Photographers Thank Controllers with Exhibit

ATO Online

April 2 - Aerial photographers depend on air traffic

controllers to get them to the right place at the right time

for the shot, maintaining safe separation while the

shooters line up their lenses. That can be tough in today’s

air traffic.

To thank controllers for meeting their needs, members of

the Professional Aerial Photographers Association

International have offered to set up an exhibit of their

work at any FAA facility. The first is already showing at

Potomac TRACON in Warrenton, Va.

“It’s our way of giving back and sharing our work,” said

PAPA President Laura Boyko. “We hope to provide the

controllers a better understanding of what we do and why

we need their assistance.”

The 16 pieces on display at Potomac include pictures taken

all over the country. Among those featured is Susan

Hedenberg, a controller at Potomac, the only controller

among PAPA’s 400 members.

"Heart of The Swamp." Photo: Curtis Waltz

In the year since she joined the association, Hedenberg

has tried to bridge the two groups, which don’t always

understand each other, she explained.

“I talked at a couple of their events about how to work

more efficiently with controllers,” Hedenberg said,

suggesting photographers call facilities to ask for the best

time to be in specific locations. “Time is money for the

photographers. If a controller says to circle a while, they

are burning up gas and time.”

Hedenberg and her husband, a retired controller, have an

aerial photography business with commercial clients, but

she prefers the beauty shots.

“I like those more than taking pictures of dirt and

bulldozers, which pay the bills,” Hedenberg said.

Potomac TRACON Facility Manager Barbara Cogliandro

enjoys having the “magnificent” photography on display at

the facility.

“It is a testament to the capabilities of both the air crews

and the controllers,” she said.

The exhibit was curated by Sibylle Allgaier of PAPA. To

request an exhibit contact Susan Hedenberg at

susan.hedenberg@faa.gov or (540) 752-6690.

Some photos from the exhibit:

"Godspeed." Photo: Susan Hedenberg

"Wings Over Memorial Stadium." Photo: Doug Prange

"Tribute." Photo: Lee Ross

U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Aviation Administration

800 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20591

1-866-TELL-FAA (1-866-835-5322)

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