Daily operations at the Chicago Executive Tower (PWK) are never the same, meaning there is always something different to keep our attention peaked and on our toes. There are days when air traffic controllers must work their hardest using their working-speed skills to keep the volume of aircraft safe while preventing too many delays. While safety is always priority, there are days when due to IFR weather conditions, delays aren’t as big of an issue and safety is our only concern. Then there are days like yesterday when we have a mixture of experiences.

It started out like this…

When the atmosphere offers these conditions and obstacles, controllers are unable to use visual separation rules for IFR arrivals and departures. For example, when we use the Palwaukee 2 departures off runway 16, we can’t just depart aircraft into the cloudy-snow-soup and visually ensure separation from the previous departures or traffic on the ILS…therefore, other separation rules, techniques, and procedures must be applied. That’s how it goes. Our controllers understand that our operations can change at any moment and are always prepared.