Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. On February 16, a training course kicked off for the preparation of personnel at domestic airports and air traffic controllers. It is being organized for the very first time by the Civil Aviation Authority of Mongolia (MCAA) in cooperation with the Civil Aviation Training Center of Thailand.  

From the current staff of the aviation sector, 16 personnel were selected in December 2021. In connection, the MCAA Training Center and the Civil Aviation Training Center of Thailand jointly organized the theoretical section of the training course online between January 10 and February 14. The second part of the course - the practical section of the course will be taking place from February 16 to May 27. Those that successfully completed the course will obtain an Air Traffic Controller Certificate of the Civil Aviation Training Center of Thailand, meeting the main competence requirement for the position at domestic airports. 

Per the resolution issued by the Government, it was decided to have the Buyant-Ukhaa airport be operated as a backup airport for international and domestic flights alongside organizing aviation training, receiving charter, special, and government flights, and using it for general purposes. Thus, by organizing an air traffic controller preparatory course for the very first time, the former international airport of the country is officially beginning to be fully utilized. 

During the opening ceremony organized for the course, Head of the National Civil Aviation Center P.Munkhjargal said, “With this, it has become possible for the Mongolian youth to receive training as air traffic controllers in Mongolia. While previously, they were sent to Thailand to be involved in such training, we now have the opportunity to enroll in the globally-recognized training course in our home country. Per its program, the training course will take place over the course of 6-10 months. The average cost for a single person to be involved in these types of courses decreases to about MNT 15-18 million from around MNT 50 million. The requirements for the program include having obtained a Bachelor’s degree, to be above the age of 21, and meet the respective requirements for foreign language knowledge and health.”

Head of ATC Instructors at the Civil Aviation Training Center of Thailand Teppiboon Chinapon said, “The civil aviation sector is unique for prioritizing safety at all times. It took a significant amount of time to prepare for this training course. The preparations of the Mongolian side have also been done at a good level. I am confident that the training will yield results in properly equipping young personnel of the aviation sector.”

The Civil Aviation Training Center of Thailand is a well-established organization that has been preparing skilled personnel not only for the aviation sector’s demands in their own country, but also in the region for 60 years. The center was recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for Regional Training Centre of Excellence (RTCE) status as part of the ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS Programme in 2021.