Fort Pierce ATCT (FPR) - pointSixtyFive · Fort Pierce Tower is situated in east central Florida on the Treasure Coast. It sits 3 miles from the Indian River Causeway and 4 miles

Fort Pierce ATCT (FPR)

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome Letter 3

Fort Pierce Tower Today 4

Organizational Chart 5

Fort Pierce Tower Leadership Team 6

Expectations 9

Policies 10

Local Area Information 12

Sporting and Special Events 17

Restaurants 21

Online Resources 22

Fort Pierce Area Map 24

Fort Pierce Airport Diagram 25

Fort Pierce Aerial Photo 26

Fort Pierce Tower Directory 27

3

Welcome Letter

Dear New Employee, Welcome to the Fort Pierce Airport Traffic Control Tower. St. Lucie County International is a great place to work, and a great place to live. Making your home here, you’ll enjoy a wide range of outdoor and watersport activities, attractive housing options, schools, and the chance to work with outstanding people. Each of us wants to welcome you to our facility and make you feel the same pride we have. Soon, you will be working side by side with our outstanding controllers. Through the training process, they will impart their knowledge, skills, and positive attitude to help make you a part of this team. Congratulations on being selected at FPR. You will find your career here challenging and rewarding.

JERRY GROENDYKE Jerry Groendyke Fort Pierce Tower Manager

4

Fort Pierce Tower Today

Fort Pierce Tower is located on the St. Lucie County International Airport. It was commissioned in 1987 and staffed by the FAA in October of 1989. It is staffed with between 10 and 15 Air Traffic Specialists, one Air Traffic Manager, one Front Line Manager and one part-time secretary. Fort Pierce Tower is situated in east central Florida on the Treasure Coast. It sits 3 miles from the Indian River Causeway and 4 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, which are both visible to the east from the 123-foot tower cab. Fort Pierce traffic consists mostly of single and twin engine propeller training aircraft but also has a mix of itinerant aircraft flying to and from the Bahamas, clearing the Customs office on the airfield giving Fort Pierce the name, “The Gateway to the Bahamas”. Fort Pierce also has an Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter based locally, which gives controllers an opportunity to observe rare and unusual aircraft. Traffic also boasts a healthy mix of corporate jet aircraft as well. Fort Pierce has 4 runways, an east-west runway (10-28) that is 6500 feet long and a southeast-northwest runway (14-32) that is 4500 feet long. It has 2 main FBOs on the field as well as numerous aircraft and radio repair hangars and a paint shop. There is also a restaurant on the field called the Tiki that patrons can watch aircraft operations on the ramp and runways while eating. Fort Pierce is currently in the process of building a parallel 4000 foot runway to runway 10-28. It will be offset to the west of the approach end of runway 10 and be designated as runway 10L-28R. This runway will have a parallel taxiway only to the runway itself, with an access road for maintenance and emergency vehicles. The runway will be a training runway only, easing congestion for what will become runway 10R-28L, with touch and go landings and takeoffs or full stop taxi back operations. This new runway will help the training schools on the field and in the local area accomplish their needed training without impacting other itinerant operations.

5

North Florida Hub and Fort Pierce Tower Organizational Chart

Craig Chandler North Florida

District Manager

Vacant Daytona Beach Tower/TRACON

Manager

Jerry Groendyke Fort Pierce

Tower Manager

Debbie Johannes Jacksonville

Tower/TRACON Manager

Joy McAbee Orlando Executive Tower Manager

Tom Benson Orlando International Tower/TRACON Staff Manager

Ron Fisher Tallahassee

Tower/TRACON Manager

Cheryl Bockstahler Vero Beach

Tower Manager

Vacant Sanford Tower Manager

Jeff Lauk Fort Pierce ATCT

Front Line Manager

6

Fort Pierce Tower Leadership Team

Jerry Groendyke and Jeff Lauk head the Fort Pierce Tower Leadership Team. Below are their bios that outline the career paths of these distinguished individuals and briefly describe their personal interests and hobbies.

Jerry Groendyke Fort Pierce Air Traffic Control Tower Manager

7

Jerry grew up in rural northwestern New Jersey, and Pompano Beach Florida. He graduated from Stetson University in Deland Florida with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration. After college he worked as a flight instructor and flew for a small commuter airline based in Florence, South Carolina. He then became a foreman for Johns-Manville in a roofing products manufacturing plant in Savannah Georgia. Jerry applied for an air traffic controller position, but hiring was slow, until August 1981, when the call came to report to Hilliard (Jacksonville Center) in two weeks. Jerry worked as a controller at Jacksonville Center (ZJX), a controller and supervisor at Craig Tower (CRG) in Jacksonville, a controller at Jacksonville Tower (JAX), and finally a controller and air traffic manager at Fort Pierce starting in 1996. Along the way there were numerous interesting assignments, including Hilton Head South Carolina to support Tennis Championships, Lawrenceville Georgia in support of the 1996 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta, and Sebring Florida supporting the 12 hours of Sebring Auto races. Jerry’s hobbies include flying and cycling. He and his wife Elisa were married in 1981 and have a 20-year-old son.

