Controllers Radar Scope?

[Vaughan Martell 999926]

When a center controller handles approaches or ground functions at, say, area airports.

Is he always looking at the same scope for all pilots and functions he is controlling or does he switch scopes?

[Lee Waldeck 866831]

I'd say that varies by controller, and how busy they might be.

 

For me personally, I use VRC (Thank you Ross). VRC has the ability to open multiple sector files in new windows. If I'm working center, I may depending on how busy I am, open up the airport sector file in a new window to get a better and closer view of the airport.

 

I only have one monitor, but I'm sure there are those with multiple monitors that keep several sector files open all at once.

[Vaughan Martell 999926]

So, pilots flying in a sector (like the one you just opened) may have thought they were in an unattended sector?

Then you could text msg them and start controlling them by voice??

[Lee Waldeck 866831]

Not necessarily. Even though I may open a new sector file, it does not affect in any way what positions I am actually manning.

 

If I'm on center and open a TRACON sector file, I'm just getting a different view of the same airspace I already own and operate. (Unless another controller is manning that position.)

[Vaughan Martell 999926]

Ok, if you are the center controller (large geographical area)... no other controllers/centers on duty in the USA.

You own that center's airspace.

 

An airport within your center shows on ServInfo as not having an approach controller on duty.

Are you handling the approaches there and everywher else in you center?

 

I keep wondering how one center controller could possibly take care of all the flights within the center?

[Paul O'Donnell 969350]

Ok, if you are the center controller (large geographical area)... no other controllers/centers on duty in the USA.

You own that center's airspace.

 

An airport within your center shows on ServInfo as not having an approach controller on duty.

Are you handling the approaches there and everywher else in you center?

 

I keep wondering how one center controller could possibly take care of all the flights within the center?

 

It depends on the local procedures and the controllers workload.

Most controllers will be happy to accept more traffic, some will give clearance and then send the aircraft to UNICOM for taxi and take off.

It all depends really.

 

As for the original question. I do a similar thing to Lee. If I'm on Approach alone and the airport gets busy. I will open a new window in VRC keeping the same sector file loaded, but having that window in "Tower radar mode" that way I can see the aircrafts callsign in the datatag whilst its squawking standby.

I've seen some screenshots of what Lee mentioned, Centre/Center controllers with mulitple monitors with many windows open and various sector files loaded.

 

It's all really down to the personal preference of the controller.

[Vaughan Martell 999926]

Ok thanks,

 

Sounds like a very busy job.

 

Last question (famous Last Words!).

 

When pilots are squawking STBY (2200) during taxi you only see a partial datatag?

When the pilot departs, and squawks IDENT (2200) you see the full datatag (altitude/ speed)?

[Paul O'Donnell 969350]

Again this depends on the type of radar mode you are emulating. I use the DSR and VRC radar modes, which I believe are similar to the US TRACON controllers. Or that could be the ARTS mode.

In these modes you will only see the aircraft as a green dot when Squawking standby. But when Squawking normal (mode C) I will see the aircraft's datatag.

I have been trying to get used to using the Park Air mode since I am from the UK and this is what realworld UK controllers use. But I prefer the DSR mode since it shows more in the datatag.

[Vaughan Martell 999926]

Thanks a'lot to all'ya all!

I really appreciated the information.

 

Ga'day.

[Paul O'Donnell 969350]

You're very welcome. There's some screenshots of VRC scopes on the VRC website.

http://www.metacraft.com/VRC/

 

As for ASRC, there's not as many screenshots but enough to give you a general idea.

http://www.asrc.info/

[Steve Ogrodowski 876322]

Again this depends on the type of radar mode you are emulating. I use the DSR and VRC radar modes, which I believe are similar to the US TRACON controllers. Or that could be the ARTS mode.

 

ARTS is the general US TRACON radar system. DSR is used by US Enroute (Center). STARs (which I heard is in development for VRC, possibly) is newer and used, from what I understand, by TRACON and even some Local Control facilities.

[Vaughan Martell 999926]

You're very welcome. There's some screenshots of VRC scopes on the VRC website.

http://www.metacraft.com/VRC/

 

As for ASRC, there's not as many screenshots but enough to give you a general idea.

http://www.asrc.info/

 

Paul, thanks for this ... I will go take a look at'em.

 

Steve, thanks for the follow up.

 

I have spent hours watching Atlanta Center and Atlanta Tracon http://www.atcmonitor.com/?lic=

It is educational but it takes a lot of watching and listening to get a firm grip on whats going on.

 

From what I have seen, on the average day, arriving flights (real world) Atlanta may have a slight advantage.

When just transitioning from enroute to approach (in the conga line) they have the advantage of "listening" to the controller's transmissions for flights ahead of them. Thus, they can make notes on RWY in use, frequencies, altimeter etc.. This look (listen) ahead makes their "read backs a little easier after hearing "basically" the same instructions several times.

 

While I was watching/listening To ATL TRACON all the flight arriving (FALCON ONE) were told eg to cross DIRTY at 13000/250KTS.

Pilots further out in the arrival get a "heads up" on what (approximately) to expect on todays arrival.

Same with approach.

Most arrivals get eg cleared for the 26R approach, maintain 180 to AJAAY then tower on 19.1.

 

I can see how real world departures/arrivals can go smooth because of the large number of pilots on the air .... many getting basically the departure/arrival instructions.

 

Now, in VATSIM, that advantage is seldom there. You are flying the aircraft (no copilot), listening to the instructions for the first time (no flights ahead of you), writing the instructions down, reading the instructions back (accepting them), setting the aircraft autopilot with the new data and watching for traffic.

 

In the real world I would imagine the pilot would be dialing in the HDG/ALT etc as the controller in giving the instructions and then reading back by looking at hte panel setting just dialed in for the readback.

 

So, at present, I am fine tuning shortcuts for writing the information down. Cannot rely on ones memory here.

I want to have the "items" for departure/arrival already listed on paper. Then all I have to do is fill in the blanks.

 

Sorry I went on for so long here!

[Ross Carlson]

Even if you're the only aircraft around, you can still be prepared for your instructions. If you are flying a STAR, you will know what to expect for descent instructions from CTR, as they are published on the chart. And once you are handed off to Approach, he's supposed to tell you what approach to expect, so you've then got plenty of time to get out the chart and set up your avionics.

 

If you aren't flying a STAR, then just wait for CTR to give you descent instructions. If you feel you need to program a crossing restriction in ahead of time, then ask CTR what descent profile you should expect.

 

Same goes for Approach ... if the APP controller doesn't tell you what approach to expect, ask him.

[Vaughan Martell 999926]

Ross,

That will work well.

I will give it a try.