My passion does not lie in aviation, but my heart does.
I will always love the sky and aircraft because of my life as an Air Traffic Controller. I really don't miss it though.
You name the type plane, I've likely worked that craft. I worked military to commercial jets and everything in between. My favorite will always be the F-15's in Japan. Sorry, I'm partial to those fighting COCKS. I love a good Huey or Black hawk too, but they're fun to watch, not control. The best and nicest pilots came from, now defunct, Aloha Airlines and also the German Air Force.
I have some real doozies to tell about what went on in the sky. Like one time when the Foo Fighters flew into Roswell to do an impromptu concert. I controlled the two planes carrying all the "lucky recipients" of such a concert. My two pilots thought it was great fun racing each other to the airport and so they did. Those SO B's were all over the sky. Knuckle heads. This was never really dangerous, but just sayin', there is a lot more tom foolery that goes on in those skies than you realize.
The skies are a bit crazy. There are a lot of people up there who don't know their up from their down, but that's never stopped these go-getter's! It's nuts. One time during my ATC career my husband was working at a mental hospital. He and I swapped equally insane stories. It wasn't uncommon for me to one up him. It's the wild west up there.
Before becoming an Air Traffic Controller I had wanted to learn to fly. After, I did not. That's all I have to say about that.
Aviation has given me so much freedom and joy in both my professional and personal life. I may "Oh shit" the handrail every time, but I'm still grateful.
My heart is in the skies and today, it is heavy. Another aircraft has gone down. Another mystery is under way.
It is a parent and a controllers worst nightmare for an aircraft to go down.
My heart is heavy and my hope is for answers.
I say a little prayer to you... goodnight GermanWings and all other craft before and after you. You were loved. You will be missed.
