ATCs as pilots

[David Hurst]

I visited a flying school in UK today and there were some ATC cadets starting their 15 hours flying training as part of their ATC training programme. Fine and dandy.
However, I was told that nowadays only National Air Traffic Services pay for this training. All the private airport operators have stopped this part of the training to save costs and their cadets stay at home for this part of the programme. Not so fine and dandy.
Further than that I was also told that NATS are reconsidering that part of the training programme and it may be dropped. I hope this is not true, especially as NATS is now controlled by the airlines. It is important that controllers have some inkling of the problems faced by those (usually) above them!
Anyone know any more?

[Margaret Thatcher]

15 hours in a light single for an ATC chap seems to be at the very least misleading for them.
I would suggest that 15 hours in a clapped out old sim with a retired airline captain would serve them better. Real aircraft feel, hold, visuals, speeds etc etc.

If you're going to train someone or give them an insight to someone elses job then it should be done properly or not at all.

However any insight ATC have into our world and ours into theirs has to be encouraged.

Actually I think I just contradicted myself, but there you go! :confused: :D :eek:

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Regrettably I never obtained a PPL, having come into ATC via a route other than "cadetship". I am not convinced that holding a PPL or even having experience of flying light aircraft is of much benefit to someone working at one of the larger airports although it might well be almost essential for those controllers employed at training establishments (EGTK, etc)..

As a Heathrow controller I believe that I learned much more from the single ride I had on a BA 747 simulator about 20 years ago and the odd visit "up front" when I have flown on holiday.

I'm told that our emergency training sessions at LATCC are now attended by a pilot, which I suspect is of huge benefit to us (I'll find out on Friday!).