School of Air Operations Control

The School of Air Operations Control (SAOC) is the UK's training establishment for all military air traffic controllers (ATCs), sited at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire.

School of Air Operations Control
School badge
Active1963 (1963) (as the Central Air Traffic Control School) – present
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
 Royal Navy
TypeDefence training school
RoleAir traffic management training
Part ofDefence College of Air and Space Operations
Home stationRAF Shawbury
Motto(s)Securi transeant (Latin for 'Safety on their Way')

History

In 1950, the Central Navigation School joined the School of Air Traffic Control (from RAF Watchfield in south-west Oxfordshire), to form the Central Navigation and Control School (CN & CS).

In 1963, the Central Navigation School moved to RAF Manby in East Lindsey, Lincolnshire, and the Shawbury site became the Central Air Traffic Control School in February 1963. In 1972 the Area Radar School at RAF Sopley in south-west Hampshire moved to Shawbury, being known as the Area Radar Training School.

In July 1989, the school embarked on mainly training via computers.

Women

In 1963, the first three women to become air traffic controllers qualified at the school: Flying Officer G. Lord, Flight Officer S. Grieve and Pilot Officer A.P. Scougal.[1]

Structure

The SAOC also houses the Flight Operations Training School for Flight Operations Officers. Much of the training is done on computers, with the Computer Systems Squadron (CSS).

See also
Shawbury radar tower in February 2011

References
  1. Times, 7 March 1963, page 5
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