Changing of the Guard

Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 11:52 AM ET

Verified

Headset jacks for the “Operator” are primary and transmit is available either by an in-line push-to-talk button (PTT) or a foot pedal. The “Monitor” jack has no foot pedal, but that PTT overrides the “Operator” on transmit, such as for an instructor and a trainee.

Key Takeaways:

Air traffic controllers utilize a formal "Position Relief Briefing" (PRB) checklist to ensure a seamless and safe transition of responsibility when one controller relieves another on position.
The PRB process begins with the relieving controller independently reviewing critical operational data such as weather, NOTAMs, and facility staffing via an Information Display System (IDS).
This is followed by a detailed verbal briefing covering dynamic elements like current weather impacts, ongoing training situations, and a comprehensive rundown of all active air traffic and its intentions.
Controllers must manage live traffic during the briefing, which concludes with a final review and questions; control tower briefings also include specifics on ground vehicle movements, taxiway/runway closures, and flow control programs.

See a mistake? Contact us.

You’re flying along, listening to a controller issue instructions to many aircraft. From one second to the next, you suddenly start hearing a different controller’s voice. You haven’t changed frequencies. They’re seemingly picking up where the first one left off.

Controllers are used to hearing voice changes from an aircraft. Many times a day, I’ll clear someone for takeoff, and one voice reads it back. Two minutes later, as they’re off the departure end, I’ll say, “Contact departure.” Now a different voice responds. We’re aware the flying vs. talking duties bounce between pilots in the same cockpit.