On Wednesday 18 July, the closing ceremony of the 3rd Instrument Aerodrome course, valid for operating in the Control Tower, was held at the Airspace Control Training Department (RACSA) in Pratica di Mare, in the presence of Colonel Dario Tarantino. The highly specialised course is part of those carried out by the Basic Courses Section of the Department's Air Traffic Operational Training Group. For the first time, enlisted personnel have become air traffic controllers. Once they reach their Departments and after a period of qualification, they will carry out the duties required in the control towers managed by the Italian Air Force. This is a sign of an epochal change in human resource management as well as the beginning of a generational renewal. During the training, which lasted a total of seven months (three months for the basic course and four months for the aerodrome course), a very intensive training programme was carried out in accordance with national, European (Community Regulations), and international (ICAO - International Civil Aviation Organization) regulations, through theoretical classroom lessons and practical exercises. The presence of this course has allowed the Airspace Control Training Department to test new complex air traffic management scenarios using modern Control Tower simulators. During his final speech, Colonel Tarantino, while appreciating the excellent results achieved by the course participants, which exceeded the Department's standards even considering their young age, wished them the best of luck so that all their personal and professional expectations can be duly considered by the Administration.
The RACSA is the training body of the Air Force responsible for training Officers, NCOs and Troopers from all Armed Forces, including foreign ones, in Air Defence, Air Traffic and Meteorology Control, as well as providing training support to other State Departments such as Civil Protection and the National Fire Corps. Located at Pratica di Mare “Mario de Bernardi” Airport, the Department reports to the Air Force Command through the 9th ISTAR – EW Air Brigade (“Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance – Electronic Warfare”).
