It’s party time

Volume 48, No. 23, December 14, 2006

By FLGOFF Lauren Rebbeck

IN CONTROL: Members of the Darwin aviation community and their families tune into 44WG approach controller FLGOFF Ashley Browne as he runs through procedures in the RAAF Base Darwin air traffic control tower. Photo by FLTLT Charles Jones

THE skies around Darwin were very quiet recently when 44WG Detachment Darwin hosted its annual ‘Tower Party’ for the local aviation community.

Members of the detachment were pleasantly surprised when more than 200 people turned up for the event.

The party has turned into a popular annual event and aims to improve pilot-controller relations while they work together at the busy aerodrome.

As well as military and Regular Public Transport (RPT) moves, Darwin controls a wide variety of smaller charter aircraft, ranging from small Cessna 210 up to the larger E120 Brasilia aircraft.

SQNLDR Chuck Robinson, Darwin’s senior air traffic control officer, believes the party is a very important event for the base.

“The tower party is an opportunity for the Air Force air traffic controllers to mix with all levels of the Darwin aviation industry,” he said.

“It also provides the local industry and their families a chance to see the air traffic control complex. We look forward to continuing this in the future.”

Tower and approach controller FLTLT Matt McLennan agrees.

“It was great to put a face to the voices we talk to everyday on the radio, and fostering friendly relationships with the pilots is important for our type of work,” FLTLT McLennan said.

The controllers and pilots got the opportunity to discuss local procedures, including how each side can adjust to develop more expeditious and smooth operations at the aerodrome. It also gave the controllers an opportunity to liaise with the civil aviation community on a social level.

Formal tours of both the Radar Approach Room and the Tower Cabin were conducted throughout the night, to help explain the working environments of the controllers to the guests.

Every year, new controllers are posted to Darwin, as well as pilots. The tower party is set to remain an annual event, keeping old relations strong and developing new ones with the local aviation community.

Special thanks go to FLTLT Stephen Duffy for his organisation of the large event, along with FLTLTs Dean Armstrong and Kat Hill and FLGOFF Ryan Peterson for their
assistance.

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