Denver TRACON (D01)

Welcome Letter

Dear New Employee,

Welcome to TRACON! Here you will have an opportunity to work with an outstanding team of professionals that help make us a great place to work and develop your skills. Your knowledge, abilities and positive attitude made you a highly regarded addition to our team, and I am certain that you will make a positive impact on our future.

Several techniques and procedures of Air Traffic Control at D01 may be new to you. Denver TRACON is delegated airspace within the Class A stratum. Denver International Airport is located within Class B airspace. Inter-facility operations are performed with Denver ARTCC, Springs Approach, Cheyenne Approach, and numerous Control Towers. We are located within designated mountainous terrain. Our facility was the 1st to conduct triple simultaneous ILS approaches, which is 3 aircraft side-by-side on final. During VFR conditions, we routinely set an airport arrival rate in excess of 160 flights per hour.

All of us want to make your tenure at this facility as enjoyable and rewarding as possible. Please feel free to ask any questions and express your thoughts and ideas to the staff and leadership team. Our goal is to create an informal atmosphere and involve everyone in the process of making our facility an exceptional place to work.

I look forward to working with you, and would like to welcome you again to our team!

Sincerely,

Ric Wunn

Denver District/Denver TRACON Manager

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Denver Terminal District

Denver TRACON (D01) is part of the FAA’s Denver Terminal District. The District includes seven other FAA facilities (Denver Tower, Centennial Tower, Aspen Tower, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Tower, Colorado Springs Tower/TRACON, Casper Tower and Pueblo Tower), four Federal Contract Towers (Front Range Tower, Grand Junction Tower, Eagle Tower, and Cheyenne Tower), one Non-Federal Control Tower (Gillette Tower) and a Control Tower owned by the State of Colorado at Buckley Air Force Base.

Denver International Airport ( www.flydenver.com ) is currently the nation’s 4th busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic. United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines are our busiest customers.

Denver TRACON Today

The TRACON is located south of Denver International Airport (DEN). It includes the radar room, equipment rooms, a kitchen, break rooms, an Enhanced Target Generator (ETG) Lab for training, and offices. There are approximately 60 controllers assigned to D01, providing round-the-clock coverage. An average day’s staffing includes employees working North Departure, East Departure, South Departure, West Departure, Satellite Departure, Approach, Final, Final Monitor, Pueblo, Grand Junction, Flight Data/Clearance Delivery, and a Traffic Management Unit position. D01 uses up to 17 state-of-the-art ARTS Color Display (ACD) radar scopes during day-to-day operations and opens up to three STARS scopes when conducting dual- or triple-simultaneous ILS operations.

HISTORY

Denver TRACON was originally located at the base of Stapleton Airport Control Tower. On February 28th, 1995, in conjunction with the opening of the new Denver International Airport, operations were moved to the TRACON’s current location. That morning, TRACON controllers conducted the world’s first-ever triple- simultaneous ILS operation. At the end of 1995, D01 had handled over 585,000 operations.

AIRSPACE & OPERATIONS

Denver TRACON is one of the nation’s busiest approach control facilities. Its airspace includes a 45-mile radius around DEN, and extends from the surface up to 23,000 feet. Denver International Airport is D01’s primary airport. Additionally, the TRACON provides approach control service to six other controlled airports (including Pueblo and Grand Junction) and seven public/municipal airports. The TRACON averages over 2,700 daily operations and in 2008, the facility handled almost 840,000 operations.

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FACILITY STAFFING

The Air Traffic Controllers at D01 are supported by:

Air Traffic Manager

The Denver District Manager is the Air Traffic Manager (ATM) for D01, and has responsibility for all facilities in the Denver District. The District Manager’s office is located in Room 106 near the west entrance to the TRACON.

Staff Manager

The Staff Manager assists and supports the Air Traffic Manager. The office is in Room 108.

Support Managers

There are two Support Managers at Denver TRACON. The Support Manager for Training is located in Room 228, and the Support Manager for Airspace and Procedures is in Room 220.

Operations Managers (OMs)

Two Operations Managers provide managerial oversight at the TRACON. The OM’s offices are in Rooms 208 and 212.

Front Line Managers (Watch Supervisors)

D01 is divided into eight crews, each supervised by a Front Line Manager. The FLM’s office is in Room 209.

