A Day In The Life

Peter Danne Air Traffic Controller

Back in December 1982, I was fortunate enough to be detailed by the editor to spend an entire shift with an approach controller at Sydney Airport’s Area Control Centre and write a story on the day’s activity.

I enjoyed the whole experience so much that when this new series became a reality, I badgered Jim Thorn to allow me to take a similar look at a day in the working life of a general aviation airport controller, such as those who work at Bankstown or Moorabbin Airports.

With ‘yes’ for an answer, I couldn’t wait to get going and had my enthusiasm fired even more when Bankstown’s senior ATC man John Guselli gave the thumbs up to watch the show on a Sunday, one of Bankstown’s busier days. I soon found out two basic facts about general aviation airport controllers at busy airports: (a) they are trained to expect the unexpected and (b) without a sense of humour they might as well not even bother showing up for work!

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