Boston Consolidated TRACON

The Boston Consolidated TRACON

The Boston Consolidated TRACON (A90) is located at 25 Robert Milligan Parkway in Merrimack, New Hampshire. BCT opened in 2004 after 8 years of development. The A90 function transferred to the new Boston Consolidated TRACON on February 22, 2004. The MHT function transferred over on March 7, 2004. Manchester TRACON used to be located at Manchester Airport right below the old ATCT. Boston TRACON used to be located at the Logan International Airport Control Tower before being consolidated. The new facility is 63,000 square feet (5,900 m²). A Terminal Radar Approach Control, or TRACON, is responsible for descending airplanes from the ARTCC and lining them up for landing at their destination airport, as well as climbing departures before handing off to the ARTCC.

The primary responsibility of the Boston TRACON is the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of arrival, departure, and en-route traffic. A90 is responsible for one main airport, Boston Logan International Airport. Additionally, A90 is responsible for dozens of smaller but busy fields, including Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, Hanscom Field, Norwood Memorial Airport, Beverly Municipal Airport, Lawrence Municipal Airport, Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, and Nashua Airport.

The Boston TRACON is one of six "Large TRACONs" currently existing throughout the United States. The others include the Atlanta Large TRACON, the New York TRACON, the Potomac Consolidated TRACON, the Southern California TRACON, and the Northern California TRACON.

According to the FAA Air Traffic Activity Data System below are the traffic counts for BCT:

• 2005 729,625 ops
• 2006 710,765 ops
• 2007 693,158 ops
• 2008 639,782 ops
• 2009 603,131 ops
• 2010 634,151 ops
• 2011 626,137 ops
• 2012 595,823 ops
• 2013 603,974 ops
• 2014 604,516 ops
• 2015 615,078 ops
• 2016 639,759 Ops

BCT is part of the FAA New England District. The Boston Consolidated TRACON is considered the HUB facility for the following facilities:

• Bangor ATCT/TRACON
• Manchester ATCT
• Boston ATCT
• Boston TRACON
• Providence ATCT/TRACON
• Cape TRACON
• Bedford ATCT
• Nantucket ATCT
• Portland ATCT/TRACON
• Burlington ATCT/TRACON

There has been talk of the CAPe TRACON K90 moving into A90 sometime in 2017

Areas of Specialization

The Boston TRACON is divided into two Areas of Specialization. Controllers certify in one area only.

Boston Area - The Boston area handles most arrival and all departure traffic from Logan International Airport and surrounding satellites. The Boston Area can open a maximum of 8 radar positions. On a normal day, however, only 5-6 positions are staffed. On the midnight shift, there is only one position open.

Manchester Area - The Manchester area is the other area in A90. Most traffic in the Manchester area is destined to the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, however there are also many General Aviation flights destined to smaller fields. The Manchester area can open a maximum of 5 radar positions. On a normal day, only 3-4 positions are open. On the midnight shift, there is only one position open.

A90 is bordered by the following facilities:

• Providence TRACON (G90)
• Bradley TRACON (Y90)
• Cape TRACON (K90)
• Portland TRACON (PWM)

Boston Area

A scope at the Boston Consolidated TRACON during the morning departure rush.

General

Along the wall in the back is the Boston Area. The position layout for these sectors from right to left is:

• Rockport Coordinator (CR: This coordinator is responsible for assisting the Rockport (SR) Sector. Like the other position this controller performs inter and intra-facility coordination.
• Boston Flight Data (FD-B): One of the responsibilities of this position is that the controller makes flight plan entries and amendments via the FDIO and the STARS equipment. The controller reviews and flight plans for accuracy and forwards the strips to the appropriate sectors. They also issue departure clearances to aircraft. Another duty of this controller is to forward PIREP (Pilot Reports) to the appropriate facilities such as the flight service station.
• Lynch Sector (AL)
• Lynch Coordinator (CL): This coordinator position is responsible for assisting SM, Lynch Sector (AL) and other sectors if necessary. The coordinator also performs inter-facility and intra-facility coordination.
• Plymouth Sector (SM)
• Final Approach 1(F1)
• Final Approach 2(F2)
• Rockport Sector (SR)
• Initial Departure Sector (ID)
• Bedford Sector (SB)
• Bedford Coordinator (CB): This sector is responsible for assisting the Bedford Sector (SB) and any other sectors if necessary. The coordinator at this position manages inter-facility and intra-facility coordination.
• Lincoln Sector (SL)

Sectors

Plymouth and Lincoln Sectors recently switched frequencies in order to reduce interference from other nearby facilities. Changes are reflected below.

