When one thinks of air transport, they often think of the pilots, the cabin crew and probably the airport officials who stamp passports, the last people one thinks about are those guiding the planes on and off the tarmac, who are an extremely vital part of air transport since the year 1922.
Air Traffic Controllers are in constant communication with the pilots by use of radios, giving instructions, clearances and advice to pilots to ensure safety, expedition, and proper flow of flights.
World over these professionals are celebrating 100 years of service this year. This Friday November 18th 2022, Uganda Air Traffic Controllers under their association UGATCA join the rest of the world in the centenary celebrations.
The Air Traffic Controllers, working under the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) will convene at Hotel Africana to celebrate the milestone in a glamorous corporate dinner.
The dinner at will be graced by Minister of Works Gen. Katumba Wamala, the UCAA BOD chairman, Hon. Justice Steven Kavuma, the Uganda Airlines CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki, UCAA Director General Fred Bamwesigye and many other aviation stakeholders.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) involves guiding aircraft that are landing, taking off and those that are airborne in flight until they reach their final destination.
An Air Traffic Controller handles multiple aircraft at a time within the designated airspace to ensure that they fly safely.
Communication with pilots is made in English, using the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) language code / phraseology. This is to ensure proper communication between the pilot and the Air Traffic Controller (ATCO).