Awards for Newcastle Airport air traffic controllers
08.05.07
Newcastle Airport air traffic controllers and an 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, manager of Eshott Airfield in Northumberland, has won the 2006 CAA General Aviation Safety Award along with five Newcastle Airport air traffic controllers. Together they helped a light aircraft flying from Aberdeen to Manchester when it got into trouble over the North-east last year.
The pilot of the Cessna plane experienced engine difficulties at 3,000ft and radioed Newcastle Airport for help but was unable to get to the airport. As the light faded, the 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 car at the end of the runway to illuminate the landing strip.
When he saw the plane break through the clouds about five 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, the Newcastle team were awarded the Tiger Moth Trophy.
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