**FAA, William J. Hughes Technical Center, Inside the Fence, August 2007
edition**

<http://www.tc.faa.gov/act4/insidethefence/>

**Technical Center Director Receives International Honor**

By Dot Buckanin

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="3.3333333333333335in"
height="4.166666666666667in"}

Wilson Felder

On Monday, May 14, the American Institute of Aeronautics and
Astronautics (AIAA) named **Dr. Wilson Felder**, Director of the
Technical Center, as an AIAA Fellow. AIAA is the world\'s largest
professional society devoted to the progress of engineering and science
in aviation, space, and defense. Becoming an AIAA Fellow is a high honor
reserved for the few individuals in the world who have made significant
contributions to the aviation and aerospace industry. AIAA honored Dr.
Felder \"for relentless dedication to the transformation of the National
Airspace System through technical innovation, inspired leadership, and
public advocacy over two decades.\" At the subsequent Gala awards, more
than 400 representatives from leading industry, academic and government
agencies throughout the world attended the announcement of AIAA\'s 2007
Fellows. Leaders from the aviation industry, the NASA Administrator, the
Secretary of the Air Force, **Congressman David Hobson** (7 th, OH), and
the former Chairman of Continental Airlines applauded the naming of the
2007 Fellows.

Prior to his current assignment, Dr. Felder led the Office of Technology
Development in FAA\'s Air Traffic Organization in Washington DC. He was
responsible for field demonstration of advanced technologies. Dr. Felder
joined the FAA after 23 years of service at TRW where he was Vice
President of Aviation Services, leading the company\'s engineering
services business with the FAA and the aviation community. He is also a
certified pilot who has long been active in the aviation community. Dr.
Felder dedicates his time to serving southern New Jersey on the Dean\'s
Advisory Board of the Rowan University School of Engineering, the Board
of the United Way of Atlantic County, The Atlantic City Chamber of
Commerce, and the Executive Board of the Jersey Shore Council Boy Scouts
of America. Dr. Felder served our country for 24 years as an active and
reserve Naval Officer, retiring from the active reserve with the rank of
Commander.

**ATO Operations Planning All Hand's Meeting**

By Tammy J. Lusk, Esq.

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="4.666666666666667in" height="3.53125in"}

 

On July 9, 2007, ATO Operations Planning Vice President, **Vicki Cox**
held an All Hands Meeting at the Technical Center with an "all star"
appearance including, Vicki Cox (via pre-recorded message), Director of
Systems Engineering and Safety, **James Williams;** Director of
Performance Analysis and Strategy**, David Chin;** Acting Director of
Research and Technology Development, **Barry Scott;** Manager of
Operational Evolution Partnership Integration and Implementation**,
Giselle Mohler;** Director of International Office**, Carey Fagen;**
Manager of Comptroller Office**, Molly Vorce;** Manager of
Administration**, Brenda Willingham** and finally our own Technical
Center Director**, Wilson Felder.** A Video highlighting thoughts on
NextGen was shown. This featured the reasons given to Congress for
needing NextGen and the importance of the NextGen project as we are
about to enter a new fiscal year.

The meeting started with **Leroy Dickerson** and **Gerry Berry**
receiving 50 Year Service Certificates.

Then, a presentation entitled "Ensuring A Viable Future: Our
Restructure" was given. The presentation stated that today's Air
Transportation System is ground based, human-centric and un-automated
with a single channel voice control and aging infrastructure. OEP is the
bridge to NextGen defining the framework for FAA's Implementation Plan
and defining how FAA's integration and implementation will be executed.
OEP also aligns R& D with NextGen objectives, provides "big picture"
content and initiates industry collaboration. Reasons given for needing
NextGen included the fact that there is an increased demand on our
airspace and an average of an 18-minute delay in flights. The new
organizational chart was shown with the Directors in attendance. Each
Director highlighted their functions and NextGen objectives.

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="4.010416666666667in"}

Barry Scott giving Leroy Dickerson his 50 Year Service Certificate

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6041666666666665in"}

Gerry Berry receiving his 50 Year Service Certificate from Center
Director Wilson Felder

![](media/image5.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.6979166666666665in"}

Dave Chin, Director of Performance Analysis & Strategy speaking

![](media/image6.jpeg){width="4.688888888888889in"
height="3.0416666666666665in"}

Seated in Second Row Left to Right: Giselle Mohler, Manager OEP; Molly
Vorce, ATO-P Comptroller, Brenda Willingham, Administration Office
Manager; Seated in Front Row Left to Right: Dave Chin, Director
Performance Analysis & Strategy; Barry Scott, Director Research &
Technology Development; Jim Willams, Director Systems Engineering.

**New State-of-the-Art Digital Radar Laboratory Opens at the Technical
Center**

By Michael Prata

![](media/image7.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.09375in"}

**From left to right: Joseph Paone, Raytheon Corporation; Dr. Wilson
Felder, Center Director; Scott Farnsworth, USAF; Nelson Barber, FAA; and
Dot Buckanin, FAA, cut the ribbon at our new lab.**

The Airport Surveillance Radar Model 11 (ASR-11) laboratory began
operations at the Technical Center, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on
May 2, 2007. It is located at the building 162 test site on Tilton Road.
Throughout the nation, the ASR-11 is replacing current aging analog
radars at more than 60 of the nation's civilian airports as well as at
numerous DOD airfields. The system detects aircraft position and weather
conditions in the vicinity of civilian and military airfields. The
ASR-11 will replace existing ASR-7, ASR-8 and counterpart military
radars. These older radars, some up to 20 years old, are being replaced
to improve reliability, provide additional weather data, reduce
maintenance costs, improve performance, and provide digital automations
for presentation on air traffic controller displays.

This effort is a joint partnership between the Federal Aviation
Administration, the Department of Defense (DOD) and Raytheon
Corporation.

![](media/image8.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.5208333333333335in"}

**A complete ASR-11 radar tower located in Stockton California, where
Technical Center personnel completed initial OT&E testing.**

The ASR-11 will interface with present and future automation systems to
provide air traffic controllers with state-of-the-art aircraft and
weather detection in the airport environment. Surveillance and weather
data outputs are fully digital, which is necessary for interfacing with
the new Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) and
other digital automation systems. The ASR-11 also has the capability to
produce simultaneous outputs in several formats compatible with FAA and
DOD non-digital automation systems.

The ASR-11 radar located at the Technical Center will support joint FAA,
DOD and Raytheon test efforts for the ASR-11 Advanced Signal Data
Processor (ASDP) effort. The ASR-11 ASDP replaces the current signal
data processor that will no longer be produced. The FAA, DOD and
Raytheon will use the ASR-11 ASDP system for test and evaluation of the
new processor. Raytheon engineers will use the system to conduct on-site
Test and Evaluation. Both FAA and DOD engineers will witness this T&E.
The FAA and DOD will conduct Operational Testing and Evaluation to
verify that the new processor integrates with the air traffic automation
and communications systems. Engineers from the ATC Surveillance Team
located at the Technical Center will be responsible for all of the FAA
ASR-11 testing conducted at the site.

