Tracon

by Paul McElroy

Book Overview

Winner of the 2001 Ippy Award Bronze medal for the 2001 Book of the Year Award 2001 Benjamin Franklin Award finalist “The air traffic control world is off-limits to most of you and, consequently,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0967996309
• ISBN13: 9780967996301
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: Japphire Inc
• Length: 493 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.0" x 4.0"

Customer Reviews

Absolutely excellent...had emotional chills reading it!

As an FAA'er for 33 years, 8 of them at O'Hare, TRACON is first rate in depicting ATC, and much of FAA, as it really is. While reading it, I was in the driver's seat, seeing clearly the activities and events as they were unfolding, realizing every bit of it could be (or occasionally has been) absolutly true. For you aviators and other controllers out there, this is a must read. For you non-aviation experienced readers it is as equally outstanding as a fictional thriller. The characters are strong and relationships real. You will finish the book not only having been totally entertained, but also having been treated to a very accurate look at the very unfamilar, and frequently very misrepresented, world of air traffic control.

Thought provoking

Tracon is a nicely paced, well researched novel with well developed characters that the reader genuinely cares about. The necessary aviation jargon is kept to a minimum and is well explained in the context of the narrative. The author has a very firm grasp of a major issue in U.S. commercial aviation today, namely that the safety of the flying public rests more with the professionals in the cockpits, towers and tracons than with the bureauocrats and bean counters.

Tracon is a Triumph

One of the most difficult responsibilities as a Safety Representative for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is explaining the intricacies of the Air Traffic Control System to non-controllers. It is a frustrating task. Paul McElroy not only does it well, but he makes it entertaining.I was overwhelmed by "Tracon". It is such a rare pleasure to find an author that has the skill to explain the truth by using fiction. "Tracon" comes closer to the truth than anything I've ever read about ATC...and I've read them all, fact and fiction."Tracon" really is a triumph. From now on, whenever I have people ask me about what it's like to be a controller, I'll have an easy answer; Read "Tracon" and you'll understand. You'll have a good time learning about it too.And for you controllers out there...Paul McElroy has the flick.Don BrownFacility Safety RepresentativeNATCA-Atlanta Center

I'll take the bus.

The realism with which the Air traffic control system is detailed makes me think twice about flying. Is anyone in the FAA reading this? A must for anyone wants to know exactly what is going on behind the scenes.

TRACON is 100% Technically Correct !

Paul McElroy's TRACON is the first accurate representation of what the Air Traffic Control environment is really like. As an 18 year ATC veteran, I was immediately drawn into his novel as he precisely described incidents in which TCAS (Traffic Alert/Collision Avoidance System) caused aircraft to climb/descend and put themselves in closer proximity to other aircraft--all in direct confliction with the controller's instructions! Kudos to Mr. McElroy for shining some light on a problem that continues to plague the aviation world to this day. TCAS is a valuable awareness tool for pilots, but allowing a computer to override the judgement and pre-planned actions of an air traffic controller is a subject for serious debate. McElroy's research into the world of ATC will be evident to all of those who are associated and familiar with aviation. The way that he takes technical situations and explains them in layman's terms through his characters makes for extremely enjoyable reading. He also captures the competitive comraderie found in the radar room as controllers try to one-up each other, trading light hearted insults as a way to vent their frustrations with having to work in a less than perfect system. The "war stories" told by the controllers as they unwind with a beer after work are hilarious. One can only hope they are somewhat embellished, but in the air traffic world you can't be too sure.....I found this book to be addictive; I didn't want to put it down. After watching the disappointing air traffic movie, "Pushing Tin", it was a pleasure to read an authentic accounting of what goes on at the radar scope. McElroy manages to capture everything perfectly!I rate this book at 5 stars.