What is differences between Tracon and Center?

[blakehanson]

Hello everyone,

It looks like Id really want to work the centers in Utah, New Mexico, Washington, or Colorado. Anyways, Im wondering how hard it is to get into any of these centers?

Or would it be better to look into tracon as well?

For tracon I was wondering,

How similar is it to Center?
Is tracon alot busier?
More relaxed?
Whats the major differences between the two?

Please add what you think I should know.

Thanks alot!!!

 

[MikeD]

Hello everyone,

It looks like Id really want to work the centers in Utah, New Mexico, Washington, or Colorado. Anyways, Im wondering how hard it is to get into any of these centers?

Or would it be better to look into tracon as well?

For tracon I was wondering,

How similar is it to Center?
Is tracon alot busier?
More relaxed?
Whats the major differences between the two?

Please add what you think I should know.

Thanks alot!!!

Answer on busyness: It depends. Relaxed? It depends. Busier? It depends. Depends on which facility/facilities and where they are.

Center: Does ATC radar enroute ops, large areas of responsibility.

TRACON/RAPCON/RATCF/ARAC: Does ATC radar ops between one or more airports in a terminal area.

 

[ATC RET 2003]

There have been a few threads about this before and they're getting harder to find. See if there's anything in these that helps:

http://forums.jetcareers.com/air-traffic-control/77458-enroute-vs-tracon-difficulty.html

http://forums.jetcareers.com/air-traffic-control/66333-terminal-vs-enroute.html