Donald, 30, is the second local member of Control Tower staff at the airport operated by HIAL to complete his training to become a fully qualified ATCO after passing his certificate of competency exam. The airport operator now has two qualified air traffic controllers based at Benbecula, in addition to support from other controllers based on the mainland.

Donald has followed in the footsteps of his younger brother Alasdair, 27, who is already an ATCO at Benbecula. Donald’s older brother Roddy, 34, works at the airport where he is an Airport Fire Service sub officer.

Donald, from Aird on Benbecula, joined HIAL in September 2001 as a trainee ATCO following a rigorous selection process. He was previously a training coordination officer with SERCO at the MoD Ranges on Benbecula.

He carried out his air traffic control training from October 2001 to October 2002 with Shearwater Training Ltd at Cwmbran, South Wales and has since been completing his ATC licensing process at Benbecula.

Donald said: "I am delighted to have successfully completed my training and gained my licence from the Civil Aviation Authority. This confirms the investment in time and training that Benbecula Airport has made in order for me to qualify as an air traffic controller. It has also been very rewarding to live and work locally while developing my career with HIAL at Benbecula."

Benbecula Airport Station Manager Michael Maclean added: "We are delighted that Donald has successfully completed his training with us. As a company that takes staff development and training very seriously it is particularly pleasing that we now have two local members of staff who have completed this very rigorous training programme and are fully qualified Air Traffic Controllers."

ENDS