Air Traffic Radio Operators

Old Buckenham is the only CAA Licensed Aerodrome in Norfolk devoted entirely to General Aviation. It's also home to a project seeking to connect the developing world with electric aircraft and the net result of that is that we're the first airfield in the UK to have offered electric aircraft charging, using the fourth all solar aircraft charger in the World.

We've also got two museums and a very big site which takes a lot of running. We're also very lucky in having a team of wonderful (and CAA accredited) people who help out by manning our Air Traffic Services office. This is NOT air traffic control. It's something called an Air Ground Service and it's the very first and simplest level for dealing with Air Traffic. We operate a service which gives information only to allow pilots to safely fly in and out of the Aerodrome. A lot of students also learn to fly here and you may have heard of our award winning Airshow.

In order to be able to speak to aircraft there's a non pressured, take as long as it needs, training process. You'll be able, within a few hours, to be making radio calls under supervision of an Examiner. On average it takes a total of five days, if done reasonably close to each other, to be at a stage to think about the exam which is simple if you've read the book and spent the time under supervision.

We'll cover the costs of the training, exam and certificate which follows. All we ask is that when you have the certificate you help out by doing a shift a few times a month.

This isn't for everyone; it requires the ability to follow the training (and checklist) if there's a problem. It's a skill and the certificate you'll get from the CAA can be used at any Aerodrome offering an Air Ground Service, subject to the Aerodrome Operator agreeing with an induction and sign off.

Hopefully, however, you'll find this a rather nice place and won't want to go elsewhere with your new skill.