AQUILA SIMULATOR MANAGER COMMENDED IN NEW YEAR’S HONOURS

Simon Jones, Aquila Simulator Manager, has been commended for his work in the King’s New Year’s Honours List 2023.

Simon leads development of the new simulators which enable training for Military Air Traffic Controllers at the Defence College of Air and Space Operations (DCASO) at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire, where Simon is based.

Simon has led the transition of the new simulator element of Programme Marshall – the 22-year programme in which Aquila provides air traffic management services and equipment to the MOD.

Aquila provided the new simulators and supports practical training to the Royal Air Force and Royal Naval Air Traffic Control trainees at the DCASO. Over one hundred of the next generation of Air Traffic Controllers are trained at the college each year.

The new simulation systems will modernise the training of Military Air Traffic Controllers and align training with front line operations. Simon has led the provision of the new radar and aerodrome suites at the college, used his vast experience to design training exercises and has managed the complex and challenging implementation of the new equipment and associated software.

Aquila Head of Training Services, David Riley, explained:

“The Station and I jointly nominated Simon for the honour in recognition of the sterling work he had done in support of bringing the new simulation systems into service. In his work and training, he has often gone above and beyond, working long hours to ensure all preparation was complete. Simon was rightly proud and over the moon with the news of his commendation.”