+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| **The 2007 ATCA/FAA/NASA         |                                   |
| Technical Symposium**            |                                   |
|                                  |                                   |
| +----------------+-----------+   |                                   |
| | By Tammy J.    |           |   |                                   |
| | Lusk, Esq.     |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| | ![](media/i    |           |   |                                   |
| | mage9.jpeg){wi |           |   |                                   |
| | dth="4.6875in" |           |   |                                   |
| | he             |           |   |                                   |
| | ight="3.104166 |           |   |                                   |
| | 6666666665in"} |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| | **Local        |           |   |                                   |
| | Students visit |           |   |                                   |
| | ATCA           |           |   |                                   |
| | Exhibits**     |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| +----------------+-----------+   |                                   |
| | ![](media/     | The 2007  |   |                                   |
| | image10.jpeg){ | ATCA      |   |                                   |
| | width="2.60416 | /FAA/NASA |   |                                   |
| | 66666666665in" | Technical |   |                                   |
| | heig           | Symposium |   |                                   |
| | ht="3.9375in"} | was held  |   |                                   |
| |                | in        |   |                                   |
| | **Speaker      | Atlantic  |   |                                   |
| | Vicki Cox      | City from |   |                                   |
| | pictured**     | May 8 th  |   |                                   |
| |                | through   |   |                                   |
| |                | May 10    |   |                                   |
| |                | th. The   |   |                                   |
| |                | theme     |   |                                   |
| |                | this year |   |                                   |
| |                | was       |   |                                   |
| |                | "Bridging |   |                                   |
| |                | the Gap   |   |                                   |
| |                | from      |   |                                   |
| |                | Concept   |   |                                   |
| |                | to        |   |                                   |
| |                | Reality   |   |                                   |
| |                | with      |   |                                   |
| |                | Tec       |   |                                   |
| |                | hnology." |   |                                   |
| |                | **Pete    |   |                                   |
| |                | Dumont**, |   |                                   |
| |                | President |   |                                   |
| |                | of the    |   |                                   |
| |                | Air       |   |                                   |
| |                | Traffic   |   |                                   |
| |                | Control   |   |                                   |
| |                | As        |   |                                   |
| |                | sociation |   |                                   |
| |                | (ATCA)    |   |                                   |
| |                | opened    |   |                                   |
| |                | the       |   |                                   |
| |                | co        |   |                                   |
| |                | nvention. |   |                                   |
| |                | Among the |   |                                   |
| |                | int       |   |                                   |
| |                | roductory |   |                                   |
| |                | and       |   |                                   |
| |                | keynote   |   |                                   |
| |                | speakers  |   |                                   |
| |                | were      |   |                                   |
| |                | **Wilson  |   |                                   |
| |                | Felder**, |   |                                   |
| |                | Director  |   |                                   |
| |                | of the    |   |                                   |
| |                | Technical |   |                                   |
| |                | Center,   |   |                                   |
| |                | and       |   |                                   |
| |                | **Vicki   |   |                                   |
| |                | Cox**,    |   |                                   |
| |                | Vice-P    |   |                                   |
| |                | resident, |   |                                   |
| |                | O         |   |                                   |
| |                | perations |   |                                   |
| |                | Planning, |   |                                   |
| |                | who       |   |                                   |
| |                | e         |   |                                   |
| |                | mphasized |   |                                   |
| |                | upcoming  |   |                                   |
| |                | tec       |   |                                   |
| |                | hnologies |   |                                   |
| |                | and       |   |                                   |
| |                | pertinent |   |                                   |
| |                | issues    |   |                                   |
| |                | facing    |   |                                   |
| |                | the       |   |                                   |
| |                | agency.   |   |                                   |
| |                | The       |   |                                   |
| |                | Technical |   |                                   |
| |                | Center    |   |                                   |
| |                | was also  |   |                                   |
| |                | re        |   |                                   |
| |                | presented |   |                                   |
| |                | by a      |   |                                   |
| |                | number of |   |                                   |
| |                | speakers  |   |                                   |
| |                | including |   |                                   |
| |                | **Jim     |   |                                   |
| |                | Williams, |   |                                   |
| |                | Ben       |   |                                   |
| |                | W         |   |                                   |
| |                | illems,** |   |                                   |
| |                | and       |   |                                   |
| |                | **Bill    |   |                                   |
| |                | Benner**. |   |                                   |
| +----------------+-----------+   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| | The Technology |           |   |                                   |
| | Transfer       |           |   |                                   |
| | program from   |           |   |                                   |
| | the Technical  |           |   |                                   |
| | Center was one |           |   |                                   |
| | of the         |           |   |                                   |
| | exhibitor      |           |   |                                   |
| | booths and     |           |   |                                   |
| | displayed some |           |   |                                   |
| | of the FAA's   |           |   |                                   |
| | latest         |           |   |                                   |
| | innovative     |           |   |                                   |
| | technologies   |           |   |                                   |
| | and commercial |           |   |                                   |
| | partnerships.  |           |   |                                   |
| | Among the new  |           |   |                                   |
| | technologies   |           |   |                                   |
| | displayed was  |           |   |                                   |
| | **Dr. Todd     |           |   |                                   |
| | Truitt's** two |           |   |                                   |
| | patent pending |           |   |                                   |
| | prototype data |           |   |                                   |
| | systems: the   |           |   |                                   |
| | Tower          |           |   |                                   |
| | Operations     |           |   |                                   |
| | Digital Data   |           |   |                                   |
| | System         |           |   |                                   |
| | (TODDS), which |           |   |                                   |
| | combines       |           |   |                                   |
| | textual        |           |   |                                   |
| | electronic     |           |   |                                   |
| | flight data    |           |   |                                   |
| | with airport   |           |   |                                   |
| | surface        |           |   |                                   |
| | surveillance   |           |   |                                   |
| | displays; and  |           |   |                                   |
| | the            |           |   |                                   |
| | Perc           |           |   |                                   |
| | eptual-Spatial |           |   |                                   |
| | Tower          |           |   |                                   |
| | Operations     |           |   |                                   |
| | Digital Data   |           |   |                                   |
| | System, which  |           |   |                                   |
| | makes use of   |           |   |                                   |
| | airport        |           |   |                                   |
| | surface maps,  |           |   |                                   |
| | rather than    |           |   |                                   |
| | rely on        |           |   |                                   |
| | surface        |           |   |                                   |
| | surveillance.  |           |   |                                   |
| | Other items    |           |   |                                   |
| | displayed      |           |   |                                   |
| | included **Lou |           |   |                                   |
| | Delemarre's**  |           |   |                                   |
| | patent pending |           |   |                                   |
| | Aircraft       |           |   |                                   |
| | Geometric      |           |   |                                   |
| | Height         |           |   |                                   |
| | Measurement    |           |   |                                   |
| | Element        |           |   |                                   |
| | (AGHME),       |           |   |                                   |
| | developed in   |           |   |                                   |
| | support of the |           |   |                                   |
| | Domestic       |           |   |                                   |
| | Reduced        |           |   |                                   |
| | Vertical       |           |   |                                   |
| | Separation     |           |   |                                   |
| | program        |           |   |                                   |
| | (DRVSM).       |           |   |                                   |
| | Finally, the   |           |   |                                   |
| | patented       |           |   |                                   |
| | Adiabatic      |           |   |                                   |
| | Expansion      |           |   |                                   |
| | Nozzle was     |           |   |                                   |
| | also displayed |           |   |                                   |
| | which performs |           |   |                                   |
| | faster,        |           |   |                                   |
| | cleaner and    |           |   |                                   |
| | more           |           |   |                                   |
| | efficiently    |           |   |                                   |
| | than           |           |   |                                   |
| | traditional    |           |   |                                   |
| | fire           |           |   |                                   |
| | extinguishers. |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| | ![](media/im   |           |   |                                   |
| | age11.jpeg){wi |           |   |                                   |
| | dth="4.6875in" |           |   |                                   |
| | he             |           |   |                                   |
| | ight="3.520833 |           |   |                                   |
| | 3333333335in"} |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| | **Speaker Bill |           |   |                                   |
| | Benner         |           |   |                                   |
| | pictured**     |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| | ![](media/im   |           |   |                                   |
| | age12.jpeg){wi |           |   |                                   |
| | dth="4.6875in" |           |   |                                   |
| | he             |           |   |                                   |
| | ight="3.104166 |           |   |                                   |
| | 6666666665in"} |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| | **Speaker      |           |   |                                   |
| | Wilson Felder  |           |   |                                   |
| | pictured**     |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| | ![](media/     |           |   |                                   |
| | image13.jpeg){ |           |   |                                   |
| | width="3.33333 |           |   |                                   |
| | 33333333335in" |           |   |                                   |
| | h              |           |   |                                   |
| | eight="5.07291 |           |   |                                   |
| | 6666666667in"} |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| | **Speaker Nick |           |   |                                   |
| | Sabatini       |           |   |                                   |
| | pictured**     |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| | ![](media/im   |           |   |                                   |
| | age14.jpeg){wi |           |   |                                   |
| | dth="4.6875in" |           |   |                                   |
| | he             |           |   |                                   |
| | ight="3.104166 |           |   |                                   |
| | 6666666665in"} |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| | **FAA's        |           |   |                                   |
| | Technology     |           |   |                                   |
| | Transfer booth |           |   |                                   |
| | with Tammy     |           |   |                                   |
| | Lusk, Deborah  |           |   |                                   |
| | Germak and     |           |   |                                   |
| | Rodney         |           |   |                                   |
| | Guishard       |           |   |                                   |
| | pictured from  |           |   |                                   |
| | left to        |           |   |                                   |
| | right**        |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| | ![](media/im   |           |   |                                   |
| | age15.jpeg){wi |           |   |                                   |
| | dth="4.6875in" |           |   |                                   |
| | he             |           |   |                                   |
| | ight="3.104166 |           |   |                                   |
| | 6666666665in"} |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| | **Local        |           |   |                                   |
| | Students visit |           |   |                                   |
| | ATCA           |           |   |                                   |
| | Exhibits**     |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| | ![](media      |           |   |                                   |
| | /image16.jpeg) |           |   |                                   |
| | {width="4.6888 |           |   |                                   |
| | 88888888889in" |           |   |                                   |
| | h              |           |   |                                   |
| | eight="3.10486 |           |   |                                   |
| | 1111111111in"} |           |   |                                   |
| |                |           |   |                                   |
| | **Local        |           |   |                                   |
| | Students visit |           |   |                                   |
| | ATCA           |           |   |                                   |
| | Exhibits**     |           |   |                                   |
| +----------------+-----------+   |                                   |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
|                                  |                                   |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
|                                  |                                   |
+----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

