[ATC RET 2003]

Originally Posted by Ray Blaszak

I am really looking for a technical answer from somebody who has done ATC first hand. I have a few questions that I am looking to be answered:

1.First, in controller training do they give you basic explanations of pilots emergencies? I mean I watched 121.5 and the controller didn't know what a double vaccum loss what or what it meant. Yes, the pilot could of explained it to her but, thats what I am talking about.

We were given a basic understanding of the principles of flight and basic instrumentation. There was not what I would call any in-depth training regarding specific aircraft systems. If a pilot reported a failure of some system or component, I probably would not have been able to deduce anything from it... I would need to be told what that failure meant in terms of the ability to maintain altitude or knowing what heading is being flown, etc. The longer I did the job, though, the more I learned about what certain system failures meant.

2. Also, how does all the chaos in the air get coordinated? I know you talk to people on landlines and stuff but, how do you manage to control 50+ airplanes and talk to other controllers?

You get some help. Each emergency situation is different and is handled differently. Essentially you should only need to tell the supervisor what you've got and everything you need should be taken care of. That can entail nearly anything, depending on the situation, such as putting an extra person on the sector to handle landline communications or getting the emergency aircraft onto a dedicated frequency and putting the rest of your traffic on someone else. Lately, though, that type of supervision seems to have become a lost art.

3. Also, what is a TRSA? I have a basic idea from what I learned in PPL training.

A TRSA is a Terminal Radar Service Area. It was the precursor of the ARSA (Airport Radar Service Area) which eventually became Class C airspace. In a TRSA, basic IFR radar services were extended to VFR aircraft. Participation was voluntary. When ARSAs were established, the same basic services were being extended, but participation became mandatory.