What is air traffic control?
Q: What is air traffic control?
A: Air traffic control (ATC) is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air.
Q: What is the main job of air traffic control?
A: The main job of air traffic control is to separate aircraft to prevent crashes and to make sure aircraft are running on time and as fast as possible.
Q: What is the difference between controlled and uncontrolled airspace?
A: Air traffic control service is provided in controlled airspace while it is not provided in uncontrolled airspace.
Q: How is preventing crashes accomplished in air traffic control?
A: Preventing crashes is done by what is called separation, which means that the aircraft are kept apart by a minimum distance at all times.
Q: What is the backup system for air traffic control's collision avoidance system?
A: The backup for when air traffic control is not available or if something goes wrong with ATC is collision avoidance systems that see nearby aircraft and warn pilots if other planes are too close.
Q: Can pilots make changes to air traffic control commands?
A: Yes, pilots can make changes in order to keep the plane safe, even if they are given commands from air traffic control.
Q: When was air traffic control first introduced and who is considered the first air traffic controller?
A: Air traffic control was first introduced at London's Croydon Airport in 1921. Archie League, who controlled aircraft using colored flags at what is today Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, is often considered the first air traffic controller.