8

Jeff Lauk

Front Line Manager

Jeff is originally from a suburb of Chicago, IL. He received his private pilot license in 1981 out of Palwaukee Airport. Jeff attended college at Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, FL where he received his Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management, Flight Technology. He also continued his flight training, achieving his commercial, instrument, multi engine, and CFI ratings.

Jeff started his air traffic career in 1989 as a controller at the Melbourne Air Traffic Control Tower. He also worked at Fayetteville Approach Control, in Fayetteville, NC and at Jacksonville Center before coming to Fort Pierce. Jeff became the front line manager at Fort Pierce ATCT in 2005. Jeff and his wife Csilla have two children, Justin and Austin. Jeff enjoys traveling and flying.

9

Our Expectations of All Employees

Fort Pierce Tower leadership team expects all employees to:

• Come to work, be on time • Be prepared – mentally and physically • Understand leave policy and manage your leave appropriately • Be cooperative and professional • Treat people with respect and dignity • Take initiative • Be accountable • Lead by example – be a good role model • Do not tolerate or engage in any form of harassment or discrimination • Actively participate in training • Know your airspace and systems, know your equipment • Use prescribed phraseology/correct facility and equipment names • Follow rules and procedures • Be open to feedback – provide honest information • Be an effective team member

10

Policies

Reporting for Duty

Employees are to report for their assigned shift on time. If a situation arises that will prevent you from reporting on time, call the Tower, Air Traffic Manager or Front Line Manager. Please ensure you allow enough time to report for work on time.

Hours of Duty

Operational personnel are assigned to work 8 hour shifts unless assigned an administrative day. Employees working an 8 hour shift are subject to immediate recall. Employees working an 8 hour shift may not leave the facility, during their shift, unless they have obtained management approval. Employees working administrative shift are assigned an 8.5 hour shift and may leave the facility for their 30 minute unpaid lunch break after obtaining management approval.

Parking

Parking is permitted in the facility parking lot. To access the parking lot, you must have the keypad code or request access via the intercom system at the front gate.

11

Building Access

To access the building, you must have a key, the keypad code, or request access via the phone system by the front door.

FAA ID Cards

FAA photo ID cards must be worn and visible at all times within the facility.

Guests and Visitors

Employees may have family members visit the facility after obtaining approval from management. After obtaining approval, the employee must ensure the guests sign in at the front podium by the front door and must escort their guests at all times.

Cell Phones

Cell phones must be in the off position while in the operation. Personal reading material and electronic devices are not permitted in operational areas.

12

Local Area Information

Fort Pierce Profile

The city of Fort Pierce is a historic waterfront city, incorporated in 1901. As one of the oldest communites on the east coast of Florida, Fort Pierce has borne witness to the changing tides of history for over 100 years. The city is named for Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin K. Pierce, commmander of the fort begun here in the late 1830’s during the Second Seminole War.

Known for its fishing, canning of fish and pineapple, the early days of Fort Pierce began to boom and became the economic hub of the Treasure Coast community with the introduction of Flagler’s railway in the 1920’s. Today, the waterfront communities include a transportation network of Florida’s Turnpike, Interstate 95, Highway 70, the Port of Fort Pierce, and of course, the St. Lucie County International airport.

Fort Pierce has approximately 39,000 residents and encompasses over 20 square miles in a diverse yet neighborly community, which embraces the richness, heritage, and the promise of future growth in St. Lucie County. With both Mediterranean and Florida “Cracker-style” architecture, Fort Pierce has a varied and colorful history, including military activity during the Seminole War and World War II.

13

Fort Pierce is home to numerous modern educational and research facilites, like top-ranked Indian River State College, the $6 million Smithsonian Institute Marine Station, the Manatee Observation and Education Center and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution and the St. Lucie County Historical Museum.

The Fort Pierce Marina is located on the beautiful Indian River in downtown and offers boaters all the amenities of small town life in a peaceful setting. With the close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean via the Fort Pierce inlet, it affords numerous fishing opportunities for both recreational and commercial fishermen and is a short distance to the Bahamas.

Fishing and boating are a major part of the local economy with several boat companies located in the area.

Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County continue to lead the State of Florida in grapefruit production. Several large juice companies are based here, including Tropicana. As it has historically, Fort Pierce continues to be an important part of the Treasure Coast of Florida.

