NST :02.08.2012
UP IN THE CLOUDS: Air traffic controllers observe Ramadan their way
Air
traffic control officer Che Zawawi Che Musa, 36, breaking fast with
some dates while manning the traffic at the Department of Civil Aviation
control tower at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
BREAKING fast 130m up in the air on what was once the world's tallest
air traffic control tower in the world isn't just for everyone, but that
doesn't faze Zurina Ishak.
The 49-year-old, who has been an air traffic controller for 26 years,
said it was not easy to break fast away from her family when she first
started her job.
"It's especially sad when it's the first day of Ramadan and you have to work, but this comes with the job."
Zurina said the sacrifice was needed and it got better when she realised just how beautiful it was up in the control tower.
"I know that not many people have a view like this as they break fast. The view of the sun setting here is breathtaking."
Zurina said the colourful lights on the aircraft at night was a sight to behold.
"To me they look like hanging lanterns that are approaching us," she said, giggling.
Such is the view from the 30th floor of the tower at the Kuala Lumpur
International Airport that Zurina and her colleagues can see the Straits
of Malacca, Port Dickson, the Petronas Twin Towers and Genting
Highlands on a clear day.
"Then you have these pretty birds (aircraft) in the air, coming home and leaving, too. It is at times very peaceful up here."
Despite the serenity, Zurina said the job required 24-hour vigilance,
including monitoring wind direction, wind speed and weather factors.
"We are dealing with people's lives which they have entrusted to us. So we must be alert to our surroundings at all times."
Zurina said at peak hours, there can be as many as 32 flights landing in one hour.
"It's like the birds are all coming back to roost, and our job is to make sure they come home safe."
Zurina said her job was to guide flights to land safely, take off safely and to "park" safely.
She described her job as controlling inbound and outbound flights as
well as the movement of planes on the ground, on the taxiways and
runways.
Zurina said there were episodes that tested their nerves, but that came with the job.
"When two planes are scheduled to take off at the same time, we have to
monitor the direction of the departure as well as make sure the second
plane is spaced out at least two to three minutes apart," she said.
She said the job wasn't easy and required them to always keep abreast with the latest technology and equipment.
The KLIA control tower has about nine air traffic controllers working
on any one shift, monitoring flights in and out of the airport.
There are four shifts a day and a controller is required to work an
afternoon shift the first day of work (1-7pm), two shifts the second day
(7am-1pm and 7pm-7am) followed by a rest day and a day off.
