1st November 2016

1st November 2016 - Air Traffic Control - How Does It Work

Paul Spooner

This fortnight’s meeting was addressed by Paul Spooner who is a Senior Air Traffic Control Supervisor and Manager at NATS, the UK based Company that is responsible for the majority of the air traffic control services in 13 UK airports. Over the course of a year, the company handles 2.4 million flights and 250 million passengers, and they have an exemplary safety record. Paul works at the Prestwick Centre which is home to the Scottish Area Control Centre, which covers traffic over Scotland, Northern Ireland, the northern half of England. They also cover the Prestwick Oceanic Area Control Centre providing procedural control service for traffic crossing the North Atlantic via the Shanwick Oceanic Control Area. As well as providing services within the UK, and managing all upper airspace in the UK, NATS provide services around the world - in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America.

From watching too many TV dramas, I had pictured an Air Traffic Controller as a chain smoking twitchy bundle of nerves. Not at all, said Paul, the controllers are trained to exacting standards and have the equipment and expertise to do the job. From that reassurance, he went on to explain the complexities of the job, and gave statistics showing just how safe and accurate the system has become.

This was a fascinating talk and reassuring for all those of us who want to take a winter break in the sunshine.

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