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Greetings from the Narita Airport email newsletter editorial office.
I hope you are all well in this sweltering summer weather. In Issue No. 123, we focused on the equipment on the ground that helps aircraft to land safely. In this issue, we look at the people on the ground who help to keep aircraft safe. Please read through to the end to learn more about the vital work done every day to maintain the safety of our skies. |
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Ramp Controllers on the Ground Help Keep Aircraft Safe
No.19 in Our Series Showcasing the Jobs of Airport Staff! |
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Temporary Closure or Changes to Operating Hours of Terminal Facilities, Airport Shops and Service Facilities (Subject to continuing changes) |
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Important: Notice Concerning COVID-19 (Subject to continuing changes) |
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Monthly Traffic Statistics (June 2022) |
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Hong Kong Air Cargo Launched Cargo Flights Between Narita and Hong Kong on July 9! |
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Jeju Air Launched Cargo Flights Between Narita and Incheon on July 2! |
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Ramp Controllers on the Ground Help Keep Aircraft Safe
No.19 in Our Series Showcasing the Jobs of Airport Staff! |
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Aircraft safety is practiced in every aspect of operations at airports, but have you heard of ramp controllers? Ramp controllers may not be familiar to some people. In fact, only Narita Airport has them. Today, we bring you some information on the ramp controllers at Narita Airport.
This is the person who taught me about ramp control for this issue. |
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NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CORPORATION (NAA)
Ground Operations Department
Mr. Jun Igarashi |
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| What does a ramp controller do? |
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Ramp control can be broadly divided into three main jobs.
The first is ramp control. This involves using wireless communications to direct aircraft taxiing on the apron (the areas around the terminals where aircraft park).
The second is stand control. All flights are allocated parking stands (bays or gates) on the previous day based on flight schedules and aircraft type. Allocation can be adapted to accommodate delays and cancellations, etc. |
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The third is airfield surface management. Special vehicles patrol the runways and taxiways to check paving surface conditions and anything in the surrounding environment that may impede the safety of aircraft operations. Airfield surface management checks must be completed by 6:00 a.m. when aircraft arrivals and departures are scheduled to begin. |
| Inspections begin at about 4:30 a.m. every morning and continue for about 90 minutes over an extensive area that includes the 4,000-meter Runway A, the 2,500-meter Runway B, the taxiways and the apron areas. |
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| What is the difference between a ramp controller and an air traffic controller? |
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After seeing what ramp controllers do, you might be wondering what the difference is between a ramp controller and an air traffic controller. The difference is in the areas under their control. At Narita Airport, air traffic controllers are in charge of the runways and taxiways, and ramp controllers are responsible for controlling aircraft in the apron areas where the aircraft park.
The apron areas with their many parking stands and numerous aircraft taxiing on the ground are confined areas and, therefore, they need to be controlled efficiently during peak times when there are large numbers of aircraft present. Jurisdiction is divided between the aprons and the runways and taxiways, and each works in conjunction with the other to ensure that the aircraft can operate safely and efficiently.
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| What are the skills needed by a ramp controller? |
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The skills required for the job include an aeronautical radio operator's license to communicate with aircraft, English language skills for communication and basic aeronautical knowledge such as aviation regulations and radio engineering. If the operator does not have the qualifications or knowledge at the time they are assigned to a job, they can be acquired later through training courses.
Cooperation and coordination are also important in this job. Ramp controllers, cabin crew, airline ground staff, air traffic controllers and others are all involved from their respective positions in achieving the common objective of maintaining aircraft safety. We believe that it is most important to avoid being elitist or self-serving, and to place ourselves in the shoes of others and be cooperative. |
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| What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job? |
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The most difficult situation so far has been during snowfall. Snow causes delays and cancellations which disrupt flight operations, but the job is even more difficult when the weather lifts and there is a flurry of aircraft traffic when favorable conditions return. |
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| In that sense, the work is challenging but when we get a "Thank you" over the radio from the pilots, it makes it all worthwhile. Although ramp controllers work with no face-to-face contact, they are always aware of the pilot's situation. So, when we get a "Thank you", we are able to appreciate that the pilots recognize our efforts and that those efforts result in safe, efficient ramp control. |
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| Do you have a message for our newsletter readers? |
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| Narita is one of Japan's leading international airports and welcomes aircraft from around the world. Many unusual aircraft are seen in Japan only at Narita Airport so why not come out and take photos of the aircraft from our observation decks. We look forward to seeing you! |
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| [ From Our Editorial Staff ] |
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| Did you find that feature interesting? I hope you learned a little about the work of ramp controllers and how interesting and rewarding the job can be. Check out our official Narita Airport YouTube channel (Japanese) for more on the work of our ramp controllers. |
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Temporary Closure or Changes to Operating Hours of Terminal Facilities, Airport Shops and Service Facilities (Subject to continuing changes) |
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Due to the increasing number of coronavirus infections, some shops and service facilities will close temporarily or change their operating hours.
Please note that actual shop hours may vary to those hours shown on the airport website and in our floor guide.
We apologize for this inconvenience and ask for your understanding.
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Important: Notice Concerning COVID-19 (Subject to continuing changes) |
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The Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and other government agencies are working in conjunction with airport companies to detect and stop the spread of the virus at Narita Airport.
When coming to the airport, please observe and cooperate with the following.
*Details |
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| I hope you enjoyed our July edition. This is just one of the many interesting airport jobs. We will bring you more of the wide range of airport occupations for your enjoyment. Don't miss more gems of information in the Narita International Airport Email Newsletter. See you in next month's edition! |
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