the Horseshoe Las Vegas, formerly Bally’s Las Vegas, site of our previous conferences. Click here for more information about the Horseshoe.

You will be responsible for all room and any miscellaneous charges that are incurred. The CFS contract rate is $190 plus tax, currently 13.38 percent, and subject to change, per night. The room rate includes a mandatory resort fee, which covers daily in-room, high-speed internet access, all local calls and daily access to the fitness center for two people. The hotel cancellation policy goes in to effect 72 hours prior to your check-in date.

If you choose not to stay at the host hotel, or if you would like to reserve your own hotel room, please select “no lodging needed” under the lodging portion of the registration process.

When will I receive my hotel confirmation number?

If you booked your hotel through the CFS registration process, you can expect to receive your hotel confirmation number, a week or two before the event.

IMPORTANT: Do not call the hotel to change or cancel your reservation if you booked your hotel room through the CFS registration process (please read below for more information).

How do I CHANGE or CANCEL my CFS registration and/or lodging information that I booked through CFS registration?

DO NOT call the hotel with questions or changes. They have specific instructions that all rooming issues will be communicated through the CFS registration team.

On or before August 16, 2023, please visit the registration website and select “Modify Registration”. You will need your reference number and email address that you used to make your original registration. To cancel your registration: once you are logged in, you will see a link to “Cancel Registration” on the right hand side and can follow the prompts from there. To modify your registration: once you are logged in, advance to the appropriate section that needs to be modified and follow the prompts from there.

After August 16, 2023, please email natcacfs@natca.net.

Note: On or before August 16, 2023, in addition to any hotel cancellation fees, there is a $10 cancellation-processing fee*.

General Registrant/Student FAQs

CFS 2023
General Registrants and Students
Frequently Asked Questions

Who can attend CFS?

Anyone interested in aviation safety! Please explore our website for more information.

What time did CFS officially start and end?

Official start time: 12:00 p.m. PDT on Monday, September 18, 2023.

End time: Late evening, Wednesday, September 20, 2023, upon conclusion of the Archie League Awards Banquet.

What is the registration fee?

Before August 18: General Registrant: $200

Students currently enrolled in an aviation related degree program: $30

(You must show a valid student ID at registration)

On or after August 18: General Registrant: $250

Students currently enrolled in an aviation related degree program: $30

(You must show a valid student ID at registration)

What does my registration include?

Registration includes full participation in the conference. Invitation-only events and tickets to the Archie League Awards Banquet are not included in the registration fee.

What is price for an Archie League Awards Banquet ticket?

Before August 18: General Registrant: $200

Students currently enrolled in an aviation related degree program: $150

(You must show a valid student ID at registration)

On or after August 18: General Registrant: $250

Students currently enrolled in an aviation related degree program: $150

(You must show a valid student ID at registration)

For a full description of 2023’s CFS, please see the agenda located on the home page of the CFS website.

How do I register?

On the CFS home page, click on the “Register Now” box. Then select “General Registration” and you will be directed to the registration site. Select the appropriate registration type. Sponsors and exhibitors will register through our sponsor/exhibitor specialist.

How do I become a sponsor or exhibitor at CFS 2023?

For sponsor or exhibitor questions or for more information, please contact natcacfs@natca.net.

Lodging

This year’s conference will be held at Horseshoe Las Vegas Hotel (formerly Bally’s). You will be responsible for all room and any miscellaneous charges that are incurred. The CFS contract rate is $179 plus tax, currently 13.38 percent, and subject to change, per night. The room rate includes a mandatory resort fee, which covers daily in-room, high-speed internet access, all local calls and daily access to the fitness center for two people. The hotel cancellation policy goes into effect 72 hours prior to your check-in date.

If you choose not to stay at the host hotel, or if you would like to reserve your own hotel room, please select “no lodging needed” under the lodging portion of the registration process.

When will I receive my hotel confirmation number?

If you booked your hotel through the CFS registration process, you can expect to receive your hotel confirmation number, a week or two before the event.

IMPORTANT: Do not call the hotel to change or cancel your reservation if you booked your hotel room through the CFS registration process (please read below for more information).

How do I CHANGE or CANCEL my CFS registration and/or lodging information that I booked through CFS registration?

