Who are air traffic controllers? What do they do? Where do they work?

Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, air traffic controllers are on the job separating aircraft at over 350 locations across the country. Controllers work in three different types of facilities Tower, Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) and Air Route Traffic Control Center in a rhythm similar to runners in a relay race. Constantly on the move, a controller will work an aircraft until it reaches the end of his defined airspace and then will hand it off to the next controller similar to a runner handing the baton off after running his leg of the race.

Tower
Some controllers work in the glass enclosed towers you see at airports. These controllers give pilots taxi and take off clearances. They will also work an aircraft until it approaches the edge of the towers jurisdiction then it is handed off to the controller in the TRACON.

Terminal Radar Approach Control

Controllers also work in radar rooms called TRACONs which are located either at the base of the airport or in a building completely separate from the airport. These controllers provide service to the aircraft until it reaches the edge of the facilitys airspace and then they hand it off to the center.

Air Route Traffic Control Center

Controllers in centers work at 20 facilities across the country, and will provide service to an aircraft for the majority of its journey. Using radar and manual procedures, these controllers track thousands of planes streaming across the sky at a time.

Air traffic controllers and their alphabet

Air traffic controllers communicate using a unique alphabet. Rather than saying letters, controllers utilize particular words that begin with that letter to represent that letter because many letters sound the same (for instance, b and v).

A B C D E F G H I

alpha bravo charlie delta echo foxtrot golf hotel India

J K L M N O P Q R

juliet kilo lima mike november oscar papa quebec romeo

S T U V W X Y Z

sierra tango uniform victor whiskey x-ray yankee zulu

Using the alphabet code above, spell out the words below.
1. charlie - oscar - november - tango - romeo - oscar - lima - lima - echo - romeo

2. romeo - alpha - delta - alpha - romeo

3. tango - romeo - alpha - foxtrot - foxtrot - India - charlie

4. foxtrot - alpha - charlie - India - lima - India - tango - yankee

Now use the alphabet code above to say each word below.
5. S-A-F-E-T-Y 6. R-O-U-T-E 7. E-Q-U-I-P-M-E-N-T 8. G-U-I-D-E
*Answers located on page 12.

How well can you remember...

An air traffic controller must have an exceptional memory to succeed in his or her job. One of the first skills they learn is how to memorize and draw maps. Below is a simplified map of what a controllers airspace might look like. Controllers are responsible for working aircraft in a particular section of airspace and use these maps as a tool to
V1 3

safely separate the airplanes. Airspace maps detail the different routes airplanes follow as they navigate across the sky - similar to the highways that cars travel along. Using the next page, fill in the missing information for the 12 question marks.

V8

13 0

110

03

END
090

30 0

70

270
165

V2
75

360

F22
6K4
V1

180

FAU

21

V5

Aero Center (ZAE)

J1 00
90
16 8

V3

85

10 0

13 0

V4 N

55
345

10 4

PNC
090
12 0

V3

270

70

UNCONTROLLED AIRSPACE 14500

TRYON

D1 D2
V4N
V1 1

DEPEW

1 12

KARNS

COYLE
03 0

V4
360 270 180
5

SLICK

V6N
105
285

345

06

JONES
V6

SNL
090

V6
100

270

090
105

YUKON
23 0

BOLEY

50

V6S

0 15

MINCO

OKC
MOORE
V1

ASHER
88

137

0 10

-4 V3

R931A 8000 CONTINUOUS AERO CENTER / FSS

0 10

DAVIS

Fill in the missing information for the 12 question marks below.

110
13 0

55

10 4

EN_?
70 75

PNC

FAU 6K_?
__ __

F22
_____________? AIRSPACE 14500

70

D1 D2
TRYON

?
90
___ _?

85

10 0

DEPEW

__ __ ?

1 12

K____? COYLE
105
285

_____?
3 __ 0 __ ?

345

06

JONES BOLEY
50

SNL

100

270

090
105

YUKON
0 23

0 15

MINCO

__KC?
MOORE
ASHER
88
137

0 10
0 10

R931A 8000 _____________? AERO CENTER / FSS

DAVIS

Aero Center (___)?

