Author Topic: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???  (Read 23244 times)

Offline david021

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Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« on: March 22, 2007, 01:10:56 AM »
Did 9/11 take all the fun out of visiting an ATC facility.   I always wanted to see an air traffic control tower.. I work at an airport and have all the proper clearances.  Is there an established process for visiting a tower/ tracon etc.?



Offline wbravo66

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2007, 02:41:53 AM »
In Melbourne Australia, as a private pilot I have flown in twice for a visit to the Tower.
They have been very accommodating, a visit to the the non tower facilities, radar positions for souther Australia and then one hour or more in the tower cab.

It has to be pre-arranged, but flyers and non flyers alike come away impressed to the max.
I ope you get your wish

Peter West

Offline The Hoffspatcher

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2007, 07:03:41 AM »
Here's what I understand but I am no expert.

ATCT/TRACON etc is owned by the FAA, so those with the appropriate FAA clearances are permitted, I've been up once, I just called and asked.

At JFK for example, one guy I know who works there told me you used to be able to get up there with just an airport ID but now the FAA want you on thier books.

Look up for appropriate facility in the phone book under DoT or FAA and gim' a call.

I heard once when some new airline landed at JFK for the first time, the controllers invited the pilots to visit them.

Hope this helps!  8-)

Offline KSYR-pjr

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2007, 08:09:33 AM »
Did 9/11 take all the fun out of visiting an ATC facility.   I always wanted to see an air traffic control tower.. I work at an airport and have all the proper clearances.  Is there an established process for visiting a tower/ tracon etc.?

Speaking for Syracuse, NY, a class C airport with a tower and approach facility, yes you can take a pre-arranged, escorted tour of the facility.  To arrange this, you would call the tower supervisor  a few weeks ahead of time and decide upon a mutually convenient day to do this.  I am not sure if any "joe" off the street can do this, but certainly student pilots or anyone associated with the airport would be approved.

If you work at the airport, you should have no problem getting the phone number of the tower supervisor to arrange this.  Otherwise, for those student pilots looking to do this at a nearby larger airport, ask the local FBO or local flight instructors if they have this number.
 

Offline david021

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2007, 09:39:24 AM »
Thanks bunches.. That does help

Offline tyketto

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2007, 01:36:34 PM »
I'll add to this. And as a disclaimer, I am not a pilot (yet), or controller.

I was honored to be able to visit both NorCal TRACON and Sacramento Int'l Tower a year or so ago with Inigo and a couple of other people. All we had to do was Give them a call a couple of weeks out, and work out a date and time for a tour.

I was also able to visit Omaha Tower and R90 TRACON when I went home to visit my parents. Once again, a simple call telling them who I am, and if they have available time, could I have a tour. They agreed, and off I went.

Next on the plate: L30.

Operation Raincheck is still around, so you could reference that, but be prepared to answer some questions if you do. Google for that, and you should find out all you need on that.

BL.

Offline NWA ARJ

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #6 on: March 22, 2007, 01:59:55 PM »
Yes you can visit. Just let me know if you want the number. I have the phone numbers for every facility in the United States.

Offline PIT

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2007, 02:19:59 PM »
Can you get me KPIT??

Offline ATC@LWSK

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #8 on: March 22, 2007, 05:11:34 PM »
I've visited the C90 TRACON in Elgin, IL back in 2005. I had to be cleared well in advance, and I was told that the clearance had to come directly from Washington, but everything worked out well, and I was given a tour for about 2 hours, I had a chance to visit the ops room and hang out with bunch of great folks there. For what is worth, I am not a US Citizen, but I'm an Air traffic Controller at Skopje Airport, so I guess that's why I got the approval to visit.

Cheers,

ATC@LWSK

Offline ogogog

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #9 on: March 22, 2007, 07:48:57 PM »
i was told it  by one of my sups that it depents on the security code at the time if folks are able to tour,if you know a controller its much easer to get in.

Offline tyketto

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #10 on: March 22, 2007, 07:55:14 PM »
i was told it  by one of my sups that it depents on the security code at the time if folks are able to tour,if you know a controller its much easer to get in.

This may be true as well. Of the 4 places I've been, the security level was all at the same level. Not that this is wrong, but just can't be proven otherwise.

I do have to admit that I was surprised to get the nod to visit R90, as it is at Offutt AFB. I've been on base many times before, but not to the TRACON. I definitely didn't know anyone there..

BL.

Offline MSahliger

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #11 on: March 21, 2010, 09:38:37 AM »
Although it is rather a long time since this topic was posted I dare to bring it up again, because I need your help. I am a German Ph.D. student and I am writing a doctoral thesis regarding "Flight communication: deviation from ICAO standard."
I always listen to liveatc.net and now I wanted to know if anyone of you is able to give me an advice who I might contact at JFK tower and ask if it is possible to visit the tower. I have some (many... :-)) questions regarding the procedures there and it would be great to come to the US and visit JFK.. Does anyone know the responsible persons there or anyone whos job is Public relations or so? Thank you for your help!
Martina 

Offline aevins

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #12 on: March 21, 2010, 01:32:22 PM »
Check your PMs.

