Stephen Schmalz, Boston Center In air traffic control, every day is a new day, a new experience, and a new set of circumstances. Controllers are educated to be alert and prepared for anything and everything. It […]

David Murphy and Yasemin Parker, Champaign, Ill., ATCT and TRACON “I would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU for saving my life yesterday!” These were the opening words of an impassioned letter of […]

Bernie Nelson, Richmond ATCT With over 30 years of experience in air traffic control, Bernie Nelson has gained the expertise necessary to spot a potentially dangerous situation, take control, and steer pilots out of danger. This […]

Chris Thigpen, Kansas City Air Route Traffic Control Center President’s Award Winner for the Most Outstanding Fight Assist of 2006 To a distressed pilot, the calm reassurance of an air traffic controller’s voice is their lifeline […]

Jonathan Eisenmayer, Fairbanks ATCT Air traffic controllers who work inside airport towers are responsible for many different functions, including – but not limited to – clearing planes for takeoff and landing and instructing pilots as to […]

Bill Jacobs and Bruce Snoddy, Southern California TRACON On the evening of Nov. 16, 2007, in the Southern California TRACON, controllers Bruce Snoddy and Bill Jacobs were busy working traffic into the Carlsbad Palomar Airport when […]