IFATCA at the NATCA Communicating For Safety (CFS) 2024

by NICOLA Nì RÌada

IFATCA Industry Communications Coordinator

IFATCA President Helena Sjöström Falk was invited to attend NATCA USA’s Communicating for Safety (CFS) conference, which is an aviation safety conference uniting industry leaders, innovators, and professionals who come together to discuss and share the latest ideas surrounding aviation safety. This, the 25^th anniversary of the event, was held at the Horseshoe Las Vegas. It is three days of opportunity to discuss safety and technology, and a unique opportunity for relationship-building.

When NATCA took the lead in organizing this event first in 1999, it was a small gathering that moved to venues all over the country each year. It wasn’t until 2013 that CFS made its current home in Las Vegas. Attendance grew with each conference, from 40-50 attendees in 1999, to the more than 1,300 in 2024.
Day one opened with special guest speaker Congresswoman Dina Titus, who has served as the United States representative for Nevada’s 1st congressional district since 2013. She spoke about her commitment to maintaining a safe and efficient US National Airspace System (NAS) and how she values working with NATCA members as she serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

One of the highlights of day one was FBI Digital Transformation Advisor Amy D. Grubb, PhD, who delivered an insightful session titled “Curiosity & Integrity: Shaping Tomorrow’s Workforce”. Drawing from her 20 years of experience in organizational change and her role at the FBI, Dr. Grubb emphasized cultivating curiosity and maintaining integrity as essential qualities for resilient and forward-thinking future leaders in the aviation industry. She shared how these traits help professionals adapt to the rapidly evolving landscape of air traffic control and aviation safety. Her presentation offered attendees practical strategies for using curiosity to view challenges as opportunities and integrity to foster a collaborative and transparent work culture.

On day two, licensed psychologist Dr. David P. Morgan delivered a powerful keynote address focused on “Understanding Stress Management and Resilience”. Dr Morgan holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology from Brigham Young University and has over two decades of experience in forensic psychology, consultation, testing, evaluation, and counselling. He shared strategies that can help aviation professionals manage stress, enhance mental endurance, and build emotional resilience, emphasizing that while stress is an inevitable part of life, especially in high-stakes environments like air traffic control, it is possible to develop strategies to cope effectively. He gave attendees practical tools and beliefs to improve their well-being, emphasizing that everyone can grow and thrive with the right mindset. This session offered valuable insights that participants can apply both in their professional roles and personal lives.

Another definite highlight was the best-selling author and strategic adviser Ryan Leak, who shared his insights on “Leveling Up: 6 Questions For Next-Level Leadership“. His light-hearted approach belied some excellent advice!

There were several interesting and informative panels over the three days. For example, a State of the Industry panel shared perspectives on the pressing challenges and opportunities within aviation, providing invaluable insights into the collaborative efforts required to ensure a safe, efficient, and forward-looking aviation industry. The panel featured FAA Deputy Chief Operating Officer Franklin McIntosh, ALPA President Capt. Jason Ambrosi, NATCA President Rich Santa, and Airlines for America Vice President of Legislative and Regulatory Policy Jarrod Thompson.

The “Never Say Never…Recovering from the Unexpected” panel brought together aviation safety experts to discuss strategies for managing unforeseen challenges in the aviation industry. The session was moderated by NATCA Runway Safety Representative and IFATCA Representative to the ICAO Aerodrome Design and Operations Panel Bridget Singratanakul. The panelists were NATCA Surface Awareness Representative Chris Corapi, ALPA Los Angeles Airport Safety Liaison Capt. Jason Herman, FAA Eastern Service Area Quality Assurance/Runway Safety Manager Kyle Vincent, and FAA Program Manager Office Surveillance Services Surface Team Representative Matt McCann. These industry leaders shared their experiences and approaches to recovering from unexpected events, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and quick decision-making in maintaining safety and efficiency in the US National Airspace System (NAS). The panellists discussed real-world scenarios where rapid responses were essential, offering attendees a deeper understanding of managing crises effectively. This session highlighted the critical role that preparation and teamwork play in ensuring aviation safety, even in the face of unexpected challenges.

“Preparing the Workforce of Tomorrow” panel brought together key figures in aviation training to discuss strategies for developing the next generation of aviation safety professionals. The panel featured NATCA National Training Representative Jamaal Haltom, NATCA Safety Chair John Murdock, FAA Vice President of Safety and Technical Training Jeff Planty, and FAA Deputy Vice President of Safety and Technical Training Christopher Wilbanks. This year’s discussion focused on how the aviation industry can address the evolving challenges of workforce development, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and continuous learning. Panelists explored strategies for enhancing training programs and ensuring that the next generation of aviation professionals are equipped to handle the increasing demands of the US National Airspace System (NAS). The session provided valuable insights into the efforts to continually advance the skills of aviation professionals, ensuring that the industry remains resilient and capable of meeting future challenges.

