Communicating for Safety 2006
“Cooperation, collaboration, and communication.” This combination is what leads to higher standards of safety according to Southwest Region Vice President Darrell Meachum during his opening remarks at Communicating for Safety 2006. Over 150 controllers and pilots from all over the country gathered in Dallas, Texas, September 11-13 to make this one of the most successful conferences to date.
Communicating for Safety 2006 kicked off Monday night with an orientation for controllers and pilots, who had the chance to find out specifics regarding Unsatisfactory Condition Reports (UCRs), the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS), and the NATCA Safety Hotline. Controllers were urged to file ASRS reports along with UCRs as well as any other formal reports intended to correct, improve or change any procedures or equipment which need to be brought to the attention of the FAA and aviation industry users.
The following two days were filled with a variety of speakers and panels, each focusing on different safety-related issues. Representatives from American Airlines, NASA, ALPA, NTSB, and the FAA, among others, shared insightful presentations followed by question and answer sessions.
Against the backdrop of the FAA’s plan to short-staff facilities and overwork controllers, fatigue management and human factors were emphasized throughout the conference. A highlight of the seminar was Dr. Scott Shappell’s presentation on fatigue management. Shappell, a professor at Clemson University, captivated the audience as he discussed sleep patterns and the need to be well-rested in order to perform at one’s peak.
“If you put something in your body and you do it regularly, your body is going to produce something else naturally to compensate,” said Shappell in response to a question regarding the effects of caffeine and other stimulants. He advised keeping to a routine, exercise, and warm baths as ways to encourage sleeping and stressed it was the timing of sleep, not necessarily the amount, that is most significant.
Human factors were also discussed by Kim Cardosi of the VOLPE Center and Rogers W. Shaw of CAMI. Cardosi spoke on the most popular controller errors, including forgetfulness (runway closure, aircraft on approach, aircraft on runway), inadequate coordination, and overlooked traffic. She stressed, however, that even the most experienced, attentive, well-trained, well-rested, most conscientious professional can make a mistake. Shaw discussed crew management skills, including communications, preparations and planning, and adaptability, that pilots can use to better connect with air traffic controllers.
Aside from the panels, Cathy Meachum and Rick Baugh (Atlanta Center) of the NATCA Charitable Foundation hosted a Texas Hold ’em tournament fundraiser and raffle Monday evening. Congratulations to Steve Boyer, Eugene tower controller and Northwest Mountain Region Safety Representative, who was crowned Texas Hold ’em champion and also to the NATCA Charitable Foundation, which raised over $4,200 for aviation-related charities.
Tuesday evening, conference attendees were treated to a Texas barbeque at the C.R. Smith Aviation Museum, hosted by American Airlines. Former NATCA Executive Vice President Ruth Marlin spoke on the benefits of Communicating for Safety and its importance to pilots and controllers alike. Marlin was followed by Chicago O’Hare controller and comedian Mike Blais. Blais’ stand-up routine provided plenty of laughs to cap off an enjoyable evening.
“The entire Safety Committee went above and beyond to ensure that this event would become a benchmark for future seminars,” said Safety Committee Chairman Vince Polk. “Rod Hieronymus did an outstanding job scheduling panels and speakers as well as entertainment. We would also like to thank Captain Ben Rich from the Allied Pilots Association (APA) and American Airlines for co-moderating the seminar.”
The NATCA Safety Committee is reviewing a number of cities and is in the process of selecting a location for CFS 2007. “CFS should be just as big as the NATCA Convention,” said Polk. “It is becoming one of the only opportunities we have to address safety and technology with the aviation community.”