4

Air traffic controllers and their airspace

Air traffic controllers separate aircraft within a particular area of airspace at specific altitudes - and work together in a coordinated effort to safely separate airplanes. The map below indicates how the United States airspace is divided among the 20 Air Route Traffic Control Centers. A typical center is responsible for more than 100,000 square miles of airspace generally extending over a number of states. The facility identifiers are identified in the list below the map. Controllers must know all of these designations along with locations they represent. Study this map for a few minutes and then on the next page label each section of airspace with the appropriate three-letter identifier.

ZSE ZBW ZLC ZOA ZLA ZAB ZFW ZJX ZHU

ZMA

ZMP ZAU ZDV ZKC ZME

ZTL
ZOB

ZNY ZDC

ZID

ZSE - Seattle Center ZOB - Cleveland Center ZOA - Oakland Center ZID - Indianapolis Center ZLA - Los Angeles Center ZTL - Atlanta Center ZLC - Salt Lake City Center

ZJX - Jacksonville Center ZAB - Albuquerque Center ZMA - Miami Center ZMP - Minneapolis Center ZDC - Washington Center ZKC - Kansas City Center ZNY - New York Center
5

ZFW - Ft. Worth Center ZBW - Boston Center ZHU - Houston Center ZDV - Denver Center ZAU - Chicago Center ZME - Memphis Center

Use the facility identifiers below to identify the appropriate airspace.

ZSE ZOB ZAB ZMA ZBW ZMP ZDC

ZKC ZNY ZDV ZHU ZFW ZME ZAU

ZOA ZID ZLA ZTL ZLC ZJX

Necessary skills to become an air traffic controller

Individuals interested in becoming an air traffic controller must meet minimum requirements such as being 30 years of age or younger, a United States citizen and passing a rigid medical exam. Candidates also usually possess particular innate skills including the E D F
3

ability to focus, make good decisions and visualize objects three dimensionally. Study the diagram along with the corresponding flight information to answer the questions below.

G C
1

A
2

Flight Information
Aircraft Route Designation
1 2 3 CGHB AHIE FIGD

North

1. After passing point G, which direction will aircraft 3 be flying? a. NW b. NE c. SE

2. At what point will the routes of flight 2 and flight 3 intersect? a. G b. E c. I

3. What direction will flight 1 be flying after passing point H? a. SE b. NW c. SW

4. At what point will the routes of flight 1 and flight 3 intersect? a. I b. D c. G

5. What direction will flight 2 be flying after passing point H? a. W b. NW c. N

*Answers located on page 12.

Seek a word
Can you find the following air traffic control related words in the word search below?
Bargaining Unit Union Centers TRACON Safety Fifteen Thousand Guiding Home Modernization Tower Airport Air Traffic Control Radar Terminal Technology FAA Aircraft National Air Traffic Controllers Association

B T A L R I G O A P I B N X I Z NW G Y U S N L I A T Q H A E S R Z O X J V O F H P L I R T F I M L B X G U T J H R J F K B OM E Y P I L K Z X O U X C P O L C R E T Y L A P O

G T Z K S B Z A E E A B D Y Y H N B N M U P K F R T N F J N L J A O J C Y V E K W Q N I

S R O U D N A Q D R F B O I O K L J D R G M M T B L I G F S A R E Y H V T N I J A I I Y

N E P M C M Q V C A E U M P T R M E E D Y O R E J P O C M L Q E K T U B T V U H S O M R

K P J Y W Q A S A Z X W U Y N B F G H J I M N B W U E R D D G S V F R L S D X Z T Y G A F T R E E R J R J V E X T D S G O E A K P S L I I X P W U W U E Y T Y G C R T B V F G S L V B A E N T H A E R B U A R Q N B S Z O C T Y I D U X E E V W A F G H W O T J M E P I A Z S J Y R T R E A S D R E W I B N U C Y G T R G F D S D F G H L K J H R E T L F J H K

