Facility Orientation Guide Anchorage Tower/TRACON

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Welcome 3

• Introduction 4• Anchorage/TRACON 5• Policies 6-7• Our Expectations of All Employees 8• Training 9• History 10-11• Airport Layout 12• ANC/A11 Directory 13• Online Resources 14

WELCOME TO ANCHORAGE ATCT/TRACON

Anchorage, located in south-central Alaska and surrounded to the east by the beautifulChugach Mountains, awaits your arrival to the land of the Midnight Sun.

The following information will assist you by answering questions you might have regarding the Anchorage area. I hope this information will make your transition to Anchorage a simple one. In the event you have any Additional questions, a list of Anchorage Tower/TRACON contacts is enclosed.

Kent WheelerDistrict Manager

Welcome Letter

INTRODUCTION• The Anchorage Air Traffic Control Tower provides a full range of terminal air traffic control services to

the Anchorage area. The tower and approach control functions were split in October of 1991. ANC is an ATC 8 limited radar approach control tower. A11 (TRACON) is an ATC 9 radar approach control. The control tower operates two Local Controls, ANC and Lake Hood (LHD). Operationally, Anchorage and Lake Hood are considered one airport although the State of Alaska lists them separately because of their diversified usage and individual federal funding.

• As the largest city in Alaska, Anchorage has over 50% of the state's population. The original town was founded around 1915 to serve as headquarters for the government-owned Alaska Railroad. Abundant gold, coal, and mining resulted in steady growth during the early years. Anchorage soon became the transportation hub of the north.

• During and after World War II, Anchorage grew as a defense center. The military contributions to the aviation community include the majority of air defense missions in Alaska, and search and rescue. Elmendorf AFB, located on the northeast side of the city, is a part of the Pacific Air Force. It is the primary logistical center for the Air Force in this part of the hemisphere and is also the main base for Alaska's tactical fighter aircraft. The Alaska Air National Guard is a tenant of the Anchorage Int'l. Airport and operates from Kulis ANG on the south side of the airport. The Guard operates search and rescue helicopters and C-130 aircraft.

• Anchorage is a flying town. It’s geographical location makes it a natural refueling stop for air carriers of many nations. While many of the newer passenger aircraft are able to by-pass Anchorage and take shorter routes over Russian airspace, most cargo carriers must still stop at Anchorage International for fuel. Lake Hood is the busiest seaplane base in the world and Merrill Field is a busy general aviation airport. Several lakes and private strips in the area are also used extensively.

• Today, this city and its aviation community are still growing. We have come a long way from a simple weather advisory station to a ten story Tower and TRACON and from a Jenny making touch and go's on the Park Strip to the air crossroads of the world.

ANCHORAGE ATCT/TRACONWelcome to Anchorage Tower/TRACON! We look forward to your arrival and hope the following information proves helpful.

AIRSPACEAnchorage Approach Control has an approximate 30-mile radius of airspace up to FL200. The area south and west of Anchorage is generally flat with one mountain, Mt. Susitna, in the western quadrant. The Chugach Mountain Range stretches along the northeast and eastern quadrants and the Kenai Range covers the southeastern quadrant. Because mountains surround Anchorage, the area is referred to as the "Anchorage Bowl".

AUTOMATIONMany ATC functions are now automated. For example, Sign-on log, the Position Logs, Daily Record of Operations, Traffic Count and Equipment Logs are maintained on computer. The STARS, Flight Data Processing system (FDP2000), Information Display System (IDS), ASDE 3, and AMASS equipment enhance our ability to handle increased air traffic, provide expanded service, and to modernize the ATC system. Classroom and proficiency training is augmented with the use of Computer Based Instruction (CBI). The CBI lab is equipped with three workstations, and computers are available for controllers to access email and FAA information.STARS displays a data tag with the position symbol, aircraft ID, Mode C, scratch pad area, MSAW, Conflict Alert, and ground speed readout as well as many other features. We interface with Anchorage Center (ZAN) MEARTS since May 1987.

The Flight Data processing computer is called the FDP2000. TechOps and AT personnel developed this system at ZAN, and it is similar to the 9020 format. In the tower cab there is a FDP keyboard, CRT (monitor) display and printers at Flight Data, and scanners at the Local position. In the TRACON there are several keyboards, printers, and CRT's.

