Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

The Met Office, a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) certified training organisation, is to launch a Restricted Observing Course for Air Traffic Controllers. The new course is a five day session designed for ATS units using a fully integrated semi-automatic observing system. It aims to develop the skills required to observe, report and encode the visual elements of the Meteorological Aviation Report (METAR) to a standard that meets CAA requirements. David Gibbs, Aviation Business Manager at the Met Office said: "Our training courses are designed to equip air traffic control personnel with the specialist meteorological knowledge they need to help maintain the safe, orderly and smooth flow of air traffic. Personnel develop interpretation skills and understanding that enable airport operations to continue safely, with minimal disruption during adverse weather conditions, to keep flights moving in the global air traffic control system."