Traffic Management (TMU)

Three Traffic Management Coordinators work in the TRACON. They monitor and balance traffic flows into, out of, and within D01. This unit is charged with the responsibility of implementing the necessary restrictions to ensure an orderly flow of traffic in extremely complex airspace. They work closely with Denver Tower TMU and Denver Center TMU. The TMU’s office is in Room 232.

Support/Technical Specialists

There are six Support/Technical Specialists and two contractors located in Rooms 218 and 226. Their responsibilities include Quality Assurance, Airspace and Procedures, Plans and Programs, and Training.

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Administrative Personnel

There are three Administrative personnel, all located on the first floor of the TRACON near the west entrance. Their responsibilities include personnel, time and attendance, budget, medical and security.

Denver TRACON Radar Display

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Denver TRACON Organizational Chart:

Ric Wunn District Manager

Ron Olson Staff Manager

Charleen Willis Sharon Tuggle Administrative Officer Secretary

Janice Nelson Mgmt Program Analyst

Yancy O’Barr Bill Hammond Mark Phipps Kerri Hodge Dave Lister Operations Manager Operations Manager Support Manager Support Manager Traffic Mgmt Officer (Airspace/Procedures) (Training) (Acting)

Curly Simmons Ted Goodlin Ray Huck Dave Swanson Front Line Manager Support Specialist Support Specialist TMU

Joe Wolters Kyle Roddy Luke Vesely Leti Vela Front Line Manager Support Specialist Technical Specialist TMU

Jeff Hamilton Tom O’Neill Bert Bowman Front Line Manager Support Specialist TMU

Paul Davied Bob Schatz Front Line Manager Airspace Specialist

Dave Geddes Front Line Manager

Bob Twedt Front Line Manager

Chuck Dickinson Front Line Manager

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Raytheon Contract Personnel

Raytheon is a private contractor hired to accomplish most of the initial classroom and lab training of air traffic controllers-in-training, developmentals and academy graduates. The Raytheon office in the Denver TRACON consists of a contractor site supervisor, instructors, a computer-based instruction administrator, an administrative assistant, and remote pilot operators. The instructors have all worked as air traffic controllers. They prepare you to go into the control environment and receive on-the- job training (OJT) with live traffic. This is accomplished for the most part by providing classroom stage training and testing on facility airspace, standard operating procedures and letters of agreement. Training and review of Air Traffic rules and regulations is also provided during stage training. For TRACON training, developmentals are given a series of sector specific simulated radar traffic control problems. These problems (ETGs) are developed and run by the Raytheon instructors and provide scenarios of increasing intensity so as to teach and evaluate individual progress without impacting live traffic.

Training

Training is an extensive and ongoing process. Air traffic controllers receive approximately 2 years of training prior to attaining the certified professional controller (CPC) level. Training consists of classroom and computer based instruction (CBI), plus enhanced target generator (ETG) lab scenarios for the TRACON. After completion of each phase of academic and lab training, OJT is conducted in a live environment.

Our Expectations of All Employees

• Come to work, be on time • Be prepared – mentally and physically • Understand leave policy and manage your leave appropriately • Be cooperative and professional • Treat people with respect and dignity • Take initiative • Be accountable • Lead by example – be a good role model • Do not tolerate or engage in any form of harassment or discrimination • Actively participate in training • Know your airspace and systems, know your equipment • Use prescribed phraseology/correct facility and equipment names • Follow rules and procedures • Be open to feedback – provide honest information • Be an effective team member

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Policies

Reporting for Duty

On your first day, report at 7:00 a.m. to the Technical Operations Center (TOC) Building at 26805 East 68 th Avenue, Denver, CO, 80249-6361. Drive up to the security gate; the guard will direct you where to park and an Air Traffic representative will escort you over to the TRACON.

Hours of Duty

While in classroom and lab training, you will be on an 8-1/2 hour administrative schedule Monday through Friday. Hours will be from 7:00am - 3:30pm.

Parking and Building Access

During initial orientation, employees will receive a parking sticker that allows them to park next to the TRACON. Additional parking can be located outside the security fence next to the TOC building. Within one day of arriving at D01 you will be assigned an FAA ID card which is used to gain access to the TRACON. You will be required to display your FAA ID card at all times while in the facility. These are to be displayed on the front of your person, between the neck and the waist. If you forget your FAA ID you will be required to obtain a temporary Employee badge from security in the TOC.

Security

During facility orientation, you will also be briefed by Raytheon and the FAA on emergency evacuation procedures, information security, and other safety and security issues.

