Scottsdale ATCT
Scottsdale ATCT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome Letter 3
Scottsdale Airport 4
Scottsdale Tower 7
Our Expectations of All Employees 9
Policies 10
About Scottsdale… 12
Sporting, Special Events & Restaurants 13
Scottsdale Tower and Airport Area Map 15
Scottsdale Tower Directory 16
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Welcome Letter
Dear New Employee,
Welcome to Scottsdale Air Traffic Control Tower (SDL)! Here you will have an opportunity to
work an interesting and unique mix of air traffic, with an outstanding team of professionals.
You will find Scottsdale is a clean, comfortable and professional facility in which to work.
Scottsdale is part of the Arizona District, a VFR tower controlling a single runway, northeast of
Phoenix, Arizona. The airfield serves primarily as a corporate reliever for Phoenix Sky Harbor
International Airport (PHX). SDL is frequented by corporate jets, turboprops, helicopters and
smaller aircraft conducting flight training or visiting one of the many premier resorts, businesses
and neighborhoods in our area.
Though nearby housing can be expensive and the summers hot, affordable housing is easily
reachable and cooler elevations are within a pleasant drive day trip. The weather during fall,
winter and spring is considered amongst the best in our nation.
All of us want to make your time spent working at our facility and district as enjoyable and
rewarding as possible. Our aim is to provide excellent air traffic service, while creating a
positive atmosphere. We encourage everyone to be involved in the process of making our
facility an exceptional place to work.
I look forward to working with you, and again, welcome to our team!
Sincerely,
Rob Voss
Air Traffic Manager Scottsdale Air Traffic Control Tower
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Scottsdale Airport
Scottsdale airport is owned and operated by the City of Scottsdale. Opened on June 22,
1942, it was first named the T-Bird Academy #2, where more than 5,500 Army Air Corps
Cadet Pilots were trained in support of World War II. In 1953, the 7th
Day Adventists
Church purchased the property as a trade school for Missionary pilots to be trained. In
1963, the airport was acquired by the City of Scottsdale and since has been developed into
an airpark. The airport is largely surrounded by offices and commercial businesses. By
2004, 450 aircraft of all shapes and sizes had made Scottsdale Airport their home, 100 of
which are turbojets. With an average of 200,000 operations a year, Scottsdale is the 2nd
busiest single runway airport in the country and the busiest corporate jet facility in the state.
Scottsdale’s traffic volume increases significantly each fall through spring, as visitors from
throughout the world travel to the area to enjoy the pleasant winter weather. Although there
is a fair amount of IFR traffic to and from Scottsdale, there is a single VOR instrument
approach, which will soon be replaced with an RNAV/GPS approach. Since the weather is
nearly always VFR and high terrain sits nearby, most IFR aircraft arrive on visual
approaches. Scottsdale has no military based on the field, although military flights
occasionally visit the airport.
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(SDL Dec. 12, 1942) (Present Day SDL RWY 21 approach)
Scottsdale Tower Today
The Arizona Terminal District
Scottsdale Tower is part of the FAA’s Arizona Terminal District. The District includes seven
other FAA facilities (Phoenix-Sky Harbor Tower, Phoenix TRACON, Tucson TRACON,
Tucson Tower, Deer Valley Tower, Falcon Field Tower and Prescott Tower) and six Federal
Contract Towers (Gateway, Chandler, Goodyear, Glendale, Flagstaff and Ryan Field).
Scottsdale’s traffic is nearly entirely general aviation/corporate. Currently, there are no
scheduled air taxis or air carriers operating from Scottsdale Airport. There are several fixed base
operators, small flight schools and numerous corporate aircraft based at SDL, including many
based off the field in combination office/hangars accessed via gates.
The Tower
The Scottsdale Tower building was commissioned in 1989 and remodeled in 2008. About
fifteen controllers are assigned to SDL. The tower cab can accommodate 4 controller positions
and a Front Line Manager (Supervisor) or Controller-in Charge (CIC) position. During an
average day one Local Control, a Ground Control and the FLM/CIC positions will be staffed,
with Flight Data and Cab Coordinator (Local Assist) staffed as needed.
The tower has 9 levels, with the elevator serving levels 1-7. There are small rooms located on
six of the floors. Storage occupies Floor 2, the NATCA office Floor 3, Training is on Floor 4,
Tech Ops on Floor 5, and a break room on Floor 6. A short stairway leads from Floor 7 leads to
the tower cab. The Tower base building houses offices, a conference room, a small kitchen,
bathrooms and equipment rooms. Managers and support staff for SDL ATCT totals 4 people.
