Section
8. Monitor Alert Parameter
17-8-1. PURPOSE
The Monitor
Alert Parameter (MAP)
establishes a numerical
trigger value to provide
notification to facility
personnel, through the MA
function of the TFMS, that
sector/airport efficiency may
be degraded during specific
periods of time. The
efficiency of a functional
position or airport in
providing air traffic services
is a shared responsibility of
the TM team. That team
consists of the ATCS(s), OS(s),
and the TMU. These entities
must monitor, assess and act
on sector/airport loading
issues to ensure that these
NAS elements operate
efficiently. The ability of a
functional position or airport
to provide air traffic
services may be affected by a
variety of factors (i.e.,
NAVAIDs, meteorological
conditions, communications
capabilities, etc.); therefore
MAP is a dynamic value which
will be adjusted to reflect
the capabilities of the
functional position or
airport.
17-8-2. IMPLEMENTATION
PROCEDURES
MAP values
are established and will be
assigned for air traffic
functional positions, within
the MA function of TFMS as
follows:
Average Sector
Flight Time |
MAP
VALUE |
3
min. |
5
|
4
min. |
7
|
5
min. |
8
|
6
min. |
10
|
7
min. |
12
|
8
min. |
13
|
9
min. |
15
|
10
min. |
17
|
11
min. |
18
|
12
min. or greater
|
18
|
a. Average
sector flight time will be
calculated using data
indicating functional position
operations for a consecutive
Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM
- 7:00 PM local time frame.
NOTE-
This does not apply to
combined sectors MA values.
b. MAP
values for combined sectors
may exceed the baseline value
by more than three. Normal
sector combinations and
associated MAP values must be
forwarded to the manager
ATCSCC.
c. Baseline
MAP values may be adjusted
+/-3. Adjustments
of more than +/-3
requires concurrence of the
TMU and representatives of the
area of specialization.
Adjustments to the baseline
values will be documented,
including rationale, and
maintained by the TMU.
d. The
MAP value will be dynamically
adjusted to reflect the
ability of the functional
position to provide air
traffic service. During
periods of reduced efficiency
the MAP will be dynamically
adjusted downward and
conversely, when efficiency is
improved, the MAP will be
adjusted upward, but not to
exceed the baseline or
documented, adjusted value.
17-8-3. RESPONSIBILITIES
Facility
TMUs must:
a. Monitor
all adapted sectors and
airports within their area of
jurisdiction for alerts
generated by the MA function
of the TFMS.
b. Maintain
communications with areas of
specialization to determine
functional position
constraints and adjust MAP
values to indicate the
functional position
capabilities.
c. Set
the MA look ahead value at
least one hour into the future
with 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours
being the recommended time
frame.
NOTE-
The recommendation to set the
look ahead value to between
1.5 and 2.5 hours is for
preplanning purposes. Action
taken to address an alert
should take place
approximately 1 hour prior to
the alerted time frame. This
activity will allow for a
further review and evaluation
of the TFMS data. A key in the
analysis process is the
determination of the duration
of the alert. TM initiatives
should be primarily for those
time frames when the MAP value
will be equaled or exceeded
for a sustained period of time
(usually greater than 5
minutes).
d. Respond
to alerts by:
1. Analyzing
data for the alerted time
frame to develop expected
impact and recommendations to
address the alert.
2. For
red alerts - notify the
affected area of the alert,
indicating the expected impact
and recommended action.
3. For yellow alerts -
notify the affected area of
the alert when analysis
indicates that the ability of
the sector to provide
efficient air traffic services
will be degraded due to
abnormal operations.
e. Maintain
an operational log of red
alerts and retain for 15 days
the following information:
1. Date
and time of alert.
2. Results
of analysis including expected
impact and recommendation to
address.
3. Time
area notified.
4. Action,
if any, to be taken.
5. Functional
position configuration (i.e.,
sector combine status,
staffing).
6. The
time period(s), by facility,
during which an alert
notification(s) has/have been
suspended.
17-8-4. ANALYSIS REQUIREMENTS
a. Facilities
will produce, utilizing the
Off Line Aircraft Management
Program or equivalent program,
a 15 minute summary sector
activity report for each red
alert and each yellow alert
conforming to subpara
17-8-3d3.
b. Alerts
generated by the MA function
of the TFMS will be further
evaluated by post event
analysis. The focus of this
analysis will be towards
assessing the effectiveness
and impact, both to the sector
and the user, of action taken
or not taken as a result of a
documented alert. A one minute
sector summary report will be
utilized to assist in the
impact analysis of the alerted
time frame.
c. When
a pattern of alerts is
established (i.e., same
sector, same time frame, on a
daily basis or requirement for
additional resources to manage
on a routine basis) which
requires recurring TM
initiatives for resolution,
additional analysis will be
conducted. The analysis should
result in recommendations to
address the identified
constraint and may include
sector design adjustment, flow
dispersion, or user operations
adjustment. Should the local
facility not be able to
implement resolution
recommendations due to
external factors (i.e., lack
of equipment, nonconcurrence
from other facilities), the
local facility will elevate
the issue to the responsible
Service Area office.
17-8-5. RESOLVING RECURRING
SECTOR LOADING ISSUES
The
elevation of a recurring
sector loading issue to the
regional level indicates that
the local facility requires
additional assistance in
resolving the issue. The
appropriate Service Area
office will allocate necessary
resources to address the
sector loading issue and will
ensure that:
a. The
local facility forwards a
staff study to the Service
Area office outlining
activities taken to resolve
the recurring sector loading
problem, solutions explored,
and recommendations for
resolution. The report will
also contain specific
initiatives the facility is
employing to currently manage
the sector.
b. The
originating facility Service
Area office will develop an
action plan to address the
identified problem and will:
1. Notify
ATCSCC of any continuing TM
initiatives being implemented
to resolve the sector loading
problem.
2. Dedicate
resources within the division
to evaluate the facility's
findings.
3. Serve
as the focal point for
coordinating inter-facility
activity as appropriate.
4. Coordinate
with appropriate FAA
Headquarters service units for
assistance as necessary.
5. Forward
to the manager ATCSCC, within
60 days of receiving the
facility's report, a copy of
the draft action plan and
associated milestones. |