Pilots of large commercial flights use instruments to fly ( instrument flight rules, or IFR), so they can fly in all sorts of weather. These pilots are not required by the FAA to file flight plans and, except for FSS and local towers, are not serviced by the mainstream air traffic control system. Some pilots of small aircraft fly by vision only ( visual flight rules, or VFR). As the plane leaves that airspace division and enters another, the air traffic controller passes it off to the controllers responsible for the new airspace division. The controllers monitor this plane and give instructions to the pilot. As an aircraft travels through a given airspace division, it is monitored by the one or more air traffic controllers responsible for that division. The movement of aircraft through the various airspace divisions is much like players moving through a "zone" defense that a basketball or football team might use. ![]() It assists pilots in emergencies and coordinates search-and-rescue operations for missing or overdue aircraft. Flight service station (FSS) - The FSS provides information (weather, route, terrain, flight plan) for private pilots flying into and out of small airports and rural areas.Towers handle all takeoff, landing, and ground traffic. Air traffic control tower (ATCT) - An ATCT is located at every airport that has regularly scheduled flights.Terminal radar approach control - TRACON handles departing and approaching aircraft within its space.Each ARTCC manages traffic within all sectors of its center except for TRACON airspace and local-airport airspace. Air route traffic control centers (ARTCC) - There is one ARTCC for each center.It also manages air traffic control within centers where there are problems (bad weather, traffic overloads, inoperative runways). Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) - The ATCSCC oversees all air traffic control.The air traffic control system divisions are: The air traffic control system, which is run by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has been designed around these airspace divisions. Within each TRACON airspace are a number of airports, each of which has its own airspace with a 5-mile (8-km) radius. Also within each zone are portions of airspace, about 50 miles (80.5 km) in diameter, called TRACON ( Terminal Radar Approach CONtrol) airspaces. The United States airspace is divided into 21 zones ( centers), and each zone is divided into sectors. ![]() We'll follow a flight from departure to arrival, looking at the various controllers involved, what each one does, the equipment they use and how they are trained. In this article, we will examine air traffic control in the United States. However, the air traffic control system is much more complex than that. ![]() In this airspace some air traffic control services are provided, especially near airfields, but in much of the airspace it is the pilots’ responsibility to see and avoid each other.When you think about air traffic control, the image of men and women in the tower of an airport probably comes to mind. The majority of airspace that is left is known as ‘uncontrolled’ and this is used by the military and recreational pilots. Most airliners are monitored by controllers using radar in airways and routes known as ‘controlled airspace’. This will continue through the aircraft’s journey until it is handed over to the controller at the destination airport. When an aircraft is nearing the edge of their sector they will coordinate its handover to the next controller. Once airborne the pilot will then normally talk to another controller using a radar screen to track the aircraft’s progress through the airways system (equivalent to motorways in the sky).Įach controller is responsible for aircraft in a set piece of airspace. Air traffic controllers will look after the aircraft while it is on the ground and give it permission to take off. When an aircraft is at an airport, the pilots on board will be in contact with controllers in the airports control tower. Air traffic control at airports is provided by a mixture of companies.Īirlines will file a flight plan with air traffic control so every controller who deals with the flight on its journey is aware of its details and route.In the UK aircraft in the airways system are handled by NATS.Controllers keep aircraft set distances apart while moving them from airport to airport using set routes. Air traffic control aims to move aircraft safely and efficiently through the airspace system.
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