The malicious use of lasers to blind pilots and air traffic controllers is rapidly growing and experts fear that these could lead to a crash someday.

The FAA and NATCA have recently reached an agreement on fatigue recommendations that were developed by a joint FAA-NATCA working group. This follows several incidents of controllers sleeping on the job during the past few months.

The Council of ICAO adopts new international standards for Fatigue Risk Management Systems (FRMS) as an alternative to prescriptive flight and duty limitations to address crew fatigue, often cited as a factor in aircraft accidents.

The FAA recently announced that they will put air traffic controllers back in the skies as part of a familiarization program to view life “on the other side of the frequency” after an almost decade-long suspension. I’ve experienced a few of these, but what are the benefits of such programs?

Respect from peers in the air traffic control profession and users of the service has to be earned above and beyond the mystique that comes with the profession. Honesty, knowledge of your role, acceptance of responsibility, acceptance of limitation, embracing conventional wisdom, and the good old desire to do the right thing are among the list of respect earners.

After failing to get a response from the controller on duty at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport shortly after midnight, American Airlines and United flights landed about fifteen minutes apart without incident. Was the controller sleeping?

Air traffic controlling is rumored to be one of the most stressful jobs on the planet. In many countries, the rewards are not encouraging. Remaining focus on the job is like walking a tightrope. But yet thousands of men and women signup for the job and stay committed to it for years. What is it that brings them to work each day?

Issuing instrument approach clearances, obtaining the read back and confirming instructions before proceeding to descend. What do approach clearances mean? Should a descent to initial approach altitude be included?