Air Traffic Controller

Air Traffic Controller

Factor

Woodstock, VA

Male, 65

My life in ATC began with 4 years Air Force then another 30 years with the Federal Aviation Admin. working tower & radar at some big international airports. I fought in the 1981 war with PATCO, survived the strike and kept a job that was just too exhilarating to walk away from. While there was nothing better than working airplanes, I did move on through several air traffic supervisory and management positions. It was a long, crazy career but I wouldn't trade a moment of it for love or lucre!

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

182 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on March 16, 2014

Best Rated

What are those four letters (for example : "Foxtrot Zulu Charlie Quebec") refer to, at the end of some conversations the tower has with aircrafts ?

Asked by crowdedskies over 7 years ago

 

In your experience, is it safe to fly? (as a passenger) Some pilots sound less than intelligent on ATC videos. See: Kennedy Steve on YouTube

Asked by Jax over 8 years ago

 

My question is a simple one, ATC uses phonetic numbers (WUN, FIFE, NINER) when saying individual digits, but what about when specifying an altitude of 1900 ft? Is this spoken as ONE THOUSAND NINER HUNDRED (note the use of NINER) or not?

Asked by Stephan E. over 7 years ago

 

Do airport approach/departure controllers work at the top of the tower along with ground and tower controllers, or are they somewhere else, like a nearby TRACON facility?

Asked by Edgardian over 8 years ago

 

When you control, do you regularly experience mind wandering (thinking about something not related with ATC)? How do you fight it?

Asked by Jonas about 9 years ago

 

I was a 911 dispatcher at one time and think your job would be 10x more stressful than that. You guys have nerves of steel. My fav show AIRDISASTERS....so interesting!

Asked by mcmjuly almost 10 years ago

 

If I am currently taking a testosterone booster DHEA 65mg, and have to get a drug test in a week for pre-employment, is this a drug that is considered banned by the FAA?

Asked by Sean almost 5 years ago