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 are required to handle situations with fairness and neutrality, particularly regarding choices involving airport businesses like FBOs.
Controllers cannot recommend a specific FBO to pilots or make choices for them (e.g., based on fuel price) to avoid appearing to play favorites.
Maintaining neutrality is crucial to prevent disputes and complaints from FBOs who closely monitor ground communications for potential business steering.

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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.”