Basic course begins to build skilled air traffic controllers

With an eye to meeting the demands of the country’s rising air traffic, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) launched a 27-week ATC Basic Course on Sunday, focusing on building a competent cadre of air traffic controllers.

In his inaugural address, Air Commodore Md Noor-e-Alam stated that air traffic control is an extremely important and responsible function within the aviation system. Every day, numerous aircraft travel to various destinations through the skies.

The role of trained Air Traffic Controllers is vital in maintaining safe distances between these aircraft, providing necessary instructions for take-off and landing, and managing overall airspace operations in an orderly manner.

He further added that there is no alternative to modern, globally standardised training in order to develop a skilled workforce that can keep pace with the growing demands of the country’s aviation sector. This type of training will play a key role in enhancing the professional excellence and rapid decision-making abilities of future Air Traffic Controllers.

At the start of the event, Prashanta Kumar Chakraborty, Director of the Civil Aviation Academy, greeted the trainees and guests. He emphasised that a skilled and trained workforce is essential to make the country’s air traffic management system safer, state of art, and more effective. He urged the trainees to achieve their training with sincerity, discipline, and a strong sense of professional responsibility.

Also speaking at the event was Md Shamsul Haque, Director (ATM) of CAAB. Officials from the Civil Aviation Academy and CAAB were present on the occasion. A total of 14 trainees are participating in ATC Basic Course No. 36, comprising eight members of the Bangladesh Air Force and six from CAAB. Over the next 27 weeks, they will receive theoretical and practical training on various aspects of Air Traffic Control and Air Traffic Management.

CAAB officials believe that the creation of skilled Air Traffic Controllers through such training will play a significant role in managing the country’s expanding air traffic operations and ensuring safer skies.