ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the air traffic control system from the point of view of the air traffic controllers who operate the system. It discusses the system through the eyes of an oceanic controller, then from those of a newly created automatic dependent surveillance controller covering a remote area, and finally through the eyes of a controller at a multinational upper area control centre. Although air traffic controllers are in the limelight, one must realize that a great deal of work to keep the Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management system functioning is performed by other people, behind the scenes, through each of the stages of a controlled flight. Being human-centred, the automated system allows the controller to decide on modifications to the minimum distance between flights for arrival. The enroute controller has very effective new tools, like short term conflict alert, medium term conflict alert and deviation monitoring software.
