Training Tip: When ATC goes to zero (2024)

FAQs

What if there is no ATC? ›

Without civilian ATC, pilots would not be allowed to file and fly IFR flight plans, which would preclude flight through clouds, limited visibility, and operations above 18,000 feet. Though airline operations rely on controllers for every flight, there are times when airline pilots operate without direct ATC oversight.

ATC Zero is declared in response to an event when it is determined the controlling facility, or significant portion thereof, is unable to safely provide the published air traffic services, or provide traffic flow management in the case of the ATCSCC.

ATC-Zero is an operational contingency level that's declared when a facility is unable to safely provide ATC services. This does not necessarily mean the building will be evacuated, unless it's a safety hazard for the controllers. Past that, within ATC-Zero, there are four general response levels.

An Air Traffic Controller is always prepared to repeat, provide clarification or alternative instructions when requested. The final decision to act on A-T-C's instruction rests with you. If you cannot safely comply with an A-T-C instruction, inform them by stating “UNABLE.”

The report notes that just above 30 percent typically fail the academy.

If successful in all stages of field qualification training, the developmental controllers become certified professional controllers (CPCs). Most often, developmental controllers who fail field qualification training are terminated from employment.

The "top 1%" refers to a ranking based on income, specifically those not in the lower 99%. The controller is basically telling them to follow the rich people in their fancy private jet. JustSid found another video where the controller explains it as "someone richer than both you and me."

(b) Except in an emergency, no person may operate an aircraft contrary to an ATC instruction in an area in which air traffic control is exercised.

In perfect competition, the shutdown point refers to the situation when a firm's average total cost (ATC) exceeds the market price of its product. D. The shutdown point is when a firm chooses to halt operations because the market price is greater than the marginal cost (MC).

Air traffic controllers must remain focused and react quickly to conditions that change frequently. Being responsible for the safety of aircraft and their passengers may be stressful and exhausting. To prevent burnout, the FAA requires controllers to retire at age 56.

Do ATC get free flights? ›

Although air traffic controllers may not get free flights like flight attendants do, they still have attractive employee benefits. For example, their employers often give them permanent discounts which they can use to buy tickets and other products that the airport or a specific airline carries.

A zero/zero landing would literally mean landing the airplane while the ceiling was absolutely zero and the visibility was absolutely zero, too—a condition we hardly ever encounter. In reality, zero/zero means “hardly any” ceiling or visibility to work with.

Listen to how pilots respond to ATC transmissions. Imitating others is often how we learn to use the phraseology correctly—and incorrectly. Looking up new words and phrases in the AIM makes understanding what you hear easier, and it tells you what communications are "correct" and "incorrect."

Why are ATC-Pilot communications so hard to hear, while we can clearly talk with people from around the world via apps and mobile phones? ATC uses amplitude modulation on UHF frequencies. This is why the available frequency range for the sound of voice is rather limited.

Operations. At non-towered airports, instead of receiving instructions from an air traffic controller, aircraft pilots follow recommended operations and communications procedures for operating at an airport without a control tower.

The primary purpose of the ATC system is to prevent a collision involving aircraft operating in the system.

To prevent collisions, ATC enforces traffic separation rules, which ensure each aircraft maintains a minimum amount of 'empty space' around it at all times. It is also common for ATC to provide services to all private, military, and commercial aircraft operating within its airspace; not just civilian aircraft.

Consequences. Taking off without ATC clearance may lead to: Runway Incursion - The aircraft may have been cleared only to the runway holding point. Also, at relatively complex aerodromes, taking off may mean crossing other runways.