February 3, 2012 - On Wednesday in Atlanta, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association capped its annual Communicating for Safety Conference with a great celebration of the best in Air Traffic Control: the Archie League Medal of Safety Awards. 

The Archie awards named after the first air traffic controller recognize the year’s best examples of extraordinary work ensuring safety during a flight emergency. The ability to think quickly and remain calm under pressure while maintaining a situational awareness are all unique qualities that air traffic controllers possess.  

Without their willingness to jump right in to resolve complex situations, offer a reassuring voice to those on the frequency and coordinate their efforts with other controllers, this group of dedicated professionals wouldn’t be as successful as they are today at maintaining the safety of the National Airspace System. 

While many controllers often feel that they are “just doing their job,” their hard work is often viewed by others as remarkable and extraordinary. Named after the first air traffic controller, the Archie League Medal of Safety Awards program highlights a variety of “saves” some which involve a team of controllers working together and others which are the result of one controller’s efforts. 

In congratulating the winners last night, Acting Federal Aviation Administrator Michael Huerta reminded the attendees that despite the awardees' commitment to safety and their extraordinary calm under dramatic circumstances, air traffic control relies on a team. 

"Vince Lombardi once said, 'Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.' And so it goes with air traffic control. Even though only a handful of controllers are being recognized tonight, the fine work of thousands of controllers is what helps to make America’s airspace the safest in the world." 

And one of the dramatic saves that earned Archie League recognition exemplifies that teamwork.  On December 11, 2011, Ken Greenwood, Ryan Herrick, and Josh Haviland of the Seattle Terminal Radar Approach Control combined to help pilot Jim Lawson descend through thick clouds from 3,200 feet and land his Mooney MO20 at Washington's Renton Airport, without any fuel.  It's really a terrific story.