OK, so it's 8.55am and we're just we're approaching Tullamarine air traffic
control tower where I'm going to set the test for the air traffic control system.
Air traffic controllers controls all the planes that are in our skies.
Apparently you can't train for it you can't do a degree you're either born
an air traffic controller, or you're not.
No, I'm in journalists I'm not up to this at all.
You see the runway yet?
Correction. Last turn will be exactly 22 seconds on my mark. Three, two, one ...
So, we've just come out of Melbourne's Tullamarine control tower which is a
really remarkable space. Up on the top floor up there in the second control
tower there are four air traffic controllers who are controlling the
takeoff and landing just at Melbourne Airport.
So those four just work on essentially what they can see. They're controlling
planes coming in and planes queuing up and planes taking off but then around
this complex there are a whole bunch of other control centers that actually
control about 11 per cent of the world's airspace so it's a huge
operation. And I think the other amazing thing is this focus and the sense of
quiet. I'm distracted about 20 times a day and I can barely stay off Facebook,
how on Earth am I supposed to focus to land a plane.
Can you describe a bit about what it's like being and air traffic controller?
So I mean they say it's like playing a game
of three-dimensional chess. You've got to be thinking two steps ahead.
If I make if I do one thing to a plane is it going to affect any other aircrafts
later down the chain. You also need to be able to think vertically as well as laterally.
Do you need to be coordinated?
No, I'm not the most coordinated person in real life
So I don't think ... and I managed to get through, so I think I don't think that plays into it at all
I'm about to have a go at this simulator
Can you tell me a bit about what it's going to be and what I should expect?
So it's pretty ... it's pretty accurate. This is the old simulator we're in now.
But the one that you'll be in it's pretty close to what we use everyday
Wow, so this is it?
This is it. Take a seat there and I'll introduce you to the airspace.
Crikey.
OK, talk me through it. OK so the simulation that we're going to run through
today is based on Adelaide Airport and the airspace around Adelaide Airport
This is the airspace we use for our conversion course training so
And what are these these? Are these flight paths coming in?
The green aircraft those that are on your frequency, so they're your
jurisdiction. These four aircraft are going to get closer to Adelaide.
Now the idea is that we give them progressive descent so that they remain
above terrain and they remain separated from one another.
****!
It'll all be OK.
Alright.
Take him in a loop ...
What am I doing? So now I'm trying to fly solo
So a pilot from Qantas 621 has just called through to
say that he's listening to me and I'm in control now so I'm gonna try and bring
him in a loop and then a descent flight, remembering all of the terminology that
I've been taught.
Qantas flight 621 TURN RIGHT heading 000
and begin descent to ... so he's coming in third after this guy is that right OK, OK
Bring him in and this guy has to come in so I can use my root button to see what yeah no I can't
do that. So I need to try and take this guy out
And veer him North and push him left?
You're probably closer so would you like to put him in front? OK.
You can see how that teamwork is a huge part of this
That was so fun, really it's like the most fun video game
that you've ever played but the stakes are high and that's perhaps what makes
it exciting. The bits that I found tricky were pretty much the whole thing.
Like it's quite difficult to do. Don't underestimate it. So you have to remember
all of these call signs and all of this terminology and I was constantly talking
to my tutor and saying how do I say this then I got it wrong and the poor
simulated pilots just had to clean up after me and say oh I think I know what
he means. Really I think that was the biggest
challenge but I can see how the bigger challenge once you started having more
planes would be the mapping to have all of these paths mapped out in your mind's
eye overlapping and working with each other would be a real challenge.
Don't underestimate the job these guys do I think would be my message.
It's really hard and they do it really well.