Screen Movies of ATC in Action

[Mark Hargrove]

I would really enjoy seeing a video of a controller's screen (with accompanying voice) of the PE system in action. The videos on the website are all from the perspective of the pilot -- it would be neat to see the action from the controller's perspective.

-M.

[Keith Smith]

Mark,

As mentioned in the recent newsletter, we will be doing virtual TRACON tours in the relatively near future.

In the mean time, there is this: http://www.justin.tv/pilotedge/b/278958056 (suggest watching full screen)

[Keith Smith]

Additionally here's a zipped AVI file (400MB compressed) of a 45 minute session on the scope during a fly-out from Vegas (this was during the pre-launch beta). Here's part 2 of the video...

[Mark Hargrove]

The KLAS-KLAX "fly-in" video is fantastic.

What the the symbol between the assigned and actual altitude mean? It seems to be "T" quite often an seems to change to 'C' when the aircraft is at the assigned altitude, but I could sort out what the symbol meant.

What is the first data element of the third line of the data block? It's a 3-digit number that I couldn't make any sense of at all.

-M.

[Nicholas Cavacini]

T represents an assigned (temporary) altitude, 080T160 would represent currently at 16,000, assigned altitude of 8,000.
390C Would represent The aircraft is cruising at (or within 300 feet) it's assigned cruise altitude, here FL390.
390↑200 would represent that the aircraft's final cruise is FL390, is currently at FL200 and climbing.

The first element of the 3rd line of the datablock is the Computer ID, A controller can use this code to work (edit flightplan, etc) with an aircraft without having to use the aircraft's full callsign.

[Andrew Doubleday]

Mark,



The "T" you are seeing in this type of datablock, a DSR datablock (Display System Replacement), shows that an interim altitude has been assigned to said aircraft. The present aircraft altitude is on the right and the assigned altitude is on the left of the second line (note this in the above image, specifically with N191NC). If no interim altitude has been assigned, then a small up or down arrow will display next to the altitude showing that the aircraft either is in a climb or descent or the "C" you reference will display when the aircraft reaches within 300 feet of permanent altitude (usually the final altitude cleared by ATC initially), indicating said aircraft has reached "Cruise". The three digit number on the third line that you are seeing is the CID (Computer ID) for the associated primary target. This functionality is only displayed in this type of radar datablock and is for internal use when making changes to aircraft scratchpads, interim altitudes, handoffs, or other ATC related tasks. You might also note a letter next to that indicating what "sector" owns track and is (likely) talking to a certain aircraft.

Basically, if you were flying from LAS to LAX at FL280 and I had crossing traffic tunneling under your route of flight around FL250, but needed to start you down into LAX, I'd assign an interim altitude of FL260 to "top" said opposite direction traffic (keeping in mind 5 miles and 1000 feet separation in the enroute environment). Let's say your associated CID is "123" (just a randomly assigned number associated to your track) It's far easier for me to to make changes to your aircraft datablock on the computer system by plugging in the interim altitude function (in this case, the code is QQ for that), the interim altitude next (260 for FL260), and then your CID (123 in this case) instead of having to enter your full callsign into the system (takes longer). Not to mention this instruction would also be denoted on your flight progress strip to show the altitude was assigned for legal purposes... In a nutshell, it's easier for controllers to use the CID when making datablock changes (for reminders and legality) than having to type every single callsign out in reality (our systems work a tad different on PE with some different functionality in some cases).


Regards,

[Mark Hargrove]

Excellent explanations, thanks very much.

It was really, really impressive to watch/listen to Keith working all of that traffic!

How do you go about learning how to do this? Is that what VATSIM is for?

-M.

[Ryan Geckler]

I'm pretty sure all of us have been on VATSIM, but a couple of us go to school for it.

[Mark Hargrove]

I had a near-death experience tonight, all because of Keith.

I'm watching part two of the KLAS/KLAX fly-in video, enjoying a favorite beverage. There is a point where an American West flight, cleared for the LAX Rwy 24R ILS asks "what direction is the airport?" Keith says, "well, when you're on the ILS it will be right in front of you."

I expelled a large quantity of said favorite beverage out through my nose because I was laughing so hard.

-M.

[Keith Smith]

Mark,

I'd be lying if I said that was the first near death experienced I'd caused for a pilot while I was controlling.