**V&V: The New Way of Doing Business**

By Jason McGlynn

![](media/image17.jpeg){width="4.688888888888889in" height="2.625in"}

TSB members meet

Verification and Validation (V&V) has been a popular topic around the
Technical Center lately. What exactly is it, how will it help, and what
will be the impact on the work here?

To ensure the quality and reliability of new NAS systems, and
improvements to the NAS, they must be tested and evaluated thoroughly
before they are put into operational service. V&V is a business approach
that standardizes test processes and procedures and will enable us to do
our work more effectively and efficiently. The intent of implementing
standards is to help us reduce latent defects, and minimize the cost and
time required for the test. Producing the best product requires the
highest level of quality to be built into every stage of T&E. V&V asks
two basic questions:

Verify if the system or service is built right?

Validate whether we are building the right system to satisfy the end
mission and meet the customer's needs?

The Test Standards Board (TSB) is a key component of the V&V
infrastructure at the Tech Center and is the primary group responsible
for developing, implementing, and administering V&V practices and
methods to ensure high quality T&E products and services. TSB core
members are experienced testers and subject matter experts (SME) who
provide valuable inputs to overall T&E program direction. Testers will
see that V&V will facilitate and expedite the overall T&E process as the
new processes are used and become familiar. The T&E Handbook was written
by the TSB to document standard practices and methods for the tester to
follow. To help make the test process quicker and easier, a T&E
standards repository, that contains templates and samples in electronic
form of items called out in the handbook, will be provided.

The TSB will oversee developmental and operational test activities to
ensure quality, assess process conformance, and continually improve
processes. The TSB members serve as technical experts that perform
independent reviews and provide recommendations on test strategies,
plans, conduct, and reporting. TSB members are a respected group that
search out and apply best practices, make recommendations, and update
policies as needed. The documented technical recommendations that the
TSB makes will support the implementation of quality test programs and
will be a critical factor that ATO executives use to assist in major
program business decisions.

The processes documented in the T&E Handbook represent test practices
and procedures with improvements that address known deficiencies in the
test processes. Much of the detailed processes that testers will see in
the handbook will be similar to how they currently perform testing. The
handbook will also include some best practices that other agencies have
implemented to help ensure quality. As part of the V&V process
development effort, the TSB examined our current practices and looked at
problem areas that the FAA and other agencies have encountered during
testing in the past. The lessons learned have been incorporated into
practices to ensure that we don't repeat the same errors.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

**A V&V Dry Run**

By Jason McGlynn

The VP for Operations Planning asked the Technical Center to
institutionalize consistent and quality industry-standard verification
and validation ( V&V) practices and to establish accountability and
oversight for test and evaluation (T&E) activities. The intent is to
reduce latent defects in fielded systems, to promote data driven,
best-value decision making throughout the respective life cycles of
these systems, and to minimize the cost and time required for testing.
To achieve this goal, the Center Director created the Test Standards
Board (TSB), a group of highly experienced testers and subject matter
experts chartered to develop, implement, and administer V&V practices
and methods.

The TSB has written the T&E Handbook and V&V Operations Guide to
document quality test processes and procedures that will enable the
Center to do its work more effectively and efficiently. These documents
are designed to become the standard way to conduct testing. While they
define the standard T&E processes necessary to consistently conduct V&V
throughout the system lifecycle, the processes are tailored to meet the
specific needs of an FAA acquisition program.

Now that the initial versions of these documents have been completed,
the next step is to see how well these processes can be followed. Hence,
on August 31, 2007, two programs (ERAM and Data Comm) began
participation in an 8-month formal pilot program. These test programs
will dry run the standards and processes documented in the T&E Handbook
and V&V Operations Guide and give the TSB feedback on the practicality
of processes and the usability of the documents and tools. Before the
pilot program began, test teams from the three pilot programs received
familiarization briefings on the T&E Handbook and V&V Operations Guide.
The programs that participate in the pilot will maintain T&E schedules,
forward major program documents for TSB review and coordinate with the
TSB on program activities and issues. TSB members will attend program
reviews and conduct midpoint reviews to solicit feedback and adjust
processes.

During this pilot period, to get additional input, testers from other
test programs will be invited to make use of these standard processes on
a voluntary basis. This pilot program will also give the TSB the
opportunity to exercise the newly appointed duties of TSB and to refine
and improve their operations prior to fully institutionalizing the
standards. These activities will be carefully managed by the TSB to
ensure that program schedules and costs are not adversely impacted.
These T&E standards will be continuously assessed by the TSB to
determine if the process adds value to the overall program.

