How Do Flight Controllers Manage Flight Operations?


How Do Flight Controllers Manage Flight Operations?

Let’s explore the definition of flight controllers in the air. Their role is to let the flight operations managers perform the fundamental task of managing and directing all aspects of the aircraft on a real-time basis. Now, let’s have a closer look at their role.

Air traffic controllers or FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) oversee the movement of airplanes within the airspace. Each part of the airplane has a way of communicating with the control tower via radio. It is also known as FCAS (Flight Crew Air System).

As far as the FCAS is concerned, flight controllers should be available whenever required. They should have enough technical skills and knowledge to manage the operations. They should have well developed and articulate communication skills to handle voice communications. The communication between the pilot and the controller is done using radio transmissions.

How Do Flight Controllers Manage Flight Operations?
How Do Flight Controllers Manage Flight Operations?

Function Of Flight Controllers

The function of these controllers is to facilitate the movement of all types of aircraft within the airspace. There are different types of aircraft, all of which have different types of systems. The role of the FCAS controllers varies with the different types of aircraft.

There are three major kinds of air traffic controllers. They are ground controllers, air traffic controller’s station (ATC). All of them need to coordinate the movement of the aircraft.

As per the above-mentioned example, the pilots are the ones who perform all the activities to the FCAS (flight crew air system). When the pilot wants to land the aircraft, the FCAS controllers inform him about the exact landing location and ensure that the aircraft lands safely. If the pilot thinks that the aircraft is moving in the wrong direction, he can contact the ground controllers or the air traffic controllers. Then they can help the pilot if he needs any help. These ground controllers or the ground controller should have good knowledge about flight operations and communication.

Coordination The Aircraft

Normally, the air traffic controllers keep the aircraft in proper coordination. If the aircraft should move out of the way of the path specified by the flight crew, the FCAS controllers can signal the pilot can maneuver the aircraft towards the desired path. However, if the pilots to land the aircraft in the wrong spot, the controller will not hesitate to call off the landing if the pilot is unable to land the aircraft in the right place. Again, if the pilot cannot land the aircraft at the desired airport, the ground controller can call off the landing too.

After the pilots to land the aircraft, the ground controller tells the pilot that the aircraft is landing at the required place. The FCAS controller will not hesitate to communicate with the pilots during the landing process and discuss the next move of the aircraft. The pilots should be well aware of all the procedures of the landing process as per the FCAS instructions.

According to the recent law passed by the federal government, the air traffic controllers have a minimum of four landings. They have to ensure that the aircraft lands at the specified airports. If the pilots land at wrong airports, the controllers are required to contact the appropriate authorities, if possible.

Ground controllers

Ground controllers operate in remote areas, which often have no knowledge about aircraft operations. If they do not know about the status of the aircraft, they can’t facilitate the flight operations. The FCAS is also responsible for ensuring the safety of the aircraft and those on board the aircraft.

The number of ground controllers very limited and it is also necessary to have people in place to assist the FCAS operators. The FCAS operator is responsible for ensuring the safety of the people on board the aircraft. Since they have limited knowledge about the operations of the aircraft, they can’t assist the pilots during the landing process.

How Do Flight Controllers Manage Flight Operations?
How Do Flight Controllers Manage Flight Operations?

Conclusion

The FCAS is actually an automated device which helps the pilots and the ground controllers to communicate. Also, it saves a lot of time as the pilots can focus on flight plans. The FCAS installed in all the Boeing planes and many other aircraft too.

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