ASCI 491 Blog 1-3: The US Aviation Industry

 Hello Class, 

In 1929, Archie W. League is considered the first air traffic controller out of St. Louis Airport. While standing near the runway middle, he used a red flag to signal "stop" and a checkered flag to signal "go." League continued in this role as air traffic controller and eventually began the assistance administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He retired from this position in 1973.

By 1935, offices, radios, and telegrams were used to monitor and attempt to track aircraft as they flew through the airspace. These "airway centers" grew as aviation did and brought us what we have today. As an air traffic controller myself, I enjoyed reading a little more about the past of this awesome career field. The attention I would like to focus on is what is happening right now in ATC. 

Air Traffic Control is moving into a more digital and condensed age. The introduction of Remote Tower Operations (RTO) across many European countries allows air traffic control to be present at more airfields for a fraction of the cost (Frequentis, 2022). 



Image Retrieved from 
https://dblue.it/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Digital-remote-control-towers.jpg

These systems will use 360 degrees of cameras with incorporated augmented reality (AR) features to transmit visual data to a separate location. There will not be a need for a brick and mortar tower nor the staffing of multiple controllers at each individual airfield. Instead, a single building downtown or at a major airport can monitor multiple airfields at once using fewer certified controllers. The systems can display on a series of TV's situated around a control desk to simulate an actual control tower. The cameras have pan, tilt, zoom features and the AR will display important identifying data adjacent to the aircraft as it flies across the screen. Although the FAA is still finalizing the specific requirements and safety concerns, Remote Tower Operations have been in the testing phase in the United States.

We have certainly come a long way from the 1920's using flags to signal aircraft. 

Luke

References 

FAA. (2022). Air traffic control begins. https://www.faa.gov/about/history/photo_album/air_traffic_control

Frequentis (2022). Rethinking traditional air traffic control. https://www.frequentis.com/en/defense-usa/remote-digital-tower

Comments

  1. Jesse GonzalesAugust 11, 2022 at 12:56 PM

    Luke,
    This is an interesting concept and adaptation of immerging technologies. The refinement of mixed realities has enabled this technology to become integrated in many facets of the aviation industry. My previous assignment at the training campus for Air Force enlisted aircrew began implementing Virtual Reality classrooms that enable students to explore multiple airframes and use interactive training modules that teach basic aircraft systems. The ability to breakdown and manipulate an engine's components in a 3 dimensional setting has vastly improved the quality of training that we provide. I can only imagine how beneficial augmented systems can be for ATC, regards to improved situational awareness and overall safety of the objective area.

    Jesse

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