The NATCA National Safety Committee would like to thank everyone who was able to attend Communicating for Safety (CFS) in Dallas, Texas on September 12 and 13, 2006, making this one of the most successful seminars to date.  The entire Safety Committee went above and beyond to ensure this event would become a bench mark for future seminars.  We would also like to thank Captain Ben Rich from the Allied Pilots Association (APA) and American Airlines for co-moderating the Seminar.  Ben also coordinated a BBQ at the C.R. Smith Aviation Museum, sponsored by American Airlines.

CFS 2006 began on September 11 with a two hour orientation for controllers and pilots.  We focused on discussing responsibilities of the National Safety Committee, Regional & Local Safety Representatives and the vital role they play ensuring Safety in the National Airspace System (NAS).  Over forty participants had an opportunity to ask direct and specific questions concerning UCR’s, NASA ASRS reporting, NATCA Safety Hotline Card, local issues as well as a briefing on OSHA, thanks to Mike McCoy [ZID] and many other issues to controllers and pilots. 

Following the orientation, Cathy Meachum and Rick Baugh [ZTL] from the NATCA Charitable Foundation sponsored a Texas Hold’em fund raiser and raffle.  This was the first time NATCA Charitable Foundation has attended CFS.  It is because of sponsors like Air Tran Airways, Southwest Airlines, NATCA ZFW, ZHU, ZTL, ORD and many others that made this event a huge success.  The NATCA Charitable foundation raised over $4,200.00 in about 3 hours for aviation- related charitable organizations.

Over the next two days, Air Traffic Controllers, Pilots, and representatives from DOT IG, NTSB, APA, ALPA, AOPA, NASA ASRS, NASA Langley, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, FAA and controllers from Germany and Egypt were witness to a wide range of safety-related speakers and industry panels followed by question and answers.  The only regret we had is we were limited to shorter question and answer periods due to the quality and in-depth speaker presentations from our distinguished guests. 

On Tuesday, American Airlines sponsored a BBQ at their museum.  We were honored by American Airlines generosity and the history of their company and flight evolution at their museum.  We have special thanks for Ruth Marlin, former NATCA Executive Vice President, for a very articulated and invigorating speech following dinner.   Ruth was the opening act for Mike Blais.   Mike is a comedian disguised as a mild-mannered air traffic controller at O'Hare Tower.  Mike’s comedy act was the icing on the cake for a memorable evening!  As we wrote earlier, CFS 2006 has set a bench mark for future seminars!

But as with any seminar, the participants are what make it a success.  We would also like to thank the Sheraton Grand DFW for the wonderful lodging, meeting rooms and food during our breaks.  The hotel staff went out of their way to ensure this event was a success as if it were theirs.  We would also like to thank Systems Atlanta and Sensis.  Their continued support and sponsorship is unwavering. 

Over the next month, the Safety Committee will be securing a location for CFS 2007.  We are looking at several cities.  As Chairman Vince Polk [ATL] mentioned at the Boston convention, CFS should be just as big as a NATCA convention.   Our dates for CFS are outside of what used to be considered primetime.  Please, if you can, secure your leave with a prime time request.  CFS is becoming one of the only opportunities we have to address aviation safety and technology with the aviation community. 

Once again we would like to thank everyone for making this, the best CFS to date.  For those of you who were unable to make the seminar, we hope you have the opportunity to attend CFS 2007!