NATCA has sent out the Notice of Election, Election Rules, and Request for Nominations for the 2018 NATCA National Officer Election (NATCA's President, Executive Vice President, and Regional Vice Presidents) and National Representative Election from Six Region X Units and the Flight Service Unit for 2018-2020 term. Read more.

NATCA President Paul Rinaldi, Director of Safety and Technology Jim Ullmann, and Program Management Organization (PMO) Rep Jeff Woods toured Charlotte-Douglas ATCT (CLT). Their tour focused on the Airspace Technology Demonstration 2 (ATD-2) effort, which provides solutions to the multi-airport metroplex environment. The technology integrates arrival, departure, and surface (IADS) concepts and technologies - effectively increasing predictability and improving efficiency and safety within the National Airspace System (NAS). Read more.

Boston TRACON FacRep Curt Fischer recently spoke to the Raytheon Terminal Automation Modernization and Replacement (TAMR) Team about successful collaboration.  Read more .

NATCA and FAA seek to improve work environments through RESPECT.  Read more.

Listen to the first episode of the NATCA podcast for a news alert update on FAA reform and reauthorization. Listen here.

Buy a NATCA Salute to Service T-shirt and show your support for our service members, the NATCA Charitable Foundation, and your Houston-area NATCA brothers and sisters. All funds raised from shirt sales will help support Houston-area members' effort to plan for NATCA's 2020 convention and local solidarity events. There are six designs that come in five different colors. While the front and back of every shirt matches, each option has a unique depiction on the left arm. There are options for each of the five branches of the military and one design that incorporates all five. This final design is perfect for a civilian who may not have served, but who wants to show their pride in our service men and women. Order here.

Do you know your member number and portal password? You need it to register for NATCA classes, access members-only info, view benefits available to you, and much more! Sign in today.

If you couldn't go to work for a month, a year, or longer, how would you cover your bills? NATCA has partnered with Unum insurance to offer an affordable long-term disability insurance available only for NATCA members. Given the nature of our work, and the strict medical requirements we are subject to, the NATCA/Unum plan allows members to provide a level of financial security for yourself and your family in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Learn more and calculate the coverage you need today.

Twenty-three attendees learned more about the legislative process and went home equipped to take the next step in their legislative activism. Read more.

Play your best game yet with NATCA Pinnacle Golf Balls. Read more.

Sometimes, amidst your busy life, a real stumper of an issue arises and you don't know where to turn for fast, reliable help. Perhaps you need to quickly arrange for out-of-home care for a senior relative. Or maybe you've been the victim of identity theft, and you need expert help right away. Or, you've been feeling overwhelmed by stress lately and you could use some coping support. To help you with all such situations and more, your FAA WorkLife Solutions Program is in place and ready for your call or click any time! Read more.

Region X, Southern, and Southwest RVPs Mike MacDonald, Jim Marinitti, and Andrew LeBovidge led NATCA members in the NRX, NSO, and NSW representative meeting in Austin this week. The meeting prepares representatives for convention. NATCA President Paul Rinaldi and Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert also spoke to representatives, answering questions on convention procedures and NATCA news. View more photos from the meeting, taken by NATCA photo contributor Jay Tilles (Atlanta Center) here.

"The best advice I could give anyone is to get out of your comfort zone. There is so much that goes on behind the scope and in the equipment rooms that we take for granted. If you just punch the clock and do your time on position, you will never get to influence the way we do things."  Read more.

Last week, NATCA members at Evansville ATCT (EVV) hosted NATCA Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert and Great Lakes ARVP Drew MacQueen for a member meeting. EVV members Jesse Campos, Mike Orr, and Justin Hobgood helped arrange the meeting and solidarity event that featured arcade games, bowling lanes, and two story laser tag.

"EVV has a wonderful membership with lovely families!" Gilbert said. "We really enjoyed the evening."

The festivities included food and drinks provided by both the management staff and NATCA and a rousing game of FAA Taboo where two teams of engineers competed against each other for prizes. Read more.

On Feb. 6, Atlanta ATCT (ATL) NATCA members partnered with ALPA's Delta Master Executive Council (DALMEC) and hosted a group of 23 Delta pilots. The goal for the event was to promote communication between pilots and controllers, increase their understanding of the Atlanta operation, and answer their questions. Read more.

Delayna Blankenship, retired NATCA member from Pensacola TRACON (P31), represented the aviation safety profession at Milton High School Career Day in Milton, Fla., last week. "Career Day was very productive with a lot of interest and great questions from the students," Blankenship said. More than 100 students learned about 70 different professions from guests during the event.

Atlanta Center NATCA member Kevin Lindheim and flight instructor Mindy Lindheim were wed among their favorite things: family, friends, warbirds, and jets. Check out more of their stunning photos here.

NATCA brother Russell T. West is a Traffic Management Coordinator at Baltimore ATCT (BWI). He recently participated in the Washington, D.C. Auto Show Hyundai "Hands On" car challenge. The challenge lasted six days from Jan. 30 to Feb. 4 and required contestants to remain in constant contact with the car. If you didn't, you were eliminated.

"I ended up winning the car, and it was truly a blessing because nine days into 2018, my car died from engine failure," said West.

Read more about the contest here. 

Last week, a tiny member of the NATCA family, baby Sullivan ("Sully"), took his first flight with his mom, Kansas City Center (ZKC) NATCA controller Sarah Owens, as pilot. Sully's dad, ZKC NATCA controller Jim Owens was Sully's backseat companion on the family's flight to Miami County Airport (K81, Paola, Kansas).

Meet Kennedy! Her mommy, Michelle Salcedo, is a controller at Manassas ATCT (HEF) and her daddy, Carson Turner, is a controller at Washington Center (ZDC). A family of NATCA supporters! This shirt can be purchased on the online NATCA store.