It’s pretty amazing JUST how much information is out there on the Internet; you can find the answer to virtually any question in the universe. Except maybe what the meaning of life is or Where’s Waldo (still on the loose that little bugger!).
On July 13, 2013, the C90 TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control) was evacuated for a fire alarm. It was noted on the FAA National Airspace System Status website, cited as the reason for an FAA issued Ground Stop.
Quick explanation of a Ground Stop; that’s when Air Traffic Control does not permit any air traffic to depart an airport for flight into or out of their airspace for various reasons. Most commonly used when bad weather is affecting a large area or specific airport.
But who is C90 and where is that facility located? You obviously failed Pilot Training 101.
KIDDING!
There actually happens to be a list of all these codes to help you decipher the myriad of abbreviations. Behold, the Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) Facilities code list provided so graciously by the FAA. Using this list you can see that C90 is the Chicago TRACON located in Elgin, Illinois. Use it the next time you need to crack these mysterious identifiers.
The above mentioned fire alarm caused the Chicago TRACON to be evacuated and a subsequent Ground Stop was issued at Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Chicago Midway (MDW) as you clearly can’t control air traffic from a parking lot. In fact, sources close to us said the fire alarm incident was the second one over the course of about a week. Hey, these things happen! True story.
Hope you have enough gas to hold or divert–just another contingency to plan for it seems. Who knew?
Clear Skies & Calm Winds,
SMAC