Article 13 Update: NAS Voice System
- Details
- Published: February 26, 2015
As Article 13 representatives under both the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) and Aviation Safety (AVS) collective bargaining agreements, PASS members are continuing to play a vital role as the FAA transitions to its Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). Most recently, Emmett Clark, PASS ATO Article 13 representative for the NAS Voice System (NVS), shared his experiences over the past several months he has served in the role. NVS is the primary communication component for NextGen and will transform air-to-ground communication throughout the aviation world. NVS is currently still in its development phase, with deployment expected to start in 2019 in Seattle.
“As an Article 13 rep, I work mainly with the program office and the program is continually evolving,” explained Clark. With the program still in the design stage, PASS’s input is proving invaluable in ensuring a complete and fully functioning final product. “I am providing insight at the field and maintenance levels. The program office is really looking for our input and, in some cases, leadership.”
Clark participated in the first Tech Ops EUIE (early user involvement event) in November 2014 along with five other PASS members: Richard Lucero (PASS’s NVS Human Factors representative), John Grabitz, Ed Hanlon, Brian Ocana and Fernando Saldana. “We were loaded as far as PASS being there,” said Clark. “There were no outside SMEs at other workstation terminals—it was all PASS.” The event was centered on the human factors portion of the system and was requested by the program office. “Our participating members had the opportunity to sit in front of the active workstation and evaluate the screens for navigating, troubleshooting and monitoring the system.” Clark explained that the group was able to talk directly to the programmers at Harris whenever there was a problem or concern. “Harris was receptive to our input, and the program office supported our comments,” he said. “Also, having a diverse user group with PASS members from towers, TRACONs, SOCs and Centers ensured that everyone’s issues were addressed.”
Since the early user involvement event, Clark has been working to review the feature design documents, which will eventually cover the maintenance responsibilities for PASS technicians working on the system. He is also reviewing Harris’ internal audits to make sure they are adjusting the schedule and specifications to the needs and concerns brought forth at the November event.
Clark also regularly visits the Technical Center in Atlantic City, which has a full setup of the NVS, in order to review user involvement items and stay fresh on system developments. During his most recent trip, he and Lucero were able to do more hands-on work with the actual hardware and equipment, including performing a lot more testing of the system. “Basically, I took off the tie to roll up my sleeves and really get in there to check the system out,” he said. He and the entire NVS team will continue to closely monitor the progress of NVS as the system begins to expand to other groups and areas. NVS will eventually be deployed as a hybrid system, which will allow users to have access to both legacy and IP radios. Clark explained that this will prove essential in those areas that cannot immediately transition from analog to IP. He said that even though deployment is not scheduled until 2019, he has initiated conversations with Harris and the FAA on the development of prerequisite courses.
Clark emphasized that his primary focus is on making sure PASS members have a system that works for them, and he is incredibly thankful for those members who are assisting him along the way. “I’d like to personally thank the members because, as I have questions, I’ve been known to call on different members at different centers and towers,” he said. “I’m trying to keep the membership involved by calling those who will be actually doing the work.” If you are interested in learning more about NVS, have a question for Clark or want to get involved in future efforts, please send an email to .