Oh My STARS! New Keyboard Apps for Controllers Aid Trainees
The FAA assisted in development of two new mobile apps that help air traffic control trainees familiarize themselves with ERAM and STARS keyboards anywhere there is WiFi.
By Kelly Vick, FAA Air Traffic Organization
The En Route Automation Modernization, or ERAM, keyboard used by air traffic controllers (ATC) is unique. Prior to ATC training, students have never seen such a keyboard, and the need to train on a new keyboard takes up valuable training time. Yet, if ATC students could become proficient at ERAM keyboarding skills before going to the ERAM laboratory at the FAA Academy, they would be in a position to get so much more out of the lab and be able to focus on higher level skills. Daniel Bird, a controller from the Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center, made that very suggestion in response to a 2018 National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) contest soliciting ideas for training apps that would be helpful in the field.
“Before this ERAM Keyboard App, the only way students could practice with the keyboard was to be at the Academy,” said Terry Harrington, Air Traffic Training Branch Manager and the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC) in Oklahoma City. “Although the keyboard is not a huge mountain to overcome in their training, students can now spend that time on what really matters, like scanning and separation.”
Calvin Rohan, Eastern Region Area Director of Operations, added, “There’s also great benefit for controllers who transfer from terminal facilities to train on the ERAM Keyboard App prior to training in the ERAM environment. The ERAM Keyboard App also allows trainees to maintain some of their skills during the interruption of training due to the [COVID-19 public health emergency].”
The idea for the ERAM Keyboard app was vetted and chosen for agency production following a thorough review of ERAM curriculum, procedures, and site visits.
“I am thrilled to see that such an excellent tool for controllers was developed in great part based on a suggestion that was made at [the Communicating for Safety NATCA conference],” said Jamaal Haltom, NATCA National Training Representative. “Designed collaboratively with the agency and industry, the tool will increase the efficiency of En Route controllers’ keyboard interactions and shorten training certification times.”
The ERAM Keyboard app is one of five apps — such as Basic Vectoring and Airspace Visualizer — that the FAA Air Traffic Organization’s Safety and Technical Training service (AJI) has fielded on a mobile learning platform used to help train developmental controllers.
“From a learning perspective, it will be a great way to chunk some critical knowledge these developmentals need to embed in their brains to successfully complete their Academy En Route training, and pursue their CPC certification” said Matt Royston of AJI’s Training Technology Team.
During beta testing for the ERAM keyboard app earlier this year, Safety and Technical Training and NATCA also recognized the immediate need for a similar mobile application for the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System, or STARS. Technical Training set up a workgroup with NATCA and the FAA Academy’s Air Traffic Division to identify the requirements, and tasked Rigil Corporation with the design and development of the training app.
“The STARS keyboard app will enable air traffic control trainees to practice on this specialized keyboard before they begin training on the STARS system,” said Royston.
STARS is digital, automated flight-tracking technology used by FAA towers and terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities across the country. STARS provides advanced functionalities for controllers, such as a flat-panel LED displays.
“The deployment of the STARS keyboard app will greatly aid trainees in increasing their capability and comfort level with the STARS systems,” said Haltom. “The app can be used for skill improvement training, leading to more efficient working speeds and, ultimately, to better service our NAS customers.”
Version 1.0 of the app was deployed August 12 to the Mobile Learning Platform’s training tablets for developmentals’ immediate use at the FAA Academy and in the field. Air Traffic Managers and Training Support Managers at TRACONs should be aware of the app, and encourage developmentals and Certified Professional Controllers-In-Training to utilize it.
The training workgroup will make changes and enhancements to future versions of both the ERAM and STARS keyboard apps as feedback from users and the FAA Academy is provided.
“This is a great example of how collaboration between stakeholders leads to the development of a tool that is available to controllers to help them improve their skills and abilities,” said former FAA Academy Deputy Director Wayne Coley.