Guests and Visitors

The Air Traffic Manager or designated representative must approve any visits to the facility by guests or family of employees.

Cell Phones

Cell phones must be completely powered off when in TRACON radar room.

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Denver TRACON Directory

The following list provides the most commonly used phone numbers within the TRACON:

>> General Number (303) 342-1500

>> Secretary (303) 342-1500

>> Administrative Officer (303) 342-1511

>> TRACON Watch Desk (303) 342-1590 (unlisted-operational number)

>> Support Manager (Training) (303) 342-1509

>> Support Manager (Airspace & (303) 342-1525 Procedures)

>> Traffic Management Officer (303) 342-1582

>> Raytheon Training (303) 342-1566

>> Facility Fax (303) 342-1513

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Denver Area Information

The following information can be located at denver.org.

Denver: The perfect blend of outdoor adventure and urban sophistication. That’s the duality locals love about the Mile High City. With snowcapped peaks providing a spectacular backdrop, Denver is as refined as it is laid-back. It’s a place where aerospace engineers rub elbows with rock climbers at local brewpubs, at art festivals, or while strolling their favorite pedestrian mall. And with 300 days of sunshine per year, it’s easy to see why people fall in love with Denver the first time they visit.

Arts and Culture

Denver has always been a town that embraces diverse cultural experiences and creative endeavors; after all, the city had an opera before it had a school. Today, you can experience Denver’s thriving art scene at local galleries, dozens of public museums and the Denver Performing Arts Complex, which includes ten venues for Broadway theatre, opera, ballet and the symphony. Discover the creative vitality that makes Denver a great place to live and to visit.

Denver Art Museum

• The Children's Museum A place to put your hands on learning! • Colorado Historical Society America's Leader In Rail History, Preservation And Enjoyment

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• Colorado's Ocean Journey Offers self-guided tours with timed admission. Best to purchase your tickets in advance. Look for the Indonesian river journey, the Colorado River journey and the Sea Otter Cove. Educational tours to teach about Earth's fragile ecosystems. • Colorado Railroad Museum Over 70 pieces of historic narrow and standard gauge locomotives and cars exhibited on 12 acres at the foot of North Table Mountain, near Golden, CO. • Come enjoy a myriad of gardens containing collections of plants from all over the world, including Japan, the Mediterranean, Africa, Spain, France, Australia and the tropics, among others. • The For information, exhibitions, membership, activities, & the museum shop. • Denver Museum of Nature & Science Unforgettable dinosaur bone exhibits. This is a huge museum with an IMAX theater. Gallery presentations, traveling exhibits, and permanent installations. Plan to spend your day here. • The The Library is world-renowned for its collection of western Americana and its model Children's Library. Customers are served from a spectacular Central Library designed by celebrated architect Michael Graves. • The It's always new at the Denver Zoo! Baby animals year-round and ever changing animal activity ... every visit provides a different experience. • The & Museum Molly Brown survived the Titanic disaster with style, then selflessly assisted with rescue and relief efforts.

Other museums close to Denver:

• Astor House Museum - Golden 1867 boarding house, built when Golden was the territorial capitol. • Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art - Boulder Presents visual works and performing arts from emerging and established contemporary artists. • Boulder History Museum - Boulder features an extensive costume collection, a turn-of-the-century kitchen, and local history rooms, as well as rotating exhibits. • The Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave - Golden Buffalo Bill's Wild West shows traveled the world leaving a lasting vision of the American West. • Estes Park Area Historical Museum - Estes Park Museum collects, preserves, interprets and exhibits local history for visitors and residents.

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• The Golden Pioneer Museum - Golden Exhibits reflect various aspects of Golden's history and development, such as ranching, mining, etc.

Spectator Sports

The Mile High City is home to no less than eight pro sports teams. , , soccer, football, hockey, , rugby – Denver's got it all.

The of the have been able to draw crowds of over 70,000 since their AFL origins in the early 1960s at , and continue to draw fans today to their current home Invesco Field at Mile High. The team has advanced to the six times and has won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1998 and '99.

In the 1980s and 1990s, one of the top priorities of former Mayor Federico Peña was bringing to the city, an effort which culminated in the construction of and the creation of the () as an expansion franchise in 1993. They appeared in their first in 2007.

Denver is also home to the , a team that relocated from in 1995. They have won two Stanley Cups (1996 and 2001) while in Denver and play at Pepsi Center.

The of the National Basketball Association is hosted by the Pepsi Center.

