RPTED SIT OF A PROCEDURAL CHANGE IN WHICH THE CTL TWR WOULD WORK TFC WATCH ACFT THROUGH THEIR CLASS C AIRSPACE. RPTR STATED THERE WAS NO PRIOR NOTIFICATION OR TRAINING ON THE PROC. RPTR REGISTERS CONCERN FOR THE LACK OF TRAINING DAYS DUE FACILITY STAFFING.
Synopsis
RPTED SIT OF A PROCEDURAL CHANGE IN WHICH THE CTL TWR WOULD WORK TFC WATCH ACFT THROUGH THEIR CLASS C AIRSPACE. RPTR STATED THERE WAS NO PRIOR NOTIFICATION OR TRAINING ON THE PROC. RPTR REGISTERS CONCERN FOR THE LACK OF TRAINING DAYS DUE FACILITY STAFFING.
Narrative
APPARENTLY; BEGINNING TODAY; OCT/MON/95; ISP TWR WILL BEGIN WORKING 'TFC WATCH' FIXED WING ACFT INTO AND THROUGH THE ISP CLASS 'C' AIRSPACE WITHOUT HAVING THE ACFT FIRST CONTACT APCH CTL NOR WITH PRIOR COORD. AS AN ISP APCH CTLR; I AM AGHAST THAT SUCH A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE TO THE ESTABLISHED SOP'S AND EXISTING LOA COULD TAKE PLACE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION OR TRAINING FOR THE APCH CTLRS. I HAVE RECEIVED NO TRAINING WHATSOEVER ON THIS CHANGE TO THE OPERATIONAL PROCS THAT WILL BE TAKING PLACE IN AIRSPACE THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR. THERE IS NOT EVEN SO MUCH AS A MEMO IN THE READ AND INITIAL BINDER ABOUT THIS. THE ONLY WAY THAT I FOUND OUT WAS A HAND-WRITTEN NOTE ON THE LITTLE DAILY CALENDAR ON THE SUPVR'S DESK. DUE TO THE CRITICALLY LOW STAFFING HERE AT THE NY TRACON; MGMNT HAS HAD TO ABOLISH 'TRAINING DAYS.' THESE WERE DAYS; USUALLY TUESDAY; WHEN ALL THREE SHIFTS WERE IN SO THAT EACH CREW COULD HAVE A TRAINING DAY AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH; ALLOWING FOR THE ANCILLARY TRAINING AND CREW DISCUSSIONS NECESSARY TO BE KEPT ABREAST OF CHANGES OCCURRING BOTH INTERNALLY AND AVIATION-WIDE. I AM ASSERTING THAT THE ABOLITION OF TRAINING DAYS AT THE NY TRACON IS A REAL AND SERIOUS BREACH OF SAFETY. THIS CAN'T BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.