Section 2. Responsibilities
- Guidelines for representing Federal employees named in tort claims are promulgated by the Department of Justice (28 CFR Part 50).
- When warranted, disciplinary action must be taken without regard to possible adverse effects on the FAA position in subsequent lawsuits, enforcement proceedings, or similar actions.
- In the case of an accident or incident resulting in a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) or a military investigation or hearing, it may be necessary to delay disciplinary action until the determination of the investigation or hearing. This is done only to ensure that all facts are known before final action is taken. The determination in such investigations must not be used as a basis for initiating disciplinary action.
Each person must be familiar with the duties and responsibilities of his/her own position, those of his/her subordinates, if applicable, and to a limited extent, with those of his/her immediate supervisor. Each specialist, when designated, must supervise and assist in training other specialists as appropriate.
- Air traffic managers must ensure that only one certified air traffic controller is signed on and responsible for each open position, to include consolidated positions, at any given time. At the ATCSCC, the national traffic management officer (NTMO), national traffic management specialist-in-charge (NTMSIC), and national traffic management specialist (NTMS) work as a team in order to accomplish the traffic management goals of an entire operational area. Due to the management functionality involved in overseeing the NAS, more than one NTMO, NTMSIC, and/or NTMS can be signed on and responsible for an open and/or consolidated control position.
NOTE-
When a developmental and an instructor are both signed on at a position, the instructor is responsible for all activity at that position.
- Anytime an operational area is operated with one air traffic control specialist (ATCS), the following procedure must be followed: Prior to leaving the operational area, for any reason, the ATCS must advise all applicable facilities (tower, approach control, and/or center) that they are leaving the operational area and must advise the same facility/facilities upon return. Leaving the operational area should only be done during periods when the controller is not responsible for any aircraft.
- Aeronautical Information System Replacement (AISR). Assign AISR responsibilities to a specific position of operation at facilities that have AISR entry responsibilities. These must include updating AISR messages, verifying the accuracy and completeness of entered data, and disseminating messages to pertinent positions of operation.
- Air traffic managers must determine which sectors or positions require “duty familiarization” for each shift and must provide a facility directive which specifies all sources of operational information which must be read and/or discussed as a part of the familiarization. Familiarizations should be scheduled within an 8-hour shift to the extent possible.
- All operational personnel, with the exception of Flight Service Specialists, prior to working their first control position of the duty day, must view and listen to the recorded Center Weather Service Unit (CWSU) briefing, when available.
- ATMs must designate, through a facility directive, the procedures to have CWSU recorded weather briefings available for viewing and listening by operational personnel.
- Viewing this briefing does not eliminate the responsibility to get a complete position relief briefing (including weather) when assuming a control position.
- Air traffic managers must determine which sectors or positions must maintain operational continuity through a transfer of position responsibility and must:
- Review each sector or position and provide a tailored checklist which lists the equipment and the operational conditions which are likely to be a factor at that position. Checklists must be reviewed annually to ensure the sector/position checklist items are current.
- Items which should be included on the checklist, if relevant, are:
- STATUS INFORMATION AREA/S.
- EQUIPMENT: NAVAIDs, Radar(s), Radios, Automated Weather Observing Systems, etc.
- AIRPORT CONDITIONS/STATUS.
- AIRPORT ACTIVITIES; e.g., snow removal, vehicles on runway, etc.
- ALTIMETER/TRENDS.
- WEATHER/TRENDS.
- FLOW CONTROL.
- SPECIAL ACTIVITIES; e.g., restricted/warning areas in use, airshows, flight checks, new procedures, etc.
- SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS/RESTRICTIONS; e.g., due to adjacent position training, nonstandard staffing/configuration, etc.
- STAFFING.
- TRAINING IN PROGRESS.
- VERBALLY STATE RUNWAY STATUS; unavailable, closed, occupied.
- PERTINENT OPERATIONAL NOTAMs, UNLESS PREVIOUSLY COVERED.
NOTE-
Air traffic managers at facilities equipped with automated NOTAM systems, such as the Aeronautical Information System Replacement (AISR), must designate those systems as the primary source of NOTAM information.
- Non-RVSM aircraft operations.
- COMMUNICATION STATUS and TRAFFIC.
- The checklist for a specific position need not include those items which are incorporated into the Status Information Area/s used by that position.
- Status Information Area/s (SIA), when available, must be the first item listed on the position checklist.
- When traffic is included on the position checklist, it must be the last item listed. When relevant to the position, include the following sub-items under the traffic heading so that they will not be inadvertently overlooked:
- Special Activity Aircraft; e.g., aircraft operating in a special use area/airspace, helicopters on prescribed routes, etc.
- Point out aircraft.
- Holding aircraft.
- Primary targets with no associated alphanumerics.
- Aircraft handed off but still in the airspace.
