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!
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
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