DO NOT call the hotel with questions or changes. They have specific instructions that all rooming issues will be communicated through the CFS registration team.

On or before August 16, 2023, please visit the registration website and select “Modify Registration”. You will need your reference number and email address that you used to make your original registration. To cancel your registration: once you are logged in, you will see a link to “Cancel Registration” on the right-hand side and can follow the prompts from there. To modify your registration: once you are logged in, advance to the appropriate section that needs to be modified and follow the prompts from there.

After August 16, 2023, please email natcacfs@natca.net.

Note: On or before August 16, 2023, in addition to any hotel cancellation fees, there is a $10 cancellation-processing fee*.

Note: On or after August 18, 2023, we will no longer provide refunds for registration fees or Archie League Awards Banquet tickets.

Please email natcacfs@natca.net if you have any additional questions.

NATCA Members FAQs

CFS 2023: Frequently Asked Questions for NATCA Members

Registration

Important dates:

  • July 26: Deadline to have your name on the national excused absence request list. Local request forms should also be in by this time.
  • August 16:  Hotel room block cut off. Rooms are no longer guaranteed and are subject to availability.
  • On August 18: REGISTRATION/ARCHIE TICKET FEES INCREASE (see below for more information).
  • On August 18: Refunds will no longer be provided for registration fees or extra Archie League Awards Banquet tickets.
  • September 15: 72‐hour hotel cancellation policy is now in effect based on a September 18 arrival. This date is subject to change, depending on YOUR registration arrival date.

When should I arrive and depart?
Official start time: 12:00 p.m. PDT Monday, September 18, 2023.
End time: Late evening Wednesday, September 20, 2023, after the Archie League Awards Banquet.

This year we will have an optional hour and a half to our agenda on Monday morning from 9:30 am – 11:00 am. This optional session will cover Safety and Technology updates. Lunch will not be provided prior to the official start of the conference. Please note that members who elect to attend Monday morning’s session and check in to the hotel on Sunday will still fall under the NATCA rooming policy therefore will not have their Sunday night lodging covered by NATCA National.

Unless you are attending one of the “Invitation only” classes, meetings or optional session mentioned above, plan to arrive Monday morning, September 18 and depart Thursday, September 21 so you can attend the Archie League Awards Banquet, which is being held on the evening of Wednesday, September 20.

Select “Agenda” on the natca.org/cfs homepage to see the full conference schedule.

How do I register for CFS?
From the CFS homepage, select  “CLICK HERE TO REGISTER”. Next, select “NATCA MEMBERS”, which will take you to the NATCA Members website. Once you sign in, you will be redirected to the correct page that contains important CFS information and registration instructions.

How do I request excused absence to attend CFS?

You must read the registration guidelines before you register for instructions about how to be put onto the national excused absence list. You must place your name on the excused absence request form on or before July 26, 2023. NATCA members should also submit a local request form to their facility. Members can download this local request form here.

  • There are no consequences for requesting an excused absence only to find out later you can’t attend
  • Placing your name on the Excused Absence Request Form is NOT an automatic approval and release from your facility to attend. This is determined locally based on staffing and other circumstances.

Will NATCA National pay for my registration fee?

No, you are responsible for the conference registration fee and the Archie League Awards Banquet ticket.

BEFORE AUGUST 18:
NATCA members (including retired members & local members):
Registration: $25
Archie ticket: $125

ON OR AFTER AUGUST 18:
NATCA members (including retired members & local members):
Registration: $50
Archie ticket: $200

Some locals reimburse their members for this fee.  Discuss this with your Local Facility Rep.

I am a NATCA member bringing a non-member spouse. How do I register?
BEFORE you register, please email natcacfs@natca.net for further instructions.

Lodging

This year’s conference will be held at Horseshoe Las Vegas Hotel (formerly Bally’s). If you requested lodging through the registration process, your hotel confirmation number will be emailed to you about a week before the conference.

If you choose to book your hotel room outside the of CFS registration process you will not be reimbursed for lodging.

