Keeping RAF Northolt Flying

By Flt Lt Rich Clark, DSATCO

When RAF Northolt’s Visual Control Room (VCR) required urgent repairs, the airfield faced a unique challenge: how do you replace the heart of Air Traffic Control without stopping flying? The answer came in the form of a Mobile Visual Control Room (MVCR), provided by Deployed Airfields Flight (DAF), 144SU.

What followed was months of meticulous planning, technical problem-solving and outstanding teamwork. While Northolt ATC prepared new procedures, training packages and safety documentation, DAF establish a fully functioning control tower capable of supporting one of the RAF’s busiest airfields.

Life inside the MVCR demanded adaptability. Controllers and ASOS worked in a far smaller space with reduced connectivity and without many of the digital tools they routinely rely upon. New processes were developed almost overnight, ensuring flying continued uninterrupted. Even record-breaking heat, thunderstorms and high winds failed to slow progress.

The success of the deployment was built on more than technical expertise. It reflected the professionalism, trust and determination of everyone involved. By working as one team, RAF Northolt ATC and DAF ensured that flying operations continued safely throughout the refurbishment, demonstrating the flexibility, resilience and operational excellence that define today’s Royal Air Force.

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