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Airspace
Scottsdale Tower Class D airspace includes a five statute mile radius around the Scottsdale
Airport from the surface to 2,500 feet AGL. The field elevation is 1,510’ MSL.
Facility Staffing
There are approximately twelve certified controllers at Scottsdale, typically with several
developmentals training. The controllers are supported by:
Air Traffic Manager
The Scottsdale Air Traffic Manager (ATM) has overall responsibility for the facility. The office
is at the main lobby near the front entrance to the Tower base building.
Front Line Managers (Watch Supervisor)
The Front Line Manager’s primary responsibility is the daily air traffic operation and
supervision of the controller staff. There is a Front Line Manager’s office in the Tower base
building.
Training Specialist
The Scottsdale Tower Training Specialist is staffed by a contract employee and former
controller, who oversees the facility initial and refresher training programs. The Training
Specialist shares an office with the Front Line Manager in the Tower base building.
Administrative Personnel
There is one secretary, or Management and Program Assistant (MPA). Responsibilities include
time and attendance, purchasing/supplies, reception, medical, travel and security.
PHX SSC (Systems Support Center)
A team of Technical Operations (Tech Ops) and Systems Operations (Sys Ops) personnel are
based nearby at Phoenix TRACON, who monitor and repair the building and all equipment
necessary to support the Tower’s smooth operation. A Technician is also based at SDL Tower,
with an office on the 5th floor, who maintains facilities in the northern portion of the Arizona
District.
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Scottsdale Tower
“VFR” Tower with Certified Radar Display
Tower Operating Hours: 6am – 9pm, 365 days/year
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Separation of Aircraft on the Runway
Safety Alerts
Alerting Search and Rescue
Provide Support for National Security
SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Sequencing aircraft to the Runway
Traffic Advisories
ADDITIONAL SERVICES:
Noise Abatement
VFR Flight Plans- activate or close
VFR Practice/Missed Approaches
IFR Flight plan amendment (Pilot initiated)
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The Leadership Team at Scottsdale
The leadership team consists of Robert Voss, Steven Raulston, and Kimberly Cooley. Below are
their bios that outline career paths of these distinguished individuals and briefly describe their
personal interests and hobbies.
Rob Voss, Air Traffic Manager, Scottsdale Tower
Rob Voss joined the FAA in May 1982. He was attending San Jose State University when he
was hired to attend the FAA Academy, then assigned to San Carlos ATCT in Northern
California. He served there as an air traffic controller until promoted in 1984 to San Francisco
International ATCT. Later, he worked as San Francisco Tower’s Quality Assurance Specialist,
Training Specialist and then as the Planning and Procedures Specialist.
In 1990, Rob transferred to Sonoma County ATCT in Santa Rosa, CA as the Operations
Supervisor for nearly three years. He later returned to San Francisco Tower where he served as
an Operations Supervisor before leaving the FAA to become an aviation consultant. Rob
worked with the San Francisco Airport authority on the Runway Reconfiguration Project, Noise
Abatement and other issues. In 2002, Rob went to work as a NASA contractor at the Sim-
labs/Future Flight facility at NASA AMES in Mountain View, CA. He served as the Lead ATC
Analyst advising NASA engineers and scientists conducting airport and air traffic simulations
and experiments.
In 2005, Rob returned to the FAA via Chicago Midway ATCT. Rob left Chicago in early 2009
when he took his current position at Scottsdale Tower. Rob is a native of the San Francisco
peninsula and enjoys travel, writing, spending time with his family, boating, golf and off-road
motorcycling.
Steven Raulston, Front Line Manager, Scottsdale Tower
Steve began his air traffic career in the U.S. Air Force in 1979 as a controller then a supervisor
at Maxwell Air Force Base (AFB), AL. He was then stationed at Luke AFB, AZ, until 1988.
His first FAA facility was San Jose ATCT from 1988 to 1989. In 1992, Steve joined the AZ Air
National Guard (ANG) where he became the Williams Gateway ATCT Tower Chief. In 1995,
Williams Field was contracted by a private air traffic control firm where he continued his ATC
career until 1997. During the same time period, he served as a Procedures Specialist for the
ANG from 1992-1996. From 1996 to 2006, he served as Chief Airfield Management in charge
of training until he retired from the ANG.
In 1997 Steve re-joined the FAA at Scottsdale ATCT as a controller. In 2006, he was promoted
to his current position, Front Line Manager..
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Steven Raulston (continued)
Steve was born in Massachusetts, and raised in Alabama. He likes computers and anything
mechanical. He spends much of his free time with his Grand Daughter.