The of the team, played at Invesco Field at Mile High through 2006 until a new stadium, Dick's Sporting Goods Park was built in nearby Commerce City for 2007. Commerce City is a northern suburb of Denver.

The of the Professional Arena Soccer League play at the Denver Sports Center.

The of the is hosted by the Pepsi Center. The Mammoth won NLL Championship in 2006.

The of play at Invesco Field.

The Colorado Crush of the is hosted by the Pepsi Center. The Crush won Arena Bowl Championship in 2005.

The are a Australian Football League team located in Denver that have won six national championships.

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Outdoor Activities

Denver has the nation's largest city park system and 850 miles of urban trails, perfect for exploring on two feet or two wheels. There are dude ranches and fly- fishing for outdoor enthusiasts and whitewater kayaking or rafting to whet the appetites of adventure seekers. Take in the sights from above on a balloon or helicopter tour, or on the ground with horseback riding or an off-road adventure. And you can be in the Rocky Mountains in 20 minutes, where hiking, snowboarding and more await – sometimes all in the same day.

Dallas Divide near Telluride by John Fielder

Skiing/Snowboarding

Colorado is known for its Rocky Mountain slopes. With top notch skiing and snowboarding within an hour’s drive of the city, this is a must to try for anyone who enjoys getting outside. For those who are new to the area, or visiting from the lowlands, it is often recommended that you make a stop over in Denver to acclimate

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to the altitude before climbing even higher above 8,000 feet to the resorts. In addition to Echo Mountain, there are a number of resort options to cater to your outdoor interests. They are:

• Eldora – Very close to Denver, offering Skiing and other snow fun. • Loveland – It’s been around for over 70 years and has been offering great skiing every since it opened. • Arapahoe Basin – The first resort to open in North America this year.

Mountain Biking

The many snow enthusiasts have to have something to do in the summer time in Denver. Mountain bike trails all around the countryside offer this summertime distraction. One great bike trail is the Green Mountain Bike Trail, a 7 mile looped trail that is located in the Pikes Peak Area. It’s a little bit of a drive from Denver, but completely worth it. For closer trails within the city, contact your local Denver bike shop for insider trails and tips.

Explore the Rocky Mountains

The Rocky Mountains located about 75 miles northwest of downtown Denver offers a myriad of top outdoor activities throughout its 416 square miles of serene mountain territory. On the list of things to do: backpacking and camping in the backcountry, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, hiking and fishing—just to name a few! The Rocky Mountain National Park website is available online from the National Park Service .

Indian Peaks Wilderness Area

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Special Events

If festival hopping is more your forte, peruse Denver's roster of events (www.denver.org/Events/ ), and you may end up spending your entire vacation zigzagging between the Denver International Film Festival and the Denver International Wine Festival, both held in November. Top-notch summer festivals like the Cherry Creek Arts Festival strut the works of more than 200 regional, national, and international artists. For beer aficionados, there’s no bigger event all year-round than the annual edition of the Great American Beer Festival (GABF), known as the “Super Bowl” of beer. The granddaddy of all U.S. beer festivals offers the largest collection of U.S. beer ever assembled, all served in 1-ounce tasting portions. Denver and the GABF are a perfect match. Not only is the Mile High City home to the world's largest single brewery (The Coors Brewery), but it also has the nation's largest brewpub (The Wynkoop Brewing Company) and the highest number of home brewers.

Great American Beer Festival

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Restaurants

When the sun comes up over the eastern plains, Denver comes to life with breakfast bistros, power lunch cafes, trendy diners and fusion eateries waiting to satisfy your hunger. After the sun goes down, the city continues to shine with a collection of restaurants that are garnering national recognition. And for those late night cravings, the nightlife in Denver has that certain vibe. Energetic. Lively. Welcoming. From upscale wine and martini bars, to hot salsa clubs, to neighborhood bars and rooftop patios, you instantly feel you belong as you mix.

Check out the Restaurant section for a list of recent winners in Channel 7 News’ “A*List” Best of Denver Guide.

Online Resources

Local Area Resources www.denvergov.org www.denver.org

Chamber of Commerce www.denverchamber.org

Local News www.denverpost.com (Denver) www.gjsentinal.com (Grand Junction) www.chieftain.com (Pueblo)

Denver Area Schools www.dpsk12.org www.cde.state.co.us/

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Aerial view of the Denver International Airport looking North

Photo by George Canciani

Inside Denver TRACON

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