A Managers Perspective On Air Traffic Control Center - Essay Example

A Managers Perspective on Air Traffic Control Center The purpose of air traffic control centers is to make sure that all commercial and private aircrafts are operating safely. They ensure that planes land at a safe distance away from each other by coordinating their movements. Although the main purpose is safety, the air traffic control centers also work to direct the planes to reduce delays; to control airport traffic through selected airspaces; and, to adjust airport arrivals and departures (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011).

Air traffic controllers and managers are persons other than the pilots, flight attendants and customer service representatives that are responsible for safe flight. This paper intends to discuss a manager’s perspective on air traffic control centers. From management’s point of view, air traffic control centers must work to ensure security and competence of air traffic on a larger geographical scale. Air traffic controllers and managers work in towers next to runways. A manager would want to be the “eyes and ears of the cockpit crew” (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011), meaning that he would want to be competent enough to guide the aircrafts securely and effectively to their destinations.

This operation demands high level concentration because while controlling the air traffic, fast appraisal of the situation is needed which requires critical decisions. The manager must also be able to make sure that high quality display system is available because that is the only interface between the operator and the air traffic management system. The manager must guarantee that the control operations are all safe by optimizing operational performance and maximizing system operability through the use of intelligent software tools.

The manager also looks at the queue management which involves maximizing the throughput capacity, maintaining safety, and minimizing delays and impact on the environment, while reducing controller workload at the same time. Stone and Stone (2005, p.388) write that managers perceive air traffic management systems as “the programs that deal with the data from the radar about the aircraft, as well as the flight plans…The outputs from these systems are presented on the controllers’ radar displays.

” A manager must be able to assign a particular group of controllers at the area terminal control center when an aircraft is going to land. A manager is responsible for controlling air traffic not only on the airports but also throughout the flight. The final approach control is the main point of focus here that is, directing the aircraft to land in the most effective order. The manager is also responsible for directing the pilots to the runways. He alerts the pilots in case there is additional air traffic on the route.

He also stays in contact with the pilots during the flight. The manager regulates air traffic while keeping in mind the regulations put forward by the federal government and the airlines. The manager also has to do much of the preparation work before the flight takes off. He perceives it important to check weather updates that are important for both the current and destination points. This is important to ensure the safe travel. Hence, certain flight information is prepared before the flight takes off.

However the manager does not only have to make sure that he is in contact with the pilot, he also has to do many clerical duties. He has to prepare many documents and files on daily basis. These clerical duties may include evaluating weather and pilot reports; analyzing fuel requirements; documenting flight plans; receiving messages from the aircraft; and, analyzing those messages to ensure clarity of situation. The manager also manages the ground workers. He manages the duties of baggage workers and maintenance personnel so that they are available whenever they are required.

The manager perceives his duty extremely important in case of emergencies, in which they must be able to stay in contact with the pilots and overcome any problems that may arise. The manager is responsible for providing suitable flight direction changes in case of extreme weathers. In short, air traffic control managers perceive their duties strictly in accordance with the federal and airlines regulations. They must be very efficient and alert when they are in their towers. Their role is very important because they ensure safe flight through guaranteeing safe takeoff, flight and landing.

This paper discussed how a manager perceives or must perceive his duty as a manager in an air traffic control center. The bottom line is that the manager is one of the most important parts of the airline personnel without whom it is impossible to manage all flight schedules and on-ground tasks efficiently. References Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2011). Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition. Retrieved December 26, 2011, from http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos108.htm Stone, D.L., & Stone D. (2005).

Air traffic management systems. User Interface Design and Evaluation. USA: Morgan Kaufmann.