The forum room at AirVenture’s Pilot Proficiency Center off Boeing Plaza is nearly full as the afternoon sun begins to drive people inside for a few minutes of cool air before the airshow. Even at 83 degrees, it’s still a great day for AirVenture 2019, following the torrential rains earlier in the week that threatened to swamp campers. The Proficiency Center’s forum room is attached to the training hall where a dozen and a half pilots at a time learn the intricacies of IFR and VFR flight on 18 Redbird simulators. In the forum room, there’s training of a different sort going on.
Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers
Key Takeaways:
- The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) conducts outreach programs, like forums at AirVenture, to improve vital pilot-controller communication, dispel myths, and educate pilots on best practices for radio use and situational awareness.
- Controllers emphasize the importance of clear and concise pilot communication, encouraging pilots to be upfront about their experience level or any in-flight issues, and highlighting the danger of VFR aircraft unknowingly impacting controlled traffic by skirting airspace.
- The article reveals how controllers are often aware of complex, unaddressed airspace hazards or system inefficiencies (e.g., near Chicago Midway) that remain unknown to most pilots, underscoring the continuous challenges in maintaining air safety.
- The future of air traffic control includes the multi-agency SENSR program, a joint effort by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, to modernize and consolidate aging radar systems for enhanced safety, efficiency, and to free up wireless spectrum for commercial use.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
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