After the final V&V pilot debriefings are conducted, the findings will
be incorporated into the formalized version of the T&E Handbook and V&V
Operations Guide. The objective of these activities is to produce a
quality and practical T&E Handbook, V&V Operations Guide, and associated
project management methods that will address the goal to formally
initiate an enhanced V&V Protocol of Operations by September 2008, as
stipulated in the Strategic Management Plan.

**Best Wishes Upon Allan Oswald's Retirement**

By Natalie Reed

![](media/image18.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.5208333333333335in"}

**Al Oswald receiving retirement certificate from Murray Karlin**

After 36 years and 9 months of Government service, **Allan Oswald** has
retired. Al and his wife, Roberta, will reside in Port St. Lucie,
Florida. Al was an expert in Financial Management, Acquisition Planning,
Information Technology, Human Capital, and Strategic Planning. He
contributed to the success of many efforts at the Technical Center. He
also served as a facilitator for Mediation Counseling. His knowledge and
breath of experience was a positive contribution to the Technical
Center.

Al Oswald received his Bachelors degree in Economics and Business from
William Patterson College and his Masters in Business Administration
from Monmouth College. In 1974, Al joined the National Aviation
Facilities Experimental Center (NAFEC) and started as a budget analyst
for **Frank Meehan**. He became a Manager of Budget and a knowledgeable
resource for all who knew him. During his Federal career, Al was
detailed to Washington where he was the focal point for the Technical
Center implementation plan for the New Core Compensation System. He was
a key contributor to the acquisition of our new aircraft N47, the
Bombardier Global 5000. The airplane has become a key flying laboratory
for the R&D Flight Program and is a vital component for test and
demonstration of new technologies for the National Airspace System and
the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NEXTGEN). After Al\'s
success of acquiring funding for the new aircraft, he transitioned to
project lead for the Enterprise Project Management System (EPMS).

As many of you know, Al loved to travel and he will probably visit new
places and meet new friends all over the world in his \"retirement\". We
all wish Al the best of luck.

**Baxter Stretcher Retires**

By Kerry Bowers

![](media/image19.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.1145833333333335in"}

Baxter receives a gift from his co-workers, and his certificate of
retirement, from Bill Benner, Manager, Weather Processors Group.

**Baxter Stretcher** retired from the Technical Center this spring after
over 27 years of service. Baxter served in the United States Army.
Following his honorable discharge he was employed by the RCA
Corporation. Baxter then worked at the Atlantic County Welfare Office
before beginning his employment at the Technical Center in 1985 as a
mathematician.

During his time at the Center, Baxter worked in the various incarnations
of the weather branches, groups, and teams, supporting the major weather
systems including Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD), Terminal
Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR), Weather Sensors Processor (WSP), and
Automated Weather Sensors Systems (AWSS).

In addition, his collateral duties included serving on the Center
Diversity Council and acting as an EEO Counselor.

Baxter's son, Vincent resides in Atlanta. Baxter is active in his church
in Atlantic City, and rumor has it, Baxter will be enjoying his
retirement on the Boardwalk and in the Casinos.

Baxter is the true essence of a gentleman, and he will be missed by his
friends and colleagues here at the Technical Center.

**Tech Center Legend: Gerry Spanier**

By Stan Ciurczak

![](media/image20.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.1145833333333335in"}

Gerry Spanier

Recently I had the opportunity to interview longtime FAA employee
**Gerard (Gerry) Spanier** about his long and distinguished Government
career. I interviewed Gerry on February 28, 2007, which was the day
after family, friends and co-workers honored him at a retirement
luncheon at the Italian Gourmet Restaurant in Galloway.

Gerry went to work for the FAA's National Aviation Facilities
Experimental Center (NAFEC) in 1961, shortly after graduating from the
Engineering School at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he
was co-editor of the campus newspaper. During the interview, which you
can see and hear below, Gerry describes the engineering program from
which he graduated as a general education in engineering. He also said
he minored in experimental psychology, the forerunner of what we call
human factors today.

![](media/image21.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.5208333333333335in"}

Anyone who has had the opportunity to get to know Gerry, even a little
bit, knows that he brought an encyclopedic knowledge of his chosen
field, a zeal for all things aviation and a diplomatic style that served
him well. Gerry is synonymous with what one might call old-fashioned
common decency, something viewers will see throughout his taped
interview.

Gerry was one of the first people to be hired by NAFEC when it was in
its infancy. During nearly a half-century of civil service, he saw this
institution morph from an experimental center into the FAA Technical
Center and eventually into the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center.

You can click on any, or all, of the links below to see and hear Gerry
describe his recollections of his workplace. Comments or questions can
be directed to me by sending
[mailto:stan.ciurczak@faa.gov](mailto:stan.ciurczak@faa.gov)

**0:00 to 4:53 The Early Days of NAFEC**

**4:54 to 6:53 Data Processing Central; Early Radar Displays**

**6:54 to 10:29 Gerry Spanier invents a Solid State Pentiometer**

**10:30 to 13:30 In-Service Improvements in the Age of \"Shrimp
Boats\"**

**13:31 to 18:24 NAFEC provides New Tools to Controllers; the NAS is
born**

**18:25 to 22:21 New Technologies inspired by the FAA**

**22:22 to 28:58 Digital Voice; Satellite Communications**

**28:59 to 36:20 Gerry Spanier assists the U.S. Justice Department in a
Patent Case**

**36:21 to 38:25 The Original NAS Plan; Early System Engineering**

**38:26 to 40:33 The FAA goes \"Big Time\"**

**40:34 to 45:22 \"Save NAFEC\" Committee is formed; the Tech Center is
born**

**45:23 to 49:4 Professionalism at NAFEC**

**49:4 to 55:11 German Rail Guru Hans Giesecke relocates to NAFEC**

**55:12 to 1:01.40 Air Traffic Control Towers**

**1:01.41 to 1:07.58 Technology Management; the STARS Program**

**1:07.59 to 1:11.46 Lessons Learned from 9/11**

**Retirement Interview: Jack Berry**

By Stan Ciurczak

![](media/image22.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.1666666666666665in"}

**Editor's Note: Stan Ciurczak recently interviewed Jack Berry in the
Air Flow Induction Test Facility, which is where he worked at the time
of his retirement on April 3, 2007. Jack originally worked for NAFEC as
a carpenter, and prior to that served in the U.S. Navy. Jack enjoys
local, aviation and naval history (and old cars), and helped me out on a
number of occasions through the years when I was writing stories for the
Intercom and Inside the Fence. Here's wishing Jack and his wife all the
best in retirement!**

 

STAN: How many years of service do you have?

JACK: 29 years and one month working for the FAA plus 4 years in the
military for a total of 33 years and one month of Federal service.

STAN: What is your current position here?

JACK: Aerospace Engineering Technician.

STAN: I know you grew up in this area. Can you talk about the good old
days, let's say, before you even went into the Navy? Please talk about
South Jersey a little bit.

JACK: I was born in Pleasantville and grew up in Galloway Township in
the Absecon Highlands section. I went to the old school on 6 th Avenue,
which has since been torn down. Our house was kind of like off the
runway and the Navy was here and I remember that it was after WWII.

STAN: Which runway was that?

JACK: The main runway at Naval Air Station Atlantic City in Pomona.

STAN: Tell me more.

