BT From Canada, joined Feb 2005, 92 posts, RR: 3 Posted (8 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 2457 times:
Hey, well im finishing up high school now and im studying to be an air traffic controller, do you think if I contacted a local airport and asked if I could get a tour of one of the towers, what would they say, yes or no?
Pilottim747 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 1607 posts, RR: 5 Reply 1, posted (8 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 2433 times:
It never hurts to ask. I know that SATCA, the University of North Dakota's Student Air Traffic Control Assoc, has sometimes found it hard to get into US facilities. However, I dont think there has ever been a problem getting tours of Nav Canada facilities in Winnipeg (close to UND). Try one of the towers near where you live. It's awesome to be up in an ATC Tower (even better when you've got a specific interest in ATC).
pilottim747
Aviation Photographers & Enthusiasts--Coordinate your life.
Mirrodie From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 7422 posts, RR: 65 Reply 2, posted (8 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 2416 times:
It never hurts for you to ask and then report back to us!
Sometimes all it takes is running into the right person.
Forum moderator 2001-2010; He's a pedantic, pontificating, pretentious bastard, a belligerent old fart, a worthless st
Dinker225 From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 1049 posts, RR: 20 Reply 3, posted (8 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 2411 times:
You are currently or soon will be studying to be an ATC? If so what school?
Dinker
Two rules in aviation, don't hit anything and don't run out of gas, cause if you run out of gas yer gonna hit something.
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25869 posts, RR: 79 Reply 4, posted (8 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 2402 times:
Listen, do not go to a specialist place. Go to a school where ever you want to work. Since you are from ANC, that is the western region and Mt. San Antonio Community College in CA is probably your best, and definately cheapest choice (especially if you live in CA for a year). The FAA of late has placed the priority on hiring out of the college programs, but will still take some directly into the Acadamy. Just remember, the college course does not certify or train you to FAA spec, you have to still do the Acadamy. If you want, I can give you my uncle's contact information (he has been a controler for almost 20 years).
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
Type-Rated From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 4397 posts, RR: 20 Reply 5, posted (8 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 2380 times:
As far as tower visits go, phone ahead and ask to speak to the tower manager. Explain to him what you are studying and ask if you could come down and talk to him about the business of ATC. But, if you want to tour a tower in the U.S. you have to be a U.S. Citizen. So probably a Canadian tower would be best for you.
A few weeks ago I was talking to a guy at HOU about aviation in general and we seemed to have a great conversation going. Later in the conversation I asked him what he did, he was the Regional Manager for the local FAA-ATC division! I asked him if I could tour the IAH tower, and the next thing I knew, I was up there! Security did ask me several times for ID's to make sure that I was truly a citizen of the U.S. Security at these locations is VERY tight! And I am sure that possessing a Commercial Pilot's license helped me out a little to boot.
Edit: add info
[Edited 2005-02-10 01:00:09]
Fly North Central Airlines..The route of the Northliners!
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25869 posts, RR: 79 Reply 7, posted (8 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 2376 times:
>Explain to him what you are studying and ask if you could come down and talk to him about the business of ATC. But, if you want to tour a tower in the U.S. you have to be a U.S. Citizen.<
If you can make it to Merrill, Alaska or SBA, I can get you a tower tour without an issue
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
Dinker225 From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 1049 posts, RR: 20 Reply 8, posted (8 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 2374 times:
After completing the CTI program the time spent at the academy is reduced. Not by a great deal but I believe it is still 5 or 6 weeks shorter than non CTI students.
Dinker
Two rules in aviation, don't hit anything and don't run out of gas, cause if you run out of gas yer gonna hit something.
Dinker225 From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 1049 posts, RR: 20 Reply 9, posted (8 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 2371 times:
N1120A, you've got my attention! What do I have to do to get a tour of Merrill tower? I am in Anchorage and would love a tour of any of the facilities up here.
Dinker
Two rules in aviation, don't hit anything and don't run out of gas, cause if you run out of gas yer gonna hit something.
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25869 posts, RR: 79 Reply 10, posted (8 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 2366 times:
>What do I have to do to get a tour of Merrill tower? I am in Anchorage and would love a tour of any of the facilities up here.<
E-mail me through profile. I will talk to my friend up there and see what we can do.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
Charlib52 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 164 posts, RR: 20 Reply 11, posted (8 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 2308 times:
I think the best thing you can do is GET INVOLVED in the local aviation community. I got involved in local pilot groups when I was in high school (waaaaay pre 9-11) and got to know these folks. That pays dividends like you wouldn't belive. I was a volunteer for an "Aviation Academy" of middle Schoolers and so of course I invited the local tower chief to speak at our classes. From there, after a few episodes that made it obvious I was serious, it was simply a matter of a call on the phone.
However now that's changed. It's not easy access. But if you NETWORK with people it still pays off. I still get to visit the tower. But it takes time and effort, like lots of things in life...
I have always wanted to be an ATC specialist, but now at 32 I'm too old (!!). I hate that.
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