• Final 1 - F1 - 126.500 MHz
  • The primary Final sector for arrivals to Boston Logan. Most arrivals will talk to this controller before being transferred to Boston Tower. Final 1 generally owns airspace up to 6,000 feet (1,800 m) within about 8 miles (13 km) either side of the final approach course in use. Depending on the runways in use, this sector may or may not be combined with Final 2.
• Final 2 - F2 - 119.650 MHz
  • The secondary Final sector for arrivals to Boston Logan. This sector is only functional in certain runway configurations. Final 2 is most often used for arrivals to 22L and 4L. Final 2 generally owns airspace up to 5,000 feet (1,500 m) within about 7 miles (11 km) either side of the final approach course in use. At most other times, Final 2 is combined at Final 1.
• Initial Departure - ID - 133.000 MHz
  • All departures from Boston Logan will initially talk to this sector. Initial Departure issues an initial climb and turn to a departure, then hands off to either the Rockport, Plymouth, or Lincoln sector for sequence to their first fix. The altitudes owned by Initial Departure vary based on configuration. During the Mid-shift all the sectors are combined at initial departure ID).
• Lincoln - SL - 127.200 MHz
  • The Lincoln sector is primarily a West Departure sector. All departures heading westbound are handed off from Initial Departure to this sector, where they are sequenced, climbed to 14,000 feet (4,300 m), and handed off to Boston Center (BOSOX 47 sector 133.420/307.900). Lincoln also handles prop arrivals to Boston Logan over WOONS, descends them, and hands off to Final 1 or 2. Lincoln is always combined at Initial Departure, and is only opened for training purposes.
• Plymouth - SM - 120.600 MHz
  • The Plymouth sector is primarily an arrival sector for Boston Logan arrivals over PVD, as well as a departure sector for all departures heading south. Boston Logan arrivals are handed off from Boston Center (PVD 34 sector 124.85/269.200), descended and sequenced, and handed off to Final 1 or 2, depending on the assigned runway. The Plymouth sector generally owns from above Final or Satellite airspace up to 14,000 feet (4,300 m).
• Rockport - SR - 118.250 MHz
  • The Rockport sector is primarily an arrival sector for Boston Logan arrivals over GDM and SCUPP, as well as a departure sector for all departures heading north. Boston Logan arrivals are handed off from Boston Center (GDM 36 sector123.750/338.200/PARSO 16 sector 128.200/263.050), descended and sequenced, and handed off to Final 1 or 2, depending on the assigned runway. The Rockport sector generally owns from above Final or Satellite airspace up to 14,000 feet (4,300 m).
• Lynch - AL - 124.100 MHz
  • The Lynch sector is primarily a satellite sector for all airports south of Boston. The Lynch sector owns from the surface to between 2000 and 4,000 feet (1,200 m), depending on the distance from Boston Logan airport. Lynch primarily provides services to aircraft landing and departing Norwood Memorial. Depending on traffic Lynch Sector (AL) is usually combined with the Plymouth Sector (SM).
• Bedford - SB - 124.400 MHz
  • The Bedford sector is primarily a satellite sector for all airports north of Boston. The Bedford sector owns from the surface to between 2000 and 5,000 feet (1,500 m), depending on the distance from Boston Logan airport. Bedford primarily provides services to aircraft landing and departing Hanscom Field, Beverly Municipal, and Lawrence Municipal.

Each Boston position has the ability to receive and transmit on 121.500 MHz and 243.000 MHz and is monitored by the Bedford Sector (SB).

Manchester Area

A busy Manchester area scope at the Boston TRACON.

General

On the right side of the room when you walk into the Operations room is the Manchester Area. The position layout for these sectors from right to left is:

• Low Sector (SO)
• East Coordinator (CE) This position has the capability to Monitor any position/frequency.
• East Sector (SE)
• Manchester Flight Data (FD-M)
• Fitzy Sector (SF)
• West Sector (SW)
• Manchester Coordinator (CM). This position also has the capability to monitor any position/frequency.
• Tommy Sector (ST)