JACK: We used to go outside in the summer time when it was nice and
there was a field behind the housed with an old farm. The planes made
their turn on approach right around our house on the field, and we used
to wave to the pilots and they waved back. I guess they were probably
low enough, that if we new where to look and could read their tags or
their names. That was the day of the old props. During grade school age
they used to come up with tours over here on the base when we were
little. They would bring us out here on a bus and then the Navy would
take us for a trip to the Mess Hall and give us milk and cookies. We
went through the hangers and toured some of the planes. I remember one
guy there in a parachute outfit. They hooked him all up in a parachute
and everything and had him pop it, and then they had to pack the whole
suit over again. That was a big treat back then. They had a lot of
interesting things for young people to see, including uniforms, guns and
aircraft.

Then they had a super show out here on Armed Forces Day. They had Army
and National Guard out of Atlantic City come over here and they worked
in conjunction with the planes, like they were invading something and
making a landing somewhere. They even had fly-bys, bombs and artillery
going and the troops running across the apron. There were lots of
interesting things.

Then they had the commercial aspect, which was a special Sunday treat
when Dad would take us out for a ride and sometimes we would come out
here and go to the airport. You used to be able to go up on the
observation deck. You could stand up there and watch the commercial
planes come in and out. The DC-4 was the first 4-engine plane here and
when they came in they were monsters, at least back then. Now they would
look like a piper cub. We used to go up there and watch the Navy pilots
flying and practicing landings on carriers. They had an area marked off
to look like a carrier deck and the planes would come in and do touch
and goes.

STAN: How did they mark it off because I heard about that before?

JACK: It was a painted outline of an aircraft carrier on the runway
itself. Of course they had their share of crashes back in those days.
There was an old farmer over on 6 th Avenue in Absecon Highlands that
had one of the planes crash right in front of his house one time.
Another time in a thunderstorm, a jet went down behind his house.

STAN: 6 th Avenue in Pleasantville?

JACK: No, Galloway -- Absecon Highlands. There were quite a few crash
scene areas around the place. We used to know where they all were but I
wouldn't be able to find them now that the area is so built up.

STAN: Is that because they were rushing to train pilots for World War
II?

JACK: Some I guess were just operational incidents, that's all. Probably
a lot of them were. I think there were a couple of them that hit
together one time during practice formation flying. Some of the old
planes weren't nearly as reliable as the jet engines are today. I don't
know -- we used to go around and find all those rare treasures that you
might find in an oxygen bottle that was wrapped in wire so that it would
not explode at high altitude, or a number of things that might fly off
the plane. I know one person had one of the propeller blades he got from
a crash. I kind of outgrew all that by the time I started high school.

STAN: Where did you go to high school?

JACK: Pleasantville. I attended the old Pleasantville High School (Class
of 1960), which is where I got my first car. It was an old one and I had
a few things go wrong with it and I had a friend of mine worked in a gas
station in Absecon and he took me down there and introduced me to a guy
that worked nights, who was Richard Johnson. That's how I got to know
him and that was in 1958 when I first got my driver's license.

Stan -- What gas station was that?

JACK: Zona's Texaco at the corner of Rt. 9 and the White Horse Pike. He
would let me read the books at night on how to do something on the car.
I would go down and read what to do, come home from high school and run
out and do that and then go down and see what the next step was, until I
got all that down and got the parts that were bad -- fixed. Just
reversed the operation to put it back together. I got to know him pretty
well and he had a pilot's license. My favorite Uncle went into the Navy,
actually during WWII, and just after he went in they quit (WWII) and the
war was over. That was my favorite Uncle and that's why I wanted to
always go into the Navy.

STAN: Did you go to high school with any of the people who work here?

JACK: Quite a few.

STAN: Can you remember their names? Are any of them still working here?

JACK: Yes, Ernie Heintz, Thomasena Brown, Billy Jerdan and Wes Norton
come to mind. Ernie still works here as a contractor.

I got talking to Dick Johnson and learned he had a pilot's license. I
used to go with him on Sunday mornings. We used to go and run a super
cub out of Bader Field for about an hour, which was a weekly thing. In
1960 I got out of high school and went into the Navy. I became an
aviation electrician. Unfortunately I got put on a carrier the whole
time, on the U.S.S. Constellation. I'm a member of the Plank Owners
Association from the U.S.S. Constellation before it was commissioned in
October 1961 at the New York Shipyard. I was on that for a little over a
couple years and then on the U.S.S. Wright, which was a communication
ship. It actually was President Kennedy's idea -- it had all radio
equipment on it that you could communicate all around the world and it
was supposed to be to protect Washington, D.C. if it came on attack that
he could fly onto that and operate from there.

Actually it was redone in Bramington, Washington and we were leaving and
went over to Seattle, Pier 91 for 2-3 days before we left. We were
supposed to leave at 1300 but at 11:00 AM that morning is when President
Kennedy got shot. We were held there a couple more days before we came
back to the East Coast. We came back through the Panama Canal and on up
that way. We went through the Virgin Islands to Norfolk, VA. Looking
back now, the Constellation was decommissioned after 43 years of active
service. I think I was just 20 -- when it was commissioned. Basically it
was looking like your own working life. I got out of the Navy, got
married and became a father. I worked in construction for a few years. I
had an application here for 10 years and I finally got a job here in the
Carpenter Shop. I worked there for 5 years and then there was an opening
in the R&D in Fire Safety and I have been here ever since.

STAN: What year was that?

JACK: I started at the base (NAFEC) on November 5, 1978.

STAN: Who was the Center Director then?

JACK: Bob Faith was the director when I started working here.

STAN: That was here on the old side?

JACK: Yeah that was before the Technical and Administrative Building
(Bldg. 300) was built. I was in the Carpenter Shop, Bldg. 62.

STAN: Is anyone you started with in the Carpenter's Shop still here?

JACK: Yes, Jim Woerner, a supervisor in one of the shops over in the
Technical Services Facility (TSF), and Cliff Bailey, who works on
mock-ups of tower cabs over in Bldg. 170, both still work here. They
were actually the ones that designed the modern towers, controls,
instruments and all their equipment -- Air Traffic Control Group that is
in the T&A. They turned out some nice work and really streamlined their
operation while I've been out over here in the R&D area setting planes
on fire, and all that fun stuff.

STAN: When you started working here, whom were you working for?

JACK: I was working under Dick Hill.

STAN: Was he the Manager?

JACK: Well, he was the top guy in the actual work part. He wasn't up in
management like he is now. It was probably a little looser then.
Everybody knew everybody and eventually I got assigned with Harry
Webster who I worked with for at least the last 15 years. We did a big
burn project out at Bldg. 311; the old blast area and Convair 880 and
reenacted the Manchester incident. That was probably the highlight of my
career. I had more fun working on that plane. We set it up to resemble
the plane that had been there, removed two of the four engines and made
it like a twin-engine plane. It is kind of amazing -- the inside the way
the smoke came in, the way the fire went and the whole bit. That was one
of the most interesting and must fun jobs that I've done my whole
working life.

STAN: That was the Manchester project?

JACK: Yes, the Manchester Reenactment.

STAN: What year?

JACK: That's been a long time -- about 13 years ago.

STAN: So it was around 1993?

JACK: Yes -- something like that. Actually Harry Webster was the working
engineer who did all the designs and test instruments. Joe Rosen and I
were the ones who put it all together. That was one fun job! It really
felt like you had done something.

STAN: Tell me about the plaque that is hanging in the conference room in
the Air Induction Test Facility.

JACK: The plaque honors the memory of Bill Neese.

STAN: I understand that you helped to make the plaque.

