Friday, April 22, 2011

Air Force 1

Today I was the TRACON controller that worked Air Force 1 departing LAX's north complex (24L) on the LOOP6 Standard Instrument Departure. This event was the highlight of my controlling career so far (Only been controlling a couple years). Understandably it is not the most difficult process as we have TFR's (Temporary Flight Restrictions) all around the airspace so I really don't have to miss the airplane like I normally would with standard traffic. The TFR's encompass a descently large area, the one's in the closest proximity to the airport prevent all traffic besides commercial airlines from flying through. The TFR expanding a larger area out from there prevent anyone not talking to ATC, so no general aviaition not being controlled by us. For roughly 15 minutes before Obama's departure no planes departed whatsoever.