This week, I attended the AirNav Transition Year (TY) programme. This 2-day course was amazing to see all that goes on at AirNav Ireland. Back in 2024, I first became interested in all things that AirNav does at the Girls in Aviation Day at the Shannon Aviation Museum. So earlier this year, I had contacted them to find out the requirements for a job in Air Traffic Control. And with that, I found out about the TY program. Places are limited, so I was unsure if I would get a place, but I was lucky enough to get picked.
Our first day was in AirNav HQ in Dublin City Centre where we got an introduction to ATC and how AirNav works. We worked in teams on games that were teamworked-based to show how the coordination works in AirNav, while we all got to know each other. On day two, we were bused out to Dublin Airport, where we got a Tour of both the Control Tower and the Radar Stations. We were also lucky enough to try our hand at the simulation radar stations, where we could talk to (fake) pilots. It was an amazing experience to see how all the Air Traffic systems work in Ireland, and it gave me some interest in a different career choice (Still on the Aviation theme!).
I want to say a big Thank You to everyone involved at AirNav Ireland. Especially to the Station Manager/TY Programme Coordinator, Michele Goss for organising everything. It was an amazing two days that I will never forget.