JACK: Harry and I worked on it and it was Harry's idea to make the
plaque. Bill Neese came here originally from what was then the CAA
Technical Development and Evaluation Center in Indianapolis. The large
wind tunnel at the Tech Center originally was used for Surface-to-Air
Missile Program testing by the U.S. Navy in California. Bill Neese
basically set up the large wind tunnel here, after the FAA acquired it
from the Navy. The barge was shipped from California through the Panama
Canal and up to Philadelphia by ship, where it was loaded on a barge
headed for Mays Landing. The last leg of the trip was on a flatbed truck
past the old Caesar's Restaurant.

Bill maintained it and did a lot of testing with it, and he gave Harry
Webster and I an orientation to it. Harry Webster and I picked up where
he left off after Bill retired, and Harry is the main force now on it. I
have been doing the maintenance work and running the engines and setting
up things.

We have some pretty interesting things that have been done here. We
tested the soft-concrete arresting system with Jim White. We've done a
lot of work with that. We qualified life rafts for the Coast Guard to
withstand 70-mile an hour winds that we did in our low speed section. We
have been working on the new material there -- composites. We are
testing for heat transfer. If there is fire inside, aluminum will pass
off the heat and the air stream. Our testing was to try to see if the
composite reacts -- to see if it passes it or holds it. The composites
seem like they are holding up pretty well so far with the tests we have
done. In another part of our group, Steven Summer just completed the
wing fuel tank test, including heating it and studying the effects of
airflow over it. They also are working on straight fuel tanks. It is
interesting work that goes on here at the Tech Center. I personally
enjoyed figuring out how to mount things the right way and get some
results out of the test. It is pretty interesting work.

STAN: Good. What are you going to do when you retire?

JACK: Basically I plan to become a gentleman farmer. I'll plant a dozen
tomato plants and watch them grow; that is when I have time. I joined
the Wildwood Naval Air Museum and I kind of plan on a day a week down
there. We just built a new house and I have all the landscaping to do
along with some odds and ends. I own a hot rod car that maybe I'll get
finished now. I've been down to doing the interior for the last 5 years
but haven't gotten to it yet.

STAN: Do you belong to a hot rod club?

JACK: Yes, we belong to Cruising Nights in Mays Landing. We go to a few
car shows around the region including Pennsylvania and Delaware. It is a
lot of fun when you get together; it's like a parade wherever you go.

STAN: Are you going to help restore things at the Naval Air Museum in
Wildwood?

JACK: Yes, I probably will.

STAN: Are you going to work with Dr. Joe Salvatore?

JACK: Yes.

STAN: I haven't met him but I've heard his name.

JACK: Dr. Joe Salvatore.

STAN: Is he a physician?

JACK: I don't really know what he is. I guess he is retired and he is
into this thing real deep. He has been a hard driver on it. I didn't
even know it was down there and I heard about it some how and went down
there and met him then. A very nice person.

STAN: I did hear or read that the wooden hangar down there was based on
a standard design for Navy hangars during World War II and is identical
to the one that used to be here at Naval Air Station Atlantic City, so
you should feel right at home down there.

JACK: I don't know if I was ever in the hangar here. I guess I was
during grade school tours but I really don't remember too much about
them. They were gone before I started work here. I remember there was a
third Navy training site near here.

STAN: Yes, it was in Woodbine.

JACK: That's right. The one in Wildwood was used for bombing. The one in
Atlantic City was for fighters and I think the one in Woodbine was for
patrol. I never knew they were down there all these years. That's not
saying a lot because before I went to high school I didn't know what the
world past St. Pete's in Pleasantville was either. We never went any
further than Pleasantville. Pleasantville was a big special shopping
trip. It had an Acme, an A&P and a meat market. There were other stores
in Absecon. About everything you needed was in Absecon, but for
something special or extra special things, you went to Pleasantville
maybe once a month. When I was little, I used to go to the Steel Pier in
the summer. To go shopping in Atlantic City during Christmas time was a
treat in itself. Those were the old days when department stores had
model trains and the whole town was lit up at night; it was a whole
different world then from what it is now. Good memories.

STAN: You watched the area build up quite a bit. For example, Egg Harbor
Township (EHT) really has come a long way in recent years.

JACK: Yes, in fact we recently moved out of EHT and out into the woods
of Dorothy.

STAN: Good for you. I really appreciate your taking the time to share
your memories of the local area and your career with me. All the best to
you in your retirement!

**Rodney Guishard Receives 40 Year Service Award**

![](media/image23.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.75in"}

**Rodgney Guishard receives 40 Year Award from Wilson Felder  **

Center Director Dr. Wilson Felder recently honored Rodney Guishard with
a 40-year Service Award. Guishard currently serves as Manager, Test
Standards and Program Assessment Team, Technical Strategies and
Integration Group, Operations Planning. Congratulations, Rodney!

**2007 Administrator's EEO Award - Keeping the Promise**

By Pete Castellano

![](media/image24.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.1041666666666665in"}

Vicki Cox, Carolyn McKinney-Bobo and Wilson Felder pictured.

**Al Jefferson, Chinita Roundtree-Coleman** and **Carolyn
McKinney-Bobo** were among the recipients of the 2007 Administrator's
EEO Award, or as they are now called, the Keeping the Promise award.
**Basilyn Bunting** was also nominated for an award. Al's award was
based his work in the area of EEO Mediation. He participated in 6
mediations, all in the Eastern Region, along with another mediator. Four
of the mediations resulted in agreements. He demonstrates a great deal
of knowledge and expertise in the mediation arena and has been a
mediator for 10 years. Chinita and Carolyn developed analysis and
measurement tools and protocols that assess EEO compliance.
Additionally, they served as auditors for the assessment conducted at
the Eastern Regional Office. Congratulations to Al, Chinita, and Carolyn
on your efforts, and for receiving these prestigious awards!

![](media/image25.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.34375in"}

Carolyn McKinney-Bobo and Chinita Roundtree-Coleman receiving 2007
Administrator's EEO Award by Vicki Cox and Wilson Felder. Pictured from
left to right Carolyn McKinney-Bobo, Vicki Cox, Wilson Felder and
Chinita Roundtree-Coleman.

![](media/image26.jpeg){width="4.688888888888889in"
height="3.3444444444444446in"}

Vicki Cox and Wilson Felder presenting Al Jefferson will the 2007
Administrator's EEO Award. Pictured from left to right Vicki Cox, Al
Jefferson and Wilson Felder

**Jim White Receives Elmer A. Sperry Award**

By Terry Kraus

![](media/image27.jpeg){width="2.6041666666666665in" height="3.90625in"}

**Jim White**

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International, American
Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics(AIAA), Institute of Electrical
and Electronics Engineers(IEEE), American Society of Civil
Engineers(ASCE), and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine
Engineers selected Operations Planning, Research and Development \'s
**Jim White** to receive the 2007 Elmer A. Sperry Award along with
industry co-developers of the Engineered Materials Arresting System
(EMAS), **Bob Cook, Peter Mahal,** and **Pam Phillips**.

EMAS, developed by the FAA\'s Airport Technology R&D program, the Port
Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Engineered Systems Company
(ESCO) of Ashton, Pennsylvania, is made of water, foam, and cement, and
deforms readily and reliably under the weight of an aircraft tire. As
the tires crush the material, the drag forces decelerate the aircraft,
bringing it to a safe stop. The technology is now in place on 23 runway
ends at 18 airports, with eight additional EMAS projects under contract
at six U.S. airports. In addition, arrestor beds have gone global; EMAS
is installed at Jiuzhai-Huanglong Airport, which is on a mountaintop in
China, and projects are underway for two runways at Madrid-Barajas
International Airport, Spain.

