Meet Joe Russell: The Lifetime Aviation Aficionado

One of the things that makes GGTI such a special place to work is its recognition of value outside of the workplace. Because of this, we get to know our coworkers’ full stories, learning about their fascinating life journeys and hobbies. Today, we are highlighting Joe Russell an Air Traffic Control Subject Matter Expert whose passion for aviation extends beyond his time at work. We had the opportunity to sit down with Joe and chat about his adventures in aviation both in his career and as a docent at the National Air and Space Museum. Here's what Joe had to say:

You’ve had a long career in aviation, but what was it that originally drew you to this world?

I’ve always been interested in airplanes ever since I was a little kid on Staten Island. When I was attending Brooklyn College, I realized that I’d rather work with airplanes, so I joined the Air Force. A big factor in going into the Air Force was the aeroclubs the bases had. For $13 an hour, including gas, you could rent a Cessna 172. It made getting flying lessons very affordable and I obtained my pilots license that way. My eyesight wasn’t 20/20 and at the time they were strict about the eyesight requirements, so that ruled out becoming an Air Force pilot. There were a few other routes I could take like being a crew member, but the recruiter had an air traffic controller position come across his desk. He told me ATC positions didn’t come up too often, so I took it and that’s how I wound up where I am. I spent four years in the Tower environment and even spent a year in Korea.

How did you end up at Boston Center?

After I left the military, I took the placement test for FAA controllers. I wanted to work in one of the New York Towers because that’s where I grew up and what I had experience in. They didn’t have any positions, so I went back to school. Then the strikes hit. (In 1981, over 11,000 controllers went on strike to protest low wages and long hours and were fired by the president. Joe was hired after the strike and did not cross the picket line.) The En Route centers were hit the hardest. I got a call from Boston Center, and they told me if I could make it to Oklahoma City in six days and complete the program I had a job. I remember at orientation the head of the academy told us all to look to our left and our right and that one of us wouldn’t be here in four months. There was a big wash out rate, but I made it through. After I graduated, I went out to Boston Center where I spent the rest of my career as a controller.

How did you get involved in giving tours at the National Air and Space Museum?

When I was living in DC, I used to head over to the National Air and Space Museum on my lunch breaks. One day I saw that they were looking for docents. I applied and then went into a year-long training program. Even after passing the final test, I had to have a checkride of sorts, where they assigned me a mentor and had someone from the museum attend one of my tours before clearing me to lead tours solo. I gave tours on the weekend for a few years, but the museum suspended group tours two years ago while they refurbish the museum.

Have you been able to give any tours recently?

They started a new spotlight tour program where docents sit in different galleries and strike up conversation with people. This past weekend, I went and did my first spotlight tour. It was the first time I’ve ever met someone who has flown one of the aircraft on display. This man showed me pictures of himself next to the North West Orient Boeing 747. He walked inside the cockpit and said it smelled the same. It was a good day.

I live in Delaware now, so I have to plan ahead to volunteer at the Air and Space Museum. But I recently learned about an opportunity to become a docent at the Dover Air Force Base Air Mobility Command Museum. They have a great collection of cargo aircraft from the 1940s and the original control tower from the base. My orientation is actually tomorrow. I’m excited to start giving tours there.

What is the most impactful experience you’ve had during your time as a museum docent?

Probably the people you meet when you attend lectures. The Smithsonian has brought in Apollo era astronauts to lecture and talk about their experiences. It’s one thing to read about it and see it in the movies, but to actually hear the stories in their own words is really very cool.

You’ve shared with us that you and your wife have an Airstream. Do you have any fun plans coming up?

Yes, we’ve taken it up and down the East Coast, but now we want to head west. My son went to college in Arizona, so we saw the area briefly when looking at colleges. Now, I want to plant myself there for a few weeks and really experience it.

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