Taming March Madness and Mastering the Masters

By Tim Arel, Chief Operating Officer of the Air Traffic Organization

Spring is always a busy time for the Federal Aviation Administration. In addition to our routine air traffic operations, we manage the airspace around several special events such as the NCAA Final Four, Sun ‘n Fun, and the Masters Tournament in Georgia.

Our Air Traffic Organization teams are used to handling high volumes of traffic on any given day. We plan, communicate it to our stakeholders, and execute. Although each year brings new challenges, we dedicate the time and resources needed to get it right.

For Sun ‘n Fun, we conduct training and ensure our teams are current on procedures. Because the event generates a lot of traffic, we set up a temporary tower and send dedicated teams of air traffic controllers and technicians to the event so that we can handle the increased volume of traffic efficiently and safely.

We also use the event as an educational opportunity. This year for the first time, we sent a team from Flight Program Operations to help educate attendees about the wide range of career opportunities there are for pilots and mechanics in the agency and help inspire the next generation of aviation professionals.

For the Masters, we used a suite of special routes to ease traffic in and out of the Augusta area, and we released a special air traffic bulletin to let pilots know about changes in procedures and airspace and operational hours. The Masters draws a lot of business and general aviation aircraft, so we also worked closely with area airports to accommodate more aircraft parking without affecting the overall efficiency of the operation.

With an event like the Final Four, which isn’t in the same place every year, we have more robust training and procedures development. We design a slot program with satellite airports and bolster staffing at all facilities to accommodate the increase in volume for both arrivals and departures.

Our Technical Operations team institutes maintenance moratoria for these events to reduce the risks associated with performing routine maintenance tasks during these periods of heightened traffic. And our security teams work closely with local and national security agencies to keep the airspace safe.

I am often impressed by the innovation shown by teams in the Air Traffic Organization, and the efficiency they bring when making sure people can get to these heavily attended events safely. Well done!