Air Traffic Controller

Air Traffic Controller

Factor

Woodstock, VA

Male, 65

My life in ATC began with 4 years Air Force then another 30 years with the Federal Aviation Admin. working tower & radar at some big international airports. I fought in the 1981 war with PATCO, survived the strike and kept a job that was just too exhilarating to walk away from. While there was nothing better than working airplanes, I did move on through several air traffic supervisory and management positions. It was a long, crazy career but I wouldn't trade a moment of it for love or lucre!

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Last Answer on March 16, 2014

Best Rated

When a plane is just flying en-route with no nearby airports, are the ATC they talk to in towers at no airport? How many people are talking on one radio channel at any given time? One ATC and multiple pilots?

Asked by Future AF almost 11 years ago

Hi there, “Future AF!” Good question. ATC controlled airplanes operating somewhere between their departure and arrival points are usually talking to controllers who work at an Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC for short). These are the controllers working those planes you see flying thousands of feet up, drawing their long, white contrails across the sky. When a flight reaches a certain distance from its departure point; it is turned over the ARTCC. Later on, when it gets close to its destination, the ARTCC controller turns the flight over to a terminal facility (approach control & tower). Repeat the process thousands of times each day and you have our National Airspace System!

On your second question; only one controller at a time talks to a flight. However, that same controller may have several other planes on his or her radio frequency. Then, at some point, each one is instructed to contact another controller working in an ARTCC, tower or approach control.

Cheers,
Factor

While practicing multiple IAPs, you're cleared to the IAF. Is this a clearance limit? Approaching the IAF, the controller is busy and is unable to provide IAP clearance. Do you enter holding at the IAF, or do you continue the IAP inbound?

Asked by Greg over 9 years ago

 

Why are published holding courses sometimes different By a few degrees than the inbound arrival course

Asked by Bhiler59 almost 6 years ago

 

I work on Eastern Hops FSX Server , do aircraft practise Pattern work at a Class bBor C airport jaylevine589@hotmail.com

Asked by Jay Levine over 5 years ago

 

If you had to pick between using only a pressure altimeter or using only a radio (VORTAC) whitch would you pick? (I'm discussing the safety between altimeters versus radio and whitch is more preferable to pilots and airlines as a school project)

Asked by LucaKD 30 days ago

 

Does it mean Simultaneous Close Parallel PRM Approaches when you have information from ATIS at KATL like below

ATL ARR INFO J 2252Z. 34004KT
10SM SCT200 BKN250 21/09
A3011 (THREE ZERO ONE ONE
RMK A02 SLP192. SIMULTANEOUS
APCHS IN USE VIS 8L, VIS 9R,
VIS 10.

Asked by Hakan about 4 years ago

 

I am an aircraft mechanic for an airline at DFW. Obviously we have to taxi. We have always used the Gnd. Freq the whole time . Lately we have been told to monitor the tower freq @ the HS line. Why are we doing this now . What does this mean ?

Asked by Dannyd over 7 years ago