14

Fort Pierce Attractions

The city of Fort Pierce has recently spent millions of dollars renovating the Sunrise Theatre in the historic downtown Fort Pierce, within sight of the picturesque waters of the Indian River Lagoon.

The state of the art facility offers unobstructed views of the stage from all 1,200 seats for the presentation of local and national touring musical acts, national touring Broadway shows, dance troupes, orchestras, well-known comedians and more.

Fort Pierce is also home to the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum. The museum is the only museum dedicated solely to preserving the history of the Navy SEALs and their predecessors, including Underwater Demolition Teams, Naval Combat Demolition Units, Office of Strategic Services Maritime Units and Amphibious Scouts and Raiders.

15

The A. E. “Bean” Backus Gallery & Museum in downtown Fort Pierce was the first visual arts center on Florida’s Treasure Coast and has grown to become a thriving cultural resource for local artists and art enthusiasts. It was established in 1960 by A. E. Backus, the preeminent Florida landscape painter. The gallery handles consignment sales of Backus paintings as well as other Treasure Coast artists of merit. For interesting and educational opportunities, Fort Pierce has the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and the Manatee Observation and Education Center. For over four decades the shared vision of founder J. Seward Johnson, Sr. and inventor Edwin Link to explore, protect and wisely use the oceans’ resources, shaped the work at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. Today, this same vision drives over 140 Harbor Branch Oceanographic scientists, engineers and support staff to be leaders in ocean-related innovation, exploration, research, education and conservation. In 2007 Harbor Branch became a research institute of Florida Atlantic University, paving the way to expand opportunities in ocean technology, coastal and deep-sea exploration and research, marine biotechnology, aquaculture, ocean and human health, and marine science education.

16

The Manatee Observation and Education Center has a visitor’s center, butterfly garden, observation platform and covered walkway overlooking the brackish water of Moore’s Creek near its confluence with the Indian River Lagoon.

The center is open October – June. As many as 30 manatees have been spotted here at one time during very cold weather. Mullet, tarpon, and other fish are often seen, as well as bottlenose dolphins playing at the mouth of the short creek. Brown pelicans, gulls and terns loaf nearby. Colorful plantings attract a variety of butterflies.

17

Sporting and Special Events Fort Pierce has a variety of sports to choose from. If you like golf, Fort Pierce is your town. Fort Pierce has 8 golf courses in town, 32 golf courses within 10 miles of the center of town, and 59 golf courses within 20 miles of the center of town.

There is a Jai-Lai fronton located in Fort Pierce. Take in the live action jai-lai or watch the simulcast games and horse races from frontons and tracks from around the state.

18

Fort Pierce is also next-door to the New York Mets spring training facility and the minor league Mets in neighboring Port St. Lucie.

You can come see aspiring minor league players for most of the year, or in the spring you can see your favorite major league players gearing up for the season at reasonable prices.

19

Fort Pierce has Friday Fest in the downtown area on the first Friday of every month. Residents get together to listen to local bands, shop from a wide variety of local vendors, and eat great food in a party atmosphere meant to enhance good community spirit. Don’t forget about the numerous water sports available in Fort Pierce. From water skiing, surfing, boating to fishing, the Treasure Coast has one of the most beautiful waterfronts in the world.

20

You can enjoy lounging on the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean or the Indian River, which both have public access and park areas.

Fort Pierce is proud to be home to a wide variety of fishing tournaments, bringing in avid fishermen from around the world.

You can

21

find many places to just fish for fun and relaxation, especially on the Indian River where there is one of the most diverse populations of fish in the world.

Restaurants

Fort Pierce has an eclectic mix of local restaurants to choose from along with most of the usual national chain restaurants. From fresh seafood to great steaks, Fort Pierce has it all. For more information on restaurants, go to http://www.livingtoday.tv/Restaurants/slccasual.htm

22

Local Area Resources

www.cityoffortpierce.com www.stluciecountyfl.com

Chamber of Commerce www.fort-pierce.com

Local News www.fortpiercetribune.com

www.wptv.com www.wpec.com www.wpbt.com www.wflx.com

23

Public Schools

www.stluciecountyschools.com

www.indianrivercountyschools.com

www.martincountyschools.com

Housing and Relocating Assistance

www.realtor.com

www.fortpiercerealestate.com

24

Fort Pierce Area Map

25

Fort Pierce Airport Diagram

26

Fort Pierce Aerial Photo

27

Fort Pierce Tower Directory Fort Pierce ATCT

3300 Hammond Road Fort Pierce, FL. 34946

Administrative Numbers Manager – Jerry Groendyke 772-465-0761 Front Line Manager – Jeff Lauk 772-465-0761 Secretary – Deborah Gingrich 772-465-0761 Facility Fax 772-461-5876

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU!!!