Tutorial
Air Traffic Management System
1. Introduction
2. Flight Profile
3. Flight Service Station
4. Local Control (Tower)
5. TRACON
6. Center (ARTCC)
7. Command Center (ATCSCC)
8. How It All Works Together
9. Decision Support Tools
10. Other FAA Facilities
11. Conclusion
1. Introduction
Just as drivers on our roadways have rules they must follow and laws they must obey, pilots flying in the airwaysabove us are also governed by rules and laws. Flight rules are designed to prevent the chaos that would occur ifeveryone who piloted an airplane flew without regard for others. The rules, actually Federal Laws, are called theFederal Aviation Regulations or FARs.
Using a combination of the Federal Aviation Regulationsas the guidelines, and many air traffic specialists working in teams at various FAA facilities, air traffic iscarefully monitored throughout the US airspace both day and night. Air Traffic Controllers do not "tell pilotswhere to go." Pilots inform controllers via a highly structured system where they plan to fly. Using thissystem, the controllers safely merge each pilot's planned flight along with many other planned flights needingto use the same airspace, the same runways, and same airports at about the same time.
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