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Air Traffic Controllers Train For Carrier Qualification

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080913-07
Release Date: 9/13/2008 7:33:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Micah P. Blechner, PCU George H.W. Bush Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va (NNS) -- Air traffic controllers from Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) returned from Carrier Air Traffic Control Center (CATCC) team training at Naval Air Technical Training Command (NATTC) Pensacola, Fla., Aug. 29.

Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Joseph P. Heale of PCU Bush operations department's operations control division said all naval air traffic controllers are trained at NATCC Pensacola where there is a full CATCC simulator.

"The CATCC simulator is like a giant video game," Heale said. "There are radar systems in there that operate realistically. There are simulated aircraft that we talk to, and they do what we tell them to do [via voice simulators]."

"We practice in a simulated environment to familiarize Sailors with what they will be doing out at sea," said Senior Chief Air Traffic Controller (AW/SW) William D. Joy, leading chief petty officer of PCU Bush operations department's operations control division.

"Every situation an air traffic controller will encounter is thrown at us so that when the real deal comes we will be able to handle it."

According to Joy, these types of simulations offer the training essential to provide members of his division with the majority of knowledge and experience required to effectively do their jobs.

Joy and Heale said that all 14 air traffic controllers stationed aboard PCU Bush are slated to return to the school in Pensacola again in September, October and December.

"As we progress in our training the scenarios will become more intense and challenging," Joy said.

According to Heale, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet requires all Atlantic Fleet aircraft carriers to have a fully qualified CATCC before any aircraft is allowed on board the ship.

"Naval air traffic controllers are in charge of the 50 miles of airspace that surrounds the flight deck of the ship," Heale said. "Once the aircraft is within 50 miles of the ship we gain control of the planes via radar and bring them safely aboard one at a time."

The aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush is under construction at the Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard.

For more news from PCU George H.W. Bush, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn77/.