The Cessna, whose intended route is marked in dark gray, departed APA heading north, while the Cheyenne, the light gray route, departed BJC enroute to APA. The two aircraft were flying just below the Class B shelf that began at 8,000 msl.

by Ken Ibold

Lots of pilots like to take to the air and find solitude and thereby freedom. For others, however, there’s something strangely comforting about operating under the watchful eyes of an air traffic controller.

If you routinely fly in congested airspace – such as around Class B airports – or under IFR, the routine of having a controller’s voice giving you vectors, clearances, traffic advisories and frequency changes eventually leads you into thinking the controller is a partner in your flight. …