Motorola manufactures the System Atlanta Information Data System (IDS). It is used to display multitudes of air traffic and facility information of concern at operating positions in the Tower Cab and TRACON. ATIS information for the airports within the Anchorage Bowl, approach charts, maps, emergency procedures, position relief checklists and sunrise/sunset times is only a partial listing of the information available on this system.

The Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE3) is ground radar used to display vehicle and aircraft movement on the airport. AMASS (Airport Movement Area Safety System) is also in use at the facility, as an added feature to the ASDE.

Anchorage Tower/TRACON PoliciesBefore you Arrive• Please contact the facility after you accept your firm employment offer (see phone list on the last

page). In addition to saying “hello”, we’ll request some personal information, such as your phone number or email, permanent address, and other personal information needed to ensure that you get entered into our personnel and payroll system. We’ll assign your “operating initials”, and also provide you with preliminary SDF training information that we would like you to be familiar with before you arrive at the facility.

Reporting for Duty• The facility street address is: 5200 W. International Airport Road Anchorage, Alaska 99502.• As a new controller, you should report to work at 8:00 am on your first day. Your start time may

be adjusted thereafter during your initial classroom training. • There is a “call box” at the entrance to the facility parking lot. When you arrive, press the call

button. You will be expected, and will receive a prompt greeting and entrance to the facility.

Hours of Duty• During your initial classroom training, you’ll be working Monday-Friday, 8 ½ hour shifts, with ½

hour for lunch. You may leave the facility during this ½ hour lunch break.

Parking• Secure parking is located around the tower.

Security and Building AccessFAA ID cards must be worn at all times while in the facility. Facility grounds aresurrounded by a secure chain-link fence, with gates at the main and the employeeentrances. Access to the gates and facility entry doors is provided by an electronicaccess card, which will be issued to you on your first day in the facility. Be alert to,and report any instances of, suspicious behavior or activity, or attempts byunauthorized personnel to enter the parking lot or buildings.

FAA ID CardsFAA ID cards must be worn at all times while in the facility or on FAA grounds. Ifyou are a new employee, you will receive a temporary ID card initially until yourpermanent ID card is issued. If you lose or forget your permanent ID card, contactthe facility secretary or watch supervisor, when you arrive at the facility, for atemporary pass.

Guests and VisitorsDue to enhanced security requirements, guests and visitors are normally limited toimmediate family members. Other tours or visits may be allowed with priormanagement approval.

Cell PhonesCell phones must be turned off in the TRACON and Tower Cab, but may be usedelsewhere in the facility.

Our Expectations of All Employees

•• Come to work, be on timeCome to work, be on time•• Be prepared Be prepared –– mentally and physicallymentally and physically•• Understand leave policy and manage your leave appropriatelyUnderstand leave policy and manage your leave appropriately•• Be cooperative and professionalBe cooperative and professional•• Treat people with respect and dignityTreat people with respect and dignity•• Take initiativeTake initiative•• Be accountableBe accountable•• Lead by example Lead by example –– be a good role modelbe a good role model•• Do not tolerate or engage in any form of harassment or Do not tolerate or engage in any form of harassment or

discriminationdiscrimination•• Actively participate in trainingActively participate in training•• Know your airspace and systems, know your equipmentKnow your airspace and systems, know your equipment•• Use prescribed phraseology and correct facility and equipment Use prescribed phraseology and correct facility and equipment

namesnames•• Follow rules and proceduresFollow rules and procedures•• Be open to feedback Be open to feedback –– provide honest informationprovide honest information•• Be an effective team memberBe an effective team member

TRAINING (TS)• The Training department is the responsibility of the Ops Manager and is staffed with two contract

specialists, and two facility specialists. Upon arrival, you will be assigned to the training department for initial briefings and classroom/simulation training with duty hours of (approximately) 7:30am to 4:00pm. Depending upon experience and whether or not you have been previously radar-certified, classroom training will take three or four weeks.

• TRACON training will consist of three phases, classroom, Lab, and OJTI.• Once the required classes/lab sare completed, you will be assigned to a team for OJT. After

certification, you may be re-assigned to a permanent team based on the facility needs.

MISCELLANEOUS• We have our own secure (fenced in) parking lot, surrounding the tower, with electrical plugs for

wintertime use. You will be issued a personal locker and headset. There are two full kitchens in the facility for your use. Smoking is only allowed outside. There are break rooms located on the 11th and the first floor.

