It's Official: Fort McMurray will be getting a control tower

[. .]

With properly spaced parallel runways would YMM be able to move more traffic than YEG or YYC?

[kevenv]

With properly spaced parallel runways would YMM be able to move more traffic than YEG or YYC?

Without a tower and a terminal, No

[bigfssguy]

Where is the announcement? I've looked internally and externally and i can't find anything?

[NJ]

It's officially been announced in thatdaveguy's mind. Sorry Dave, I couldn't resist!

[robshelle]

I work in CYEG Tower, and the company needs to open CYYM Tower. I was working mids all week, so I don't know any details other than our manager was on a conference call Friday afternoon about the subject. Through other controllers, they said that he said it was a go, but no details on how it will be staffed, or when it will be opened. (rumors say it will be open from Tuesdays to Thursdays initially). And to make our curiosity even worse, our manager is absent this week. Hopefully I will know more soon.

Rob Benusic, CYEG Tower

[thatdaveguy]

Where is the announcement? I've looked internally and externally and i can't find anything?

it wasnt in my head! i swear! lol.

it was an YEG FIR memo

[NJ]

We've heard nothing here. Tomorrow is our CATCA meeting, so maybe there will be some news there (as we're in the same region as YMM).

[thatdaveguy]

We've heard nothing here. Tomorrow is our CATCA meeting, so maybe there will be some news there (as we're in the same region as YMM).

i'd scan it but i'm not sure that's allowed

[YMMandBeyond]

This was passed to me from a co-working in my unit because he knows that I was once a controller in YMM, the home of my initial qualification. I registered to add my comments on this topic and chose a user name that I feel is cleverly appropriate.

I have spoke to some Managers about YMM and how they plan to staff it or if it will ever reopen. The only answer I received was, we're not sure, but until Transport forces us to open a tower, it won't happen.

Until you see an official announcement don't expect a tower to open.

IMHO

If the tower does open, I highly doubt that the small handful of previously licensed YMM controllers will move there unless the financial benefit heavily out weighs the perils of living in a Northern Crime Ridden S**t Hole. I also don't think that NavCan will be able to retain newly licensed employees if they are deployed there or worse, sent there to train.

NavCan is running a business and I do not envision them going out of their way to make YMM a financially viable place to live for its employees and because of that, even if a tower were to open, it would be unlikely that they will have staff to work it.

Maybe I should change my user name to "YMM a not so Virtual Reality"

[thatdaveguy]

This was passed to me from a co-working in my unit because he knows that I was once a controller in YMM, the home of my initial qualification. I registered to add my comments on this topic and chose a user name that I feel is cleverly appropriate.

I have spoke to some Managers about YMM and how they plan to staff it or if it will ever reopen. The only answer I received was, we're not sure, but until Transport forces us to open a tower, it won't happen.

Until you see an official announcement don't expect a tower to open.

IMHO

If the tower does open, I highly doubt that the small handful of previously licensed YMM controllers will move there unless the financial benefit heavily out weighs the perils of living in a Northern Crime Ridden S**t Hole. I also don't think that NavCan will be able to retain newly licensed employees if they are deployed there or worse, sent there to train.

NavCan is running a business and I do not envision them going out of their way to make YMM a financially viable place to live for its employees and because of that, even if a tower were to open, it would be unlikely that they will have staff to work it.

Maybe I should change my user name to "YMM a not so Virtual Reality"

well paul, being one of two non retired controllers from YMM Tower days does not mean your in the loop

i spoke to my FSS buddy at YMM today, he says that it's correct the tower is coming, and rumor is that the existing FSS will be offered cross training. we'll see

[flying4dollars]

So who would have virtual ATC licenses?

Some 14 yr old in Moosonee with VATSIM?

haha! well played!

[YMMandBeyond]

This was passed to me from a co-working in my unit because he knows that I was once a controller in YMM, the home of my initial qualification. I registered to add my comments on this topic and chose a user name that I feel is cleverly appropriate.

I have spoke to some Managers about YMM and how they plan to staff it or if it will ever reopen. The only answer I received was, we're not sure, but until Transport forces us to open a tower, it won't happen.

Until you see an official announcement don't expect a tower to open.

IMHO

If the tower does open, I highly doubt that the small handful of previously licensed YMM controllers will move there unless the financial benefit heavily out weighs the perils of living in a Northern Crime Ridden S**t Hole. I also don't think that NavCan will be able to retain newly licensed employees if they are deployed there or worse, sent there to train.

NavCan is running a business and I do not envision them going out of their way to make YMM a financially viable place to live for its employees and because of that, even if a tower were to open, it would be unlikely that they will have staff to work it.

Maybe I should change my user name to "YMM a not so Virtual Reality"

well paul, being one of two non retired controllers from YMM Tower days does not mean your in the loop

i spoke to my FSS buddy at YMM today, he says that it's correct the tower is coming, and rumor is that the existing FSS will be offered cross training. we'll see

Well that makes sense. Cross train FSS into the tower... I remember FSS changing the locks on the door the minute the tower controllers moved out and they moved into the cab.

But the big question is? Who will cross train. First you need a licensed controller in the unit then he/she could start the cross training....

Unless of course NavCan steam rolls the process and checks out FSS employees after 3 weeks of simulation... NOW that sounds safe.... LMAO

O, I'm not Paul... but I do like him, he's a nice guy.

[square]

Aw, well there goes the 6 o'clock fun here in YMM; soon to be replaced by 10 mile extended downwinds until everyone but me gets in, I'm sure.

