Now Controllers Can Simulate Training Instead Of Waiting For
The Real Thing
Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota is now
using the state-of-the-art Standard Terminal Automation Replacement
System (STARS) air radar, the first such system overseas in the
Defense Department.
The new radar system replaced an aging analog system that used
1960s technology. The Federal Aviation Administration Flight Check
was completed July 15, certifying the system for use after nearly
four years of planning, installation and testing.
Chief Air Traffic Controller (AW/SW) Mike Gonzales, NAVSTA
Rota’s radar chief, said the new system comes with numerous
benefits for the operators and technicians.
"The previous system did not allow the controllers much in the
way of professional development," Gonzales said. "STARS allows us
to simulate air traffic for training purposes. Using the old
system, we would have to wait for actual flights to train our [air
traffic] controllers."
With built-in software, the digital STARS allows controllers the
ability to simulate any number of inbound and outbound air traffic,
and the target simulators perform with the same type of climb,
descent and turn rates, with approach speeds of the actual type of
aircraft it is simulating. This simulator has the ability to run a
200-aircraft training scenario with any type of military or
civilian aircraft.
"We can make one contact (aircraft) a C-5, another one a C-12,
or a helicopter or a Hornet or whatever," Gonzales said. "The
training our controllers can get now is limited only by the
imagination of the training team. We can even simulate different
weather conditions."
"This system puts the controller closer to real world
situations," said Chief Air Traffic Controller (AW/SW) Robert
Bradshaw, air traffic controller leading chief.
Brian Wottowa, an engineer with Space and Naval Warfare Systems
(SPAWAR) who helped install and test the STARS, compared the
upgrade from the old black and green blip radar to the new system
like going from the Pong video game to the new Xbox game
system.
The technicians from Ground Electronics Maintenance Division
(GEMD) also reap the benefits of less maintenance.
"It’s much better for the technicians who have to maintain
this gear," said Chief Electronics Technician (SW) Ken Reynolds.
"There’s less of a management burden in the upkeep of the old
radar system and takes about half the technicians as the old system
to maintain."
Bradshaw and Gonzales are excited about the system for many
reasons, but mostly for the sake of the young controllers whose
responsibility is to guide airplanes safely to touchdown. The
computer tracks altitude, ground speed and direction of all
aircraft within its 60-mile range. This system is much more
"controller friendly," and information that once was dependent upon
controller memory is now just a touch of a button away.
"We’re now able to provide safer, more expeditious service
to the aircraft in our area of responsibility, and the training we
can give our young Sailors is invaluable," Gonzales added.
"We’re giving the fleet better air traffic controllers when
they leave Rota for their next duty assignment."
Gonzales said Rota was chosen as the first overseas military
location for the STARS because of the traditionally low amount of
air traffic. He said Rota is the perfect test platform for other
overseas locations, joining the four stateside sites in Norfolk
(VA), Camp Pendelton (CA), Patuxent River (CA), and Willow Grove
(PA) in operating STARS.
The automated new system is not just a new radar screen and
computer. The upgrade comes with new radar, refurbishing of the air
tower, a new radar control facility, and a new communications suite
and radios. The upgrade is part of the $75 million en route project
that will expand the parking apron for wide-body aircraft and many
more airfield improvements.
(ANN salutes Chief Journalist (SW) Dan Smithyman, Naval
Station Rota Public Affairs)