NATCA Rooming Policy

The NATCA National budget will pay 100 percent of a participant’s room/tax if they share a room with another dues paying member and 50 percent of the room/tax if they do not for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights only (September 18, 19 and 20) for up to eight (8) NATCA members per local. Lodging costs for NATCA members in excess of eight (8) per local will be calculated under the current policy, with the cost being deducted from the local’s quarterly dues rebates with approval by the local.

The negotiated room rate is $179 plus 13.38 percent tax per night (tax is subject to change). The room rate includes a mandatory resort fee, which covers daily in-room high-speed internet access, all local calls and fitness center access for two daily.

Single rooms are $89.50 plus tax for the covered nights (18, 19 and 20) with additional nights at $179 plus tax.

If you need to make any changes to your rooming type or roommate, please see the below section: “How do I CHANGE or CANCEL my CFS registration?”

How do I reserve a room for CFS, which falls under the NATCA National Rooming Policy?

The CFS Planning Committee will reserve your room per the information you provide during the registration process. You will be responsible for any fees incurred for incorrect data you entered into the reservation system; e.g., arrival and departure dates.

If you need to make any changes to your rooming type or roommate, please see the below section: “How do I CHANGE or CANCEL my CFS registration?”

Will NATCA pay for my hotel bill if I stay at a different hotel?

NO. If you choose to book your hotel room outside the of CFS registration process you will not be reimbursed for lodging.

I found a cheaper rate at a different hotel or at the same hotel, but not through the CFS website. Will NATCA pay for or reimburse my room expense?

NO.  NATCA has contracted a block of rooms at $179 a night (plus tax), which includes all of the meeting space for the event along with additional services. If we do not fill this block of rooms, we are penalized, so even though you think you are saving NATCA money, you are not.  Therefore, you will not be reimbursed if you book your own room.

Sharing a Room

I want to room with a specific NATCA member. Can I request this through the registration site?

The registration process will allow you to either input the name of the NATCA member that you want to share a room with, or you can request that we find you a NATCA member roommate. To make a requested roommate pairing successful both attendees must request to room with each other. No confirmation email will be sent out regarding roommates. The CFS registration team will contact you if there are any issues with your roommate request.

I registered for a single room, but now I want a roommate. How do I change my registration?

To change your lodging status, please read below on “How do I CHANGE or CANCEL my CFS registration?”

I registered for a roommate, but now I want to change to a single room status and pay half of my rooming costs as covered under the National Rooming Policy. How do I do this?

To change your lodging status, please read below on “How do I CHANGE or CANCEL my CFS registration?”

How do I CHANGE or CANCEL my CFS registration?

DO NOT CALL THE HOTEL TO CHANGE OR CANCEL YOUR REGISTRATION.

Before August 16, please visit the registration website and select Modify Registration. You will need your reference number and email address that you used to make your original registration. To cancel your registration: once you are logged in, you will see a link to “Cancel Registration” on the right-hand side and can follow the prompts from there. To modify your registration: once you are logged in, advance to the appropriate section that needs to be modified and follow the prompts from there.

On or after August 16, please email natcacfs@natca.net. DO NOT call the hotel with questions or changes. They have specific instructions that all rooming issues will be communicated through the CFS registration team.

What if I do not need a room?

Under the lodging section of the registration form, select “making outside arrangements.” Once selected, we will not make hotel arrangements for you. If you choose to book your hotel room outside the of CFS registration process you will not be reimbursed for lodging.

Is there a cancellation fee?

Hotel Cancellation Policy:
The host hotel has a 72‐hour cancellation policy. If you cancel your reservation, change to a later arrival date, or change your rooming status without modifying your registration online or without contacting the CFS registration team prior to the deadline, you will be charged a fee of one night’s lodging plus tax.

NOTE: If you are within the 72-hour cancellation period and modify your rooming status from single to double or double to single, resulting in an empty room or half of a room, you will be charged a fee for a full or half room night.

Registration Cancellation Policy:

Before August 18, there is a $10 cancellation-processing fee.

On or after August 18, 2023, refunds will no longer be provided for registration fees or Archie League Awards Banquet tickets.

When will I receive a hotel confirmation number?

If you booked your hotel through the CFS registration process, you can expect to receive your hotel confirmation number about a week before the event.

IMPORTANT: Do not call the hotel to change or cancel your reservation if you booked your hotel room through the CFS registration process. Please see above “How do I CHANGE or CANCEL my CFS registration?” for more information.

