FAA Challenger Sessions

Certification Process Improvement (CPI)

Data Link Implementation Path

Improved Airport Security

Improved Rulemaking

NATCA Agreement

Shared Alternative Dispute Resolution Mediators

One DOT

Partnering

NASCAR

The FAA focuses on partnerships to find the best solutions to

problems. Partnerships with aviation interests, industry, labor

unions, employee groups, and other government agencies

have produced results. The following are some examples of

what the FAA has accomplished using this approach.

FAA Challenger Sessions The informative annual sessions

focus on safety, security, and system efficiency. As a result of

the sessions, the FAA has opened an on-going dialog on Safer

Skies, fast tracked explosive detection systems testing, and

spotlighted cooperation on system modernization.

Certification Process Improvement (CPI) CPI is a new

partnership that improves aircraft product certification by

establishing a clear understanding, up-front, of the technical

requirements and expectations of both the FAA and industry

partners. This early communication saves time and money for

both the FAA and industry partners. Clear evidence of the

program's success was demonstrated recently with the

certification of the MD-17, the civil version of the military C17, completed by the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Team

in partnership with Boeing Airlift and Tankers Program

Office.

Data Link Implementation Path A year of governmentindustry collaboration culminated in a consensus plan

defining how Controller Pilot Data Link Communications will

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be implemented over the next 10 years. Data Link is the

cornerstone of the FAA's Free Flight program. Data Link will

reduce voice congestion on controller-pilot radio

communications channels. Government- industry solidarity on

Data Link implementation plans was demonstrated at the

FAA's Data Link Industry Day. The aviation industry pledged

support for a joint FAA/Industry schedule for Data Link

delivery in 2002.

Improved Airport Security The FAA has raised the bar in

meeting today's changing security challenges. FAA has taken

unprecedented steps with airports at the local level to improve

security. Thus far, 113 FAA/airport consortia have been

established across the country (target 134 by the year 2000).

In addition, the number of K-9 explosive detection teams has

increased over the last two years from 87 teams at 30 airports

to 140 teams at 38 airports.

Improved Rulemaking The FAA has reengineered its

rulemaking process using current best practices in industry

and other government agencies as its guide. So far, results are

two fold: improved efficiency and better quality using

innovations like a comprehensive rulemaking manual, a

rulemaking web site

(http://interweb.faa.gov/avr/iarmhome.htm), and an advanced

rulemaking course for agency employees. The FAA has

issued two versions of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

(NPRM) and is soliciting comments on user preferences.

NATCA Agreement The FAA's historic agreement on a new

five-year contract with National Air Traffic Controllers

Association created a new classification/ compensation

system; reached agreement on staffing levels; and developed

procedures for greater union involvement. The Agency is

negotiating contracts with other unions using its new

flexibility for wider scope of bargaining.

Shared Alternative Dispute Resolution Mediators By

resolving employee disputes early on, FAA improves

communication in the workforce, maintains a productive work

environment, and reduces cost and time involved with formal

processes. Mediators are trained by the FAA, and shared

among federal agencies in the area. Three FAA regions have

highly successful programs. In the Great Lakes Region,

estimated cost avoidance is over $700,000.

One DOT The Department of Transportation's ongoing

program emphasizes collaboration among departmental

branches and encourages employees to see themselves as

leading the way to transportation excellence in the next

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century. For example, in Kansas City, Missouri, the FAA

Regional Office is located in the same building as the other

operating administrations of the Department of

Transportation, providing one stop shopping for area DOT

customers. For more information on ONE DOT, see the web

site at: http://www.intranet.gov/onedot.

http://intranet.dot.gov/onedot.

Partnering The Indianapolis Night Partners Quality Action

Team won the U.S. DOT Secretary's Team Award for

achieving significant savings for the major night time hub

operators at Indianapolis International Airport by working out

a more efficient night time air traffic flow. The team consisted

of FAA employees and NATCA representatives from the

Indianapolis Tower and the Indianapolis En Route Center,

FedEx employees, and the U.S. Postal Service Eagle

Contractor Mail employees.

NASCAR An awards program established by the FAA in

1995 as an incentive for aviation maintenance technicians

(AMT) to continue their safety education. The first year the

program had 113 participants. In 1996, the FAA obtained

support for the program from the National Association of

Stock Car Auto Racers (NASCAR), many of whose pit crew

members are also employed as AMTs. Program participants

were eligible to win prizes donated by NASCAR. Several

airlines also joined the effort, and in 1998 the program had

over 16,000 participants worldwide, representing

approximately a million hours of safety training received.

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