Good judgment and quick thinking are hallmarks of the aviation mentality. Both pilots and air traffic controllers are in the decision-making business. For controllers, every moment our headsets are plugged in, we're making choices that affect the safety and flow of traffic in our airspace. Some choices are easier than others, such as not clearing anyone for takeoff when I've got a Gulfstream Ⅳ on short final. Others are more nuanced. That's certainly true when we're determining which aircraft gets to depart first. FAA Order 7110.65 2-1-4 directs controllers to, "Provide air traffic control service to aircraft on a 'first come, first served' basis as circumstances permit...." The demands of traffic flow sometimes dictate other than first come first served, hence the "circumstances permit" phrase. On a recent sunny day, I was putting that phrase to work. An IFR Cessna 182 Skylane was just pulling up to the hold short line of Runway 27. Its pilot checked in, cheer in his voice. "Tower, run up complete. We're all ready to go."
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