ANECDOTES IN AVIATION
& HISTORICAL FACTS
To paint a picture of the history of Air Traffic Control [ATC] in Trinidad and & Tobago we have listed a number of milestones related to the profession, the services it provides and the services associated with them; as well as the organisations that have assisted and continue to assist in its development.
The Aviation sector is a vast topic whose timeline goes back as far as the earliest record of kites. By no means can this list be exhaustive but it is our intention to highlight key dates and milestones that influenced the Aviation in Trinidad & Tobago form the eyes of Air Traffic Controllers and other professionals in Air Navigation Services.
Trinidad & Tobago is unique in so many ways and just as the TTATCA has a rich history in the ANS landscape so does the nation have a unique history in Aviation, stemming from the World Wars to present.
AERODOMES IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Piarco International Airport
Crown Point/ A.N.R. Robinson International Airport
Waller Airfield Base
The Toco Airstrip (Abandoned)
& AIRFIELDS
FIRSTS IN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
1st Aerodome Control Tower
1st Air Traffic Controller
1st Air Control Centre
Air Traffic Control as we know it today saw its first development in the 1920 at the Croydon Airport in London. The first World War (1914-1918) brought about major developments in aviation. With the increasing number of aircraft traversing the sky and Croydon becoming the busiest airport in the world, it was no surprise that a need for order and regulation arose after a few incidents and near misses. The First Control Tower was commissioned and shortly after the first Air Traffic Controller was certified, operating out of the Croydon Airport.
In the years that followed this revolution in Croydon the USA saw a surge in Aircraft transport due to the the United States Postal Service. Aircraft was the fastest way to connect the US by mail; larger aircrafts were built and the USPS subcontracted mail transport to companies, and more and ore passengers were transported by air. Just as with Croydon a need for order was identified as flights increased and Airlines came together to develop the first Air Control Centre at Newark Airport. A further need was identified; regulations were developed, subsequently responsibility and operations of the centre were taken over by the U.S. Government.
