In the grand scheme of air traffic control, Ground Control sometimes seems to be a supporting position. Radar’s taking fast-moving arrival streams and forging them into precise, parallel finals. Tower’s launching aircraft in the tight gaps between arrivals. Meanwhile, GC’s airplanes are … lumbering across concrete.
It may not be sexy, but Ground’s my favorite position to work. I like looking at airplanes and there they are, right outside the windows. I also like solving puzzles, and that’s where it holds its true appeal to me. Ground’s role isn’t just taking everyone to the runway willy-nilly. It’s ensuring the right airplane gets to the runway at the right time. Determining that sequence takes planning and lots of situational awareness.
