Progress in Ground-Based Dissemination/Display Center Weather Service Units (CWSUs) Functional Audit and Joint Assessment of Current Operations Friends and Partners of Aviation Weather NBAA, Orlando Dave Rodenhuis, ATT-260 October 2003

Current Configuration ARTCCs and 20 Center Weather Service Units (+ ZAN)

Background CWSU Mission and responsibilities: Technology unchanged since 1978 (~25 years) Technology radical changes in observations, communications, and weather forecasting. National Research Council (NRC, 1995): recommendation: consolidate to 8 centers NTSB (1995, 2001): operate whenever significant weather is present review the program; set national standards Costs are $9-10 M and increasing December 2002: Management responsibility to Air Traffic Tactical Operations Program (ATT) What is the value to the FAA? What is the value to users of the NAS?

Joint Evaluation by ATT, ARS, and the NWS FAA Orders 7210.38a (1979, 1984, 1990) Guidelines for Restructuring Functional Audit ARS Reports Kies Questions CWSU Appraisals (FY02) Role of the Weather Coordinator

Functional Audit (ARS and NWS) Notwithstanding the high performance and conscientious work at some centers…….. Functional Audit and Assessment 1. Current Mission and Responsibilities? Unfulfilled, and overtaken by technology 2. Current Level of Service? Uneven and sharply deficient 3. Value of Products and Services? Marginal

We can do better Concepts: Change the mission 24x7 operations initiate (40) HUB Forecasts out to 8 hours, updated 24x7 operations develop an “interactive weather channel” consolidate centers and raise level of performance/grade level strengthen the delivery of weather information to the FAA and users into support of traffic management, while maintaining safety more efficient; cost savings no change for ZAN, Alaska

MTO Areas of Jurisdiction

Next Steps Guidelines March 03 Joint Assessment (ATT, NWS) October 03 Restructuring: November 03 Mission and Concept of Operations Restructuring Plan: January 04 Implementation: 2 years (FY04-05) The Goal: Improvements: mission and responsibilities level of service value to the TFM and ATC training management funding