Same time, same place…

Same time, same place, same level…22

Epilogue We have come to the end of this irregular overview of the life of air traffic control. If it told you anything new, very well, if not, you must be a controller yourself… I hope I have not frightened you away from flying, on the contrary, I trust next time you step on board… Continue reading Same time, same place, same level…22

Same time, same place, same level…21

Flying to freedom This chapter had been written well before the fall of the Berlin wall and the famous opening of the border by Hungary, allowing thousands of East Germans to flee to the West. It is a nice quirk of history that the place where this story took place is just a few miles… Continue reading Same time, same place, same level…21

Same time, same place, same level…20

Loading in the shadows Controllers and pilots are really a big, worldwide family. True, we have our differences, but then, which family does not? We all serve the flying public and we help each other wherever we can, on and off duty alike. We also like to think of the world as a big, free… Continue reading Same time, same place, same level…20

Same time, same place, same level…19

EmergencyLight – Phantom Menace Winter flying in real, cold continental climate is hard on pilots, aeroplanes and controllers alike. The somewhat lower traffic volume is frequently offset by the delays resulting from snow and ice on the runway, or the occasional broken-down snow-sweeper… As you will see, cold winter air has a number of its… Continue reading Same time, same place, same level…19

Same time, same place, same level…18

EmergencyLight – Uninvited guests There is no doubt about it, flying to-day is the safest means of transportation. The numbers are well known and to most of us people whose bread comes from one or the other area of civil aviation, driving to and from the airport appears far more dangerous than being up in… Continue reading Same time, same place, same level…18

Same time, same place, same level…17

Navigation, the art of getting lost – Part 2 A taxiway will do… A few years later, however, we got our share of uninvited visitors, too. This time it was a Sunday and the observation terrace was crowded by people, some of them waiting for flights due in later, others just there to watch for… Continue reading Same time, same place, same level…17

Same time, same place, same level…16

Navigation, the art of getting lost – Part 1 Faultless navigation plays an all important role in the safe operation of aircraft. There are scores of instruments both in the cockpit and on the ground, the purpose of which is to make sure that pilots and controllers are constantly aware of where their airplanes are… Continue reading Same time, same place, same level…16

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Security and its guardians – Part 2 A phone call is enough… Some people must have realized years ago just how easily the fear of god can be put into an airport by the simple impediment of a telephone call. If you were a safety official, what would you do if someone were to call… Continue reading Same time, same place, same level…15

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Security and its guardians – Part 1 Some of my gentle readers will remember well the times when airports were still places to visit, with no barbed wire and armed guards patrolling around. Try telling children who are only allowed to watch from behind thick glass windows how you had spent countless hours sitting on… Continue reading Same time, same place, same level… 14

Same time, same place, samel level…13

VIP – the Very I??? Person Ever wondered what that little red luggage-tag, with “VIP” printed prominently on it, was supposed to signify? Very Idiotic, oh sorry, Important Passenger. There are various ways to earn such distinction and these include flying the same line very, very often or making it to Head of State. The… Continue reading Same time, same place, samel level…13