THE Civil Aviation Training College (CATC), based in Allahabad, is the training establishment of the Airports Authority of India. It is dedicated to training in the areas of Air Traffic Management and Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS). The CATC also has a TRAINAIR unit for Standard Training Packages (STP) development.

During 2005-06, it conducted 52 training courses from which 441 trainees passed out. The number went up to 70 courses and 553 successful trainees in 2007-08. To take in more trainees, four ATC laboratories are being constructed.

Work is in progress to set up the visual tower simulator, which is likely to be commissioned this year. The very high frequency (VHF) Communication system has provided it an edge over others. International TRAINAIR Course Developers Workshops are also conducted from time to time, and foreign nationals have also participated in them.

AT the CATC, new courses are developed for training as per the standards stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The CATC has also developed a radar control approach course. Module one of the VHF Communication System Maintenance course is being developed.

Vinay Kumar