Questions Site-Specific Training For ATC Personnel

The Department of Transportation Inspector General (DOT IG) has issued a memo to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta pointing out weaknesses in the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) being deployed at 11 major airports around the country.

In the memo, Matthew E. Hampton, Assistant Inspector General for Aviation Audits, says that in May 2013, the IG reported that STARS was "at significant risk of cost and schedule overruns and that the system could ultimately fall short of providing promised capabilities for controlling takeoffs and landings—the most critical phases of flight. Despite acknowledging these risks, FAA continued the inaugural deployment of STARS at the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility.

"Following the issuance of our report, we conducted an in-depth review of a hotline complaint we received regarding STARS deployment at the DFW TRACON. This review prompted us to look further into FAA’s progress implementing the program.

"As a result of this examination, we determined that the risks we identified in our earlier report remain—risks that warrant your attention," the memo continued. "Notably, FAA has yet to stabilize STARS software requirements—a recommendation we made in our 2013 report. While FAA planned to stabilize requirements at all 11 sites by June 2014, it has now extended this date to September 2014. Further, FAA has not determined the site-specific capabilities needed or when they will be implemented. Until requirements are stabilized, full deployment of STARS at DFW and TRACONs nationwide will continue to be at risk of cost and schedule overruns. Because STARS is on the critical path to introducing NextGen capabilities, these risks also impact the long-term viability of NextGen."

The memo points out that according to the FAA, DFW TRACON achieved initial operating capability (IOC) for STARS on April 3, 2013, and is operating the system continuously with CARTS used only in a backup capacity. "However, software requirements remain unstable, and during deployment, FAA identified 46 additional requirements that will be needed to ensure STARS provides at least the same capabilities as CARTS at this site," Hampton wrote. He said that problems at DFW have a "cascading effect" on the installation of the system at other sites.

"Ultimately, the risk of significant cost and schedule overruns remains. Through fiscal year 2013, FAA spent nearly $338 million of the $438 million approved baseline to implement STARS deployments at all 11 TRACONs. However, if FAA receives its budget request for fiscal year 2015 for STARS deployments at the 11 TRACONs, the Agency will exceed its baseline by $19 million. Moreover, these funds will only support STARS deployment activities through the fifth site," the memo states.

Additionally, Hampton said that the agency did not provide adequate site-specific training when certifying technical specialists at the DFW TRACON.

The IG's memo concludes that the agency's "prompt attention to eliminating the risks related to unstable requirements and specialist certification would help expedite FAA’s efforts to modernize air traffic control automation systems and rein in STARS's escalating costs."

FMI: www.oig.dot.gov