Civil licence for military operations?
Whilst I accept that there are some considerable differences in the rules and methods of operation between civil and military ATC in the UK, perhaps it’s also reasonable to accept that, with changes to European legislation these differences are starting to reduce and are likely to reduce even further in future, which must be a step in the right direction for everyone.
Of course military controllers need to re-train and qualify for civil operations at civil airports, but perhaps it’s time to ask whether this is really necessary for ATC operations at Woodvale, Wyton, Barkston Heath, Middle Wallop and Wattisham?
As far as I am aware the civil licenced controllers at these units control military aircraft and operate to military regulations, indeed I belive the civil controllers at Wattisham were trained by their military predecessors as part of the handover.
Therefore, given the current shortage of civil ATCOs, I don’t think it would be unreasonable for the CAA to make a minor change to the ANO to allow ex-military controllers to be employed at these type of unit, but nowhere else, without the requirement for a civil ATC licence. After all, operations to JSP552 are considerably different those that would be applied at a typical civil airport and consequently a great deal of the information learned in the process of obtaining a civil ATC licence must be fairly superfluous.
Just a thought ....................... incoming from the usual suspects expected!
Visitation
Last edited by Visitation; 23rd October 2008 at 18:15.
Reason: Typing Error