The air traffic control tower is the most important part of any airport, yet it's also the most unacknowledged. Fliers seldom stop to admire their ethereal beauty and futuristic silhouettes. We're missing out: These towers are fascinating architectural specimens. (gizmodo.com) 更多...
Have two ATC friends. One at DFW and one at Fort Worth Center. Got a brief tour of both back in 1999. I commend the men and women that do that job. Not an easy task.
I have worked the same job for almost two decades. It might seem a difficult job but it's really not. You just have to be focused and ALWAYS have a plan B, and a plan C, and a plan D....
But other than that, it's not difficult. lol. You made me smile. You don't give yourself enuf credit for a job well done. Didn't we learn that a house that looks beautiful and clean didn't get that way by accident. There was a lot of labor, focused attention and learning from mistakes. Thank you for your service. I had the pleasure of working with ATC students at Keesler AFB. They were great young men and women, and we learned that not everyone is cut out for the job. Thanks again.
The DFW Tower shown is the original (then only) tower. Pic is from late 70s. Later East and West Towers were added and the original (now called the center tower) is used as a backup for contigency ops if needed. The outlying towers greatly enhanced visibility on a vast airport and mitigated obstructions caused by the terminal buildings. All three have similar appearance but the outlying towers are much taller.
The ORD tower shown is the original tower connected to the temrinal. They now have a new North tower and plans are underway for a third South tower.
I have to put in my vote for Stephanie at ADS as well. Whether it is her cheery voice giving out recorded ATIS reports or live on 126.0 guiding us out and back home, she is always a pleasure and comfort to hear, especially for us new pilots. Such a sweetheart!!
Officially the airport in Sydney Australia is Sydney Airport (at Mascot) or Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport at Mascot. The control tower had geo-technical issues and is a "lightweight construction" http://www.onesteel.com/images/db_images/casestudies/airport6ss2p.pdf. details the issues and construction techniques. The external spiral escape stairs are an interesting visual feature
I believe the tower for Vancouver Harbour Water Airport, CYHC, is the tallest in the work at 142 meters in height. (granted it is located atop an office building, probably makes it very unique for that).
That was a cool piece! You should also do one on charming ATCs - a lot goes unmentioned when they handle us courteously on the other side of the fence, with the stresses they face in daily life.
I've worked in a few as a controller...but must say where I am now takes the cake for uniqueness. Bartow Tower in FL is mostly the same one used when Bartow was an AFB back in the 40's to train its pilots.
Todays ATC towers are spectacular! I've had the pleasure to visit the towers at DCA, MSP and ORD back in the early 80s. The old radar room at the base of old ORD tower was like a dark, secret bunker. Also toured centers at ZMP, ZAU and ZDC. The controllers and supervisors at all the above were very gracious and I appreciated the time they afforded me!
My last pay check was $9500 working 12 hours a week online. My neighbour's sister has been averaging 15k for months now and she works about 20 hours a week. I can't believe how easy it was once I tried it out.
Even though I would never vouch for ATC standards in the Middle East (or Asia and Africa, for that matter), I think Cairo Tower is a stunning creation.