Gary Vacin

Thirteen Sun Lakes Aero Club members and guests had a rare opportunity to visit the Sky Harbor Airport tower and TRACON (Traffic Control Center) facility February 26. The visitors were split into two groups. One visited the tower, where they enjoyed a panoramic view of the airport and countryside, including numerous aircraft landing and taking off from the airport’s three runways. The other group visited the TRACON, where they viewed air traffic controllers in action communicating with and tracking aircraft within 30 miles of the airport on their radar scopes. Also included was a tour of the tower simulator where students have an opportunity to simulate and direct airport activity in a wide variety of weather conditions. Each group then visited the other facility. Making the trip were Steve Perkins, Jim Theobald, Bob Sjolin, Gary Vacin, Charles Hill, Bill Brown, Dick Simmons, Craig Day, Hank Beliema, Bob DeLong, Stu Schulz, Bill Johnson and Don Palmer.