Air Traffic Controllers

    Air Traffic Controllers are the stop lights, yield signs, and roundabouts of the skies so it is no surprise that there are more than one type of ATC.  Although they all have their importance I am going to focus on two in particular ATC, which are, the approach controllers and the aerodrome controllers.  Both of course use radar along with communication with pilots but both have very distinct differences which is why they both have their own job position.  




    Aerodrome Controllers are what people think when someone says ATC, as there are the ones in the Control Tower at every airport and are telling all planes where to go and when.  From handling taxiing aircraft to landing and departures, they are responsible for all of them.  These types of air traffic controllers also only deal with planes that are roughly 10 miles from the airport.

    The biggest difference I feel is they are not always stationed at the airport.  For major air traffic such as London, UK the approach controller is actually in Swanwick which is over 60 miles away from London.  They also do not deal with aircraft as they are within 10 miles of the airport as they pass them off to the tower.  Their job is to communicate with all approaching aircraft and configure them so as they approach the airports, they are in an aeronautical line as to reduce change for in air collision or extended air time.  They also will advise the pilots as to which runway they are currently slated for so they may change their heading.  So both types of controllers are important and work hand in hand to maintain air safety.


References:

Admin, S. (2021, August 5). Air Traffic Control (ATC). Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia - CAAM -. https://www.caam.gov.my/resources/aviation-professional/air-traffic-control-atc/#1613615119676-482589e1-60fd

Freudenrich, C., PhD. (2021, May 15). How Air Traffic Control Works. HowStuffWorks. https://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/flight/modern/air-traffic-control.htm

Comments

  1. Emily DetlaffJanuary 11, 2022 at 4:53 AM

    Hi Ian,
    Great post! It's really interesting to think about how so many controllers that work with aircraft approaching the airport can be so far away from the airport location itself. Technology is crazy!
    This is similar to my local airport, Chicago O'Hare ORD. The approach control is about 30 miles away from the airport. ATC is such an amazing system when you really think about it, how aircraft are handed off from controller to controller, and then to different facilities based on their location. It's such an intricate process!
    Great post!

    ReplyDelete

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