Air Traffic Control Orientation for Toddlers

Arriving at the terminal...

We're always looking for something new to introduce to the grandchildren. Our theory is the more they are exposed to, the more they understand life and know what is available to them. One of the many things we've introduced to the kids is aviation.

The great thing is that every single thing we've introduced to the kids thus far, they have always responded with, "I want to do that!" That is a very good thing.

Yesterday we decided to go on a field trip with the kids. It was a beautiful day and I was feeling well enough to visit some of my own past... aviation and air traffic control... so we brought the kids up to the Burlington International Airport and visited the tower.

We walked the kids around the airport in a little private tour explaining what happens in each area of the terminal. Then we headed toward the tower to give them a bird's eye view of the airfield and all the aircraft coming and going.

As we watched the baggage handlers at the closest gate to our perch, we explained about luggage and watched a couple of airplanes get loaded up. We even watched the baggage handlers off-load a trailer full of luggage from the cabin of one aircraft because passengers can't seem to understand size limits and piece limits. We explained this to the kids as we watched the baggage handlers move all this luggage to the baggage holds under the aircraft.

Then we heard the radio crackle with the controllers giving clearance for some touch-and-go training to a few pilots. Again, we explained what the pilots wanted to do and what the air traffic controllers needed to do. 

Amazingly, Lukey has an eagle-eye and was able to spot all aircraft even way out by the outer marker... little dots on the horizon blending into Camel's Hump... but he was able to excitedly point out each aircraft. He followed all aircraft in the pattern, pointing and talking. Even Kenzie was excited and stayed focused on air traffic.

Soon afterward, one of the airliners was finally packed up and ready for clearance to depart the gate. The kids heard the ramp bell ring loudly as the passenger ramp pulled away from the aircraft... the chocks were pulled... the tug started pushing the big airliner backwards to the taxiway... engine run-up... clearance from the controllers to the next taxiway... then clearance to hold short of Runway 33... some traffic cleared the area as I counted down for clearance for takeoff... right on cue, the airliner was cleared for takeoff on Runway 33... engines screaming... picking up speed down the runway... I pointed out rotation... then pointed out wheels-up... we then listened for departure instructions and I explained the altitude and bearing instructions as the airliner became another dot in the sky.

Climbing flight, after flight, after flight of stairs to the tower...

Of course, the kids' communication skills are still rather weak since they are only toddlers so they didn't fully understand all of this but it was nice to see them get so animated and excited about aviation.

They reminded me of how excited I always was in my career as a controller. They reminded me of the excitement as a pilot. They reminded me of the excitement I always felt when I traveled up and down the east coast in my job.

As we watched the Civil Air Patrol Cessna do some touch-and-go's, we told the kids about Uncle Adam flying his powered flight lessons in that aircraft. They did look slightly confused as we explained that Uncle Adam used to fly that airplane... using past tense is tough to grasp for them especially when they know that Uncle Adam is halfway around the world right now. (They can even name the country and point it out on a world map.)

Now the kids have been introduced to aviation... airports, baggage handling, ramp rats, fueling, air traffic control, and a small portion of piloting. And, most importantly, they were excited and listened closely!  

I think it would be safe to say we all enjoyed our time at the airport. And, I captured some nice photos of our day!

Lukey, with his eagle-eye, already seems to have that controller 'look'...