If you have any additional questions, please email natcacfs@natca.net.

Dates for 2023 CFS

Please save the dates now for CFS 2023. It will take place Sept. 18-20, 2023, in Las Vegas. On this webpage, we will post more information about the 2023 event, as soon as it is available.

19th 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 19th annual banquet celebration, honoring the 2023 Archie League Medal of Safety Award winners, will be held on the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at NATCA Communicating For Safety 2023 at Horseshoe Las Vegas (formerly Bally’s Las Vegas).

CALL FOR ARCHIE LEAGUE MEDAL OF SAFETY AWARD NOMINATIONS

NATCA Members: The nomination period for the 2023 Archie League Medal of Safety Awards is now closed.

We are now accepting nominations for the 2024 Archie League Medal of safety Awards — the 20th annual ALMOSA awards — looking for the best saves that occurred at your facilities between May 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024. A member may nominate another member for an Archie League Medal of Safety Award.

NOMINATION FORM – PLEASE CLICK HERE

If you have questions or are having trouble collecting all nomination materials, please inquire here.

Learn more about the past recipients of the Archie League Medal of Safety Award. 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 May 1, 2023 in their role as an aviation safety professional. The 2023 winner of this award will be honored at CFS 2023 at the Archie League Medal of Safety Awards banquet on Sept. 14.

View the recipients of the Region X Commitment to Safety Award.

NOMINATION FORM – Please click here

National Professionalism Award

The goal of NATCA’s Professional Standards program is to maintain and promote professionalism across all of NATCA’s bargaining units. We achieve that through a commitment to safety and through upholding the public’s trust. We work to inspire, to motivate, to provide personal examples of our professionalism to others, and to maintain the highest standard of excellence. We know our actions represent all our fellow professionals, and we work to bring honor and respect to all that we do. The NATCA National Professional Standards Committee (PSC) has created the “NATCA National Professionalism Award” as a means to recognize the actions of those who continually strive to achieve these goals.

At each annual Communicating For Safety (CFS), the PSC presents one recipient from each FAA Service Area with a NATCA National Professionalism Award, a minimum of three recipients each year. The members of the PSC will determine the recipients no later than 60 days prior to the beginning of CFS and forward those names to the National Executive Board for approval. The recipients will be chosen based on their individual professional contributions and performance that enhanced the standings of their profession. Additionally, the PSC will consider their personal commitment to safety and excellence in the selection. The 2023 winner will be honored at CFS 2023 during the Archie League Medal of Safety Awards banquet on September 20.

View the recipients of the National Professionalism Award.

Archive: Past CFS Coverage

CFS 2023

Sept. 18-20th, 2023, Bally’s Las Vegas

CFS 2023 PREVIEW BOOK
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CFS 2022

Sept. 12-14th, 2022, Bally’s Las Vegas

CFS 2022 PREVIEW BOOK
Uberflip

CFS 2019

Sept. 16-18, 2019, Bally’s Las Vegas

CFS 2019 PREVIEW BOOK
Uberflip

2019 ARCHIE LEAGUE MEDAL OF SAFETY AWARDS BOOK
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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

Nominate Your Peers for the Archie League Awards by May 15

NATCA is currently accepting nominations for the 20th Archie League Medal of Safety Awards. Events must occur between May 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024. Any member may nominate another member for an Archie League Medal of Safety Award. The awards will be presented in September during the Communicating for Safety conference in Las Vegas….

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CFS 2023 Breakout Sessions

To close out CFS 2023 this afternoon, attendees gained valuable knowledge from experts teaching smaller breakout sessions specializing in aviation safety topics. They delved into topics like the dynamics of merging and sequencing in the aviation industry, the significance of upholding professional standards, and the critical role of air safety investigators. Additionally, participants learned about…

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CFS Panel Series: Pilots and Controllers

For the last presentation on the #NATCACFS 2023 main stage, a series of panels focused on pilot-controller communications and featured speakers from across the National Airspace System (NAS). NATCA’s National Recurrent Training Lead Richard Kennington and NATCA Confidential Information Share Program member Dawn Johnson moderated the panels. The discussion covered topics from safety considerations during…

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