Air Traffic Control News and Trends

Get air traffic control information from multiple sources
By Casey Holley The procedures air traffic controllers must follow are constantly changing. Stay up to date on these changes is necessary since all of them relate to keeping aircraft, passengers and employees safe.

Keeping up to date on this information can be a full time job in itself. Consider the following suggestions to help you stay up to date on all the latest air traffic control news and trends:

1. Check for air traffic control news on government and organizational websites.

2. Read newspaper articles about air traffic control problems and solutions.

3. Learn about the challenges and triumphs of other air traffic controllers by reading blogs.

Find air traffic control information by checking websites

When new laws come into effect or if changes in procedures are implemented, air traffic control organizations usually update the information before other websites. Most official websites offer updates via email. Consider subscribing to the emails. If you find that you don't like the information in them or if you don't like them, you can always unsubscribe.
Try:  You can find up to date information about ATC on the Federal Aviation Administration website. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association offers safety updates and other information about issues that are of importance to air traffic management facilities.

Look for online air traffic control information

Many newspapers have online issues that contain information about air traffic control regulations. Some of the websites simply offer stories about air traffic control centers. Reading these articles can give you ideas about how to deal with certain situations and how to avoid making serious mistakes.
Try:  The New York Times website offers numerous articles about ATC information. Aviation Today offers an RSS feed to help you stay up to date with the latest news concerning air traffic control technology.

Read blogs written by air traffic controllers

Sometimes, such as after a hard day, you may be interested in reading about the lives of other air traffic controllers. Finding air traffic control blogs gives you a glimpse into the lives of other ATC employees. These blogs give you tips and anecdotes that can help you make it through the day without getting too stressed out.
Try:  WordPress.com offers numerous blogs about aviation, including blogs that keep up with the latest air traffic control news and trends, some of which are maintained by air traffic controllers. Air Traffic Soup is a blog maintained by an air traffic control specialist.

• Airports and private air traffic control companies are responsible for keeping an up to date copy of their own air traffic control statistics. If you want to know the statistics concerning a specific airport or center, ask the airport or center for the information.