CONTROL TOWER MULLIONS
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CONTROL TOWER MULLIONS
The perpetual question of roof support mullions!
I know we'd all like the mullions in towers to be removed; however, there is a need to support the roof.
They invariably obstruct vision, no matter where they are positioned. Pilots have a nasty habit of positioning their aircraft behind even the smallest mullion just before thy make a position call and procedure designers seem to take delight in placing arrival paths behind mullions. This is why tower Controllers have necks and flexible torsos: so they can “duck and weave” to see aircraft behind mullions – it is actually something they are taught in basic training. Having peripheral consoles reduces the problem but does not remove it.
I have recently seen tower designs without mullions at each corner; however, that usually merely transfers the issue to somewhere else.
Now, having agreed they are a necessary evil, we need to discuss the size.
How wide are those in your tower?
MJG
I know we'd all like the mullions in towers to be removed; however, there is a need to support the roof.
They invariably obstruct vision, no matter where they are positioned. Pilots have a nasty habit of positioning their aircraft behind even the smallest mullion just before thy make a position call and procedure designers seem to take delight in placing arrival paths behind mullions. This is why tower Controllers have necks and flexible torsos: so they can “duck and weave” to see aircraft behind mullions – it is actually something they are taught in basic training. Having peripheral consoles reduces the problem but does not remove it.
I have recently seen tower designs without mullions at each corner; however, that usually merely transfers the issue to somewhere else.
Now, having agreed they are a necessary evil, we need to discuss the size.
How wide are those in your tower?
MJG
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We have a cantilevered roof with four columns - two at the sides and two at the back - which are about 200mm wide. The joins between the individual panes of glass are maybe 15mm wide.
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I thought the heading was a typo and the thread was going to be about Heathrow controllers' salaries!!
Seriously, if the tower s big enough it shouldn't be necessary to duck and weave. In three places I worked in towers we just sat in our chairs and could see everything. Mind you, it would be nice to have curved windows all the way round but that would almost certainly introduce optical effects.
Seriously, if the tower s big enough it shouldn't be necessary to duck and weave. In three places I worked in towers we just sat in our chairs and could see everything. Mind you, it would be nice to have curved windows all the way round but that would almost certainly introduce optical effects.
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Bren -
Not necessarily. The London Eye has optically perfect glassware in the gondolas, and when you start to look at the compound curves involved they must have taxed the designers somewhat....
The gondolas were built about 50 km from me, in Grenoble, and the spindle was made by Skoda.
Not necessarily. The London Eye has optically perfect glassware in the gondolas, and when you start to look at the compound curves involved they must have taxed the designers somewhat....
The gondolas were built about 50 km from me, in Grenoble, and the spindle was made by Skoda.
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OK M. Ruth and I went on the Eye and it was great. I was thinking of some houses we'd seen in NZ which have single pane of glass which is curved quite substantially and optically they weren't too good!
I know I'm an old timer but: get on your feet and move around. Especially in Procedural Towers where visual separation and managing the circuit is a major part of the work, getting on your feet keeps you fit and more aware too. The excuse " I didn't see the aircraft lined up on the runway because the mullion was in the way when I cleared the aircraft to land" just doesn't hold water with me. I await the incoming!!
Plenty of scope here for blind spots - however it was built in 1962 when the technology probably wasn't so hot - these panes are incredibly heavy already !
yarrayarra - I'm with you - I've always thought it's a pity the CAA didn't allow cordless headsets in VCRs.....
Last edited by Eric T Cartman; 16th Jun 2013 at 17:52.
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Eric... they did try cordles headsets for lighting ops at Heathrow but they didn't work too well and were abandoned. I can't recall why but it may have been interference from radar.
HD - some 30 odd years ago, a pal of mine at HQ had the task of looking for a standard headset for the future. IIRC, one reason the higher-ups wouldn't allow wireless hats was on the grounds that the ATCO might be away from the emergency call-out system/phones etc. in the event of an accident ! 
Make of that what you will, but it seems to work ok in other countries
Make of that what you will, but it seems to work ok in other countries
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I'd not have thought that this was a huge issue, given the ability to crane your neck/slide a seat, however after a recent 'Hot Topic' on the subject it has changed how I do my job....lessons learned/learnt and all that 
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Anyone ever worked in or heard of an oval shaped control cab?
And also what's the latest in regard to work stations? Just asking as we are just in the phase of designing a new tower.
And also what's the latest in regard to work stations? Just asking as we are just in the phase of designing a new tower.
Originally Posted by yarrayarra
I know I'm an old timer but: get on your feet and move around. Especially in Procedural Towers where visual separation and managing the circuit is a major part of the work, getting on your feet keeps you fit and more aware too. The excuse " I didn't see the aircraft lined up on the runway because the mullion was in the way when I cleared the aircraft to land" just doesn't hold water with me. I await the incoming!!