Sectors

• Tommy - ST - 127.350 MHz; 385.450 MHz
  • The Tommy sector is one of two Low sectors that overlies the Manchester Airport. This sector owns that airspace from the Manchester Airport to about 25 miles (40 km) north of Manchester from above the surface to and including 4,000 feet (1,200 m). The Tommy sector is either a Final or an Initial Departure sector for the Manchester airport, depending on runway configuration. Tommy is usually combined at Fitzy.
• Fitzy - SF - 124.900 MHz; 385.450 MHz
  • The Fitzy sector is one of two Low sectors that overlies the Manchester Airport. This sector owns that airspace from the Manchester Airport to about 15 miles (24 km) south of Manchester from above the surface to and including 4,000 feet (1,200 m). The Fitzy sector is either a Final or an Initial Departure sector for the Manchester airport, depending on runway configuration. This sector also handles departures coming out of Nashua and arrivals going to Nashua.
• East - SE - 125.050 MHz; 269.400 MHz
  • The East sector overlies the Low sector from above 4000 to and including 10,000. This sector sequences and descends BOS Area arrivals via ENE and hands off to the Rockport sector. This sector also climbs and descends arrivals and departures at Manchester, Pease, and satellites.
• Low - SO - 125.8250 MHz; 353.500 MHz
  • The Low sector overlies the Pease Airport from above the surface to and including 4,000 feet (1,200 m). This sector owns from about 25 miles (40 km) north of Pease to about 25 miles (40 km) south of Pease, and from 15 miles (24 km) east to 15 miles (24 km) west of Pease. This sector is primarily responsible for arrivals and departures at Pease Airport. Low is always combined at East, and is only opened for training purposes.
• West - SW - 134.750 MHz; 254.250 MHz
  • The West sector overlies both Tommy and Fitzy sectors from above 4000 to and including 10,000. It also owns from above the surface to and including 10,000 in the vicinity of Laconia Municipal Airport (LCI). This sector is primarily responsible for descending arrivals into Manchester and handing off to either Tommy or Fitzy as appropriate. This sector also climbs westbound departures from either Tommy or Fitzy and hands off to Boston Center.
• Laconia - 119.850 MHz
  • This frequency is used to provide IFR clearances and cancellations to aircraft on the ground at Laconia Municipal Airport (LCI).
• Concord - 133.650 MHz
  • This frequency is used to provide IFR clearances and cancellations to aircraft on the ground at Concord Municipal Airport (CON).
• Nashua - 121.800 MHz
  • When Nashua Tower (ASH) is closed (between 9PM and 7AM), The Nashua Ground Control frequency is switched over the Manchester Area controller. Pilots can use this frequency for clearance delivery and IFR cancellations when on the ground at Nashua.

Each Airport Air Traffic Control Tower in the Manchester area (Nashua and Pease) have STARS Tower Display workstations displays that are linked to the A90 STARS automation system.

All of the MHT positions have the ability to receive and transmit on 121.500 MHz and 243.000 MHz and is monitored by the Flight Data position.

The Operations Room

The Operations Room of the Boston Consolidated TRACON.

General

Located on the second floor of the facility. Below the operations control room on the first floor is the electronics room where all of the computer and other electronic equipment is housed, with extra space for expansion or testing of new equipment. The Facility is backed up by two 1250 kW diesel generators and 4 UPS units (two 225kVA, two 40kVA).

Position layout

The Operations Room of the Boston Consolidated TRACON has sector equipment along three of its four walls. The facility has 19 controller and 9 coordination positions that use the Raytheon STARS automation system and the ACE-IDS from Systems Atlanta, Inc. Also at each position is a computer touch screen which is the Enhanced Terminal Voice Switch (ETVS) built by the Northrop Grumman Corporation, this handles all of the ground to air and ground to ground communications. When you walk in the door, the Boston Area is located on the back wall and the Manchester Area is located on the right wall. The wall on the left mainly contains extra scopes that would be used if the Bangor, Portland, or Cape TRACONs needed to consolidate into the building. Each wall of the room is able to expand outward for extra space, allowing for future expansion. In the center of the room are the Front Line Manager's and Traffic Management Unit (TMU) Positions.

Wall displays

A90 is equipped with multiple plasma flat-screen television screens which are used to display up to 16 different types of information needed by supervisory, traffic management and controllers-in-charge ranging from ETMS to Weather. Although they can be set to display almost anything, they will usually be set to one of three things. Commonly, a map of the Northeast United States will be displayed that shows all traffic landing or departing at Boston or Boston Satellite fields. This allows the controllers to look up at the screen and quickly tell if there is a rush about to come. Also commonly displayed is the IDS5 display. This information is also shown on a small touch-screen above each controller's station. Also, commonly displayed above the Initial Departure sector is a live video feed from Boston Tower showing the departure strip bay. This camera system is used to satisfy the requirement for "non-verbal rolling notification" as required by FAAO 7110.65. What is displayed on each screen can be changed at one of the center console positions, which is controlled with a computer touch screen.

Training

BCT has a state-of-the-art simulator training facility located on the second floor just down from the operations control room. The room contains five training positions. The training room includes a Raytheon Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS). The STARS system has an embedded simulator ATCoach which is produced by UFA. Inc. out of Woburn, Massachusetts. This system provides the instructor and the student with a virtual display of live traffic on the STARS Terminal Controller workstation TCW. Raytheon provides the hardware and UFA provides the software and embedded simulator. Features of this simulator include: - Weather - Pre-programmed events - 600 aircraft profiles - Up to 24 simultaneous training exercises - Scenario development tools - Pseudo Pilot functions. This is one of the most advanced simulators in the National Airspace System.

Accompanying ATCoach is ATVoice which provides the Voice Recognition and Response for the simulator. ATVoice allows the students to issue clearances directly to the simulated pilots during the exercise and then in turn ATVoice generates the proper pilot feedback/responses.

Above each TDW is an exact replica of the IDS-5 information display.

The facility also has State-of-the-art classrooms which are able to feature computer generated graphics and multimedia source material that comes right from the Operations room.

External links

• UFA, Inc. official website
• Systems Atlanta Official website.
• Raytheon Official Website.
• Northrop Grumman Official Website.
• Federal Aviation Administration Official Website.