Sky is limit for Meath air traffic controllers

Two locals are among 24 students who have started their training to become air traffic controllers at the Irish Aviation Authority's (IAA) national training centre at Ballycasey, Shannon, Co Clare. Following the successful completion of the two-year student controller programme, the students, including Orrin Harney, Ratoath, and Conor O'Clery, Enfield, will be offered careers as air traffic controllers with the IAA. Based at the three State airports in Cork, Dublin and Shannon and the main operations centre in Shannon, they will work with a highly-skilled team of controllers that ensures all aircraft landing and taking off from these airports as well as those overflying Irish airspace do so in safety. Bernard Mackessy, head of training with the IAA, said it was important for the IAA to constantly develop its air traffic control team in order to maintain high levels of safety and efficiency for all airline customers flying in Irish airspace. "The selected candidates will undertake an intensive training programme that comprises theory and practical experience. "When they qualify, these students will have the necessary skills to communicate with and control air traffic as part of a wider team that puts safety as its priority at all times," he explained. During 2010, IAA air traffic controllers were responsible for the safety of more than 500,000 flights in Irish controlled airspace. This includes flights taking off and landing at the country's airports as well as aircraft that overfly Irish-controlled airspace en route between Europe and North America. The IAA is a commercial semi-State body responsible for the provision of air traffic control services in Irish-controlled airspace and the safety regulation of the Irish civil aviation industry. Its revenues are generated through charges and fees raised from airline customers and regulatory clients in respect of its operational and regulatory activities. It receives no funding from the Government.