Air traffic controllersThe air traffic control system is a vast network of people and equipment that ensures the safe operation of commercial and private aircraft. Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of air traffic to make certain that planes stay a safe distance apart. Their immediate concern is safety, but controllers also must direct planes efficiently to minimize delays. Some regulate airport traffic; others regulate flights between airports. Although airport tower or terminal controllers watch over all planes traveling through the airport�s airspace, their main responsibility is to organize the flow of aircraft into and out of the airport. Relying on radar and visual observation, they closely monitor each plane to ensure a safe distance between all aircraft and to guide pilots between the hangar or ramp and the end of the airport�s airspace. In addition, controllers keep pilots informed about changes in weather conditions such as wind shear—a sudden change in the velocity or direction of the wind that can cause the pilot to lose control of the aircraft. During arrival or departure, several controllers direct each plane. As a plane approaches an airport, the pilot radios ahead to inform the terminal of the plane�s presence. The controller in the radar room, just beneath the control tower, has a copy of the plane�s flight plan and already has observed the plane on radar. If the path is clear, the controller directs the pilot to a runway; if the airport is busy, the plane is fitted into a traffic pattern with other aircraft waiting to land. As the plane nears the runway, the pilot is asked to contact the tower. There, another controller, who also is watching the plane on radar, monitors the aircraft the last mile or so to the runway, delaying any departures that would interfere with the plane�s landing. Once the plane has landed, a ground controller in the tower directs it along the taxiways to its assigned gate. The ground controller usually works entirely by sight, but may use radar if visibility is very poor. The procedure is reversed for departures. The ground controller directs the plane to the proper runway. The local controller then informs the pilot about conditions at the airport, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, and visibility. The local controller also issues runway clearance for the pilot to take off. Once in the air, the plane is guided out of the airport�s airspace by the departure controller. After each plane departs, airport tower controllers notify enroute controllers who will next take charge. There are 21 air route traffic control centers located around the country, each employing 300 to 700 controllers, with more than 150 on duty during peak hours at the busier facilities. Airplanes usually fly along designated routes; each center is assigned a certain airspace containing many different routes. Enroute controllers work in teams of up to three members, depending on how heavy traffic is; each team is responsible for a section of the center�s airspace. A team, for example, might be responsible for all planes that are between 30 to 100 miles north of an airport and flying at an altitude between 6,000 and 18,000 feet. To prepare for planes about to enter the team�s airspace, the radar associate controller organizes flight plans coming off a printer. If two planes are scheduled to enter the team�s airspace at nearly the same time, location, and altitude, this controller may arrange with the preceding control unit for one plane to change its flight path. The previous unit may have been another team at the same or an adjacent center, or a departure controller at a neighboring terminal. As a plane approaches a team�s airspace, the radar controller accepts responsibility for the plane from the previous controlling unit. The controller also delegates responsibility for the plane to the next controlling unit when the plane leaves the team�s airspace. The radar controller, who is the senior team member, observes the planes in the team�s airspace on radar and communicates with the pilots when necessary. Radar controllers warn pilots about nearby planes, bad weather conditions, and other potential hazards. Two planes on a collision course will be directed around each other. If a pilot wants to change altitude in search of better flying conditions, the controller will check to determine that no other planes will be along the proposed path. As the flight progresses, the team responsible for the aircraft notifies the next team in charge of the airspace ahead. Through team coordination, the plane arrives safely at its destination. Both airport tower and enroute controllers usually control several planes at a time; often, they have to make quick decisions about completely different activities. For example, a controller might direct a plane on its landing approach and at the same time provide pilots entering the airport�s airspace with information about conditions at the airport. While instructing these pilots, the controller also would observe other planes in the vicinity, such as those in a holding pattern waiting for permission to land, to ensure that they remain well separated. In addition to airport towers and enroute centers, air traffic controllers also work in flight service stations operated at more than 100 locations. These flight service specialists provide pilots with information on the station�s particular area, including terrain, preflight and inflight weather information, suggested routes, and other information important to the safety of a