Cool Links

Hey all!

Just a short post.

Unfortunately, I'm not able to embed videos on this blog (at least that I know of), so, i'll have to list some interesting links for you to see:

1. www.atcmonitor.com.
If you want to know EXACTLY what I will be doing, go to this site. It is a live feed from the Atlanta Center. When you go to the site, click on the "Center Radar" on the left menu. The sound you hear is actual en-route controllers (soon to be me) directing traffic. The radar is a composite, and doesn't update in real time, but, it's close. Even though I find the page facinating, i'm not sure what the commercial application is for this site. When I ask, the answer I've gotten is, "Well, aviation fanatics are a strange breed. They will sit in their offices and listent to the control of airplanes." Uh...ooooooooookay...

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRcDvJE5HZ8
I don't know how many of you have access to YouTube, but, this is a neat video of a controller diverting planes around a weather system.

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpRdSCJ9wKY
Another YouTube video has a little higher production value. It's almost like a commercial, but, it's a pretty good explanation of who we (Air Traffic Controllers) are, and what we do. Most people think we are the guys on the tarmac that have the lights that guide the planes to the gate. It's a little out dated, but good.

4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2TIumvr9x8
This video was done by and actual Air Traffic Controller. We all got a kick out of how...slow...he...talks. He...is...very...good... Anyway, this is a bit self-serving, but, you have to be a little cocky and confident to be a controller.

Generally, if you just type in "ATC" or "Air Traffic Control" in the YouTube search box, it will call up a bunch of neat ATC videos. Also, there are some pretty facinating and sad crash videos.
Try "plane crash", "Japan Air" (VERY Sad), and "L1011 Crash".

Take care...