Merging the branches
As others have already noted - the branches are effectively merged anyway under Ops Spt. IMHO there is little if any chance of further merger - where's the saving and what's the benefit? I was involved in one of the many studies and most if not all of the arguements against a completely combined branch remain as valid now as they were when this crazy idea was first raised over more than 3 decades ago when I did the JATCC.
However, the training of ATC & FC personnel is another issue and many individuals will be aware of the study currently underway and the reasons behind it. There are benefits in having a combined ATC/FC school and having everyone do some form of combined initial training. Thereafter, the chances are that individuals will be streamed ATC, or into one of the two FC routes. Time will tell whether it all happens, but the shape and size of the RAF in the future will be the determining factor and you don't need to be a Met Man to sense which way the wind is blowing.
The CATCS visit to NAVCanada was to look and their combined ATC/FC branch and how the training is conducted. However, it wasn't just a CATCS visit, two very well known characters from the SFC also went along to provide some 'tone' and balance!
Last edited by Matoman; 20th February 2005 at 18:20.