One of the most noticeable structures in the Phoenix sky, the air traffic control tower at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport sits over 300 feet above the ground. Extremely secure and off ...

Jones. Early Sky Harbor air traffic controllers were a hardy bunch. The control cab was air-conditioned, but the tower's interior, which contained the 129-step spiral staircase that led to the air ...

sort of like a 'traffic cop in the sky' making sure everybody plays nice -- flying in the right direction, location, altitude, time and sequence," said José Palasí, control tower chief controller.