Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center

The Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center is a facility that monitors and directs aircraft traffic across a vast airspace covering multiple states and the Pacific Ocean. The center coordinates thousands of flight operations daily while working closely with numerous airports and local control stations.

The facility was founded in 1937 in Burbank and relocated several times before settling near Palmdale in 1963. The move to the new location was part of a nationwide reorganization of air traffic management during the development of modern aviation.

The facility serves as a hub where specialized professionals communicate daily via radio to coordinate complex flight movements across vast distances. This work shapes the region and demonstrates how modern aviation depends on invisible human expertise.

The center is located in a remote area that reveals the work of controllers from above, though outside visits are typically not permitted. Those interested can learn about the facility's operations without visiting the physical location.

A significant portion of the monitored airspace is reserved for military operations and extends from ground level to very high altitudes. This mix of civilian and military use makes the work here particularly complex and demanding.

Location: California

Operator: FAA

GPS coordinates: 34.60330,-118.08300

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:21