Grand Rapids Approach Signs Off

[Todd Alfes]

Grand Rapids Approach made its final transmission when it closed on Tuesday- as did Muskegon Approach an hour earlier. The two approaches are now sectors in Great Lakes Approach, located in Kalamazoo. This consolidation continues on June 12 when Flint, Lansing, and Saginaw approaches also move to AZO. Once completed, Michigan will have just two FAA approach controls - the busy one in Detroit and the big one in Kalamazoo.

This project has been discussed in one form or another for 30 years; it's hard to believe it's finally happening.

[Randy Sohn]

been discussed in one form or another for 30 years; it's hard to believe it's finally happening.

Chuckle, can recall the many instrument approaches we shot while talking to them at North Central and then Northwest - so nany years ago!

best, randy

[John O'Shaughnessy [FCM]]

Interesting. I'd expect we'll see more of it around the country. Unlike the towers, it is hard to make the argument that you have to look out the windows. And -- I know they are working on remote tower projects too.

The world really turned upside down once salaries and benefits started to greatly outweigh cost of equipment, etc.

[Russell Holton]

How long before it's "Alexa, Flight 123 requests landing"?

[Bill Bridges]

Interesting. I'd expect we'll see more of it around the country. Unlike the towers, it is hard to make the argument that you have to look out the windows. And -- I know they are working on remote tower projects too.

The world really turned upside down once salaries and benefits started to greatly outweigh cost of equipment, etc.

I remember an approach controller telling a pilot that "it's always IFR in here."

[SJ Dunham]

The world really turned upside down once salaries and benefits started to greatly outweigh cost of equipment, etc.

NATCA has milking these consolidations down to a fine art. I'll bet everyone now under the roof at AZO got a raise even though they're working exactly the same traffic they were before.

[Todd Alfes]

I'll bet everyone now under the roof at AZO got a raise

The ATM, staffers, sups, and Tech Ops would all like to take you up on your bet.

..they're working exactly the same traffic they were before.

2018 TRACON traffic counts:

GRR	104,553
LAN	86,629
AZO	72,729
FNT	50,005
MBS	44,904
MKG	44,180

There are two areas in the TRACON, but everybody has to work the GRR sectors. As a result, FNT, MBS, and MKG controllers will all be working over twice the traffic they're accustomed to.

[SJ Dunham]

Wow - FAA finally figured out how to do a consolidation without paying more for the same service? I think the "new" AZO was supposed to be ATC-8? What were the the others before the consolidation?

[Scott Dyer HPN/NY]

Welcome back, Scott!

[SJ Dunham]

Been busy! I need to pop in here more often. Are you still doing that HPN-RDU-HPN trip at all?

[Randy Sohn]

MBS

Chuckle, guess no wonder that we always called it "mumbles".

best, randy

[Scott Dyer HPN/NY]

Been busy! I need to pop in here more often. Are you still doing that HPN-RDU-HPN trip at all?

Scott - Haven't done that trip in a while, I've been pretty busy. I'll need to check the schedule to see if there's one coming up anytime soon.