In most
theatres the fly deck and the
loading dock are the same place. It is another small platform above the
stage floor where
counterweight can be added to or removed from the system and the
purchase line can be controlled.
Theatres with an extremely high grid may warrant both a loading dock and a fly deck. The loading dock is located at or just below the grid, as this is the area best suited for adding and removing counterweight from the arbor. The fly deck is found on a lower platform. This allows the rigger to operate the flies from an elevated position, thus keeping the stage floor clear for offstage scenery and providing the rigger with a clear, elevated view of the stage.
Part of the Stage Rigging metanode