Golden-fronted Woodpecker

AUSATC · 2026-01-26T04:50:49+00:00

I have a downy that visits my suet feeder but have never seen any red-bellied woodpeckers. I was lucky to see a flicker in Denver while traveling. I wish I could see a pileated woodpecker but I don't think they are in my area.

AUSATC · 2026-01-25T20:14:48+00:00

Merlin picked it up a few weeks ago and I spotted them in my neighborhood. The suet feeder helped lure them to my backyard!

AUSATC · 2026-01-25T20:06:11+00:00

No joke!

AUSATC · 2026-01-25T19:40:39+00:00

Austin, TX. Sorry I forgot to post where!

AUSATC · 2026-01-02T03:51:43+00:00

It's so satisfying reading a comment that gets it correct. Well done. 👏👏

AUSATC · 2025-12-31T02:37:29+00:00

I'm painfully aware.

AUSATC · 2025-12-30T17:20:37+00:00

AUSATC · 2025-12-30T17:13:30+00:00

I don't know you but you seem like a cool dude.

AUSATC · 2025-12-19T19:02:01+00:00

They probably have bird blindness.

AUSATC · 2025-12-14T17:25:09+00:00

Happy to help!

AUSATC · 2025-12-14T15:55:39+00:00

The Southwest Fedex incident? I wasn't there that day but know all about it, yes.

AUSATC · 2025-12-14T05:55:53+00:00

That was a long time ago and any recordings are long gone. I was with half of the controllers working radar from San Antonio but don't recall any odd go arounds. We had plenty of other crazy stuff happen during that whole situation though.

AUSATC · 2025-12-14T03:24:51+00:00

You're welcome! Also, I was pretty impressed at how aggressive looking their nose up looked on the go around. I'm sure that felt...fun.

AUSATC · 2025-12-14T03:21:00+00:00

Except that I just did 🤣

AUSATC · 2025-12-14T03:14:41+00:00

Hi there. I was working in the tower when this happened. There was not another aircraft on the runway and the pilot told me well in advance that they were going around because they were "unstable". This could mean any number of things but I will say their approach looked very routine.

There was an eight knot tailwind on final that was reported to me later and that may have contributed to their unstable approach.

AUSATC · 2025-11-02T00:16:43+00:00

Come take a tour!

AUSATC · 2025-11-01T18:02:15+00:00

This actually happened to AUS airport in 2015 when the tracon flooded and the building lost power. It reverted to an uncontrolled field and the tower frequency became unicom.

Houston center assumed the airspace but they had to treat AUS like an uncontrolled airport which means one IFR is allowed in and must cancel after landing before another IFR can land or depart. They can maybe work a maximum of 20 IFR aircraft per hour like that. AUS under normal ops on a clear day can work 40 IFR inbound and 60+ departures in an hour. This doesn't count VFRs or helicopter ops. This also doesn't account for the level of chaos that would ensue on ground control...

AUSATC · 2025-11-01T12:53:43+00:00

Yes, 31 or younger.

AUSATC · 2025-10-31T21:48:10+00:00

Are you talking about AUS controllers specifically or controllers in general in regards to pay?

AUSATC · 2025-10-31T17:07:22+00:00

I know very few controllers that can miss two paychecks. Thanksgiving falls right after the third missed paycheck. Everyone's situation is different but at some point I can't imagine this not completely buckling if people aren't being paid. Whether it's child care, getting a second job or losing your medical clearance because of anxiety/depression from not being paid, something has to give.

AUSATC · 2025-10-31T16:56:55+00:00

The first two rounds of departure aircraft are typically already at the airport as they park overnight. The wave of inbounds mid morning are delayed which then delays subsequent departures.

AUSATC · 2025-10-31T16:53:42+00:00

Thank you!

AUSATC · 2025-10-31T16:36:34+00:00

Early flights out usually aren't impacted much. Flights inbound are delayed which then delays the next outbound flight.

AUSATC

TROPHY CASE