Kimberly Cooley, NATCA Facility Representative, Scottsdale Tower
“Kimi” was born in Phoenix, AZ and grew up in Holbrook, AZ. She joined the FAA in October
1991 where she attended the Oklahoma City Academy until March 1992. After academy
graduation, Ms. Cooley worked traffic at Juneau, AK until September 1995. She then
transferred to Deer Valley ATCT near Phoenix, AZ and remained until her transfer to Scottsdale
ATCT in August 2005.
Since 1992, “Kimi” has been an active NATCA member serving in many capacities including
Treasurer, Vice Representative, or President of the facilities she has been assigned.
Her interests include sailing, camping, and hockey. She hopes one day to take a sailing
excursion around the world on her own sailing vessel.
Our Expectations of All Employees
Scottsdale 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
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Policies
Hours of Duty
The control tower hours of operation are from 6:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. Hours of duty are 8.5 for
administrative hours, and 8 hours for operational personnel. Ample breaks are provided for all
employees. Leaving the facility during the shift is limited, per the FAA/NATCA Agreement.
Parking
Covered automobile parking is available for employees between the front gate and building.
There is no assigned parking.
Security
For security purposes, employees are required to wait near the front gate after exiting the
parking lot until the gate closes.
Building Access
All employees are issued FAA ID badges. After proper entry into the security computer, these
badges are used for access into the parking area through the front gate and facility building.
Additionally, keys are issued to employees for building access. Weapons cannot be brought
inside the building or the parking area. Overnight stays are not permitted.
FAA ID Badge
All employees shall display appropriate FAA or other government approved ID badges while
visiting or on duty. ID badges must be visible between the neck and waist.
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Guests and Visitors
Guests and visitors are welcome at Scottsdale ATCT for brief visits, with prior approval by
management and government identification (except for minors). Special authorization is
required and requests must be made at least 10 business days in advance for any visitor who is
not a citizen of the United States.
Cell Phones
Cell phone usage in the facility is allowed in all portions of the building except in the tower cab,
where cell phones must be turned off.
Facility Amenities
Several refrigerators, microwaves and a small kitchen are available for employee use to prepare
meals. A break room is located on the sixth floor of the tower building, including a television
and internet access.
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About Scottsdale…
Scottsdale Profile
Also known as the Beverly Hills of the desert, Scottsdale has become one of the most glamorous
cities in America. In recent years Scottsdale has been deemed the most livable city in America.
Surrounded by beautiful desert and mountain scenery, Scottsdale is quite unique in its landscape.
With dozens of trails, many of the residents like to partake in the landscape by hiking in the
cooler months.
Scottsdale has the major amenities of a major city, but the feel of a small town. With a variety
of shops, restaurants and sites to choose from there is much to do. On the other hand, there is
also a plethora of golf courses and resorts to engage in. Scottsdale also hosts major events such
as the Barrett-Jackson Car Auction, The Arabian Horse Show, and The FBR Open.
THE AIRPORT
SDL is headquarters for over 25 national/regional corporations.
Home to more than 2,200 small to medium-sized businesses;
Workplace of more than 42,000 employees
Workforce within its boundaries has tripled in the past decade.
Second largest employment center in a community of approximately 212,000
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Sporting, Special Events & Restaurants
Sports
U.S. Airways Center
Phoenix, AZ
www.nba.com/suns
University of Phoenix Stadium
Glendale, AZ
www.azcardinals.com
Jobbing.com Arena
Glendale, AZ
Coyotes.nhl.com
Chase Field
Phoenix, AZ
Diamondbacks.mlb.com
Sun Devil Stadium
Tempe, AZ
thesundevils.cstv.com
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EVENTS:
FBR Open
www.phoenixopen.com
TPC Scottsdale
February 2010
Arabian Horse Show
www.scottsdaleshow.com
West World
February 2010
Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction
www.barrett-jackson.com
Scottsdale, AZ
January 2010
RESTAURANTS:
Oregano’s Pizza 3622 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ
(480) 970-1860 www.oreganos.com
Sapporo 14344 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ
(480) 607-1114 http://sappororestaurantgroup.com/
Rockbottom Brewery 8668 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ
(480) 998-7777 www.rockbottom.com
Corleone’s 15040 N Northsight Blvd, #106, Scottsdale, AZ
(480) 483-8558 www.corleones.net
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Scottsdale Tower and Airport Area Map
Airport Diagram: http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0908/05651AD.PDF
MORE PHOTOS:
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Scottsdale Tower Directory
The following list provides the most commonly used phone numbers within the
Scottsdale Tower facility:
>> Front Desk Line 1
>> Front Desk Line 2
>> Office Fax
>> Tower Cab
>> Tower Cab Fax
(480) 609-7585
(480)609-3807
(480)922-4982
(480) 951-1430
(480) 609-7584
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