30 March 2025
Royal Australian Air Force air traffic controllers played a key role keeping planes, pilots and huge crowds safe at the Australian International Airshow.
To support the increased flying activity, seven Royal Australian Air Force air traffic controllers and a Transportable Air Operations Tower deployed to Avalon Airport.
Working alongside Air Services Australia, the team had the critical job of managing the airspace in support of flying operations for military and civilian aircraft sharing the airspace during the airshow.
Although challenging and complex, air traffic controller Flight Lieutenant Pearl Jeong loves the work at airshows such as Avalon and finds it extremely rewarding.
“Having the opportunity to showcase the incredible range of aircraft and contribute to putting on a spectacular show for the public is amazing," Flight Lieutenant Jeong said.
“It is incredibly fulfilling to share the work I do, with the community I grew up in, and share the possibilities a career in aviation can give the aviators of tomorrow.”
Flight Lieutenant James Gilbert, whose father was also an air traffic controller, enjoys the extensive and diverse nature of his job with every day offering something unique and different.
“Each day brings new challenges and opportunities, which keeps the work dynamic and engaging,” Flight Lieutenant Gilbert said.
“Often faced with a complex sequence of aircraft, and working to solve this constantly moving 3D puzzle is a great challenge and really rewarding when you solve it.”
With 45 different aircraft participating in the flying displays during the airshow, Air Force air traffic controllers had a chance to control aircraft they wouldn't normally see at their home bases.
“Being able to represent the Air Force, interacting with the crowd and being able to show everyone what Air Traffic Control is all about has been awesome,” Flight Lieutenant Gilber said.
