Hyderabad: Graduation ceremony held at ATCOTE

Event marks successful completion of No-150 Air Traffic Surveillance Services course, No-113 Air Traffic Management & Air Laws course

Hyderabad: A graduation ceremony was organised on successful completion of the No-150 Air Traffic Surveillance Services (ATSS) course and No-113 Air Traffic Management & Air Laws [ATM A & L (B)] course at Air Traffic Control Officers’ Training Establishment (ATCOTE) here on Friday.

Air Force Academy (AFA) Commandant Air Marshal S Shrinivas who was the reviewing officer (RO) acknowledged the vital role played by ATCOTE in training military air traffic controllers and highlighted the importance of the 150th ATSS course as a significant milestone for the establishment.

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In his address, Air Marshal Shrinivas stressed the need for the air traffic controllers to be good professionals, as safe and efficient air space management rests on effective decisions made by the ATC officers.

The RO reiterated that there were additional responsibilities on military air traffic controllers as more military aerodromes have now been opened for civilian use and a large number of civil aircraft operate in the restricted airspace controlled by the IAF, due to successful assimilation of flexible use of airspace policy.

The AFA Commandant also highlighted the need to learn lessons from previous incidents and to be proactive for ensuring safety of operations.

The six-month long ATM & AL (B) course comprised officers from the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and an officer from Sri Lanka, while the three-month long mid-level ATSS course had officers from the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.