What do controllers see?
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Colin Payette
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 5:56 am
What do controllers see?
I've always been curious what the screen looks like for controllers. Any chance of getting a couple screenshots like that? They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and it'd probably answer a few minor questions I've had.
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Keith Smith
- Posts: 9939
- Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 8:38 pm
- Location: Pompton Plains, NJ
- Contact:
Re: What do controllers see?
Colin,
It is my intention to run a virtual TRACON tour in the relatively near future that will allow pilots to see the scope in action as controller work live traffic. I've done this on an adhoc basis during some informal instruction sessions I was running for some pilots a while ago and happened to be working traffic at the time. The screen sharing utility that we were using captured the action on the scope very well, so I imagine we'll have no trouble doing more formal tours using that same technology, along with the recently announced TeamSpeak 3 server (check your email for the PE newsletter if you didn't receive one already).
For now, though, check out the review of PilotEdge on AVSIM, look at the pictures about 75% of the way through the article. There are 5 screen captures of a plane being vectored for the ILS 28R into KMYF (click on each one and then click on it again to view it fullsize. That's the procedure in Firefox, at least).
It is my intention to run a virtual TRACON tour in the relatively near future that will allow pilots to see the scope in action as controller work live traffic. I've done this on an adhoc basis during some informal instruction sessions I was running for some pilots a while ago and happened to be working traffic at the time. The screen sharing utility that we were using captured the action on the scope very well, so I imagine we'll have no trouble doing more formal tours using that same technology, along with the recently announced TeamSpeak 3 server (check your email for the PE newsletter if you didn't receive one already).
For now, though, check out the review of PilotEdge on AVSIM, look at the pictures about 75% of the way through the article. There are 5 screen captures of a plane being vectored for the ILS 28R into KMYF (click on each one and then click on it again to view it fullsize. That's the procedure in Firefox, at least).
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Andrew Doubleday
- Posts: 674
- Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2010 8:37 pm
- Location: Grand Forks, ND
Re: What do controllers see?
Colin,
If you're curious to know how our "scopes" might look, here's an example of my display:
I'm currently connected to PE as an observer in this image on the ZLA enroute DSR color profile (which stands for Display System Replacement, a type of radar used by ARTCC's within the US). You can see the primary scope on the right-hand monitor, some traffic on the scope observed by radar and a flight progress strip bay on the right. I run a second 23" monitor on this laptop to open up additional windows while I work (easier to reference information with the additional display). I use a standard Plantronics handheld push-to-talk handset (on the table by the keyboard, same thing used in ATC facilities around the US, except this one is has a USB connector for use with computers rather than the standard PJ-7 two-prong adapters you would find in a real world facility) with a 15 ft. extension cable so I can walk around during those longer shifts Keith keeps us working (just kidding). As a headset, I make use of a Plantronics H31 Starset over-the-ear headset (again, same as in use real world in many facilities). While seated in my comfy task-intensive chair, I occasionally will use the foot-petal (bottom center of the image) which also allows me to transmit on frequency as the same push-to-talk. I also use a lighted USB keyboard (I find it easier to concentrate in dim-light when working traffic). The Logitech joystick on the right is used for flying when I feel like it (yes, many of us controllers can be found flying in our free time on PE as well). Since this picture, I've also added a Kensington Trackball mouse which I prefer to use over the regular mouse when controlling. Realizing it's a bit of a messy display with the wires (have to use the laptop for now), I like to keep my work-area as professional as possible in terms of the display and general feel (radar colors, lighting environment, controller tools, etc) to provide the most realistic experience possible for pilots flying on the network.
Here's a close-up of the primary scope on the 23" monitor:
Traffic can be noted here more easily (yellow targets on the scope) overlooking the central-ZLA area. Flight strip bay on the right.
Regards,
If you're curious to know how our "scopes" might look, here's an example of my display:
I'm currently connected to PE as an observer in this image on the ZLA enroute DSR color profile (which stands for Display System Replacement, a type of radar used by ARTCC's within the US). You can see the primary scope on the right-hand monitor, some traffic on the scope observed by radar and a flight progress strip bay on the right. I run a second 23" monitor on this laptop to open up additional windows while I work (easier to reference information with the additional display). I use a standard Plantronics handheld push-to-talk handset (on the table by the keyboard, same thing used in ATC facilities around the US, except this one is has a USB connector for use with computers rather than the standard PJ-7 two-prong adapters you would find in a real world facility) with a 15 ft. extension cable so I can walk around during those longer shifts Keith keeps us working (just kidding). As a headset, I make use of a Plantronics H31 Starset over-the-ear headset (again, same as in use real world in many facilities). While seated in my comfy task-intensive chair, I occasionally will use the foot-petal (bottom center of the image) which also allows me to transmit on frequency as the same push-to-talk. I also use a lighted USB keyboard (I find it easier to concentrate in dim-light when working traffic). The Logitech joystick on the right is used for flying when I feel like it (yes, many of us controllers can be found flying in our free time on PE as well). Since this picture, I've also added a Kensington Trackball mouse which I prefer to use over the regular mouse when controlling. Realizing it's a bit of a messy display with the wires (have to use the laptop for now), I like to keep my work-area as professional as possible in terms of the display and general feel (radar colors, lighting environment, controller tools, etc) to provide the most realistic experience possible for pilots flying on the network.
Here's a close-up of the primary scope on the 23" monitor:
Traffic can be noted here more easily (yellow targets on the scope) overlooking the central-ZLA area. Flight strip bay on the right.
Regards,
Re: What do controllers see?
Thank you, Andrew, very nice setup, thank you for sharing.
I was always curious how the ATC actually work, what is on the scope, what other information is on the display.
I was always curious how the ATC actually work, what is on the scope, what other information is on the display.
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Colin Payette
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 5:56 am
Re: What do controllers see?
That's pretty cool, thanks for sharing! One question I still have is do you guys see visual landmarks? For instance, can I call in "over Barona Casino" when inbound to KRNM or is it better to just say I'm 6 miles southeast?
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Keith Smith
- Posts: 9939
- Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 8:38 pm
- Location: Pompton Plains, NJ
- Contact:
Re: What do controllers see?
Use the visual landmark reference, we have ways of handling that even if we're not immediately certain where that is.
Re: What do controllers see?
Keith just posted this sweet video of him at the scope dealing with 2 pros in the pattern at Santa Barbara. Fun to hear his under-the-breath comments and see just how busy he can get. viewtopic.php?f=19&t=2705. In YouTube dial up HD and go full screen.