The training of the first students has started at Entry Point Central International Air Navigation Academy in Budapest established by collaboration of HungaroControl and Scandinavian Entry Point North. The opening ceremony was held with the participation of dr. Pál Völner, Minister of State for Infrastructure, the Swedish, Danish and Norwegian ambassadors in Hungary as well as the Hungarian and foreign professional representatives on 27 September 2011.
Four months after the Agreement of Cooperation was signed, the students who wish to become the air traffic controllers of the future and receive training at the Academy, which was founded by one of the most renowned training centres in Europe, were now able to take their seats behind the school desks. Entry Point Central will begin training Hungarian students at first, but the doors are open to people from other countries as well.
The opening ceremony not only saw prominent Hungarian and foreign figures of the profession, but also had distinguished guests such as Siri Ellen Sletner, ambassador of Norway and Mads Sandau-Jensen, ambassador of Denmark as well as Eddy Fonyódy, secretary responsible for political issues, representing Sweden.
Dr. Pál Völner, Hungary’s Minister of State for Infrastructure emphasized:
‘Even after its term of the Presidency of the European Council, Hungary continues to treat the question of strengthening international relations in the transport sector as a priority. The partnership of HungaroControl and Entry Point North is exemplary because it creates professional cross-border cooperation in the very important area of training, while serving the interests of the entire region, and hence accomplishing one of the objectives of the European Union.’
Kornél Szepessy, CEO of HungaroControl said:
‘Training may have never been as important as it is today when the organisation of aviation is undergoing major transformation. The Single European Sky programme will change air navigation services which will lend outstanding significance, beyond technical and technological harmonisation and the human factor, to the high-standard training of professionals,’
Ms Anne Kathrine Jensen, Managing Director of Entry Point North said:
‘The way I see it is that Entry Point Central serves as another good example of how Air Traffic Management will develope in Europe. Everywhere we look around – partnerships is the way forward. It becomes increasingly difficult to stand alone, demands are high to work together creating synergies and harmonized cost-effective solutions.’
Gábor Menráth, head of the new Academy operating in the Central Office of HungaroControl, added:
‘Students will be trained to become air traffic controllers by the application of internationally accepted training materials and special methodology, The Scandinavian training system is unique in the sense that students, parallel with classroom training, are given practical tasks from the very beginning, which is missing in modern radar and tower simulators. The instructors closely monitor the progress of each student, and this individually-tailored support enables us to reduce the number of examinations students are required to take each year, and at the same time, it has proven to increase the efficiency of training. The young students acquire the basic elements of the profession in English language. The ones that pass the strict final examination will obtain highly-prestigious qualifications recognized by all Member States of the European Union,’