O D S T K V T D T N R N N P O V J C S O Q M V O P P O N M L I K V K E D V F E T J G A Z

Q F A I R T R A F F I C C O N T R O L L J H P U K O R A D A R L G L I B H N R Z K F S X

M G S R L C Y N G Z A T F Q A Z X C V O B N M S K M W E A D F M H N L P M O W X L D X D

L H E V P X U J A L G V E A S D F G H N J K L A P E D C F G T U G I K O P L Q C A S F B

S A F H X K L M N B D C R F V C E W X Z O I U N Y Z Q O W E I I O P L T O T P A B N H Y U P O K M K E A S A L G N I Y L R L P Z O W P O Q B R L I A N Y K R X M I J E C L P G W D K M D Q E X H C E T A B Q G Y S C A B H D X Z N M F N D V K B T N M P N G B A A F B V T I L F C F Y K D X D E W S Z M R R A O G E Y H R M Q T W E L W U Q W A T Y W I O U I R J I Y U K H E I O M N R M P V C T N F V B H C G I R C R A A Q V Z H J K C X K H T R A C

N A T I O N A L A I R T R A F F I C C O N T R O L L E R S A S S O C I A T I O N F J L O

C V G Q T R K N M I E F E F L K J H G F D S A Q P K M N J I U Y H B V G T R F C T X D N

Word Creation
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association is the union that represents 18 different bargaining units including over 15,000 air traffic controllers. NATCA continually works to improve and enhance aviation safety, and we proudly provide the safest air traffic control system in the world. How many different words can you create from the words Air Traffic Controller? For instance - train.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER

1. __________________________________________________________________________________ 2. __________________________________________________________________________________ 3. __________________________________________________________________________________ 4. __________________________________________________________________________________ 5. __________________________________________________________________________________ 6. __________________________________________________________________________________ 7. __________________________________________________________________________________ 8. __________________________________________________________________________________ 9. __________________________________________________________________________________ 10. ________________________________________________________________________________ 11. ________________________________________________________________________________ 12. ________________________________________________________________________________ 13. ________________________________________________________________________________ 14. ________________________________________________________________________________ 15. ________________________________________________________________________________

Aviation Cross Word Puzzle

DOWN
1. Government agency responsible for overseeing all aspects of aviation in the United States. 3. All air traffic control facilities have a ____________________ identifier. 5. The letter g is pronounced ___________ in the air traffic control alphabet. 7. Flying is a safe and efficient mode of ____________ for many traveling passengers. 9. People who remain in constant contact with the pilot and safely separate aircraft from one another. 11. An air traffic controller must know an airports ____________________. 13. The top priority of air traffic controllers 15. The letter n is pronounced ____________________ in the air traffic control alphabet. 17. ____________________ are comprised of a terminal, runways and taxiways. 19. NATCA members play a vital role in the ____________________ system. 21. The maximum age you can be to become an air traffic controller 23. One skill the controllers must have is a good ____________________. 25. NATCA represents members in _____________ different bargaining units. 27. This radar room is located either at the base of the tower or in a building completely separate from the airport. 29. Piece of equipment that gives the controllers up-to-the-minute information about aircraft position. 31. Air traffic controllers must be able to read these. 33. A ___________________ can be responsible for more than 100,000 square miles of airspace.

ACROSS
2. Air traffic controllers separate aircraft in a particular section of _______________. 4. The city where NATCA national headquarters is located 6. Our nations air traffic controllers are working together to separate aircraft ____________________ hours a day. 8. Controllers and pilots are in constant ________________________ with one another. 10. Controllers work in ____________________ different types of facilities. 12. Controllers give pilots __________________ to land their aircraft. 14. Being an air traffic controllers a very ____________________ yet rewarding job. 16. An air route traffic control center located in Illinois. 18. The number of air route traffic control centers located in the United States. 20. The letter f is pronounced ____________________ in the air traffic control alphabet. 21. Facilities that handles all take-off, landing and ground traffic 22. Planes taxi onto, take off and land on this 24. The o in the air traffic controllers alphabet is pronounced _______________. 26. The union that represents over 15,000 air traffic controllers 28. A tower controller works an aircraft until it _____________________ the edge of the towers jurisdiction. 30. 1999 movie about air traffic controllers staring Billy Bob Thorton and John Cusack. 31. An air route traffic control center located in Tennessee.

