Any LAS Controller here??

[Mr Dispatcher]

Just wondering years ago there was a way for pilots to go up into the control tower, something like operation raincheck? DO you  guys still do this, or is there a way to schedule a tour?

I was a former dispatcher as well, and was wondering when the new Tower was going to be finished getting fixed and opened for you guys.. 100 million waiting to be used....

Thanks for the reply.. and let me know, Id love to go up and be a fly on the wall for a bit..

Charlie Hotel..

[tyketto]

Just wondering years ago there was a way for pilots to go up into the control tower, something like operation raincheck? DO you  guys still do this, or is there a way to schedule a tour?

I was a former dispatcher as well, and was wondering when the new Tower was going to be finished getting fixed and opened for you guys.. 100 million waiting to be used....

Thanks for the reply.. and let me know, Id love to go up and be a fly on the wall for a bit..

Charlie Hotel..

I know you can still call them up and ask for tours, but I don't believe Operation Raincheck is still being used anymore. I was given that line when I called up for a tour, but that was some 12 years ago (given the climate at the time, understandable). Sucked for me, because I actually had a tour scheduled on 9/18/01, after waiting 2 years.. Obviously it never happened.

Anyway, about the new tower.. it won't be put into operation at least until middle part of next year. There were some structural issues discovered that was going to cost a few million dollars more to fix.. Ahh.. here's the article:

http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/construction-mistake-delays-mccarran-tower-opening

So if you want a tour of the new tower, you may have to check back by 2017.

BL.

[None.]

I don't believe Operation Raincheck is still being used anymore.

Might be a local thing; it's still alive and well (fills up quickly, last I saw) here at ZKC in Olathe, Kansas.

In fact, when I inquired about organizing a customized tour for a VATSIM get together (e.g. more time at the enroute sims ), it seemed like they were more than happy to talk about scheduling something.

EDIT: Okay, perhaps not "well"... either I can't search properly, or they haven't announced any upcoming instances of the event.

[tyketto]

I don't believe Operation Raincheck is still being used anymore.

Might be a local thing; it's still alive and well (fills up quickly, last I saw) here at ZKC in Olathe, Kansas.

In fact, when I inquired about organizing a customized tour for a VATSIM get together (e.g. more time at the enroute sims ), it seemed like they were more than happy to talk about scheduling something.

EDIT: Okay, perhaps not "well"... either I can't search properly, or they haven't announced any upcoming instances of the event.

No argument about them being happy to schedule a tour; NCT was more than happy to let some of us VATSIMers tour the facility as well, just as long as we gave them advanced notice.. KSMF was happy to as well.

But when I tried to schedule a tour under Raincheck  back then, the ATM told me that it wasn't being used, nor was it going to come back. Whether it was just for LAS Tower or L30, I don't know, but that's what they had told me..

BL.

[Josephml21]

Current Vegas TRACON controller here. Currently in training, the program is about 18 months long for someone with my experience level. Past facilities include Scottsdale Tower (SDL),  Aspen tower/approach (ASE) and prior military ATC.

New facility in Vegas will be operational by summer of 2016...fingers crossed.

[Ron Sweeten]

With all the safety rules and regulations, I can't see the public ever going up "any" control towers.

[None.]

With all the safety rules and regulations, I can't see the public ever going up "any" control towers.

In aviation... with proper coordination, almost all things are possible. I was just in LAX tower last year. Interesting perspective from up there.

[tyketto]

With all the safety rules and regulations, I can't see the public ever going up "any" control towers.

In aviation... with proper coordination, almost all things are possible. I was just in LAX tower last year. Interesting perspective from up there.

Agreed. I went up not only SMF Tower, but NorCal Approach as well. Seeing that airspace and ATC in the USA is funded by the taxpayer, this is our version of checks and balances.

BL.