“Fatigue: An Aviation Challenge” brought together leading experts to discuss the impact of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance, emphasizing the risks it poses to aviation safety and work in high-stress environments. The session featured Harvard Medical School Director of Sleep Medicine Dr Charles Czeisler, NASA Ames Research Center Director of Fatigue Countermeasures Laboratory Dr Erin Flynn-Evans, Former NTSB Board Member and NASA Ames Research Center Director Dr Mark Rosekind, NATCA Human Performance Representative Aaron Katz, and FAA Human Performance Team Manager Stephanie Kreseen. This panel underscored the importance of addressing fatigue as a significant factor in aviation safety, providing attendees with actionable strategies to manage this challenge effectively.

The “Flight Path to Wellness: Prioritizing Mental Health in Aviation” panel tackled the critical mental health issue within the aviation industry. The session was moderated by NATCA Executive Vice President Andrew LeBovidge, who has advocated for improving mental health support for aviation professionals. He emphasized the importance of overcoming barriers such as fear, lack of trust, and financial uncertainty that often prevent individuals from seeking the care they need. The panel included Air Line Pilot Association, Int’l (ALPA) Peer Support and Pilot Assistance Chair Travis Ludwig, AMAS Aviation Medical Advisory Service Dr. Kurt McCartney, Allied Pilots Association (APA) Flight Standard First Officer Evan MacPhee, and FAA Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Susan Northrup. They discussed challenges faced by pilots and air traffic controllers, the importance of peer support, and the role of medical professionals in ensuring the well-being of those working in high-stress aviation environments. They underscored the necessity of prioritizing mental health within the aviation industry, offering CFS attendees practical strategies to support their own well-being and that of their colleagues.

Other notable aspects of CFS2024

The NATCA Charitable Foundation (NCF), founded in 1994, continues to make a lasting impact through its volunteer-driven efforts. Each year, it recognises the exceptional dedication of its volunteers by awarding the NCF Cathy Meachum Volunteer of the Year awards. Named after Cathy Meachum, whose lifelong dedication to charity helped shape NCF, the Volunteer of the Year award honors her legacy of giving back. Cathy, alongside her husband Darrell, envisioned an organization that would highlight air traffic controllers’ charitable work. NCF remains true to their vision, operating as a 100 percent volunteer organization with minimal expenses, allowing nearly all funds raised to benefit those in need.

The Professional Standards (PS) Committee held an excellent workshop for their members which included an international contingent to learn. NATCA PS Key questions asked: Does your organization make the connection between safety and professionalism? After more than a decade and thousands of meaningful peer-to-peer discussions, it’s become clear that every Professional Standards discussion about professionalism has a connection to safety.

This committee also presented the National Professionalism Award. The National Professionalism Award, established by the committee, honours individuals whose exceptional performance and unwavering commitment to safety have set a standard of excellence within their profession. This prestigious award reflects NATCA’s dedication to fostering a culture of professionalism and maintaining the public’s trust in aviation safety.

This is one of several awards given at NATCA CFS. Another one being the Excellence in Training Award. This award recognizes controllers unwavering dedication to enhancing the training and education of aviation safety professionals, a critical mission given the ongoing need for more certified professional controllers (CPCs). Also, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Institute presented the Flight Assist Commendation Award to several air traffic controllers for their outstanding service. The award, introduced a decade ago, recognizes controllers who demonstrate exceptional situational awareness, teamwork, and skill in assisting general aviation pilots facing difficult circumstances, leading to safe landings.

The absolute highlight of the NATCA CFS awards is the Archie League Awards, named after the first air traffic controller. The award recognises the extraordinary efforts of NATCA members who ensure the safety of the US National Airspace System (NAS). These awards celebrate the quick thinking, calm under pressure, and exceptional situational awareness that defines the profession.

The 2024 Region X “Commitment to Safety” Award was presented to Troy Swanberg (Engineer/Great Lakes Region, EGL). The peer-nominated award is given annually to someone who has shown a profound dedication to ensuring the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS). Troy is a Mechanical Engineer with the FAA and has worked to keep the NAS safe for the last 33 years.

Sponsors and Exhibitors

There were too many sponsors and exhibitors to list but IFATCA was delighted to meet with our Industry Partners there, L3Harris, Indra, Aireon, Skysoft and Frequentis. It was also an opportunity to have conversations with potential industry partners and start new relationships.