Tech notes is a newsletter produced by the CATCA Technology Committee for the purpose of providing information to CATCA members regarding technology, current and future, in NAV CANADA.
What is the CATCA Technology Committee?
The CATCA Technology Committee is a group of up to twelve CATCA members, consisting of
- CATCA RVP responsible for the portfolio
- 1 Data Systems Coordinator (DSC) from each FIR
- Up to 4 Product Requirement and Integration (PRI) members from the CATCA Technology branch
The committee’s mandate is to examine the development and role of technology in the future of NAV CANADA, the role of our membership in its design and development, and the implications of this technological program for the work of all members and their conditions of employment. The technology committee is not a decision-making body. Rather it is a body intended to provide valuable perspectives and recommendations for considerations by the CATCA Executive Board (EB). Established in January 2022, the committee has conducted five virtual meetings as of the time of this newsletter.
Why was the committee established?
In the rapidly evolving world of technology, what does the future hold for Air Traffic Control?
Emerging technologies are poised to significantly impact the field of ATC. Developments like Artificial Intelligence (AI), predictive analytics, and advanced radar systems are changing the way we envision air traffic control.
Yet, as we embrace these innovations, we also must grapple with the challenges they present. Ensuring the security of systems, managing the large amount of data generated by predictive analytics, and maintaining the integrity of advanced surveillance systems are all crucial considerations. Moreover, these technologies necessitate a shift in skills and training. They require controllers to learn new systems and adapt to a changing work environment.
CATCA EB recognized that technology in Air Traffic Services (ATS) is advancing rapidly. The impacts that technology will have on CATCA members in the future needs to be understood and communicated. CATCA EB felt that a committee of members, composed of those who are in technology-based roles, would be of great benefit to the membership as a whole.
TECH NOTES – Edition 1
Who is on the committee?
RVP Jerry Brodt – Co-Chair PRI Fred Cosgrove – Co-Chair
PRI Carrie Amell PRI Dennis Wyche
PRI Simon Lefevbre VR DSC Brent Salter
EG DSC Dale Forbes WG DSC Pat McCallum
YZ DSC Peter Pastras UL DSC Eric Vezina
QM DSC Serge Arsenault QX DSC Dwayne Puddister
What has the committee done so far?
The bulk of the committee discussions to date have focused on the impact of moving the DSC and PRI positions from Operations to the Technology division. The discussions revealed inconsistent work practices between the historic ATM/CNS technology roles and DSC and PRI across the country. Understanding the inconsistencies allowed for more productive participation in the company lead DSC Working Group.
The committee has also reviewed company technology-based initiatives, such as Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO) and Digital Aerodrome Air Traffic Service (DAATS) among others. Many, if not all the initiatives, are intended to provide efficiencies to NAV CANADA and in the process will change how our members’ work. The perspectives of all the members aids in capturing various operational considerations for the initiatives to bring to the PRI and DSC working on the projects.
What is in the committee’s future?
The committee will continue to provide exposure to what the not-so-distant future of technology holds for members. Bringing attention to the fact that the systems are not just theoretical concepts – design and building has already begun. The committee understands that it needs to be a conduit for information relating to technology for both CATCA EB and all CATCA members.
Next Newsletter – The future voice switches
If you have questions or would like more information about ATS technology or CATCA technology roles, please contact any member of the CATCA Technology Committee or email catca.technology@gmail.com.
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Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master. ~ Christian Lous Lange