Air traffic controllers pick up aviation safety award
08.05.07
Five Newcastle Airport air traffic controllers and a North-east airfield manager who used the lights of his car to help a stricken aircraft land have received safety awards from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Steve Clarehugh, the manager of Eshott Airfield in Northumberland, has won the 2006 CAA General Aviation Safety Award along with 5 Newcastle Airport based air traffic controllers. Together they helped a light aircraft when it got into trouble last year.
The pilot of the Cessna plane, flying from Aberdeen to Manchester, experienced engine difficulties and radioed Newcastle Airport for help. However, he was unable to get to the airport and, as the light faded, Newcastle Airport's control watch manager made contact with Mr Clarehugh and asked for his help. Because there was no lighting available at Eshott, Mr Clarehugh parked his 4x4 car at the end of the runway and used its headlights to illuminate the landing strip.
When he saw the plane break through the clouds about 5 miles away, Mr Clarehugh passed instructions over his mobile phone to the air traffic control team at Newcastle Airport so that they could be relayed to the pilot. Their action led to the Cessna's copilots escaping unhurt from their damaged aircraft.
At a ceremony in London last week the Newcastle team were awarded the Tiger Moth Trophy.
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