After being buzzed through the gate and getting our visitor passes we were given an introduction to the facility by TRACON supervisor Mario Gonzalez. Mario gave us a brief overview of the role of each facility. Though they are in the same building, the Bradley Tower and Yankee TRACON operate independent of one another. The purpose of the tower is to control the aircraft taking off and landing at that specific airport, Bradley International, while Yankee TRACON is the control facility for the airspace between New York City, Albany, NY, and Boston, MA. Most of the traffic they deal with consists of jets flying at higher altitudes but the pilots of Northeast Helicopters also spend a lot of time talking to them during Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) training.

After introductions we were guided into the TRACON by Melissa, one of the approach controllers, who showed us around the dark room and explained the radar displays. Each controller is assigned a different sector of Yankee TRACON airspace and is responsible for moving all the aircraft through that sector efficiently and safely. From their sector the controller can “hand off” the aircraft to a controller in another sector, (be it somewhere within Yankee’s airspace or to somewhere else, such as Boston center) to a tower, or (as with Northeast Helicopters) switch the aircraft onto a self announce frequency. In essence the TRACON serves as a much needed safety net for those aircraft making medium range trips and for those using the IFR system to arrive at or depart from an airport.

After being thoroughly briefed on the many aspects of the radar control system of the TRACON it was time to head up into the tower. At the top of the control tower is a large sunny room very much in contrast with the dark space of the TRACON. The windows are enormous and each has multiple layers of sun screens which can be raised or lowered depending the time of day. The area is open enough to make it not feel claustrophobic yet small enough that the controllers can communicate easily. The view is great. All runways and taxiways are laid out below and an aircraft on approach or in the pattern is never obscured.

At the time we were there Bradley had significantly little traffic. Though we only saw a few planes take off and land we had a great time talking to the controllers. There were three controllers on duty at the time and a fourth who was taking the time to show us around. One of the controllers was handling all take offs and landings. This person is said to “own the runways.” No vehicles or aircraft enter or cross the runways without this controller’s permission. Another controller handles all traffic on the ground. The ground controller has authority over anyone taxiing for takeoff, taxiing to the ramp, etc. The third controller is known as clearance delivery. This controller assigns aircraft their IFR clearance or simply takes their request to leave the airport.

The combination of these three people working from their perch high above the field and a newly developed ATC computer system comprise the eyes, ears and voice of Bradley International Airport. Without them we would be a circus in the sky!

Written by: Marlin Kontje - CFII

Posted on September 4th, 2008 by Rhonda
Filed under: News