- Aircraft released but not yet airborne.
- Nonradar operations.
- VFR advisory aircraft.
- Aircraft standing by for service.
- Coordination agreements with other positions.
- Special problems, requests, or instructions.
- UAS activity of operational importance.
- Air traffic managers may increase the number of items and/or the level of detail of the position relief checklists as they deem necessary.
- To the extent possible, provide a SIA/s from which specialists may obtain the operational information relevant to the position being worked. The SIA/s may consist of a single or any combination of informational sources where status information can be recorded and displayed. These areas may include, but not be limited to, facility/area/position status boards, weather status boards, “hot item” binders, clip board information sheets, and designated areas for written notes.
- Designate, through a facility directive, the position/s having responsibility for the accuracy of the various items contained on the SIA/s. The designated position/s should be the focal point for the type of status information for which they are responsible and, except for the accuracy of written notes located at the position, should not be a specialist having primary and direct responsibility for the provision of service or separation to aircraft.
- To the maximum extent practicable the position relief briefing must be recorded.
- Specialists staffing the positions identified under subparagraph 2-2-4a, which require continuity of operation, must conduct a position relief briefing in accordance with FAA Order JO 7110.65, Air Traffic Control, Appendix A, Standard Operating Practice (SOP) for the Transfer of Position Responsibility.
- Responsibilities:
- The specialist being relieved must be responsible for ensuring that any pertinent status information of which he/she is aware is relayed to the relieving specialist and is either:
- Accurately displayed on the SIA/s for which he/she has responsibility, or
- Relayed to the position having the responsibility for accurately displaying that status information.
- The relieving specialist must be responsible for ensuring that any unresolved questions pertaining to the operation of the position are resolved prior to accepting responsibility for the position.
- The relieving specialist and the specialist being relieved must share equal responsibility for the completeness and the accuracy of the position relief briefing.
NOTE-
The sharing of this responsibility means that the specialist being relieved is obligated to provide a complete, accurate briefing, and the relieving specialist is obligated to ensure that a briefing takes place and is to his/her total satisfaction.
- The specialists engaged in a position relief must conduct the relief process at the position being relieved unless other procedures have been established and authorized by the facility air traffic manager.
- Specialists must be assigned two-letter operating initials to identify the employee for record purposes. When all combinations of letters are depleted, duplicate initials may be assigned to personnel working in different areas of specialization.
- Unless signatures are specifically requested, use assigned operating initials for all operating forms, interphone contacts, marking of recorder audio files, and other records.
- A current file of assigned initials must be maintained.
The following is applicable to all FAA air traffic facilities, but does not apply to FAA contract facilities.
Cru-X/ART is the official time and attendance system for both signing in/out for a shift and on and off positions, not paper logs nor Common ARTS/ERAM/NTML/FSS or other Agency or local programs. Facilities may use Common ARTS/ERAM/NTML/FSS to sign on positions for position preference settings; however, these systems/programs must not be used for official time and attendance nor position times. Duplicate paper logs for sign in/out of the shift and on and off positions must not be utilized during normal daily operations.
- FAA operations managers-in-charge (OMIC)/ operations supervisor (OS)/supervisory traffic management coordinators (STMC)/national operations managers (NOM)/national traffic management officers (NTMO)/controllers-in-charge (CIC) of the watch are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the personnel log for time and attendance (T&A) recording. T&A information must be entered into and maintained within the ATO Resource Tool (ART) system approved.
- The facility air traffic manager must ensure that procedures are in place so that operational schedules are entered correctly into ART.
- Employees must use ART to sign in and out of their shifts.
- Sign in for a shift must be accomplished no later than the shift assigned time unless the OS/STMC/NTMO/CIC and/or OMIC has approved leave at the start of the assigned shift. Sign in, using the assigned shift start time, may occur up to 15 minutes before an employee's assigned shift. Earning of, and signing in for, Time Outside Shift time at the beginning of an assigned shift must receive approval by the OS/STMC/NTMO/CIC or OMIC prior to earning or recording it into Cru-X/ART.
NOTE-
Shift/Core hour changes must be in accordance with local and national policy. Earning Time Outside Shift (overtime, credit hours, etc.) must be approved by the OS/STMC/NTMO/CIC or OMIC prior to entering it into Cru-X/ART or working it.
- In situations where it is known in advance that employees will not report to the facility, such as when attending an all day meeting outside the facility, facilities should enter the employee's shift in the schedule as an Other Duty Code.
- Sign out must be accomplished at the end of an employee's assigned shift. Sign out using the assigned shift end time may be accomplished no earlier than 15 minutes prior to the end of the shift, or no later than 15 minutes after the end of the assigned shift. Any Time Outside Shift at the end of an assigned shift, or leave, must first receive OS/STMC/NTMO/CIC or OMIC approval prior to earning/using and recording such time in Cru X/ART.
