The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) presented its 15th annual Archie League Medal of Safety Awards, the highest honor in the air traffic control profession, closing last week’s Communicating For Safety conference at Bally’s Las Vegas. NATCA also presented its Region X Commitment to Safety Award that recognizes great work from aviation safety professionals working in the many non-air traffic controller bargaining units that NATCA represents. Named after the first air traffic controller, Archie League, this award and the Region X Commitment to Safety Award honors the best in the ATC profession.
“We are so proud each year to honor those who saved lives aboard aircraft needing our members’ assistance,” said NATCA President Paul Rinaldi. “This awards program is one of the most important and rewarding things we do.” Rinaldi said the awards were a reminder that their members’ work ensuring that the National Airspace System is safe and efficient is nothing short of heroic. “Each of our award winners faced a unique situation in which their ability to think quickly and remain calm under pressure was tested.”
Winners of the 15th Annual Archie League Medal of Safety Award:
Alaskan Region Gabriel L. Zeifman, Juneau Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT, JNU)
Central Region Andrew J. Crabtree, Kansas City Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZKC)
Eastern Region Brian Rabinowitz, New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON, N90)
Great Lakes Region Nicholas J. Ferro and Charles Terry, Indianapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZID)
Great Lakes Region Shane Mikel Boulds and Justin Dokken, Minneapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZMP)
New England Region Christopher Corcoran, Providence ATCT (PVD)
New England Region Jeffrey Aulbach, Neil Cóspito, and Michael Jacobson, Boston Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZBW)
Northwest Mountain Region Joseph Asmundson, Matthew Colby Rhea, Nicole Breann Coffey, and Devin Carlisto, Seattle Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZSE)
Southern Region Paul Ray Keeling, Memphis Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZME)
Southwest Region Michael Schawinsky, Houston TRACON (I90)
Western Pacific Region Michael Tamez, Southern California TRACON (SCT)
Winner of the third annual Region X Commitment to Safety Award:
Michael Collins Collins, who retired last year after a career devoted to aviation safety, was a founding member of NATCA’s Aircraft Certification (AIR) bargaining unit.
