HILO
AIR
TRAFFIC
CONTROL
TOWER
(ATCT)
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome Letter
Hilo Tower Today
Hilo Tower Leadership Team
Our Expectations of All Employees
Policies
Local Area Information
Online Resources
Hilo Tower and Airport Area Map
Hilo Airport Photos
Hilo Tower Directory
3
4
6-7
8
9-10
11-12
13
14
15-16
17
2
Welcome Letter
Dear New Employee,
Welcome to the Hilo Tower! 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.
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 senior leadership.
Our aim 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,
Ray Robinson
Air Traffic Manager, Hilo ATCT
3
Hilo Tower Today
The new Hilo Tower was completed in 1978, commissioned in
January 1979. The tower is nearly twice as tall as its predecessor.
Hilo International Airport has crossing runways 3/21 and 8/26.
Runway 8/26 is 9800 feet long and 150 feet wide and 3/21 is 5600
feet long and 150 wide. Hilo is served mostly by interisland
carriers, i.e. Hawaiian, Mokulele and Go! Airlines. There are also
numerous military and tour helicopters that are based at the airport.
The new cab boasts 925 square feet, compared to the old tower
cab's 435 square feet of workspace, allowing for adequate elbow
room.
The 7th Floor consists of our break room and also the NATCA
office. Going down on the 6th Floor is Ray’s office along with the
Airway Facility Manager, Al Miller, and his administrative
assistant. The 5th Floor is our training floor. You can find our
training classroom with the CBI computer. Don Millard, Front
Line Manager (FLM), and Raytheon contract employees have their
desks there. The 3rd and 4th has the radar and other equipment for
the Tower. The 2nd Floor is the AF’s break room.
4
Hilo Tower Organizational Chart
The following organizational chart depicts the structure of the Hilo Air Traffic Control
Tower.
Robert Rabideau
District Manager
Hawaii Pacific District
Debbie Saito
Asst. AT Manager
Honolulu Control
Facility
Raymond Robinson
Hilo Air Traffic
Manager
(ATM)
Donald Millard
Front Line Manager
(FLM)
Air Traffic Controllers
CPC’s in Training
and
Developmentals
5
Hilo Tower Leadership Team
Ray Robinson and Don Millard head the Hilo Tower Leadership
Team. Below are their bios that outline career paths of these
distinguished individuals.
Ray Robinson, Air Traffic Manager, Hilo Tower
Ray Robinson began his career with the FAA as an air traffic
controller in 1985. After his training at the FAA Academy, he
began at the Chicago ARTCC. After three years in Chicago, he
moved on to the Pontiac ATCT in Waterford, Michigan. After
spending five years at Pontiac, he moved down the road to the
Detroit ATCT. Finally in 1996, Ray decided to move to Hilo,
Hawaii. After 20 years as an air traffic controller, he became the
Air Traffic Manager for the Hilo Tower in 2006.
Ray is a native of Chicago, Illinois. He describes his personality as
both outgoing and optimistic. Ray is a long-time volleyball player
and a canoe paddler. He loves the ocean and enjoys going to the
beach with his family.
6
Don Millard, Front Line Manager, Hilo Tower
Don also joined the FAA in 1985 as an air traffic controller in
Grand Forks, North Dakota. After a few years, he transferred to
Pensacola ATCT in Florida. After 19 months of sunshine, Don
then decided to move to the cold in Alaska and worked at the
Fairbanks ATCT, Merrill ATCT and the Anchorage ATCT. In
1995, Don decided to move to Hilo. He was a controller until
2007, when he began his new position as the Front Line Manager
of the Hilo Tower.
Don describes himself as outgoing and friendly. His passion
outside of work is his family. He also belongs to numerous clubs
including the Rotary Club and the Elks Club of Hilo.
7
Our Expectations of All Employees
The Hilo Tower leadership team expects all employees to:
• 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
8
Policies
The section below presents a sampling of policies and procedures for a
fictional Hilo Tower:
Reporting for Duty
All employees are responsible to report for duty at the date and time
scheduled. If you are unable to report at the scheduled time, please call the
FLM (1st) or the ATM. All leave requests must be approved by either the
ATM or FLM.