flight. Flight service station specialists help pilots in emergency situations and initiate and coordinate searches for missing or overdue aircraft. However, they are not involved in actively managing air traffic. Some air traffic controllers work at the Federal Aviation Administration�s (FAA) Air Traffic Control Systems Command Center in Herndon, Virginia, where they oversee the entire system. They look for situations that will create bottlenecks or other problems in the system, then respond with a management plan for traffic into and out of the troubled sector. The objective is to keep traffic levels in the trouble spots manageable for the controllers working at enroute centers. Currently, the FAA is implementing a new automated air traffic control system, called the National Airspace System (NAS) Architecture. The NAS Architecture is a long-term strategic plan that will allow controllers to more efficiently deal with the demands of increased air traffic. It encompasses the replacement of aging equipment and the introduction of new systems, technologies, and procedures to enhance safety and security and support future aviation growth. Related news articles Genre: Flight Simulation - 16 Oct 2006 WorthPlaying.com,In this way, friends and relatives can showcase their favorite flights to each other, request live help, or even act as an air traffic controller, sitting in ... Microsoft Flight Simulator X - 16 Oct 2006 MTV.com...module. This last feature lets you step into the control tower and take the role of the air traffic controller in multiplayer mode. ... Global body conducts safety audit of IGI Airport - 16 Oct 2006 Hindustan Times,One member of the team, assisted by a senior DGCA official surveyed the aerodrome. The other three checked the Air Traffic Controller's (ATC) tower. ... Ex-air traffic controller accused of planting bombs at co-workers' ... - Oct 13, 2006 International Herald Tribune,DENVER A former air traffic controller accused of planting homemade bombs in March outside the homes of four co-workers and a Federal Aviation Administration ... Guilty plea for ex-air traffic controller - Oct 14, 2006 Washington Times,A disgruntled former air traffic controller pleaded guilty in federal court in Denver to trying to bomb homes of former co-workers who helped get him fired. ... Former air traffic controller accused in bombings pleads guilty - Oct 13, 2006 WTVF,DENVER A former air traffic controller pleaded guilty today in Denver to planting a home-made bomb. Fifty-four-year-old Robert Burke ... Former air traffic controller with Murfreesboro ties accused in ... - Oct 13, 2006 Daily News Journal (subscription),DENVER (AP) — A former air traffic controller accused of planting homemade bombs in March outside the Grand Junction homes of four former co-workers and a ... Meet the women who keep our skies safe - Oct 15, 2006 Jamaica Observer,...second. She has been an air traffic controller since 1992. 2 ... High. She has been an air traffic controller since September 2006. 3 ... Air traffic controller’s profession officially recognized - Oct 5, 2006 WebWire (press release),The profession of air traffic controller has been officially recognised by the Swiss Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET). ... Letter: Air-traffic controller criticizes FAA - Sep 19, 2006 2TheAdvocate,That’s right. You can make more at Burger King to start than as an air-traffic controller. All this is typical for the current FAA. ... Ex-air traffic controller admits planting bombs - Oct 13, 2006 Detroit Free Press,By JON SARCHE. AP. Burke, 54, was arrested in Utah in April. He agreed to plead guilty to a charge of. malicious damage to a building used in interstate commerce ... Ex-air traffic controller accused of planting bombs at co-workers' ... - Oct 13, 2006 San Diego Union Tribune,AP. DENVER – A former air traffic controller accused of planting homemade bombs outside the Colorado homes of four co-workers and a Federal Aviation ... Ex-Air Traffic Controller Admits Bombings - Oct 13, 2006 KFOXtv.com,DENVER -- A former air traffic controller accused of planting homemade bombs in March outside the Grand Junction, Colo., homes of four co-workers and a Federal ... Feds get clue to cause of plane crash - Oct 13, 2006 Nantucket Island Inquirer,...to receive an MSAW and that when one does register with air traffic controllers, “It should be taken seriously�? by which ever air traffic controller was in ... Shortfalls in air traffic system eyed in hearing - Oct 1, 2006 Louisville Courier-Journal,Frank Lautenberg, DN.J., to criticize the Federal Aviation Administration for what he said were shortages in air traffic controller staffing. ... Traffic cops of the air - Oct 10, 2006 Kitsap Sun (Subscription),So, if you are looking for an important, stable and demanding job, an air traffic controller position may be what you are looking for. ... Comair sues FAA, Lexington airport - Oct 14, 2006 Louisville Courier-Journal,Unsafe runways and taxiways, improper lighting and signage, inaccurate maps, and the use of one air traffic controller instead of two led Flight 5191 pilots to ... More information on Air traffic controllers from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Air traffic controllers occupation Number of Air traffic controllers in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Air traffic controllers Working conditions for Air traffic controllers Significant points for Air traffic controllers Training requirements for Air traffic controllers Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |