International Aviation Conference takes place in Shannon
35 representatives of air traffic controllers from more than ten countries will today commence a major three-day international aviation conference in Shannon, Co Clare.
The Irish Aviation Authority's air traffic control centre at Ballycasey, Shannon, will host a conference of two committees of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Associations (IFATCA). IFATCA is the worldwide organisation representing more than fifty thousand air traffic controllers in over 130 countries. The conferences will be attended by delegates from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong, North America, Israel and Europe.
Representing IFATCA are the Technical & Operations Committee and the Professional & Legal Committee. These committees will prepare policy on a variety of topics to be adopted at IFATCA's 46th Annual World Conference, which will take place in Istanbul in April 2007.
Opening the conference on the behalf of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), Mr. Pat Ryan, Director Operations, said; "Being chosen to host this important meeting of two IFATCA committees underlies Ireland's important place in international aviation. I am delighted that the IAA is associated with this conference and we wish the committees every success in their discussions over the next three days."
The Technical & Operations Committee (TOC) defines, researches and prepares IFATCA's technical policy. This includes presentation papers and briefs for other international meetings and conferences attended by IFATCA. Most policy developed by IFATCA is oriented towards practical aspects of the application of Air Traffic Control (ATC) procedures and the use of technical facilities and equipment.
The Professional & Legal Committee (PLC) considers the conditions of employment of controllers, legal matters in ATC, the recruitment and training of air traffic controllers, and environmental, human and medical factors.
The meeting is being co-sponsored by the Irish Aviation Authority and the Irish Air Traffic Controllers Association (IATCA).