10

1 3 4

11

8 10 13 12 19

15

17

21 14 16

23

18 22

25

27

20

24 26

29 31

28

33

30

11

Answers
Page 2
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Controller Radar Traffic Facility sierra-alpha-foxtrot-echo-tango-yankee romeo-oscar-uniform-tango-echo echo-quebec-uniform-India-papa-mikeecho-november-tango 8. golf-uniform-India-delta-echo

Page 11
Down
1. FAA 3. Three Letter 5. Golf 7. Transportation 9. Controllers 11. Layout 13. Safety 15. November 17. Airports 19. Air Traffic 21. Thirty 23. Memory 25. Eighteen 27. TRACON 29. Radar 31. Maps 33. Center

Across
2. Airspace 4. Washington DC 6. Twenty Four 8. Communication 10. Three 12. Clearance 14. Stressful 16. Chicago 18. Twenty 20. Foxtrot 21. Towers 22. Runway 24. Oscar 26. NATCA 28. Approaches 30. Pushing Tin 31. Memphis

Page 7
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. B C A C B

Page 8
B T A L R I G O A P I B N X I Z NW G Y U S N L I A T Q H A E S R Z O X J V O F H P L I R T F I M L B X G U T J H R J F K B OM E Y P I L K Z X O U X C P O L C R E T Y L A P O G T Z K S B Z A E E A B D Y Y H N B N M U P K F R T N F J N L J A O J C Y V E K W Q N I S R O U D N A Q D R F B O I O K L J D R G M M T B L I G F S A R E Y H V T N I J A I I Y N E P M C M Q V C A E U M P T R M E E D Y O R E J P O C M L Q E K T U B T V U H S O M R K P J Y W Q A S A Z X W U Y N B F G H J I M N B W U E R D D G S V F R L S D X Z T Y G A F T R E E R J R J V E X T D S G O E A K P S L I I X P W U W U E Y T Y G C R T B V F G S L V B A E N T H A E R B U A R Q N B S Z O C T Y I D U X E E V W A F G H W O T J M E P I A Z S J Y R T R E A S D R E W I B N U C Y G T R G F D S D F G H L K J H R E T L F J H K O D S T K V T D T N R N N P O V J C S O Q M V O P P O N M L I K V K E D V F E T J G A Z Q F A I R T R A F F I C C O N T R O L L J H P U K O R A D A R L G L I B H N R Z K F S X M G S R L C Y N G Z A T F Q A Z X C V O B N M S K M W E A D F M H N L P M O W X L D X D L H E V P X U J A L G V E A S D F G H N J K L A P E D C F G T U G I K O P L Q C A S F B S A F H X K L M N B D C R F V C E W X Z O I U N Y Z Q O W E I I O P L T O T P A B N H Y U P O K M K E A S A L G N I Y L R L P Z O W P O Q B R L I A N Y K R X M I J E C L P G W D K M D Q E X H C E T A B Q G Y S C A B H D X Z N M F N D V K B T N M P N G B A A F B V T I L F C F Y K D X D E W S Z M R R A O G E Y H R M Q T W E L W U Q W A T Y W I O U I R J I Y U K H E I O M N R M P V C T N F V B H C G I R C R A A Q V Z H J K C X K H T R A C N A T I O N A L A I R T R A F F I C C O N T R O L L E R S A S S O C I A T I O N F J L O C V G Q T R K N M I E F E F L K J H G F D S A Q P K M N J I U Y H B V G T R F C T X D N

12

National Air Traffic Controllers Association / AFL-CIO

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