- The supervisor/CIC position relief briefing check list must include:
- T&A status,
- Other Duties,
- Time Outside Shift (TOS) requests/approvals, and
- Leave requests/approvals.
NOTE-
Upon signing on position the OMIC/OS/STMC/NOM/NTMO/CIC assumes full responsibility of all check list items including those identified above.
- It is the employee's responsibility to notify the OMIC/OS/STMC/NOM/NTMO/CIC of the watch of any changes to “Other Duty" shifts. For example, an employee is outside of the facility on another duty and requests a day of sick leave.
- In the event of electronic system failure, scheduled system outage, or facility evacuation, the paper FAA Form 7230-10, “Position Log,” must be used to indicate position responsibility. When the ART system has been restored or the facility reoccupied, the facility must ensure that all data collected with the paper FAA Form 7230-10's is entered into ART. In instances where the data cannot be entered into ART, the paper FAA Form 7230-10's must be retained in accordance with document retention guidance.
- The Cru-X/ART electronic logs must be used to indicate responsibility at all operational positions and for supervisory traffic management coordinator-in-charge (STMCIC), operations supervisor-in-charge (OSIC), traffic management coordinator-in-charge (TMCIC), and CIC functions. It is the responsibility of the relieved controller to enter the correct change of position responsibility time in Cru-X/ART. In situations where there is no relieved controller, such as when opening a position, the person opening the position is responsible for entering the correct position time or notifying the supervisor/STMC/CIC of the position opening time. The supervisor/STMC/NTMO/CIC must then enter that time into Cru-X/ART.
A CIRNOT initiated by WMSCR/NNCC must be transmitted to all circuit users.
- WMSCR/NNCC must maintain a record of all CIRNOTs and forward a hard copy to the appropriate Service Area Director of Air Traffic Operations by the most expeditious means available.
- FSS air traffic managers must provide CIRNOTs to the appropriate Service Area Director of Air Traffic Operations and/or other field facilities upon request.
- CIRNOTs should be retained at the receiving facility for 120 days.
NOTE-
The most expeditious means is transmitting the CIRNOT via facsimile, telephone, mail, electronic mail, etc.
A General Notice (GENOT) is issued by headquarters ATO organizations via the Washington Operations Center (WOC) and is transmitted to all FAA and contract air traffic facilities via Aeronautical Information System-Replacement (AIS-R).
- Facility ATMs must establish local procedures to ensure AIS-R, or equivalent Service B message provider via NADIN/NMR, is checked at least daily for new GENOTs.
- Upon receipt, facility ATMs must:
- Determine if the content of the GENOT is applicable to their facility.
- Ensure required information is briefed to employees prior to performing operational duties.
NOTE-
Managers should update employee's Training and Proficiency Record in accordance with FAA Order JO 3120.4, Air Traffic Technical Training.
- The Policy Directorate is the ATO authority on all matters pertaining to Air Traffic Procedures; hence, the development of an Air Traffic Procedures Bulletin (ATPB).
- The ATPB is:
- A tool that the Policy Directorate utilizes to share additional Air Traffic Procedures information with field facilities.
- Published on an as needed basis, to provide additional clarity or to communicate useful information concerning the proper application of air traffic standards, policies, and procedures.
- Published on the FAA's publication website. Archived ATPBs accessed on the website should be deemed reliable only for historical reference purposes as some references contained within the article(s) may have changed.
NOTE-
ATPBs may be accessed at: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/#atpb.
- While this list is not all inclusive, the ATPB can be used to:
- Respond to field facility questions or concerns that are typically generated with the establishment of new separation minima.
- Address the misapplication of existing procedures as identified through a Safety Assurance Program (e.g., internal/external audit).
- Address safety recommendations received from any safety related program or organization (e.g., Runway Safety, ATSAP, AJI, AOV, and NTSB).
- Communicate the need for changing air traffic procedures based on a pressing safety need (risk mitigation).
- Communicate the development of new air traffic procedures associated with the deployment of new technologies.
- Facility Air Traffic Managers must:
- Ensure that their facility is on the distribution list for the Air Traffic Procedures Bulletin. Any corrections, additions or deletions should be directed through the appropriate Service Center.
- Ensure that ATPB items that are appropriate to a particular facility are verbally briefed with facility personnel.
- The Policy Directorate will annotate the ATPB with the type of facilities that the subjects are applicable to.
- These briefings must take place within 45 days after receipt of the bulletin. Record briefings in accordance with FAA Order 3120.4, Appendix A.
- Encourage submissions of suggested ATPB items that have an operational or procedural impact from facility personnel at regular crew and personnel briefings.
- Evaluate and forward those suggestions considered appropriate for Service Area office review.