BRIEF HISTORY OF ANCHORAGE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL

• Air traffic control came to Anchorage International Airport (ANC) in 1953 with the installation of a temporary military tower. This tower provided only VFR service to Anchorage International and traffic advisories to Lake Hood seaplane base (LHD). The Non-Radar Approach Control was located at Merrill Field, five miles away. In late 1953, the controllers at Anchorage moved into their first permanent tower after its completion on top of the original airport terminal.

• In 1954, the first of many shuffles came about. The Non-Radar Approach Control was moved from MRI to ANC. The original temporary tower at ANC was moved to the south shore of LHD and part-time separate air traffic control services came to LHD. The LHD tower was operated during the summer months as a regular VFR tower and during the winter months traffic advisories were provided by ANC Tower.

• Radar approach service was available in the Anchorage area for the first time in 1956 when the ASR2 was installed at ANC under a tent. In 1958, LHD got its own staff of controllers and became an independent Level I VFR Tower. The next year, 1959, Radar Approach Control was moved from ANC tower to the newly constructed Anchorage Enroute Air Traffic Control Center and combined with the Center to form a Center/Radar Approach Control (CERAP).

• Then came the devastating earthquake which struck Anchorage on Good Friday, 1964. When the earth stopped moving, one ANC controller was dead, two seriously injured, and the ANC tower had totally collapsed. The LHD tower and the controller inside survived.

• A new tower for ANC had to be built; but in the meantime, the traffic had to be worked. During the interim, all ANC traffic was worked from LHD Tower. The third ANC Tower was operational in 1965. It was a short, squat structure next to the Crash/Fire Station.

• Continued:

• In 1967, the Approach Control split off from the Center and began operating a Level II RAPCON using the new ASR5. The RAPCON was located in the base of the newly constructed control tower at Elmendorf AFB. This set-up remained until 1975. There had been upgrades and downgrades, but in the end, Anchorage was firmly established as a Level II VFR tower with LHD duties, and the RAPCON was established as a Level III Approach Control.

• In 1975, ANC Tower and RAPCON combined to create the new ANC TOWER/ RAPCON. The controllers worked in both the LHD and ANC towers and in the RAPCON at Elmendorf. Construction also began on the fourth, and present, tower. The new tower was finished in 1977, and operations were consolidated from LHD and the third tower. The controllers still had to travel between the airport and EDF to work the RAPCON while the IFR room was being added to the fourth tower. In January 1979, the IFR room was completed and ANC TOWER/RAPCON became ANC TRACON. It was later renamed Anchorage Tower (ANC ATCT). ANC ATCT became a Level IV facility in 1986.

• In October 1991, ANC ATCT was split operationally into two facilities- ANC Tower and A11 TRACON. The two facilities are administratively one facility as ANC ATCT. With the splitting of the facility, A11 remained a Level IV facility and ANC was downgraded to a Level III Limited Radar Approach Control Tower. Today, under the new classification system, ANC ATCT is a Level 8 Limited Radar Approach Control Tower, and A11 is a Level 9 TRACON.

ANCHORAGE ATCT / TRACONANCHORAGE ATCT / TRACON5200 W. International Airport Road5200 W. International Airport Road

Anchorage, Alaska 99502Anchorage, Alaska 99502907907--271271--27002700

The area code for all of Alaska is 907The area code for all of Alaska is 907

Kent WheelerAir Traffic Manager

271-2701907-982- 1748

Rick PfahlerStaff Manager

271-2702760-521-1763

Gordon Edmiston Operations Manager

271-2704 Clark Wolverton Support Manager

271-2703

Brett Luna Administrative Officer

271-2183 Mena Like Secretary

271-2707

Main number 271-2700 Catherine JohnsonSecretary

271-2700

Dave ChilsonStaff Support

271-2710 Pat WestphallStaff Support

271-2709

Tom EisenmayerStaff Support

271-2708 Pat ClarkA11 TrainingRaytheon Contractor

271-2700

Scott Eastepp Staff Support

271-2706 Boots WilsonTower Training Raytheon Contractor

271-2700

Matt Busch NATCA Rep., ANC

271-6549 Dave Whisnant NATCA Rep, A11

271-2711696-DAVE –h862-DAVE -c

The following link contains information about Anchorage and provides links to transportation, dinning, lodging,

recreation, housing, school, and travel information.

www.alaskaanchorage.net

Anchorage Alaska Visitors Guide 2009, Anchorage AK..url Anchorage Alaska Visitors Guide 2009, Anchorage AK..url