The Guild of Air Traffic Control Officers (GATCO) is a guild of air traffic controllers which began organising in 1952 and was established in 1954. [1] In 2004, it had over 2000 members [2] spread over 125 locations [3] in the UK and overseas in both civilian and military sectors.
GATCO represents the professional interests and opinions of those in the air traffic management profession by addressing medical, training, licensing and legal matters in the aviation sector and monitoring medical aspects of licensing, stress, and working hours of ATCOs. [4] GATCO deals with the professional and technical interests of those working in the air traffic management profession – it is not a union and does not deal with employment issues such as terms and conditions. [5]
To facilitate dialogue between pilots and controllers, GATCO in cooperation with the British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA) host annual Controller-Pilot Symposia in the form of online webinars. [6]
GATCO is run by an Executive Board supported by other officers and a team of representatives who sit on various key aviation committees. GATCO also has regional and unit representatives throughout the UK and abroad. [7]
Membership is open to civil or military air traffic controllers, flight information service officers, aerospace battle managers (weapons) and anyone involved in air traffic management support including non-operational positions. GATCO members are employed at units from small general aviation and military airfields to major international airports and en route centres. Members also include UK licensed controllers working abroad.
GATCO membership is also open to corporate members which throughout the years included airlines such as British Airways and bmi, equipment manufacturers and communication systems developers such as Thales, Frequentis and Micronav, defence technology companies such as Qinetiq, [8] and training providers such as Global ATS, FTE Jerez and ITAerea. [9]
GATCO is the UK member association of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA). IFATCA is a worldwide organisation representing more than 50,000 air traffic controllers in 130 countries. [10] IFATCA was formed in 1961 and GATCO joined a year later. The main goals of the federation are to promote safety, efficiency and regularity in international air navigation and to assist and advise in the development of safe and orderly systems of air traffic control and new procedures and facilities. International cooperation is fundamental in the current ATM world. GATCO is ideally placed for the development and interchange of technical and professional information not only within Europe but on a worldwide stage.
Over the years, GATCO has played a leading role within the federation, providing numerous reports and working papers. Many of these papers have formed the basis of IFATCA policy which, in turn, have been fed into International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) working groups which develop civil aviation regulations worldwide. This involvement allows the views and concerns of individual GATCO members to be heard and provides the opportunity to influence worldwide aviation regulations and procedures. Additionally, many GATCO members have held and currently hold positions within IFATCA, from members of standing committees and international representatives to members of IFATCA's own Executive Board. [11] Being involved with IFATCA provides a unique opportunity for air traffic controllers to take active part in the discussion and decision-making of air traffic management matters at international and European levels, benefiting both the organisation and the individual's career.
For many years GATCO has provided representatives to serve on other aviation organisation's committees. [12] It is through these channels that GATCO exerts influence and provides help and advice to the wider aviation community. As of July 2020, the list of organisation committees with GATCO representation included: [13]
As of 17 October 2021, GATCO Executive Board consisted of: [18]
Position | Name |
---|---|
President | Mark Taylor |
Chief Executive Officer | Mark Taylor |
Deputy President | Katie Mason |
Vice President (Policy) | Adam Exley |
Vice President (Communications) | Olivia May |
Vice President (Administration & Finance) | Ian Fyfe-Green |
Executive Secretary | Andrew Belshaw |
The Guild of Air Traffic Control Officers (GATCO) is a guild of air traffic controllers which began organising in 1952 and was established in 1954. [1] In 2004, it had over 2000 members [2] spread over 125 locations [3] in the UK and overseas in both civilian and military sectors.
GATCO represents the professional interests and opinions of those in the air traffic management profession by addressing medical, training, licensing and legal matters in the aviation sector and monitoring medical aspects of licensing, stress, and working hours of ATCOs. [4] GATCO deals with the professional and technical interests of those working in the air traffic management profession – it is not a union and does not deal with employment issues such as terms and conditions. [5]
To facilitate dialogue between pilots and controllers, GATCO in cooperation with the British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA) host annual Controller-Pilot Symposia in the form of online webinars. [6]
GATCO is run by an Executive Board supported by other officers and a team of representatives who sit on various key aviation committees. GATCO also has regional and unit representatives throughout the UK and abroad. [7]
Membership is open to civil or military air traffic controllers, flight information service officers, aerospace battle managers (weapons) and anyone involved in air traffic management support including non-operational positions. GATCO members are employed at units from small general aviation and military airfields to major international airports and en route centres. Members also include UK licensed controllers working abroad.
GATCO membership is also open to corporate members which throughout the years included airlines such as British Airways and bmi, equipment manufacturers and communication systems developers such as Thales, Frequentis and Micronav, defence technology companies such as Qinetiq, [8] and training providers such as Global ATS, FTE Jerez and ITAerea. [9]
GATCO is the UK member association of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA). IFATCA is a worldwide organisation representing more than 50,000 air traffic controllers in 130 countries. [10] IFATCA was formed in 1961 and GATCO joined a year later. The main goals of the federation are to promote safety, efficiency and regularity in international air navigation and to assist and advise in the development of safe and orderly systems of air traffic control and new procedures and facilities. International cooperation is fundamental in the current ATM world. GATCO is ideally placed for the development and interchange of technical and professional information not only within Europe but on a worldwide stage.
Over the years, GATCO has played a leading role within the federation, providing numerous reports and working papers. Many of these papers have formed the basis of IFATCA policy which, in turn, have been fed into International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) working groups which develop civil aviation regulations worldwide. This involvement allows the views and concerns of individual GATCO members to be heard and provides the opportunity to influence worldwide aviation regulations and procedures. Additionally, many GATCO members have held and currently hold positions within IFATCA, from members of standing committees and international representatives to members of IFATCA's own Executive Board. [11] Being involved with IFATCA provides a unique opportunity for air traffic controllers to take active part in the discussion and decision-making of air traffic management matters at international and European levels, benefiting both the organisation and the individual's career.
For many years GATCO has provided representatives to serve on other aviation organisation's committees. [12] It is through these channels that GATCO exerts influence and provides help and advice to the wider aviation community. As of July 2020, the list of organisation committees with GATCO representation included: [13]
As of 17 October 2021, GATCO Executive Board consisted of: [18]
Position | Name |
---|---|
President | Mark Taylor |
Chief Executive Officer | Mark Taylor |
Deputy President | Katie Mason |
Vice President (Policy) | Adam Exley |
Vice President (Communications) | Olivia May |
Vice President (Administration & Finance) | Ian Fyfe-Green |
Executive Secretary | Andrew Belshaw |