Being a Good Neighbor

Controllers dont just handle major factors like routings, sequencing, and altitude assignments. Threaded among those big concerns are micro situations that demand quick-thinking, tact, and fairness towards everyone involved. That objective treatment applies not just to pilots, but to the businesses on our airports.Weve got three FBOs on our own field, each busy with daily multitudes of GA aircraft coming and going. Most arriving pilots already know which one theyre using, and answer quickly when asked to, Say parking.

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, September 09, 2015 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Air traffic controllers must maintain strict neutrality and fairness toward all airport businesses, particularly FBOs, to prevent favoritism and avoid business conflicts.
Controllers cannot recommend specific FBOs or disclose fuel prices to pilots, even when asked, to ensure impartial treatment and avoid complaints from competing businesses.
Misunderstandings can arise because FBOs typically monitor Ground frequency but not Tower frequency, leading to FBOs falsely accusing controllers of steering business away when pilots state their choice on Tower.

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Controllers don’t just handle major factors like routings, sequencing, and altitude assignments. Threaded among those big concerns are micro situations that demand quick-thinking, tact, and fairness towards everyone involved. That objective treatment applies not just to pilots, but to the businesses on our airports.

We’ve got three FBOs on our own field, each busy with daily multitudes of GA aircraft coming and going. Most arriving pilots already know which one they’re using, and answer quickly when asked to, “Say parking.”