FROM THE LOG BOOK
Air Traffic Control Towers: Next to experience It Is The Best Thing Pilots Have Going For Them!
We’ve really come a long way since 1919 when we had controllers standing on the field waving flags to guide airplanes to safe takeoffs and landings. The first paved runway, the first weather station, the first ATC tower, the first terminal, and the first lighted runway didn’t open until 1928, all on the same day at the Newark, New Jersey, International Airport. By 1930 more aircraft were becoming fitted with radio communication and ATC control towers were operating in St. Louis, Chicago, Cleveland and several other cities.
I personally have the greatest respect for the Controllers who keep us separated from each other and metal from rubbing against metal (or composite, wood, glass and paper), as we fly through our beautiful, uncrowded (usually), and safest airspace in the world. It still amazes me how they do it without an occasional bump here and there. I visit our tower in Nashville, Tennessee (BNA), every chance I’m given and always make it a point to take as many with me as they allow. All this security stuff has done away with taking a big crowd along, but don’t pass up a chance to make that climb and visit if you receive an offer.
I’m always interested in writing about some aspect of aviation that is not well-known and certainly one that is designed to help save lives. The dedication and professionalism of our Air Traffic Controllers can be quickly measured by the number of accidents and incidents that they don’t have. As you get sharper as a pilot working in busy airspace like “B” and “C,” you can visualize the controllers moving those airplanes around until they get them just where they are supposed to be. When you get to visit the tower and see the lanes designated for arrival and departure you can better appreciate what they are doing.
Think about what they see when they look at that screen and then add having to remember the kind of airplane, airspeed, destination, altitude, level of piloting skill, and selected runway. I’m certainly glad it’s not me, and I’m sure they felt the same way before they completed their training. Great equipment, regular training, and a love of what they do makes aviation the safest mode of transportation known to man and keeps us where we are supposed to be. I really miss being able to introduce them to the many pilots I work with as an instructor and FAA Safety Team Lead Representative. I never pass up a chance to have them come out as a team and do a safety seminar. It’s fun to watch the pilots put a face to the voices heard daily as we run our regular routes as pilots and students.
In 1994 the innovative concept of Free Flight was introduced. The concept aimed at providing pilots greater flexibility to fly direct routes by eventually allowing them to use onboard instruments and electronics to maintain a safe distance between planes and to reduce their reliance on ground controllers. Full implementation of this idea would involve technology that made use of the Global Positioning System to help track the position of aircraft. In 1998, the FAA and our industry began applying some of the early capabilities developed by the Free Flight program. By the opening of the 21st Century, Free Flight’s initial phase was beginning to deliver benefits that added to the efficiency of air transportation.
Current studies to upgrade ATC include the Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance for Air Traffic Management system that relies on the most advanced aircraft transponder, a global navigation satellite system, and ultra-precise radar. Tests are underway to design new cockpit displays that will allow pilots to better control their aircraft by combining as many as 32 types of information about traffic, weather, and hazards.
If it seems that I am partial to them because of their workload, I’ll let you decide. On any given day 15,000 controllers working in 266 FAA controlled towers and 130 others handle almost 100,000 flights each day. Atlanta and Chicago each handle almost 1,000,000 takeoffs and landings a year and do a great job. Or it could be that I still remember a flight back in the 80s when I flew for LifeGuard. I was returning from a Red Cross blood run in solid IMC and as I approached for an ILS into Nashville International I lost my vacuum system. I missed the approach and then heard a friendly voice ask, “May I be of some help?” Without a second’s hesitation I answered, “YES, and thank you for asking!” After a few minutes of 5° turns and 100’ descents I was told I was about to break out and the first rabbit I saw was mine to land on. I never forgot that flight or the calm controller who got me down safely. Now that’s professionalism, above and beyond the call.
I sincerely appreciate the cooperation of the tower crew members who spoke with me about the technical details involved in what they do and fully understand that they have little time for interviews. My hope is that the dedication to duty they have demonstrated to me translates into more safety in the air for those of us who rely on them on a daily basis. Thanks, everyone, for what you do so well. If you have a message for us, I can arrange for you to come out to the next FAA sponsored safety get-together in your area and tell us about it, or you can get in touch with me and I’ll gladly write about it. It’s very important for us to be on the same page!
Jim TRUSTY, ATP~IGI~CFI~AGI the FAA/Aviation Industry National Flight Instructor of the Year for 1997, and FAA Southern Region Aviation Safety Counselor of the Year in 1995 and 2005. You have been enjoying his work since 1973 in publications worldwide. If you have comments, questions, complaints, or compliments, please e-mail them directly to him Lrn2Fly@Bellsouth.Net.