Page 34 - AAA MAY - JUNE 2013 Online Magazine

PROFILE

THATS ME

Squadron Leader Allanah Parker works in a control tower directing traffic worth
millions of dollars in the form of FA-18 Hornets, the odd F-111 and Hercules or two.
And she is not yet into her third decade. Quite an achievement for the young trainee
who wanted to join the Air Force but moved into ATC as a result of a scholarship
with a commercial operation – then ended up back at a military base anyway.

How does it feel to be the youngest, and the first woman, You are one of the youngest Squadron Leaders in New
Chief Controller at Airways New Zealand’s tower? Zealand. How does that feel?
“It’s a real privilege to work on Ohakea base, and to wear the “I’m lucky to have an experienced and supportive team, they’ve
RNZAF uniform,” she says. always encouraged me and I’m grateful for that.”

How did you get to be a CC at such a young age, just 26? So how did you end up back at Ohakea where your uncle used
“I climbed the ranks through Ohakea Tower since mid-2010, to fly?
after being posted there from the air traffic control training at “There’s a strong relationship between Airways New Zealand
the Airways Training Centre in Christchurch.” and RNZAF Ohakea, and it’s part of my role to build on that and
continue to provide a safe and efficient service [to all pilots].”
Did you always want to be an ATC?
“No. I had planned on joining the Air Force after high school, What do you do when you are not talking jets down?
before a flying scholarship changed my plans. My uncle was a “I like being part of the Ohakea military community. When I am
Skyhawk pilot, and I grew up spending some school holidays off duty, you can find me taking part in many RNZAF Ohakea
at Ohakea base. activities – including as a member of the base’s voluntary
emergency response team, and as an Aviation Sports Club
So how did you get into the ATC role? committee member.”
“I applied to become an air traffic controller with Airways
while working towards my commercial pilot’s licence. I then As the youngest and the first female Chief Controller in the
completed my ATC training in October 2010, gaining the tower at Ohakea, and one of the youngest Squadron Leaders
Ohakea Tower rating after extensive training in Airways’ Total in the Royal New Zealand Air Force since World War II, this
Control air traffic simulator in the Airways Training Centre in young woman is going places, that’s for sure. Just not exactly
Christchurch, along with on-the-job training.” where she thought she was going when she started training!

Ohakea is a secondary diversion airport for civilian
I’m lucky to have an Boeing 747s if both Auckland and Christchurch airports
experienced and supportive are temporarily closed. Ohakea does not have the
facilities to process passengers, so aircraft must wait at
team, they’ve always encouraged Ohakea for either Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch
me and I’m grateful for that airports to reopen, then continue their flight – meaning
more work for Parker!

34 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS MAY / JUNE 2013 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM