Wayne Farley's Aviation Blog - Air Traffic Control | Air Traffic Management | Safety Management System

As Air Traffic Controllers worldwide celebrate ATC day, I would like to pay homage to the thousands of men and women who maintain safety in the sky above us. October 20th was designated as ATC day by the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Associations.

Some of IFATCA’s 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 (ATC);
• To promote and uphold a high standard of knowledge and professional efficiency among air traffic controllers; and
• To protect and safeguard the interests of the air traffic control profession.

In reflecting on my ATC career, here are a few people (not in any particular order) who have influenced my development while exuding the very objectives listed above.

Dennis Daniel: The backbone of the ATC training school in Guyana during my formative years. He’s the most patient instructor I’ve ever come across, who is capable of moving mountains to get you to understand a concept. He was the walking library when it comes to ICAO and ATC Procedures. He left a great legacy behind and remains my inspiration.

Robert Singh: A very witty and intelligent man who’s voice I constantly keep hearing in my mind saying “do the right thing“. As the SATCO during my formative years, he possessed excellent administrative and motivational skills. I have this human flaw which causes me to constantly compare him to other administrators. He’s the yardstick that I use.

Col. Anthony Mekdeci (Ret’d): “Err on the right side” is a phrase that he used to admonish air traffic controllers as Director of Civil Aviation in the 1980s and 90s. As a former military pilot and survivor of a crash, he knew the importance of maintaing safety in the air and promoted it at all costs.

Jeffrey Pierre: The epitome of professionalism. Jeffrey was one of the greatest advocates of ATC however unpopular he became in the eyes of the political directors. As the first Director General of the then newly established Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, he supported anything that was firmly grounded in ICAO or other international principles. He often referred to me as one of Timehri’s “Big Guns” whenever I entered his office….I’m still flattered.

Aubrey Alexander: He was a senior aviation official in the Civil Aviation Department in 1984 when he gave a career speech to the Third Formers at St. Rose’s High School, my Alma Mater. I was a captive member of the audience back then, and that experience has no doubt contributed to the decision I made to enter the ATC profession.

Jorge Fernandez: Jorge, the ICAO Lima Office ATM-SAR Officer who I’ve worked with at ICAO meetings and on official visits to Guyana, has enlightened me as to the need to balance national ATM development with the users’ ability to pay for it during its life. He’s full of great advise….the Caribbean and South American region truly benefits from this.

Capt. Gerry Gouveia: As a pilot and aircraft operator in Guyana, he was one of the few outstanding airmen who has supported ATC and it’s development. When I became president of the staff association, Gerry’s support helped the growth the Guyana Association of Air Traffic Controllers with his direct involvement in fund-raising and other activities. Simply put, he helped to restore the pride in being air traffic controllers in the early 1990s.

Malcolm DePeiza: “What’s in it for the controller” is the question he often asks. I first met Malcolm, a Trinidadian controller, in 1994 in Ottawa at an IFATCA conference. Years later, this profound question is often reverberating in my head when I have to make decisions or provide commentary on ATM issues.

There are thousands of unsung heroes out there and I am proud to be a part of such a glorious profession.