The fear of flying is often made worse by the countless scare stories in newspapers magazines and the media in general. The words ‘near miss’ is an emotive word designed to scare…in fact it’s a word that isn’t actually used in aviation. Many of these stories involve Air Traffic Control, suggesting that it is less efficient than should be. Air Traffic Control is a very highly regulated process. Air Traffic Control officers are very highly trained and, like pilots, work to very strict rules with regard to their operational duties. The procedures for controlling aircraft are also very strict. The training required to become a controller is considerable and it takes many years’ experience to take charge at a major airport.  A controller will begin his or her career as an assistant, doing the administrative jobs before progressing to controlling and will usually start at a small airport before advancing to working at larger airports.

Remember:

• Air traffic control safety standards are common throughout the world
• Air traffic control is a co-ordinated safety process between areas and countries
• Air traffic control keeps aircraft about 80 miles apart at cruising height

There are many qualifications for a traffic control officers before they become a radar controllers, airways controllers or airfield controllers. During their careers, they will do most of the jobs usually starting with ground controlling until reaching the top operational position of watch supervisor.
At a major airport they might be 50 or more controllers on duty at any one time. Air Traffic Control Centres will have a staff of hundreds. When an aircraft starts its journey it first has to get permission to start its engines from a ground controller, then it will have to get permission to push back from its stand from another ground controller.

Prior to taxiing it will be given instructions to take a particular route to the active runway according to its parking gate position and any other aircraft which are using the same runway. This permission will be given by yet another ground controller. Before it is given clearance to take off it will have to speak to the controller whose sole job is to give permission to aircraft to take off or land. When airborne the pilots will change to another frequency and speak to a departure controller who will give permission for the aircraft to climb to a higher altitude.

When clear of all the other departing and arriving traffic the aircraft will transfer to an Airways controller who will give permission for the aircraft to climb to its cruising height. There is a whole section on the Audio Help CD set devoted to a flight from London to Rome from an ATC perspective.The flight plan which is sent before the aircraft departs informs the departure airport, the en route controllers and the destination airfield of the altitude, speed, and route that it will be using to reach its destination. The progress of the flight is known to all the controllers via ground telephone links and computer information. Along its route to its destination, the pilots will speak to different Airways controllers according to its geographic position.

Before descending the crew have to ask for permission to leave its cruising height before descending towards its destination. As the aircraft approaches the destination airport, various controllers will be responsible for its safe passage until it lands and parks at its arrival gate.

And just in case you’re wondering…in the unlikely event of radio communication problems an aircraft will continue according to its flight plan and will follow it without communication to or from any of the ground stations and all other aircraft will be kept well away from it. What ever problems you can think up about Air Traffic Control always remember that they’ve been thought about, and dealt with already.

In my career I had one radio malfunction and because of the all the laid down procedures we conducted the short flight from Heathrow to Newcastle in absolute safety.

Don’t forget to visit our shop to get the latest and best help available to overcome your fear of flying.

And don’t forget to join your social network Logbook 24/7

 

Captain Keith