Comments by Bob Jones
The first ATC school was at Centralia, Ontario. I believe the first course was in 1948. Prior to that (during the war) ATC were general duties personnel (OJT). I took my basic ATC course in Centralia. At that time we were called Air Control Assistant (ACA). It was only a group two trade and the highest rank was F/Sgt. All tower controllers were air crew on a ground tour. We were later called ACops. Controllers came in 1951-1952. About the same time it was made a group three trade.
Personnel at the school in Centralia were:
OC S/L Dobbin (pilot)
F/O Tom Webster (pilot)
F/O Hank Henry (WAG)
Sgt Ed McConvey
The tower controllers (air crew) were alternated between ACA courses.
Comments by Bud Wilds
I joined the RCAF in 1949 and did some OJT at Chatham NB, and then went on a formal training course at Centralia, Ontario. I was on the first course at Centralia in January 1950. Prior to that time there was a flying Control course at Trenton. We shared the GIS facilities with the student pilots while at Centralia. Some of the materials and instructors also taught the aircrews. Both Officers and enlisted personnel were at Centralia. During this period and until the GCA school opened at Aylmer, our GCA trainees went to Keesler AFB. In fact anyone who was to have anything to do with IFR traffic went to Keesler in the '40's & early 50's.
Updated: February 17, 2005