The Elmer A. Sperry Award annually recognizes distinguished engineering
contributions that, through application proved in actual service, have
advanced the state of the art of transportation whether by land, sea, or
air. It honors Elmer A. Sperry, who was renowned for his navigational
gyroscope and who coined the word automotive, giving SAE its name. Past
recipients have included Donald Douglas, Ferdinand Porsche, Sir Geoffrey
De Havilland, Igor Sikorsky, and Charles Draper.

**John Wiley Named ITEA Conference Chair; Dot Buckanin, Technical
Co-chair**

By Holly Baker

![](media/image28.jpeg){width="3.3333333333333335in"
height="4.166666666666667in"}

**John Wiley**

The International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA) has named
**John Wiley**, Technical Center Technical Strategies and Integration
Manager, the chair for its 2008 annual symposium. Wiley serves on ITEA's
Board of Directors as a government non-Department of Defense (DOD)
member.

ITEA is the leading association for professionals in the field of test
and evaluation, with more than 2100 individual and 84 corporate members,
worldwide. The non-profit educational organization was founded in 1980
to further the advancement and exchange of technical information in the
test and evaluation arena. Its membership has predominantly encompassed
the DOD, since it began.

The ITEA Board has targeted its efforts on growing and expanding the
scope of its membership in recent years. The 2008 symposium will present
a forum and program that attracts a more global test and evaluation
community, embracing the transportation and aviation industries,
academia and government. **Dot Buckanin**, Technical Center Special
Assistant to the Director, has been selected technical co-chair of the
symposium. She will focus on achieving this global perspective, as the
symposium program develops.

FAA leadership in the ITEA symposium has important implications for
introducing new aviation technologies to an international audience, and
reinforcing the paramount importance of advancing the Next Generation
Air Transportation System -- NextGen.

The symposium will take place the week of November 10, 2008 in Atlantic
City and will be co-hosted by the South Jersey and Francis Scott Key
ITEA Chapters. This is a season of "firsts" for both ITEA and the FAA --
the first FAA chair, the first FAA ITEA-affiliated chapter as conference
co-host, and the first time Atlantic City will host this prestigious
symposium.

Wiley has more than 30 years of technical experience in the aviation
industry, 21 of those years in management. He previously served as
Director of the Technical Center's Office of Integrated Engineering
Services. Also, he served on the FAA Air Traffic Organization's
Transition Team in Washington, D.C., where he provided strategy and
direction in defining, communicating and implementing a broad spectrum
of new agency management initiatives. Wiley is an active member of the
Rowan University Electrical and Computer Engineering Industrial Advisory
Board and the Air Traffic Control Association. He is a former president
of the ITEA South Jersey Chapter.

Additional information on ITEA and on-line membership applications can
be found at [**http://www.itea.org/**](http://www.itea.org/)

**The Launch of the Automated Telephone Attendant**

By Maria Lemmetti-Fane

![](media/image29.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.15625in"}

**Pictured from left to right Bernice Benitez, Geraldine Harvey, Nicole
Hite, Maria Lemmetti-Fane**

The Technical Center has taken another step into the era of technology.
Through the combined efforts of **Peter Callaghan** of the
Telecommunications Group and members of the Service Liaison Staff, the
Automated Telephone Attendant is being launched. For over 6 months, the
Service Liaison Staff has been gathering data on what types of phone
calls the telephone operators have been receiving. The staff looked at
external callers versus internal callers, and requests for specific
organizations versus a specific individual. The findings were very
interesting. The majority of the calls (56 percent) were from internal
employees looking for specific individuals.

The Auto Attendant is being implemented and individuals calling 609
485-4000 or dialing "0" for the operator will be prompted to select
various options to reach their desired party. Due to resource
limitations, the operators will not be providing telephone numbers to
callers. Employees are urged to use 411 or the automated system.

Over the upcoming months, the data will continue to be monitored and
modifications will be made to the Auto Attendant system as needed. Your
feedback is encouraged. Please provide any comments or suggestions via
our mailbox at ***9-ACT-AUTOMATED-ATTENDANT@FAA.GOV*** . Thank you in
advance for your cooperation in this initiative.

**Tech Center Team Makes Elevators Safer**

By Jason McGlynn

![](media/image30.jpeg){width="1.6770833333333333in"
height="4.072916666666667in"}

**Elevator open call box**

Have you ever thought about what you would do if you got stuck in an
elevator? Suppose there was a phone in the elevator, but you were unable
to pull the call box door open to get to the phone due to your physical
disability. This is what happened to me a few months ago. When I was
finally rescued, I alerted security, my boss, and **Sam Wilson**, the
Program Coordinator for People with Disabilities. This is when the real
work began, and many people from different organizations came together
to solve the problem.

**Mike Dawson**, COTR for maintenance of the elevators (the Center
Operations & Maintenance Services (COMS) contract), was sent to resolve
the issue. Although the phone worked, Mike had trouble opening the call
box not only because the handle on the cover was small and difficult to
grasp but also because it was difficult to even pull the door open. He
soon realized that the call box handles on all 17 elevators on base were
not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

![](media/image31.jpeg){width="1.59375in" height="3.8958333333333335in"}

**Small handled call box displayed**

In an effort to make the elevators ADA compliant, Mike recalled the
Viking call boxes that were in use where he used to work. The call boxes
required a user to push a single button to call the security dispatcher.
Mike asked **Jim Lasch**, the COMS contractors' Automated Security
Specialist, to see if the technology could be used to resolve the
elevator issue. **Frank Seman**, Manager, Facility Services
Infrastructure Team, assigned **Chuck Hathaway** to work on the ADA
infrastructure issue; and **Adrienne Calderone**, to work on the
communication requirements.

Once Jim Lasch identified several options for ADA compliant call boxes
and Chuck Hathaway researched current ADA compliance, elevator
warranties, applicable codes, etc., a decision was made to purchase 17
call boxes for the elevators. Chuck did some thorough fieldwork, came up
with a scope of work, and obtained a government estimate. Chuck and Jim
decided on a model that was both cost-effective and dependable. Though
the 17 call boxes were purchased, there was a long lead-time for
manufacturing and delivery because they were a specialty item.

![](media/image32.jpeg){width="1.9791666666666667in"
height="3.9583333333333335in"}

**Emergency phone call box with call button**

**Paul Lawrence** from the safety office and Sam Wilson were kept
abreast of the developments. In the meantime, all employees with
disabilities were given an operational two-way radio to carry with them
in the event of an emergency.

Once the materials arrived, the elevators had to be shut down so that
the call boxes could be installed. Additional materials would be
required to modify the different types of elevators we have at the
Center. Because the phone technicians, the metal shop personnel, and the
fire inspectors had to be available for the installations, much
coordination was required. Since the project began in April, five
elevators have been completed and tested. The project will continue
until all 17 elevators are done.

Thanks go out to: **Sam Wilson, Frank Seman, Adrienne Calderone, Chuck
Hathaway, Paul Lawrence, Shelia Franklin-Smallwood, Jim Vena, Hank
Webber, Steve Anderson, Jim Lasch, Barry Lewin, and Al Schwegel** for
all of their efforts.

