Royal Navy School of Aircraft Control
The RNSAC runs four courses a year, training Leading Aircraft Controllers (LACs). The LACs are trained to control Helicopters to join the ship at sea, as well as fixed wing aircraft. In addition Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Leading hands are trained at RNSAC, although their course is a week shorter.
Ratings from any Branch of the Royal Navy can apply to transfer to the AC Branch, as long as they meet the selection criteria and subject to approval from their source branch. Initial Selection consists of a one week grading course. A Computer Simulator is used to represent up to 5 Ships at once with their respective ACs, all networked together in real time, providing realistic training.
Starting with grading, the course runs through low level flying, and then moves onto the Sea Skimming target controller's course, which takes place actually onboard ship.
The next step for some Aircraft Controllers, once they have reached the level of Petty Officer, is to move onto becoming an Air Traffic Controller (ATC). This training is carried out at the Joint Air Traffic Control Course (JATCC) Tri-Service Facility at RAF Shawbury, Shropshire.