Hours of Duty
The Tower’s operating hours are from 0600 to 2200. Work shifts are
assigned for eight hours and start times vary from 0545 to 1415. Air traffic
controllers are not allowed to leave the tower premises unless approved by
the FLM or ATM. Please be prepared as we DO NOT have drinks or food
available for purchase.
Parking
Adequate parking is available at no cost in the front of the tower. Parking
stalls are not assigned.
Security
The current security level is posted in the entry of the office. As a secure
facility, all guests are required to register and provide identification. In the
case of a fire or other emergency, facility procedures are in place to ensure
the safety of all occupants.
9
Building Access
On your first day of employment, you will be issued a building key and
temporary key card. An application will be completed to secure your
permanent I.D. card. Upon receipt it will be programmed to allow you entry
into the entry gate and facility.
FAA ID Cards
Your permanent FAA I.D. card may be replaced because of damage or age.
If it is lost/misplaced, it must be reported immediately so it can be
deactivated for entry privileges. Another application must be submitted for
replacement.
Guests and Visitors
Guests and visitors to the facility are dependent upon the current security
level. Permission is given by the ATM or FLM. All guests and visitors
must register at the door and provide identification when asked.
Cell Phones
Cell phones may not operate in the office building, depending on the cell
phone provider. Cell phones are not allowed to be operational in the Tower
Cab. It must be turned off to reduce the risk of interference with tower
equipment.
10
Local Area Information
Hilo Profile
Hilo is located on the east side of the Island of Hawaii, also known as the
Big Island. The Big Island is the largest and youngest island of the
Hawaiian Islands. Hilo is one of two bigger towns on the island. It is a laidback place to live. There are no big skyscrapers and the town consists of
many old buildings that are original or refurbished.
Hilo is known to be a rainy town with an annual rainfall of over 70 inches.
You will find that Hilo and the surrounding areas are lush and green.
Recently, Hilo has been getting a lot of vog (volcanic smog) from the
Kilauea Volcano, which is south of Hilo. Please be aware of this if you or
your family members are sensitive to vog or have respiratory problems.
The local term, "mixed plate", describes well the impact made by the
different cultures living in Hilo and the rest of the Island. All of the ethnic
groups blend in the faces of the people who give Hilo its charm.
11
Hilo also has many different attractions. There are many black sand and
rocky beaches that are easily accessible. Some of them do consist of fresh
spring water mixed with ocean water. We also have a few different
museums and a rainforest zoo. South of Hilo is Kilauea Volcano at the
Hawaii Volcano National Park.
There is a small shopping mall that has Macy’s and Sears, along with
smaller stores and there is a Wal-Mart and Home Depot. For groceries,
there are local stores, KTA and Foodland, and also Safeway. Hilo is also
known for the Farmer’s Market on Wednesday and Saturday. There you
will find many local produce, flowers and food.
12
Online Resources
Local Area Resources
www.bigisland.org
Chamber of Commerce
http://www.hicc.biz/
Housing and Relocating Assistance
www.ginozarealty.com
www.htbyb.com
www.matson.com
Local News
http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/
Hilo County Schools
http://doe.k12.hi.us/myschool/map_hawaii.htm
Sports Leagues
Soccer League: www.makulesoccer.com
www.haaheosoccerclub.com
www.aysohilo.org
Baseball League: www.ajabaseball.com
Canoe Paddling: www.mokuohawaii.org
13
Hilo Tower and Airport Area Map
14
Photos of the Airport
Below is a selection of photos of runways, facilities and a main airport terminal of Hilo
Airport.
1:
Hilo International Airport Aerial Map
This is the Hilo Air
Traffic Control
Tower!
15
2:
Hilo International Airport Newly Renovated Terminal
16
Hilo Tower Directory
The following list provides the most commonly used phone numbers within the Hilo
Tower facility:
>> Facility Night & Weekend
(808) 969-9929
>> AT Manager, Ray Robinson
(808) 935-4658
>> Training Department
(808) 935-4658
>> Facility Fax
(808) 935-8104
>> AF Manager, Al Miller
(808) 896-1400
>>FLM, Don Millard
(808) 935-4658
17
– END –
[Please do not delete this “end page”, as it is required to maintain the section
definitions within the document. You may discard this page once the document is
printed.]
18