International Day of the Air Traffic Controller - 20 OCTOBER 2008
Air traffic control has developed from the
humblest beginnings into a highly sophisticated and technology dependent
occupation. And even as we are on the cusp of an even more dramatic
leap of new technologies, many people remain unaware of just what an air
traffic controller does and few comprehend just what is involved in
keeping aircraft safely apart, but close enough so that they get to
their destinations as efficiently as possible.
Making the world of air traffic control more accessible is one of the aims of IFATCA, a body that has been in existence since 1961. The idea of a world body for controllers was first proposed in 1956 by Mr. Jacob Wachtel, founder and first chairman of the Israel Air Traffic Controllers’ Association. He received positive feedback from the many associations in various countries he wrote over the next few years and eventually a working group was formed to prepare for the foundation meeting of the European Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Associations (EFATCA) for 19 – 20 October, 1961 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
However, during the course of the conference it was made known that at least twenty other national organizations also had expressed an interest in joining such a federation. And so a representative body of air traffic controllers that was founded by twelve European countries has grown to 134 Member Associations representing more than fifty thousand air traffic controllers worldwide.
Today the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) is a respected organization within the aviation world whose opinion is sought on key issues and who participates actively in international forums involving the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), EUROCONTROL, and the European Union among others.
The International Day of the Air Traffic Controller not only marks the anniversary of IFATCA: it also celebrates the men and women who 24/7 help make air travel the safest possible mode of transport.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF IFATCA
The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations is an independent,
non-government, non-political professional organization, and our main
objectives are:
• To promote safety, efficiency, and regularity in international air
navigation;
• To assist and advise in the development of safe and orderly
systems of air traffic control;
• To promote and uphold a high standard of knowledge and professional
efficiency among air traffic controllers;
• To protect and safeguard the interests of the air traffic control
profession;
• To make mutually beneficial affiliations with other international
organizations;
• To strive for a worldwide federation of Air Traffic Controllers’
Associations.
To achieve and follow these aims, the Federation closely cooperates with
national and international aviation authorities, and other institutions, corporations
or persons concerned with air navigation.
The Federation assists wherever possible in the development of new procedures
and facilities necessary and useful for the safety and efficiency of international
air traffic. We distribute information on professional problems and
developments across the world, and seek to support and sponsor the passage
of legislation and regulations, which will increase and protect the safety of air
navigation, through the development of appropriate working conditions in air
traffic control.
The Federation is a voluntary body managed by an Executive Board comprising
nine elected and one appointed officers, who all perform their tasks and
projects on an honorary basis, which is representative of the members’ dedication
to their profession. We employ one permanent administrative employee at
our head office in Montreal, Canada.
The changing nature of present Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems involves
many facets ranging from the status of the Air Traffic Services (ATS)
providers to the reduction of separation standards to the shortage of air traffic
controllers. IFATCA considers that the best way to address the problems being
experienced in ATM is by all members of the ATM community cooperating. The
cooperation required is a serious working together that requires pragmatism
and compromise by all involved. This involves collaborative decision making
that requires involvement in the process and in the consequences. It requires
commitment to change and a will to act at all levels including at state level.
IFATCA stresses that this approach of cooperation and commitment to act is
more important than the final technology or procedures that will be implemented.
Within IFATCA we have demonstrated that we the experience and
expertise to participate and assist in the process of making the future ATM
system we all need.
Making the world of air traffic control more accessible is one of the aims of IFATCA, a body that has been in existence since 1961. The idea of a world body for controllers was first proposed in 1956 by Mr. Jacob Wachtel, founder and first chairman of the Israel Air Traffic Controllers’ Association. He received positive feedback from the many associations in various countries he wrote over the next few years and eventually a working group was formed to prepare for the foundation meeting of the European Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Associations (EFATCA) for 19 – 20 October, 1961 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
However, during the course of the conference it was made known that at least twenty other national organizations also had expressed an interest in joining such a federation. And so a representative body of air traffic controllers that was founded by twelve European countries has grown to 134 Member Associations representing more than fifty thousand air traffic controllers worldwide.
Today the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) is a respected organization within the aviation world whose opinion is sought on key issues and who participates actively in international forums involving the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), EUROCONTROL, and the European Union among others.
The International Day of the Air Traffic Controller not only marks the anniversary of IFATCA: it also celebrates the men and women who 24/7 help make air travel the safest possible mode of transport.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF IFATCA
The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations is an independent,
non-government, non-political professional organization, and our main
objectives are:
• To promote safety, efficiency, and regularity in international air
navigation;
• To assist and advise in the development of safe and orderly
systems of air traffic control;
• To promote and uphold a high standard of knowledge and professional
efficiency among air traffic controllers;
• To protect and safeguard the interests of the air traffic control
profession;
• To make mutually beneficial affiliations with other international
organizations;
• To strive for a worldwide federation of Air Traffic Controllers’
Associations.
To achieve and follow these aims, the Federation closely cooperates with
national and international aviation authorities, and other institutions, corporations
or persons concerned with air navigation.
The Federation assists wherever possible in the development of new procedures
and facilities necessary and useful for the safety and efficiency of international
air traffic. We distribute information on professional problems and
developments across the world, and seek to support and sponsor the passage
of legislation and regulations, which will increase and protect the safety of air
navigation, through the development of appropriate working conditions in air
traffic control.
The Federation is a voluntary body managed by an Executive Board comprising
nine elected and one appointed officers, who all perform their tasks and
projects on an honorary basis, which is representative of the members’ dedication
to their profession. We employ one permanent administrative employee at
our head office in Montreal, Canada.
The changing nature of present Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems involves
many facets ranging from the status of the Air Traffic Services (ATS)
providers to the reduction of separation standards to the shortage of air traffic
controllers. IFATCA considers that the best way to address the problems being
experienced in ATM is by all members of the ATM community cooperating. The
cooperation required is a serious working together that requires pragmatism
and compromise by all involved. This involves collaborative decision making
that requires involvement in the process and in the consequences. It requires
commitment to change and a will to act at all levels including at state level.
IFATCA stresses that this approach of cooperation and commitment to act is
more important than the final technology or procedures that will be implemented.
Within IFATCA we have demonstrated that we the experience and
expertise to participate and assist in the process of making the future ATM
system we all need.
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