Work Experience - ATC - July 2006
WORK EXPERIENCE AT RAF MARHAM - AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC)
JULY 2006
Day 1:
Today I arrived at RAF Marham at 0900 hrs and was really nervous yet excited and eager with anticipation with what I was just about to do. I went to the guardhouse to get my ID pass and met up with Denise and the other work experience students. They were equally nervous which reassured me as we sat in the Community Relations Room. After we had filled out all the paperwork and we had asked all of our enquiries for the week, we set off for supply to get myself and some others kitted out for the engineering placement. We all then piled on to the bus and were distributed to our different sections. When I finally got to the control tower, me being last to be dropped off, I was greeted by Cpl Ainsworth who gave me another Health and Safety Brief whilst giving me a tour around Marhams Tower. Once that was all out of the way I sat with a civilian Switchboard operator Kate, and she showed me what all the different computers did and the functions of the three computers she operated at. After having a delicious meal of Mexican Pasta Bake at the Junior Ranks mess, I was driven back to the tower where I resumed learning about all the key bits of information the Controllers need for the pilots, and the role the switchboard Operator had. I also learnt about the hourly MET Reports on the status and had a go at keying in all the various bits of info the Controller would need. As I was doing this I also took a few calls for the tower on various issues. My last job of the day, after I finished watching the Canberra doing its fly-past was to accompany the duty driver, which again was Kate, and deliver post and run general errands for the ATC. At the end of the day I felt quite tired but pleased that I had completed all the tasks that I had been told to do to the best of my capabilities, and also glad that the first day nerves were out the way.
Day2:
After a very early arrival, I went out to the runway caravan on a beautiful day with great visibility, ideal conditions for flying, to meet Richard who had been nominated to do the caravan duty via the rota at ATC. All morning we sat there watching Tornados taxiing, Typhoons overshooting and Nimrods rolling checking that all was safe and making sure that landing gears were down, air brake were off, there were no obstructions on the runway, both afterburners were functioning and that fuel was being vented properly! It was a lot to do but I enjoyed it thoroughly as it was quite pleasant sitting out on the airfield by ourselves plus we had an amazing view of all the taxiing aircraft who seemed to be in a happy mood as they were all waving. After another delicious meal at the mess, I came back to the tower and helped out at the top by recording cancellations and listening to the radios between aircraft, ground crew and air traffic. This again was good for me as I had a great view of all the aircraft and the huge airfield while being able to listen in to the pilots.
Day 3:
Another good day for flying although a misty early start. As I got to the tower first thing in the morning I met Helen one of the civilian switchboard operators who said I could go join one of the Controller assistants upstairs to see the first taxis of the morning, two Tornados by the call sign of Batman 1 and 2 both of which were in a good mood as they taxied past the tower waving at me! After a couple of hours up there I was called downstairs as I had an arranged visit with the fire section. This was a great laugh as all of them were equally cheeky and had a funny sense of humour. They got me into my overalls and let me pressure wash the burnt out appliances they had down at the department. This was hard as the hose was very heavy duty and was on full pressure producing a lot of kick, and of course I got wet! Just my luck! After having a spin in the Fire Engine and a go with the high pressure jet at the top, it was time for another beautiful lunch at the mess of Spicy Chilli Chicken Tortillas! Next on the agenda I had asked my Supervisor Chris if I could pop down to Tactical Imagery Wing (TIW) as I had a few friends I knew down there, and I spent the afternoon looking at RAPTOR Pod aerial photos from the 'cabin' on the airfield, which was really interesting as they showed me how they analyse and interpret bits of data they can pick out from the photos they receive. I even got a couple of souvenirs from my visit of aerial photos of College Cranwell and a Marham Tornado parked outside its HAS. Then for the last part of the day I did some aircraft recognition with one of the SAC's from TIW. And that was the end of another jam packed and exhausting day at RAF Marham!
Day 4:
Another early start at Marham and quite a low cloud cover so MET reports were coming in thick and fast which I dealt with by placing all of the info onto the database, then onto the ALFENS unit, then recording it on the Datis and finally having all the details confirmed by the duty controller, and because the weather was changing rapidly I did this several times! After the rush I went and sat downstairs with one of the controllers who showed me how they land Tornados who have engine failures, and how they guide the aircraft onto the right flight path. This was only mock but before lunch I heard that a Tornado had done this for real and a State 2 emergency had been put out which was quite exciting!! Next I paid a visit to station ops and had a chat with one of the corporals there who told me on how they plan flights and which areas they have to navigate round. I also had a conversation on career prospects and what ones I should maybe go for which was very interesting. After lunch I went back to the tower and was taught on how they track and tag or squawk planes and jets so they can control all the traffic in the area. Then after a visit from my teacher I went to the MET Office and was shown around all the equipment and how they model all the data to give out to ATC and other airfields in Britain. This was probably the most boring thing I had done all week but I stayed positive till the end and got as much info out of it. Tomorrow is my last day and I'm quite looking forward to it as I have organised to go to the Caravan to take some piccies of the jets although I am quite sad I am leaving all the great people of ATC!
Day 5:
My last day at ATC, and quite a breezy start. I started off updating the MET system on the main computer with Helen, and recorded the Marham Datis until it was time to go off to the Caravan again, but this time I wasn't observing, I decided to get some snaps of the Tornados that were taxiing for departure, and got some really good ones. After a couple of hours on the runway, I came back and got a debrief from my supervisor Cpl Ainsworth and we evaluated how the week went and what skills I had used and what I had achieved. I then went up to the Control Room for the last time where I had a few photographs taken by the Assistant Community Relations Officers. After lunch I went over to SHQ and had a short debrief from Denise and then to while away the hours I had left before my lift came I went over to my friends at TIW and looked at Analysing photos taken by the RAPTOR pods.
Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at ATC where I have learnt a lot which has given me an idea of my future career plans and what I would like to do. I am also really looking forward to doing my week at 2Sqn next week which should be a contrast to what I have been doing this week. I would like to thank Chris and the crew at ATC for making me very welcome and for getting the best out of my time there, and also for Denise, Shaun and Danni for helping me out.
I had fun today worked on a fuel pipe had to change it - then I went for dinner and had tour of a plane.
Day 2:
I was on the line was great fun I saw 4 planes out and then got to meet new people.
Day 3:
Back on the line with Jack (Frost) was fun did a hot refuel.
Day 4:
Still on the line only did 2 planes but sat and watched TV and play table tennis.
Day 5:
Been good so far done 2 planes.
Having had no luck applying for a work experience placement in other forces I decided to apply to the RAF. Looking at the other bases' websites it was clear to see that a lot of care and effort goes into the work experience at RAF Marham. So I wrote a letter and sent it along with my CV to Denise Foggett, the Assistant Community Relations Officer, who within a few days confirmed my application over the phone. Within the next few weeks I received an official letter of confirmation for my placement.
On the first day I had really high hopes, mainly due to the fact that it had taken 6½ hours, travelling from Manchester to find a place to stay and for my father's expense who had taken a week off work and paid for accommodation. Although not being keen with the area I had been placed in (Supply) I was determined to make a good impression and make the most out of my placement.
On the Monday I was to work in the SCAF area of Supply. Although this was not the most active area of Supply I used the time to find out what RAF life is like, how is the accommodation, food, wage etc. This was probably the least exciting day mainly due to the fact that there had been no tasks or "jobs" for me to do all day. However my hopes were high for the following day, having heard which area I will be working in.
The following day, in the morning I worked in R&D which I was really pleased with as there was lots for me to do, packing and loading STCs (containers) containing items up to £175,000. In the afternoon I worked in Tech Stores collecting orders from a warehouse when they had been processed. Today was good fun as I was kept occupied with interesting jobs.
On the Wednesday I worked in one of the squadrons, where halfway through the morning I was asked whether I would like to go and see the Canberras take off. When I got there I took part in the safety checks and then an hour later brought the plane in using hand signals. By far the best day and an experience of a lifetime.
Throughout Wednesday night and Thursday morning I was very ill. So bad that I was told that I should go home by one of my colleagues. I tried to last out till dinner but the sickness got too bad so I was forced to go home. I was extremely disappointed that I had missed half a day of my work experience but that could not be helped. I got my head down as soon as I got back to where I was staying in the hope that I would recover for my final day.
On the Friday morning I still felt really ill but I forced myself into work. Immediately my mood was lifted when I found out, following my request earlier on in the week, that I would spend my last morning in the Med Centre as I intend to pursue my interest in medicine when I leave school. I found this experience extremely interesting and I even managed to get a check up and tablets from one of the doctors in the Med Centre. I was then debriefed at 1pm and finished at 2pm, back to Manchester!
Overall I really enjoyed my experience at RAF Marham. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff who helped me through the week and especially the staff at R&D who showed a caring and thoughtful attitude towards me when I was ill.
Improvements: None really apart from it may be a good idea to allow pupils to stay on the base if possible, may be with the Cadets.
On Monday after dinner I was taken around the air fields and I listened to how different positions in the tower work.
Tuesday: I helped in the runway caravan to check the planes taking off and landing. I talked to the tower on the radio and I updated the weather on switchboard.
Wednesday: I had a visit from a teacher from my school, I visited the Fire Section and was in the tower with ground, and runway controller that controls the runway. I also sat with the local assistant which I got to talk to the refuelers and the bird controller.
Thursday: I visited Ops and helped put information on the planes on the boards. I also visited the Med Office which I was told how things are run.
Everybody I have worked with have been ???? and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Thank you for letting me visit.
On the first day I felt nervous I didn't know if I had to bring anything or if I had to meet anyone.
But once someone said "are you on work experience" I was fine. They took me to get my safety equipment and then drove me to the hangar that I was working in. I worked in hangar two the first week in TES with major team 2. On the second day I started work properly. On the first day all you do is get to know your supervisor and your working environment. The second day I was cleaning fuel tank compartments, this was a bit grim but someone had to do it and they choose me. I didn't mind as I like anything to do with aircraft. The thing that I really enjoyed doing was getting to know the team. At first I wasn't sure about some of them but after a week I was sad to leave them. The worst bit for me was the start of the second day because I had to walk to the hangar and I couldn't remember where it was so it took me ten minutes to get there.
On the second week I felt nervous again because I was starting a new job at TSS again the person on the first day drove me to my old supervisor then he walked me to my new work placement. This was the pylon bay. The pylon bay is a big step down from working on the major team as there is not a lot you can do apart from help people wire things up and test them.
On the Wednesday they took me to see a squadron this was better than watching people work. At the squadron I had a proper look around a Tornado GR4 A1 (camera platform). Again the most enjoyable thing was meeting the team and getting to know them.
If you have completed work experience at RAF Marham and would like to add your story or comments to these pages, we would be pleased to hear from you.
You can e-mail your story (Word document + separate jpeg files - not embedded into the word doc) to : webmaster@rafmarham.co.uk