- Service Center offices must evaluate the suggested items and forward those considered significant and/or national in scope to the Policy Directorate via the electronic mailbox at 9-AJV-P-HQ-Correspondence@faa.gov, in Microsoft Word format.
Law enforcement information; e.g., aircraft identification, flight schedules, flight operations, procedures, aircraft lookouts, etc., is of great value to drug traffickers and others attempting to circumvent the law. Although law enforcement information is normally unclassified, it is considered to be inherently sensitive, of a confidential nature, and is to be handled on a “For Official Use Only” (FOUO) basis. Facility air traffic managers must ensure that such information is safeguarded from disclosure in accordance with FAA Order 1600.2, Safeguarding Controls and Procedures for Classified National Security Information and Sensitive Information, whether the information is physically marked with the FOUO term or not. “Safeguarded from disclosure” includes precaution against oral disclosure, prevention of visual access, and precaution against unauthorized release, gratuitously or in response to a specific request.
- Air traffic managers must ensure that facility air traffic personnel are verbally briefed on changes to FAA Order JO 7110.65, Air Traffic Control, FAA Order JO 7210.3, Facility Operation and Administration, and FAA Order JO 7110.10, Flight Services, and other appropriate directives, that have operational/procedural significance.
- Air traffic managers must ensure that facility air traffic personnel are briefed prior to implementation on changes identified in the review of published aeronautical data and flight procedures that have operational/procedural significance or will likely have an effect on their facility's air traffic services. To the extent possible these briefings should be initiated within 30 days prior to the date of the change.
REFERENCE-
FAA Order JO 7210.3, Para 2-1-6, Checking Accuracy of Published Data.
- The Aeronautical Information System Replacement (AISR) is an authorized source for NOTAMs. To the extent available, Air Traffic Managers must permit review of AISR for NOTAMs impacting the facility's area of jurisdiction, or an alternative authorized source; for example, the National Airspace System Aeronautical Information Management Enterprise System (FAA NAIMES) website at: https://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch.
Air traffic facility managers must determine which VSCS console equipment (VCE) positions require tailored checklists. The checklist must include as a minimum, the configuration map in use and the specific position eligibility/capability (classmark) adapted to maintain operational continuity.
Equipment trouble reports are normally delivered by air traffic personnel to Technical Operations Control Center personnel in person or by telephone. Locally developed procedures that are agreed to jointly by the air traffic and Technical Operations managers may be used for trouble reporting. In the absence of locally developed procedures, the following must apply: Trouble reports must specify the facility, sector and position affected and include a brief description of the problem. In addition:
- For air/ground communications problems, the frequency or frequencies affected must be specified.
EXAMPLE-
“Atlanta Sector 66R side 123.4 no transmit.”
- For air/ground communications problems, the calling and the called locations must be specified.
EXAMPLE-
“Seattle Sector 46D side hot line to Salt Lake City is not working.”
The FDR is a web‐based library for FAA employees and authorized users to access Letters of Agreement (LOAs) and facility directives. The FDR is available on the FAA intranet site at: https://loa.faa.gov.
NOTE-
Directives information for Flight Service Stations is only required for those located in Alaska.
- The Vice President of Air Traffic Services and the Vice President of System Operations Services must provide oversight within their respective service units to ensure FDR responsibilities are administered.
- Facility Managers must:
- Ensure that LOAs and facility directives are posted to the FDR.
- Ensure that new and revised LOAs and facility directives are posted to the FDR before the effective date of the documents.
- Ensure Classified, Contractor Proprietary, and For Official Use Only information is removed or excluded from posted documents.
- Ensure that all outdated and canceled documents are removed from the FDR.
- General Managers must:
- Assist in the posting of documents, required in b1 and 2 above, for facilities that do not have FAA intranet access or automation capability.
- Establish an administrative process to ensure facility compliance.
- Ensure Classified, Contractor Proprietary, and For Official Use Only information is removed or excluded from posted documents.
- Safety/Quality Assurance Offices must ensure facility compliance with posting LOAs and facility directives to the FDR.
- FDR functionality and administration:
- Personnel with access to the FAA intranet may view documents without the need for a log-in or user account.
- Personnel external to the firewall may view documents on a mirrored internet site with authorization by an FAA sponsor. Access to the mirror site requires a User ID and password that are valid for the period necessary to execute the sponsored activity. Contact information and instructions are available on the internet site.
- Personnel responsible for maintaining the facility's documents must register with the site to establish a user account.
- A facility may have up to three user accounts. User information is located in the user manual on the site's homepage.
- Facility/General managers are the approving authority for user account privileges for their facilities.
- Users must complete an electronic registration page on the site to request access.
- The Facility/General manager will be notified via an email message when a user makes a request for account privileges. Approval must be made via the automated privilege link.
- Users will be notified of their approval by email.
- Direct problems or questions to the facility point of contact identified on the facility homepage in the repository.