Offline MSahliger

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #13 on: March 21, 2010, 03:01:35 PM »
Dear aevins,
THANK YOU!!!!!! Many Greetings from Stuttgart!!!!
Martina  :-)

Offline Tango_Juliet_Kilo

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #14 on: March 21, 2010, 11:56:23 PM »
This is all well and good, but I am neither a controller or pilot.  I am just a geeky chap that has taken a liking to listening in on the fast-paced environment of my local ATC facilities (mainly ORD Tower).  So, how does someone with no logical connection to the industry convince a facility to allow him/her to visit?

djmodifyd

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #15 on: March 22, 2010, 02:03:15 AM »
This is all well and good, but I am neither a controller or pilot.  I am just a geeky chap that has taken a liking to listening in on the fast-paced environment of my local ATC facilities (mainly ORD Tower).  So, how does someone with no logical connection to the industry convince a facility to allow him/her to visit?

right now you can't...due to the kid in the jfk tower incident.

no tours in the operational area without a "connection" with the faa.

essentially you have to be an FAA employee and have a reason to tour.

Offline glencar

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #16 on: March 22, 2010, 09:31:09 PM »
This is all well and good, but I am neither a controller or pilot.  I am just a geeky chap that has taken a liking to listening in on the fast-paced environment of my local ATC facilities (mainly ORD Tower).  So, how does someone with no logical connection to the industry convince a facility to allow him/her to visit?

Unfortunately, it looks doubtful at this point. I had to read some notice last week that nobody is allowed to visit anymore. There are downsides to kids in towers!

Offline Tango_Juliet_Kilo

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #17 on: March 23, 2010, 12:21:31 AM »
...and now, I shall cry like a kid.... :cry:

Offline Lynch_Christopher

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #18 on: March 23, 2010, 09:12:06 PM »
This is all well and good, but I am neither a controller or pilot.  I am just a geeky chap that has taken a liking to listening in on the fast-paced environment of my local ATC facilities (mainly ORD Tower).  So, how does someone with no logical connection to the industry convince a facility to allow him/her to visit?

Unfortunately, it looks doubtful at this point. I had to read some notice last week that nobody is allowed to visit anymore. There are downsides to kids in towers!

Is that  a definite ruling or only a temporary thing till the investigation of the controller who brought his child up to the tower is complete?

djmodifyd

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #19 on: March 24, 2010, 11:33:47 AM »
This is all well and good, but I am neither a controller or pilot.  I am just a geeky chap that has taken a liking to listening in on the fast-paced environment of my local ATC facilities (mainly ORD Tower).  So, how does someone with no logical connection to the industry convince a facility to allow him/her to visit?

Unfortunately, it looks doubtful at this point. I had to read some notice last week that nobody is allowed to visit anymore. There are downsides to kids in towers!

Is that  a definite ruling or only a temporary thing till the investigation of the controller who brought his child up to the tower is complete?


the genot was for 90 days...that was from a couple weeks ago.
don't know if after the 90 days the ban is lifted...or something more permanent will be implemented.

Offline keith

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #20 on: March 30, 2010, 02:13:36 PM »
Myself and 3 other friends are visiting an east coast TRACON in late April. I fully expected it to be canceled, having heard of countless other visits being axed all over the country.

However, we got word a few days ago from the facility ATM that the tour was still a go.  We've elected not to ask many questions about the how's and why's. Instead, we're just very greatful, and slightly slack-jawed.

Once the tour is done, I'll certainly have some questions, though!

Offline DeFoSwim3

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #21 on: June 14, 2010, 06:36:58 PM »
can you get me the number for KMSN please

Offline tyketto

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #22 on: June 14, 2010, 10:32:01 PM »
This is all well and good, but I am neither a controller or pilot.  I am just a geeky chap that has taken a liking to listening in on the fast-paced environment of my local ATC facilities (mainly ORD Tower).  So, how does someone with no logical connection to the industry convince a facility to allow him/her to visit?

Unfortunately, it looks doubtful at this point. I had to read some notice last week that nobody is allowed to visit anymore. There are downsides to kids in towers!

Is that  a definite ruling or only a temporary thing till the investigation of the controller who brought his child up to the tower is complete?


the genot was for 90 days...that was from a couple weeks ago.
don't know if after the 90 days the ban is lifted...or something more permanent will be implemented.

Okay.. doing a bit of math here, and let's assume that the 'couple of weeks ago' goes back from Christopher's post. That would make it March 9th. Well, 91 days from there was June 8th. So that GENOT should either have been lifted, or extended. Any ATC here want to check into that?

BL.

Offline atcman23

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #23 on: June 15, 2010, 05:25:32 AM »
Where I'm at visitors are allowed and I've yet to hear anything about the GENOT being extended.  Of course everything has to be approved first, you can't just walk in and visit.  Best way to find out is to contact the facility you want to visit and ask.

Offline Caleb

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Re: Can you still visit an ATC Facility???
« Reply #24 on: June 16, 2010, 01:09:55 PM »
Unfortunately, the ban is still on.

It does look like it will be lifted this summer though!  :-D

I know about 6 tower controllers, and I have been in one DELTA airspace, and I'm first on the list for a CHARLIE my friend works at.

I know the ATM and DATM of RSW, and the ban is still on unfortunately.