Are ATC guys actually into aviation?

RalphInCA

RalphInCA

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RalphInCA
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The other day my instructor and I flew to an airport with a tower for some stop and goes. When the ATC guy asked our aircraft type we told him Aeronca Champ. He had never heard of an Aeronca champ. Had no clue what we were talking about.

Now, I know it's not a Cub, but there are a lot of Champs out there, have been for a long time. It amazes me that an ATC guy had never heard of one.

Do ATC people actually know anything about aviation? Or do they just push tin?
 
Like any other group, some are into old airplanes and some aren't.

Heck, you can find the occasional pilot who doesn't know what a Champ is, too.

Just tell him Cessna and you're good. :D All high wings are Cessnas. I thought everyone knew that.
 
I recieved training in ATC on various aircraft types but that was military not an FAA thing. Not sure how in depth the FAA guys get on aircraft identification. There's a laundry list in the back of the controllers handbook but without pictures it really doesn't teach much recognition. They have to have a pretty good knowledge of what's a Cat I, II, III & small, large or heavy. If they don't, it'll be a little hard separating aircraft.

Usually it's up to the individual controller to do the leg work to learn aircraft types. You have controllers that know the basic Cessna or Piper but few that really know the antiques and experimentals. It comes with study and experience.

I'd say it helps to be a pilot as well. My brother is a controller and pilot. Through his experience of flying I think the exposure gives him a broader base of aircraft knowledge. That and the fact he's into air shows / aviation photography.

Some controllers really couldn't care less about aviation outside of ATC. I really don't hold that against them though. I know some pilots who fly professionally who really just look at it as a job and arent really into aviation either. Depends on the person.
 
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If you think the lack of Champ knowledge is something, you should hear Tower responses to "Nxxxx9 is an AERONCA Chief" !
 
MAKG1 said:
Like any other group, some are into old airplanes and some aren't.

Heck, you can find the occasional pilot who doesn't know what a Champ is, too.

Just tell him Cessna and you're good. :D All high wings are Cessnas. I thought everyone knew that.
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I forget what we told him, but eventually he called us something.

The cool thing about the flight was that San Bernadino has 10,000x200 foot runway that is hardly used. Landing the champ used about .001% of the runway and is wide enough for even this ham handed/footed pilot to land on. :yes:
 
That is really sad to hear. Try telling them you are flying an Interstate! :lol: :eek:

On the other hand most, if not all know what an RV is. I look at old iron as iconic aircraft that deserve respect and admiration for what they are and what they contributed to my sport. I would love to own an Aeronica Chief someday when I am LSA needy, and I get tired of flying my RV-12. :lol:
 
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As stated above some are, some arent. Its a unique skill set and draws a wide variety of people. I would say most appreciate aviation but I know some that have never been in anything but an airliner. Others own airplanes, live on skyparks, and build airplanes.
 
In college CTS programs many require at least a private pilot certificate as a degree requirement. But the only aircraft identification class my son took only covered airliners.
 
It's similar to most people think law enforcement are all good shots and practice with their weapons all the time. I know a few that are and do but they are also the ones that tell me most guys shoot a few rounds a year to qualify and that is it.:dunno:
 
RalphInCA said:
The other day my instructor and I flew to an airport with a tower for some stop and goes. When the ATC guy asked our aircraft type we told him Aeronca Champ. He had never heard of an Aeronca champ. Had no clue what we were talking about.

Now, I know it's not a Cub, but there are a lot of Champs out there, have been for a long time. It amazes me that an ATC guy had never heard of one.

Do ATC people actually know anything about aviation? Or do they just push tin?
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I spent 30 years in ATC. I know something about aviation and am familiar with the Aeronca Champion. However, as a controller, I had very little interaction with them. Most Champ's were built without electrical systems so they tend to be short on the gear that's generally needed for ATC services today; transceivers and transponders. Handheld transceivers are available, but they tend to have lower powered transmitters than installed radios do and if the airplane still has unshielded ignition the noise can make effective communications with ATC impossible.
 
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RalphInCA said:
The cool thing about the flight was that San Bernadino has 10,000x200 foot runway that is hardly used. Landing the champ used about .001% of the runway and is wide enough for even this ham handed/footed pilot to land on. :yes:
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.001% of 10,000 feet is 1.2 inches. Certainly possible with the right headwind, but methinks you're exaggerating a bit.
 
Geico266 said:
That is really sad to hear. Try telling them you are flying an Interstate! :lol: :eek:

On the other hand most, if not all know what an RV is. I look at old iron as iconic aircraft that deserve respect and admiration for what they are and what they contributed to my sport. I would love to own an Aeronica Chief someday when I am LSA needy, and I get tired of flying my RV-12. :lol:
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Interstate is cool. Hangar neighbor has an Interstate L6 that is a silver wrench award winner. It's a nice airplane.
 
Our local tower (Reno, NV) had never heard of a Grumman Yankee, and had also never heard of Austin, NV...

Me: N12345 VFR to Austin.
Tower: Uh... is that Austin, Texas?
Me: Negative, Austin, Nevada.
Tower: What's the identifier?
Me: KTMT
Tower: What direction is that?
Me: It's east of here. (and wondering if the real tower guys are tied up in the trunk of someone's car) :D
 
Well, who the hell goes to Austin, NV anyway?

And people call Battle Mountain the armpit of America...

I do have to admit, I've been to both places. And Las Vegas, NM.
 
I'm getting accustomed to being asked,what is a liberty. Most of the controllers assume I'm ,either LSA or experimental. Some controllers are into identifying aircraft,you know they enjoy their job.
 
MAKG1 said:
Well, who the hell goes to Austin, NV anyway?

And people call Battle Mountain the armpit of America...

I do have to admit, I've been to both places. And Las Vegas, NM.
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One of these years I'm going to fly down to Elko. Why? My brother lives there.
 
MAKG1 said:
Well, who the hell goes to Austin, NV anyway?

And people call Battle Mountain the armpit of America...

I do have to admit, I've been to both places. And Las Vegas, NM.
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I guess you have to live in Nevada - it was clear the tower controller was not a native Nevadan.

Austin is a cool little town (as is Eureka). I was with my CFI and he'd never been there... it's not often one can take a 16,000-hour CFI someplace new. We didn't have time to go into town but last time I drove through, the guys at the Toiyabe cafe said they would pick us up at the airport for lunch.
 
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