EUROCONTROL MUAC marks significant milestone in student air traffic controller training

Ab Initio 88 at GATE Aviation Training together with Peggy Devestel Director of the EUROCONTROL Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC), Niels Lokman Head of Operations and Craig Howell Head of Training.

Maastricht, the Netherlands: Tuesday, 19 May 2026: The EUROCONTROL Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC) has delivered pre-transition training for student air traffic controllers in-house for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the training of the next generation of controllers.

Pre-transition training is a key phase that prepares student controllers to progress from initial air traffic controller (ATC) training into MUAC's operational environment, equipping them with the procedural knowledge and simulator experience required before on-the-job training (OJT).

A group of 10 students, Ab Initio 88, recently became the first to complete the new training programme that was developed and delivered in-house at MUAC. The group was also the first cohort to complete its initial training at GATE Aviation Training in Copenhagen, MUAC's new student air traffic controller training provider.

"I am very pleased with the results of our first pre-transition training at MUAC, with all students successfully proceeding to the next phase of their learning journey. Thank you to the MUAC team for their hard work and commitment in developing this course, building on the solid initial training provided by our training partner GATE Aviation Training. A robust training programme is essential in ensuring we continue to maintain a full complement of controllers to meet future operational demand."

Delivering pre-transition training in-house allows MUAC to design scenarios and simulator sessions that are aligned to its specific procedures, traffic patterns and systems. Developed by MUAC's ATC Unit Instructors and Training Unit, with support from simulator assistants and technical teams, the course is fully tailored to MUAC's unique operational environment. This is an important element considering the complexity of MUAC's airspace.

MUAC is at the forefront of controller training, combining operational expertise with advanced digital technologies, including artificial intelligence and automation. Examples of recent innovations include tools developed in-house, such as an eye-tracking tool that provides data on visual attention and scan patterns, and automated speech recognition that enhances simulation fidelity for self-learning while reducing the need for simulator pilot inputs.

These innovations will be showcased through live demos at the Europe for Aviation stand (H1-E10) at Airspace World in Lisbon from 26-28 May 2026.

Demo timings are as outlined below:

26 May from 13:30-17:30
27 May from 09:30-13:30
28 May from 13:00-16:00

Further details on MUAC's presence at Airspace World are available on the EUROCONTROL website here.

"Being future ready is our key strategic focus and will continue to be a central component in all that we do. Our planning for 2026 and beyond is well underway, with a clear focus on delivering high-quality services, as traffic is expected to increase beyond pre-pandemic levels. While capacity and performance targets present challenges, we are confident in our ability to address them as best we can through careful planning, close coordination with our partners, and a continued focus on operational excellence; all while balancing the requirements of our civil and military airspace users.

MUAC has innovation in its DNA and it is our innovative mindset together with our drive to explore new technologies, including automation, that will ensure we are well positioned for the future."

In line with EUROCONTROL's Trajectory 2030 strategy, MUAC remains firmly focused on delivering its strategic objectives in support of safe and efficient air traffic management in Europe.

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