Jason and Hannah Meek of Linby were the latest guest speakers at Hucknall Rotary Club. They both work as Air Traffic Controllers and gave an stimulating presentation into their vocation.
Jason started off by explaining that he first started flying lessons at Prestwick Airport. However, it was on his solo cross-country flight examination that he decided being a pilot wasn’t for him. He had taken an unscheduled detour on his solo flight which convinced him that flying aircraft wasn’t for him!
There was still an attraction to the airways though, and upon meeting some Air Traffic Controllers while in Australia, Jason felt that this was an area he wanted to pursue. There then followed an 18 month training course, before commencing employment as an Air Traffic Controller 17 years ago.
Jason spent 5 years at Blackpool and then went to Bournemouth Airport before spending 5 years along with his wife Hannah at Doha (Middle East) airport. Upon their return to the UK, both Jason and Hannah took up posts with East Midlands Airport.
Air traffic controllers manage aircraft through all aspects of their flight with the priority of safety, followed by other aspects such as ensuring arrivals and departures are on time. They use navigation and surveillance to communicate advice, information and instructions to pilots via radio.
The majority of controllers work in area control centres. They are responsible for the en-route stage of the aircraft, using radar to track its exact position, keeping it safe in the airspace and providing the most efficient route.
There are also approach controllers who take over from the area controllers as the aircraft is approaching the airport. They give initial clearance for the aircraft to approach the airport and put all approaching aircraft into an order to ensure the most efficient queue for landing.
At the last stage, aerodrome controllers take over. They are the ones who are at the top of the control towers and they guide the pilots in to make a safe landing. They also ensure that the aircraft gets to its parking stand safely and that those leaving the stands reach the runway safely.
Jason further explained that globally all Air Traffic Controllers are required to speak in the English language and illustrated how incidents had occurred in airspace when controllers gave instructions in English and then reverted to their native tongue while speaking to domestic flight crews.
Rotarian Ashley Maddock, who invited the Meeks along to speak, proposed a vote of thanks for a captivating talk.
Club president Ian Young is pictured with Jason and Hannah Meek.
