CHARACTERIZATION OF CURRENT TOWER CAB ENVIRONMENTS

This report describes the general tower cab environment in terms of: (a) the evolution of the tower cab, current cab classification and staffing levels, and the basic flow of ATC data relevant to cab operations, (b) a breakdown of functions performed by tower cab personnel, the basic equipment used to perform those functions, and allocation of equipment and responsibilities to various controller positions, and (c) current tower-related systems and procedures, including airspace surveillance, surface surveillance, flight data handling and the role of the flight progress strip, air/ground communications, the data processing and display systems, weather related systems, and current landing systems. The equipments covered included the Airspace Surveillance Radar (ASR), Brite Radar Indicator Equipment (BRITE), Airport Surveillance Detection equipment (ASDE-2), the NUBRITE display, Display Enhancement Unit (DEU), Flight Data Entry and Printout equipment (FDEP), basic radar PPI, TPX-42 automation and ARTS II and ARTS III displays, Runway Visual Range (RVR) and Runway Visual Value (RVV) equipment, various altimeters, etc.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Systems Center

  55 Broadway, Kendall Square
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02142
• Authors:
  • Hobbs, V J
  • Clapp, D F
  • Rempfer, P S
  • Devoe, D
  • Bellantoni, J
• Publication Date: 1977-11

Media Info

• Pagination: 206 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air traffic control; Air traffic control facilities; Air traffic controllers; Airport control towers; Airport operations; Airport runways; Airport surface traffic control; Airports; Airspace (Aeronautics); Airspace (Law); Communication systems; Data communications; Information display systems; Information processing; Job analysis; Motor skills; Personnel performance; Radar; Surveillance; Terminal air traffic control; Towers; Visibility; Weather
• Old TRIS Terms: Air traffic control terminal; Airport radar systems; Performance human; Runway visual range; Surface to air; Surface to surface; Weather communication
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Operations and Traffic Management; Pavements; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00169733
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: FAA-EM-77-10 Intrm Rpt., TSC-FAA-77-19
• Files: NTIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 14 1978 12:00AM