ZSE Controller voiced concern regarding recent changes in the way NAS Whidbey personnel provide airspace scheduling information; claiming the new process is confusing and a safety concern.

Date: 2011-03 · Aircraft: Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer

Anomalies: atc-issue-all-types

Synopsis

ZSE Controller voiced concern regarding recent changes in the way NAS Whidbey personnel provide airspace scheduling information; claiming the new process is confusing and a safety concern.

Narrative

We have been operating; trained; and had a standardized format for airspace scheduled to be used from NUW NAS Whidbey Island. They arbitrarily changed the format and [the] way they schedule airspace and notify us. The new format is not consistent with previous format and causes confusion for ZSE and ZOA. It is not legible; not faxed as traditionally done; and not complete. On numerous occasions; NOTAMs are incomplete [because of the changed] schedule [format] and require dissemination. This is a hazard to safety and a hazard to flight. It is condoned by local management and scoffed at by NAS Whidbey officials. They arbitrarily change the way we receive; process; and check for safety in processing NOTAMS. They had a program remove the standardized format for schedule information. Now it is incomplete; not in order; and barely legible if at all. This will result in very hazardous flight situations and airspace deviations at best and possible collision or separation issues at worse. Recommendation; return to standardized format and agree on a standardized format for airspace schedules.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.