[atwork]

Official word just came through.......


Air Traffic Control Service Scheduled for Fort McMurray



This is to inform all employees that the Company is taking the necessary steps to make the transition from a Flight Service Station (FSS) to an Air Traffic Control service at the airport in Fort McMurray, Alberta.



As part of this transition, the existing facility will be retained, but the type of service will change from mainly advisory and the provision of information, to the positive control of air traffic movements, due to continued air traffic growth.



Flight Service Specialists provide services such as weather observations and reports, runway condition reports, local traffic advisories and emergency assistance, and they also provide vehicle control service.



Air Traffic Control Towers are required at airports where there is a higher level of air traffic. Controllers give pilots taxi and take-off instructions, and landing clearances.



The transition will take place in several phases with a great degree of effort from many of our employees in various capacities, and with the terms and conditions of collective agreements being respected. In six months, our goal is to have Air Traffic Controllers begin providing service for limited hours a day. Flight Service Specialists will continue operating in the remaining hours. The changeover from an FSS to a Control Tower is anticipated to be complete in one year.



Currently there are 11 Flight Service Specialists working in Fort McMurray who have done an excellent job managing the growth within this region in recent years.



Our goal is to provide an opportunity for the current FSS staff to take training to become Air Traffic Controllers, as well as the opportunity to transfer to other FSS locations in Canada. It is also anticipated that the transition will see the transfer of Air Traffic Controllers from other facilities within our operation to Fort McMurray.

[kevenv]

Well done NavCanada! It's so unlike you to do the right thing! I guess now all those 14 year olds in Moosanee are SOL.

[GilletteNorth]

The question now is, will those who complained about 'constant' reduction in services acknowledge the move by NavCanada to install an ATC unit in McMurray with a kudos and thumbs up?

[bbgun]

Just a hint people.....a team viewed the virtual tower project in N.Y. a year ago April. Its feasability is about 5-10 years away. A report to Nav Canada was filed but never forwarded past basic channels.

[...]

IABD -- you were recently incensed about the closure of an FSS site (or was it a tower?) that saw fewer movements than my bowels. What do you have to say about this?

I'm glad I helped bring attention to this issue on this site.

As on the topic of your bowels..I suggest you have more movements...this way you won't be full of shit most of the time.

Much Love

IABD

[...]

So now we see him for what he is: He bitches about closures that actually make sense, and then refuses to give the company credit for making another correct decision in the opposite direction when they plan to upgrade service.

Thanks for "contributing", IABD. I'm all ears the next time you offer your "valuable" opinion about ANS management and operations...

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.............*sigh*............... I think you get off everytime I lay a cyber beatin' to ya...however I grow tired of your feable attempts of trying to be "strategic" on this issue and trying to discredit me within the industry with all professionals in the this biz. It's obvious you don't know me and what I'm about.

This is what I think of the pro's that work out of YYZ, YHM, YXU, YQG, YUL, YMX, YQB, YGK YSN YWG, YQT, YYC, YEG, YVR...etc etc for the last 18 years...

http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopi ... 29#p370929

...... I have used both divisions of Navcanada very extensively and all I can say is...WOW. The high level of professionalism from the grunts in the trenches has caught my attention.

You people behind the mic's are the extra crew member in our flight decks. both FSS and ATC...let me say that again;

You people behind the mic's are the extra crew member in our flight decks. both FSS and ATC

I hate seeing people lose their jobs and I hate management that take out the word Human, in Human Resources. Managers have forgotten what it's like being in the trenches....and grunts don't understand what a good manager does for them to make their job easier.

Many less informed understand my level of respect I have for my colleagues in this industry in ALL niches of the industry....those like you have tried to bring me down on here, the lineup of the ignorant is long. You're nothing new...



...but the path always leads to the same place...



Keep reaching for the RockZtars angel face.

Now...will you please crawl off....your feable redirection does not merit a reply from me...but even you deserve a fair shake from my tail.

[robshelle]

Well, there is now an official seniority bid out for YMM tower. Training to start in September, but relocation starts asap. Bad news, only an ATC-1 unit, so bottom of the payscale. How would you like to live on 57000-80000$ year in the Mac after qualification? Still don't know how they are going to staff the place.

Rob Benusic
CYEG Tower

[NJ]

If you work enough OT then you won't notice that you're sleeping on some friend's couch. At least the salary is competitive with Tim Hortons.

[bigfssguy]

If you work enough OT then you won't notice that you're sleeping on some friend's couch. At least the salary is competitive with Tim Hortons.

That made me laugh, nice work!

[NJ]

Thanks big guy, that made my day.

The bid list came out this week and we'll see how many people choose to work there voluntarily.

[FamilyGuy]

IABD -- you were recently incensed about the closure of an FSS site (or was it a tower?) that saw fewer movements than my bowels. What do you have to say about this?

I'm glad I helped bring attention to this issue on this site.

Bring attention to what? The fact that Nav Canada is acting responsibly by closing slow sites and then opens (or plans to) a tower at a site with increasing traffic?

Or do you mean bring attention to the fact you are not big enough to admit that NC has done the right thing in both cases?

In 11 years they have opened 1 tower!

Oh bestill my beating heart - they do love us - they REALLY DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Woxof38]

Air Traffic Control Service to be Implemented in Fort McMurray (final configuration announcement)
http://www.navcanada.ca/ContentDefiniti ... 528_en.pdf