Life with a View
Memoir of an Air Traffic Controller
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Have you ever boarded an airplane and wondered how the flight crew manages to navigate from New York to Los Angeles? More simply, as your airplane taxis out, which runway will you depart on? Why? Who decides? At night, how does the pilot know the difference between a runway and a taxiway? As a Controller, I was afforded the privilege of riding in the cockpit jump seat on a number of occasions. An airport from the cockpit is a sea of cement. Believe me. I know. Navigating a large airport, even on a nice, sunny day is a challenge. Seasoned pilots cross busy runways by accident. Even today. I fly a lot. I'm not now, nor have I ever been, a nervous flyer. With two exceptions. Turning onto a runway awaiting takeoff clearance, and landing. Statistically, most accidents occur during these two operations. Halfway to LA, while you're having a drink and reading a book at 30,000 feet, what is going on in the cockpit? If your aircraft is over Kansas City, who is the pilot talking to? Should you believe the media, the pilot is talking to the tower. At 30,000 feet? At any one time, there are as many as 10,000 aircraft in the air. On average, there are, give or take one or two, about 8 Controllers and Supervisors at the busiest towers in the world. Kansas City is far from being one of the busiest towers in the world. Some controllers in the tower are directing aircraft to and from runways. Some are clearing aircraft for takeoff and landing. So, if you believe the media, those 2 or 3 controllers left over are separating all the remaining aircraft up to, and above, 30,000 feet in the Kansas City area. Whew! No wonder it's such a stressful job! Or, maybe, just maybe, you shouldn't listen to the media. Listen to a Controller. Your pilot does. Where do Controllers learn their trade? How long does it take? If a tower or radar room is open 24/7/365, what are the Controllers days off? What hours do they work? Who decides? How does the job affect Controllers spouses and children? Who decides where a Controller works? Do they transfer regularly? I spent nearly 38 years in the aviation industry. During those 38 years, I served as a Navy Controller domestic and internationally, two FAA towers and a Radar Approach Control, certified as an FAA Academy (Oklahoma City, OK) radar approach control instructor, supported numerous FAA emerging technology and replacement technology programs in Washington, DC., supported the FAA international branch in Washington, DC., and closed out my career in Atlanta, GA authorizing FAA waivers to policies and procedures. Confucius once said, "Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life." For me, Air Traffic Control falls into that category. This book is the direct result of the people I met and shared my career with, the places I've lived, and opportunities which I took advantage of. A close second to the enjoyment of of my career was writing this book. I've always enjoyed writing and, after all these years, grew very tired of being told by the media a tower was talking to to any airplane at 30,00 feet. For the record, generically, the tower's airspace is a five mile ring around the geographic center of the airport, up to, but not including, 3,000 feet. These dimensions change a tad from one airport to another but, 30,000 feet? Not a chance. "Life With A View" describes my chosen profession in a simple manner. I gives the reader insight into a very small community comprised of very dedicated professionals who chose a career field that is challenging in so many ways. The complexity of the job is compounded exponentially when a controller is scheduled to work weekends, mid-watches, and holidays; sometimes all in one week. Their spouses and children shoulder much of the burden and, sadly, do not get enough of the credit. This book is for everyone who looked up from a backyard fourth of July bar-b-que at an air carrier flying overhead and wondered, even if for a second, who is responsible for making it all work...on the fourth of July. Robin A. Smith
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Ever wonder what it takes to become an air traffi c controller? Or how controllers make the whole complex system work? Life With a View is a memoir written by a former controller who uncovers all the secrets. Follow the author and get a look through the tower windows and behind the radar room doors. Robin Smith offers his unique translation of the second language learned and perfected by air traffic controllers and pilots—and no one else. He expounds on the humor controllers use to check emotions and conflicts and prevent the wheels from coming off.
The author gives his readers an insider’s look into a very small community comprised of dedicated professionals who chose a career field that is challenging in many ways. The complexity of this job is compounded exponentially when a controller is scheduled to work weekends, mid-watches, and holidays—sometimes all in the same week.
About the Author
Robin Smith spent nearly thirty-eight years in the aviation industry, serving as a domestic and international navy controller at two FAA towers. He served as a radar approach control and was a certified FAA Academy radar approach control instructor in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Born in Louisiana, Smith retired in 2015, and he now lives in a small community south of Atlanta, Georgia. Very happily married to his wife, Kay, he travels extensively, enjoys sailing, and is pursuing a second career as a writer.