Still in control at 60
The School of Air Traffic Control celebrates milestone in training

Volume 48, No. 16, Sepetember 7, 2006

TRAFFIC JAM: Students of No. 7 Air Traffic Control Course at their graduation, from left, FLTLT Dave Jackson, PLTOFF Nikki Duncan, PLTOFF Rebekah Castner, OFFCDT Justine Hawker, OFFCDT Martin Ferguson, GPCAPT Alan Holtfreter, PLTOFF Tristan Chun Tie, PLTOFF Lucy Carroll, OFFCDT Craig Roberts, OFFCDT Michael Small and OFFCDT Kevin Murray. Photo by AC Clint McKay

AIR Force air traffic control training has turned 60. The School of Air Traffic Control (SATC) recognised the milestone at RAAF Base East Sale on August 10.

School CO WGCDR Terry Atkinson, its 26 staff, 45 students and the OC Air Training Wing, GPCAPT Chris Sawade, attended the event.

WGCDR Atkinson said the celebration was deliberately low-key.

“This is an important milestone, however, our main event will be the dedication of the memorial to WGCDR Angela Rhodes by ACAUST on September 27,” he said.

WGCDR Rhodes died of cancer after serving as the senior ATCO at Baghdad International Airport during Operation Catalyst.

Air traffic control training began in August 1946 at RAAF Base Williams – Laverton as a part of No. 1 Advanced Flying Training School.

In 1956, ATC training moved to East Sale as C Flight of the Central Flying School until it became the School of Air Traffic Control Training in 1981.

WGCDR Atkinson said the 60th anniversary was a specially significant milestone.

“We are a small category and people often don’t realise that we not only conduct ATC training but provide 44WG with operational support,” he said.

“We [at the SATC] are not just people who ‘did’ ATC and now train. We are still an integral part of the ADF ATC capability.

“During the last 60 years, SATC and its predecessors have had over 3000 students come through their doors, including a number from our regional neighbours as part of the Defence Cooperation Program.

“We have an exchange officer from Malaysia and a Malaysian student on course at the moment.

“Also, over the last two years, SATC has surged to train over 400 students on seven different ATC-related courses. These ranged from two-day Notice to Airman (NOTAM) courses for Army and Navy personnel, to 42-week ATC courses which give students both tower and approach skills.

“SATC has also supported all recent deployments, with instructors deploying to Baghdad, Banda Aceh and Timor to relieve some of the pressure on operational units and allowing them to maintain their domestic support to ADF operations.”

WGCDR Atkinson said he was proud to have steered the school to its milestone.

“This is my fourth posting here as a staff member,” he said.

“I am amazed at the professionalism of the staff and the determination of the students to get through what is a very challenging course.”

Air traffic control training is currently undergoing a review as part of Project Genesis, a partnering arrangement between Air Force and Airservices Australia to try to move towards a national air training control system.

“We have a second milestone. The school is now over 25 years old and we are applying for a Governor-General’s banner,” WGCDR Atkinson added.

“SATC will continue to evolve and provide appropriately trained personnel, enabling 44WG to mould and deliver an ATC capability that is highly regarded and in constant demand worldwide.”

.