8.2 Air Traffic Control Entities

 

Air Traffic Control Entities

Piloting an aircraft is not like driving a car, nor do you have the same visibility as to when driving a car. According to Dr. Freudenrich, there are about 5,000 airplanes in the sky every hour. (2021) We have learned that without air traffic control we would increase the number of accidents in our sky. Thankfully we have utilized technology to increase the safety of the people flying and the people oblivious to the air traffic above their heads, especially with the amount of aircraft in the sky at one time. These technologies allow air traffic controllers the ability to complete their duties with accuracy and efficiency. 

Now that we have Air Traffic Control (ATC) and their program known as the National Airspace System (NAS) we can reduce the number of incidents that occur. ATC’s purpose for existence is to counteract a collision concerning aircraft that are operating in the system and to manage and advance the movement of transportation in our skies. (PHAK, 2016) Air control and ground control are two separate controls that both require the same level of detail and attention.

 Air control is accountable for the organization of live runways, safeguarding the take-offs and landings of the aircraft, they also observe if the runway is safe for the respective action and if any hazards exist the controller can inform and relocate the aircraft to another runway. The ground controller also has the responsibility of preventing contradictory movement of aircraft in the active zones of the airport. This helps control the runways and boosts their efficiency. Regardless of the obligations of air and ground control, both units are crucial to ensure the wellbeing and effectiveness of take-offs, landings, and general airport productivity.



The air traffic controllers work in the control towers that everyone sees when arriving at the airport however, they also work from, approach control facilities and route centers. Though their goals are the same they may have different focuses and positions. As you can see the image below illustrates the different modes or control of ownership during different periods of flight. 

Though regardless of the position in air traffic control we need them all to work accurately, efficiently, and safely.

 

References

FAA (2020, September 21). Air traffic by the numbers. https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/by_the_numbers/

Freudenrich Ph.D., C. (2021, May 12). How air traffic control works.  https://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/flight/modern/air-traffic-control.htm

PHAK. (2016). “Airspace.” Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/media/17_phak_ch15.pdf.


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