ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the air traffic control system from the point of view of the air traffic controllers who operate the system to illustrate what the work of the air traffic controller will be like in a well developed future communications, navigation and surveillance/air traffic management (ATM) system. It presents the perspective of a tower controller at a busy international airport, then from that of an approach controller and also a controller at a busy national enroute control centre, or area control centre to use the correct name. The automated processing and distribution of flight plans is a tremendous milestone for ATM because, each and every ATM unit affected by a flight, anywhere in the world, is assured of automatically receiving accurate details of that flight, well in advance of actual flight times. The oceanic or remote area controller worked with less adequate equipment, or in less developed regions.
