Online Profile
Tony served in the Royal Air Force for 28 years as an air traffic controller, instructor and examiner
before specialising in airspace policy and management.* A graduate of UK’s Joint Service Command and Staff College he also commanded the London Air Traffic Control Centre (Military), the largest Military Air Traffic Control Unit in Europe, before serving as the Chief of the Air Staffs subject matter expert and desk officer for UK airspace policy.* His last tour was as the Group Captain lead for policy and strategy for aviation safety, overseas operational infrastructure, along with responsibility for delivery of Met services and RAF Fire-fighters.*
In December 2008 he joined the Civil Aviation Authority taking up responsibilities for a pan-CAA co-ordination role for the Airspace Policy Directorate, including the review of safety and accident reports for airspace implications and causal factors.* During this time his main focus was as part of the team developing the CAA’s Future Airspace Strategy.
He was seconded from the CAA to the UK Department of Transport in June 2012 to head up the European Airspace Branch during what will be a critical time in the implementation of Single European Sky legislation, with the introduction and realisation of real efficiency in Air Traffic Management under the EU Performance Scheme.
- See more at:
ATC Global Hub - Tony Rapson
I don't see any GA background in his professional profile. It would be nice to know that he has some experience in the sector he is now the head of - he seems to have had plenty of experience in his previous positions in airspace management.
I do hope that they have kept Mike Barnard as the GA Program Manager - at least he has a proven track record in GA as he flies his own Vans RV.
CPL Clott