RIYADH — Sixteen students have passed all their courses for the Air Traffic Control Diploma from Airways International Academy in New Zealand.

This group is the second of the four batches of graduates to have gained their ATC diplomas from abroad. The batches preceded this group in who passing the ATC diploma. The three batches graduated from New Zealand, Sweden and Canada.

The students were from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for external scholarship "Your job and your scholarship", which is conducted in cooperation between the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and the Ministry of Education.

The graduates spent two years of studies before graduating. In the first year they covered English language and aviation terms and during their second year, they received extensive training that included theoretical and practical aspects of air traffic control work.

In addition they were given basic training in tower monitoring, radar approach control and no radar usage. The training also covered many advanced areas of air traffic management in line with the regulations and standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Meanwhile, GACA seeks through the Air Traffic Control diploma that is within the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for external scholarship "your job, your scholarship", to enroll qualified Saudi youth. The percentage of Saudization in the field of air monitoring has reached 100%.

The profession of air traffic controller is one of the most delicate and sensitive professions that require special specifications, such as concentration and being able to work under pressure. Proficiency in the English language and a sense of the size of his responsibility in securing aircraft safety are additional requirements for the job. — SG