NATCA is currently conducting two separate elections. The Notice of Election, Election Rules, and Request for Nominations for the 2018 National Officer Election (NATCA's President, Executive Vice President, and Regional Vice Presidents) was sent out in January 2018. The Notice of Election, Election Rules, and Request for Nominations for the 2018 National Representative Election (representatives from six Region X units and the Flight Service unit) was sent out in February 2018. The deadline for the receipt of nominations in both elections is March 30, 2018. Read more.

Labor leaders from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Spain formally ally in their commitment to aviation safety and establish a collective voice to speak on range of subjects at ATCA's World ATM Congress in Madrid.  Read more.

The NATCA Podcast is now available on Apple Podcasts through iTunes as well as through Google Play.

In our latest episode (Episode 3), we talk with Kansas City Center NATCA member, pilot, flight instructor, and new mom Sarah Owens, about ATC, flying, teaching, and love for all things aviation as we continue our celebration of Women in Aviation Worldwide week. Episode 2, released last week, features our interview with NATCA Unmanned Aircraft Systems Rep Steve Weidner, who tells us about NATCA's involvement in the safe integration of UAS into the NAS and details the importance of last week's FAA UAS conference in Baltimore and more.

The workshop was held at the ICAO Middle East Regional Office in Cairo. Read more.

Awards we'll be presenting during NATCA's 2018 Communicating For Safety Conference in Las Vegas held Oct. 22-24:

Archie League Medal of Safety Award: Deadline is April 30
Think quickly. Remain calm under pressure. Maintain situational awareness. Resolve complex situations without hesitation. Reassure those on the frequency. Coordinate efforts with others. While you might call this "just doing the job," the hard work, dedication, and professionalism required to check all these boxes in a crisis is remarkable and extraordinary. Know of a recent "save" by a NATCA member or team? Nominate them for an Archie League Medal of Safety Award.

Region X Commitment to Safety Award: Deadline is June 30
Members of Region X perform essential work through dedication to ensuring the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS). Do you know of a specific instance where safety has been significantly improved, or of individuals or groups that demonstrated prolonged dedication to the safety and well-being of the NAS? Nominate individuals or groups for a Region X Commitment to Safety Award.

Professionalism Award: Deadline is June 30
There are many things that come to mind when we think of professionalism. Integrity, respect from peers and others, positive attitude, willingness to work with others, dedication, and reliability. Who comes to mind? Do you know someone whose individual contribution and performance enhanced the standing of our professions? Nominate them for a NATCA National Professionalism Award.

Attendees gathered in Glen Rose, Texas, March 5-7 for the Leadership Experience Acceleration Project (LEAP) session. There, future leaders learned how to be more effective and make a difference.

Earlier this month dedicated NATCA activists came together in Las Vegas for Representative Training I (RT1). "Their passion and level of engagement was extremely inspiring!" said Fort Worth Center FacRep Nick Daniels. Sign up for this and other NATCA Academy classes at portal.natca.net.

Nearly two-thirds of children in low-income schools are not reading at grade level by the end of third grade. The Children's Literacy Initiative, one of NATCA Charitable Foundation's convention charities, works with schools, educators and parents to improve literacy achievement for K-3 students across the U.S. Read more.

Service-dog-in-training Faith visited members of the U.S. Coast Guard last weekend with puppy-raiser and Philadelphia ATCT member John Murdock. 

"She is well on her way to being a service dog for a veteran. Alpha Bravo Canine are the ones making it happen," Murdock said. 

Learn more about Alpha Bravo Canine and the other official convention charities at https://natca.org/index.php/convention-charities.

Perfect for beverages or as a tea light holder. Read more.

Caring for loved ones as they age can be overwhelming. The FAA WorkLife Program can provide resources to manage the unique needs of the elderly and reduce anxiety related to finding high quality geriatric care.  Read more.

The Reloaded Committee is currently working on two new classes for Convention. "Say Again: Effective Communication Techniques" and "How to have Difficult Conversations". These classes will be taught in addition to NATCA 101, and Building a Stronger Local. To learn more about these and other pre-convention classes that will be taught at NATCA's Biennial Convention in Philadelphia, click here.

Announcing a new benefit exclusively for NATCA members: as a member, you are automatically eligible for a $500 rebate when purchasing or leasing a new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, or Hyundai eligible vehicle.  Learn more .

Winter's hanging on but don't let that keep you from a fun getaway with family at the all-season water parks of Great Wolf Lodge Resorts. Read more.

Make the smart choice to protect your future with Unum long term disability insurance. There are great incentives for new enrollees and for current plan participants who refer new enrollees. New participants who enroll before April 1 will be entered to win an iPad! It could happen to you. Learn more and take advantage of this great benefit today by visiting natcadisability.com. 

Western Pacific (NWP) Regional Vice President Ham Ghaffari led NATCA members in the NWP representative meeting in Berkeley, Calif. this week. The meeting prepared representatives for next month's convention. NATCA President Paul Rinaldi and Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert also spoke to representatives, answering questions on convention procedures and NATCA news.

Central (NCE) Regional Vice President Kevin Peterson and Northwest Mountain (NNM) Regional Vice President Doug Pincock led NATCA members in the NCE and NNM representative meeting in Denver this week. The meeting prepared representatives for next month's convention. NATCA President Paul Rinaldi and Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert also spoke to representatives, answering questions on convention procedures and NATCA news.

The British Virgin Islands Government and its Premier, the Honorable Dr. Daniel Orlando Smith, OBE, celebrated San Juan CERAP NATCA member Wladimir Castro and the Caribbean Flyers with a special ceremony earlier this month. The Caribbean Flyers club, a group of pilots with private planes, flew relief missions and delivered thousands of pounds worth of supplies to people in need after hurricanes devastated the area last year.

The St. Thomas ATCT (STT) temporary mobile tower, used on the island since operations began after hurricanes Irma and Maria last September, ceased operations at 7 p.m. on March 7. Services were transitioned back to the permanent tower on March 8. Employees had all services cut over and tested by 1 a.m. Normal air traffic operations resumed in the permanent tower at 7 a.m. on March 8.

"It was an all hands on deck kind of thing," STT FacRep Patrick Cieniewicz said of the repair and reopening effort. "It's amazing when something like this happens, the amount of help that you get - and a lot of it is behind the scenes. Thank you to everyone who helped out. It's very much appreciated."

To view more photos of St. Thomas and STT, click here.

Justin Faircloth (LFT), 30, is running, biking, and swimming the 2018 Santa Rosa Ironman 70.3 in honor of his wife Bethany Faircloth, 28, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis when she was 14 years old. Learn more.