audio of VFR pilot in IFR condictions

"Cecil E. Chapman" wrote:
I just think that it would be prudent to have controllers
that were also pilots,

Do you think it would be practical for the FAA to make it a requirement?
The gov't would have to bear the cost of initial and recurrent training,
insurance, et c. for thousands of controllers, not to mention the
typically bloated federal overhead of administering such a thing. One
shudders to think...
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM

On Sat, 27 Dec 2003 17:30:03 -0600, "Dan Luke"
wrote:

Do you think it would be practical for the FAA to make it a requirement?
The gov't would have to bear the cost of initial and recurrent training,
insurance, et c. for thousands of controllers, not to mention the
typically bloated federal overhead of administering such a thing. One
shudders to think...

Where I live (Germany), controllers at least get a significant amount
of training in a simulator and take several jumpseat rides on airline
flights.

Do they have similar requirements in the US, too?

Tobias

"Cecil E. Chapman" wrote in message
...
Why was that surprising?

--
John T

Me again..... I just think that it would be prudent to have controllers
that were also pilots, just as it is prudent for (at least it is required
by
law, in parts of California) food service workers to have some training in
handling choking problems.


Good pilots don't necessarily make good controllers, and visa versa.
Different mental and physical skill sets are required to do the jobs. In my
experience, most people, most pilots included, don't seem to have what it
takes to do the radar ATC part. Not to mention the non-radar geometry and
math part.

It is also my experience that an overwhelming majority of the persons
employed as air traffic controllers, especially in the higher-level,
higher-complexity radar facilities, don't have what it takes to be aviators.
They either lack apptitude, coordination or above all (and most sadly) even
any interest in personally piloting an aircraft. Many of them don't even
*like* airplanes...

Chip, ZTL

"Chip Jones" wrote:
Many of them don't even *like* airplanes...

That fairly describes a controller acquaintence of mine. He loves his
job, but wouldn't get in a light airplane unless you forced him at
gunpoint. He is virtually clueless about airplanes and flying, and
thinks another controller at his facility who became a pilot is nuts.

He's an extreme case, but most of the controllers I've met are somewhat
indifferent to aviation outside of their profession. Pilots should never
assume the controller they're talking to understands technical aviation
terms. They *all* understand "emergency," though.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM

"Cecil E. Chapman" wrote in message
m...
I was surprised to learn that one of the controllers at another airport
I've
flown to in the past, actually had never been a pilot NOR ever BEEN IN a
G.A. aircraft.

I think here in the UK a controller has to do some PPL training. Most
controllers I know have their PPLs. One I talked to hated flying and
did his 20 hours (if I remember correctly) just because he had to do it.

Paul