**Vicki Cox visits Stevens Institute of Technology Systems
Supportability and Logistics class at the Technical Center, April 16,
2007**

By Carolyn McKinney-Bobo

![](media/image33.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="2.78125in"}

**1st row starting from left: Annie Clark, Patrick Eigbe, Darren Fields,
Wanda Lopez -- Maudie Powell -- Program Director -- Organizational
Excellence Group; 2nd row left -- Brian Jefferson, Mike Wiley, Clayton
Carr; 3rd Row left -- Carolyn McKinney-Bobo, Organizational Excellence
Group Stevens Institute Training Coordinator, David Ingegneri, Vicki Cox
-- Vice President ATO, Dr. David Nowicki, Stevens Institute Instructor,
Omar Merced, Bernice Merly, Beverly Hite, Anthony Long, not pictured,
Andre' Alleyne**

**Vicki Cox**, Vice President, Operations Planning, ATO, stopped by the
Central Viewing Area (CVA) where Technical Center organizations,
Technical Operations, Acquisition Workforce and System Engineering
organizations sponsored a Stevens Institute of Technology class titled
"Systems Supportability and Logistics". Most of the Technical Center
students participating in this class are one class and a project thesis
away from obtaining their Master's Degree in Systems Engineering, which
if funding becomes available is targeted for FY-08.

Vicki expressed how this type of course is of mutual benefit to the
students and the ATO, as described in the Flight Plan, "improve and
upgrade aviation related scientific, technical, engineering, and
mathematical skills in the emerging and future aviation workforce."

She applauded the hard work and dedication of the students, saying she
knew how difficult it was to take courses and work fulltime, tend to
families, etc. She also encouraged them to continue on the systems
engineering path because the future of the FAA will involve work around
NGATS for which they are preparing. She also told them that she hopes to
come back for their graduation in 2008.

Previously, Vicki gave the keynote address to a little over 20 FAA
Technical Center students receiving their Graduate Certificates in
Systems Engineering and Architecting, which was held in 2006 in the
atrium.

**Identity Theft Prevention**

By Holly Cyrus

![](media/image34.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.3229166666666665in"}

**Mr. James Lavery speaks to the group**

The Women in Engineering Affinity Group of the IEEE hosted a Speaker
Series luncheon on April 4. The topic, presented by **Mr. James Lavery**
of the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance, was Identity Theft.

In a very entertaining way, Mr. Lavery provided the audience with
valuable information on common approaches to handling banking
transactions, credit card use, and the availability of personal
information that can lead to harmful consequences. He also distinguished
between two types of identity theft: amateur and professional.

The amateur identity thief is anyone who seizes an opportunity to
collect or use information of yours that comes readily to hand. This can
include: guests who can easily access personal or financial information
in the home, someone who gets access to your checkbook and removes a
couple of checks from the back of the book (or from your supply of
checks), a gas station attendant who uses your card to charge another
transaction after yours is completed (closes the lane and invites a
friend to fill his vehicle), someone who can easily get to the
information in your wallet or purse, someone who can easily access your
mail and use credit card offers or checks, someone who can look over
your shoulder at the bank, at the DMV, or other institution to get your
personal information.

Professional identity thieves do not generally come in direct contact
with their victims -- they will often employ staff at restaurants,
hotels, and other service centers to collect credit information by
swiping your credit card onto a separate device that holds the
information from a couple hundred cards. The information on the device
is then sold, at a price determined by the value that is left on the
card.

What can happen -- thieves can obtain fraudulent credit accounts, secure
deposits on cars and housing, obtain employment opportunities, create
fraudulent insurance opportunities, and rob your retirement savings.

What can you do -- don't carry, unless specifically needed, extra credit
cards, social security cards, birth certificates or passports. There are
many other proactive actions you can take - find more information at
[www.NJDOBI.org](http://www.njdobi.org/) under Consumers, Personal
Finance.

If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, contact your local
law enforcement agency, credit card companies, banks, investment
companies, licensing agencies, etc., the Federal Trade Commission at
1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338), the Social Security Administration,
credit bureaus -- have fraud alerts placed on your files.

**Technical Center Hosts Visitors from China**

By Carol A. Lowman and Stan Ciurczak

Visitors from the Civil Aviation Authority of China and Aviation Data
Communications Corporation recently traveled to the Technical Center for
meetings with the Separation Standards Analysis Sub-Team. **Brian
Colamosca** is the manager of the FAA's Separation Standards Analysis
Sub-Team.

![](media/image35.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="2.53125in"}

**Starting in the back row from left to right: Li Quan, R&D Department,
Air Traffic Management Bureau, Civil Aviation Authority of China; Zang
Tao, Engineer, Air Traffic Management Bureau, Civil Aviation Authority
of China; Jose Perez-Torres, Separation Standards Analysis Sub-Team,
AJP-7141; Manuel Gonzalez, Separation Standards Analysis Sub-Team,
AJP-7141; Tang Jinxiang, Project Manager, Aviation Data Communications
Corporation; Cai KaiQuan, Aviation Data Communications Corporation;
Scott Ellis, Separation Standards Analysis Sub-Team, AJP-7141; Wayne
Smoot, Separation Standards Analysis Sub-Team, AJP-7141; Juan C.
Gonzalez, Separation Standards Analysis Sub-Team, AJP-7141**

**The individuals in the front row from left to right are: Theresa
Brewer-Dougherty, CSSI, Inc.; Gu Xiang Gang, Engineer, Air Traffic
Management Bureau, Civil Aviation Authority of China; Brian Colamosca,
Manager, Separation Standards Analysis Sub-Team, AJP-7141; Lauren
Martin, Separation Standards Analysis Sub-Team, AJP-7141; Christine
Gerhardt-Falk, Separation Standards Analysis Sub-Team, AJP-7141**

![](media/image36.jpeg){width="4.6875in" height="3.8229166666666665in"}

**Starting in the back row from left to right are: Tang Jinxiang,
Project Manager, Aviation Data Communication Corporation;. Cai KaiQuan,
Aviation Data Communications Corporation**

**The individuals in the front row from left to right are: Li Quan, R& D
Department, Air Traffic Management Bureau, Civil Aviation Authority of
China; Gu Xiang Gang, Engineer, Air Traffic Management Bureau, Civil
Aviation Authority of China; Zang Tao, Engineer, Air Traffic Management
Bureau, Civil Aviation Authority of China**

**Our Drinking Water is Safe**

**Editors Note: The following appeared in the Center Director's
Technical Center Highlights on Monday, August 20.**

![](media/image37.jpeg){width="4.688888888888889in"
height="3.1347222222222224in"}

First, I want to reiterate the various messages stating that the
drinking water emergency alert is cancelled - our drinking water is safe
for consumption. Last Friday, the Technical Center received routine test
results indicating a positive for E. Coli at a sample tap in the
Research and Development Area. Ten confirmation samples were immediately
collected Friday for repeat analysis, in accordance with environmental
regulations. As an interim precautionary measure, a diverse response
team was immediately activated to handle deploying an alternate drinking
water supply, and other safety and communications aspects of the
situation. Led by **Howard Kimpton**, **Carleen Houston**, and **Walt
Vernon**, the team obtained and placed bottled water dispensing stations
throughout the Center and its tenant facilities, and communicated the
emergency notification alert through multiple means to ensure everyone
was advised. Ten supplemental precautionary samples were collected and
submitted for analysis the following Monday. The results of all
confirmation and precautionary samples were negative. You will see that
the bottled water and dispensers are removed. I greatly appreciate the
time and professional commitment of the response team in resolving this
situation. The team was extremely proactive. They went above and beyond
the call of duty, and took every extra precaution to ensure the health
and safety of our employees and visitors. Well done.