So it begins.

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the blog “Every Minute Counts”.

This blog is a collaborative effort from many wide a varied sources. We have secured multiple authors from multiple countries and we are looking for additional contributors (particularly South American, Asian, and African based ATCs).

We hope to keep you updated from an ATCs perspective about hot topics, advancements in ATC systems, industrial relations news pertaining to ATC (in various countries), IFATCA news, incident/accident investigations, OH&S (including fatigue issues), airspace planning, collaborative decision making principles, slot allocation, CFMU, CANSO, ANSP news, legal issues, projects with global reach, local projects, aircraft advancements, etc.

So all you budding authors out there if you have a topic to discuss, jot down a hundred words or so and we’ll do our best to publish it here; no guarantees, but such is life. Join our contributory team and become a true member.

We encourage you to share this blog with your friends and colleagues. Please comment about our posts (all comments may be subjected to moderation) and will strive to address e-mails sent to us (see the address above); please use this e-mail address if you have any tips or rumours that need publication; all information (and sources thereof) will be kept strictly confidential; otherwise we understand that this blog will be compromised; and generally not worth reading.

So like most blogs consuming the information super highway, this is a relatively lame start and more about telling you our intent.

Now an extract from a letter from Us Congressman Bill Shuster to FAA administrator Marion Blakey on 23 July 2007, with thanks to John Carr at the “Main Bang” see it here http://themainbang.typepad.com/blog/



Dear Administrator Blakey:

I am writing to urge that you voluntarily return to the negotiating table and finish the contract discussions that unfortunately broke down last year with your air traffic control workforce. I believe that such action would remove a significant impediment to the successful passage of legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, set to expire this September.

Though I voted against the Costello amendment to H.R. 2881, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007, the bipartisan supermajority with which it passed is a clear indication of the level of support for reopening the imposed contract. Please do not mistake my opposition to the amendment as a signal that I unilaterally support the FAA's actions in this matter.

It is evident that without definitive action by your Agency to negotiate a fair agreement, Congress may attempt to void the contract imposed by the FAA last year, risking legislative stalemate.

Let me be clear that the main objective is to see that the FAA reauthorization reaches a successful conclusion. If the issue remains between FAA and its unions, the entire bill could be jeopardized and the National Airspace System will undoubtedly suffer.

With the summer travel season upon us and delays projected to reach record levels, it is safe to anticipate public animosity will continue to build toward the state of aviation in this country. Therefore, I believe that it is the best interest of all stakeholders, including the FAA, the air traffic controllers, the flying public and the Congress, that this matter be resolved so that I can focus my attention on preparing our skies for future increases in air traffic.

It is my hope that you will do so voluntarily and soon as to put this matter behind us and move on with the business of modernizing our air traffic control system.



Up next, The concepts of FLOW control, why must aircraft go slow, go fast, all the things in between and sometimes it happens twice or more.