The United States air traffic controllers work force consists of about 14,000 dedicated and well-trained men and women. Most people who fly are probably aware of the controllers working in airport control towers, but many of these professionals work in en route control centers and terminal radar approaches that few people even see or know about. These are all stressful, high energy environments, where every controller knows there is no margin for error.

The ATC work force breaks down as follows

Tower Controllers (Long Beach ATCT)

We are in the glassed-in tower you see on the south side of the airport. We are no longer in the tower above the terminal. Our airspace extends upward from the surface to and including 2,600 feet within a 4.3 mile radius of Long Beach airport. We give pilots taxiing and take off instructions, air traffic clearances, and advice based on their own observations and experience. We provide separation between landing and departing aircraft, transfer control of aircraft to the terminal radar approach controllers(Southern California TRACON) when the aircraft leaves our airspace, and receive control of aircraft on flights coming into our airspace.

Terminal Radar Approach Controllers(SCT)

The Southern California TRACON provides radar air traffic control services to all arriving and departing aircraft for the following major airports in Southern California: Los Angeles, San Diego, Burbank, Ontario, Long Beach, and John Wayne. Their airspace covers an area between Burbank and San Bernardino to the north and the US/Mexican border to the south below 13000 feet. One quarter of the nation's air traffic is in their airspace at any given time.

Enroute Center Controllers(LA CENTER)

There are 24 centers across the country, in locations away from the airports. Los Angeles Center is located in Palmdale, about 60 miles north of Long Beach airport. You will never see these controllers during the course of your flight, but they will normally direct your aircraft for the bulk of your ride. They usually control traffic at or above 17,000 feet. But, over Southern California they control at or above 13,000 feet. Center controllers use radar or manual procedures to keep track of the thousands of planes in the sky at any one time. The typical center has responsibility for more than 100,000 square miles of airspace generally extending over a number of states.

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