hHlds are a standard procedure for managing traffic flow into an airport and maintaining safe separation between aircraft. These racetrack-shaped flight patterns allow aircraft to be held at different altitudes while the pilot awaits further instructions from air traffic control (ATC).

As aviation demands grow, parts of the UK’s airspace are operating beyond what they were designed to accommodate. With some airspace routes dating back to the 1950s, airspace modernisation is increasingly important. The UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) has been established to help deliver that change.

It can take many years to get an airspace change to deployment, but what happens when that day finally arrives? You may think that implementing an airspace change would involve a major interruption to the operation. In reality, everything the team does in the run-up to deployment is to ensure the network can continue to function as normal when a change happens.

Every Farnborough International Airshow offers a window into the future of aviation. This year, however, something felt different.

Farnborough International Airshow is a challenge unlike any other – and one we start preparing for almost as soon as the previous Airshow ends. But what does it take to manage?

Wing Commander Lex Smyth has become the new Officer Commanding 78 Squadron at Swanwick. Having spent over 20 years serving in multiple roles and countries, Lex tells us a bit about herself and how she’s settling into her new role.

When a major international football tournament takes place, most attention is on the matches, the players and the travelling fans. But behind the scenes, events like the World Cup can have a real impact on the aviation network.

Air Traffic Controllers, or ATCOs, are closely involved in every stage of airspace change. Their operational insight is critical from the outset, highlighting risks and challenges early in the process. They then work alongside airspace modernisation teams to develop practical, innovative designs grounded in both data and real-world controlling experience.

Did you know that aviation is full of STARs? Standard Terminal Arrival Route, also known as STARs, are the final part of a journey before an aircraft is transferred to an approach controller to be guided into the runway for landing. Every STAR placement is a compromise between a variety of factors, including terrain, nearby airports, hold positioning, and traffic flow.

When most people picture an air traffic controller, they’ll probably think of someone wearing a headset sat in front of a radar screen. My guess is that few will think of the humble Flight Progress Strip and the vital role they play in keeping aircraft moving safely and efficiently.