“Dreams come true” for rising Teesside star Josh as he becomes UK’s youngest Civil Air Traffic Controller

A rising star in Teesside Airport’s tower has become the youngest qualified Air Traffic Controller in the country.

Josh Brown joined the tower team as an Air Traffic Control Assistant aged 18, in 2022.

Now the Ingleby Barwick 20-year-old has chalked up the required experience and completed courses to become the youngest licensed civil ATCO in the UK.

He said: “I’m absolutely over the moon.

“I’d like to wish a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me since my Air Traffic journey began. It’s quite a feeling being told you’re the youngest controller in the country.

“Dreams do come true!”

Josh worked through rigorous tests and requirements overseen by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to qualify – including a Unit Endorsement Course, as well as training in Abnormal and Emergency Situations (ABES) and Human Factors.

He spent six months in Cheltenham completing his Basic and ADI (Aerodrome) training to secure his Student Air Traffic Controller’s licence last year.

Josh said it had been tough but he’d “loved every minute of it”.

He added: “It’s so rewarding and the feeling of having it all finished is amazing.

“I’ve always loved aviation, and I’ve always had a passion for it – that’s driven me.”

Teesside’s Air Traffic team deals with a wide range of air traffic – shepherding Draken jets helping train our Royal Air Force, to guiding those taking to the air for the very first time.

It has a broad mix of youth and experience – and Josh praised the team for the support they’d given him through his short career so far.

He added: “We’re a close-knit team – and I’ve had brilliant support from day one. I cannot thank them all enough.”

Gayle Douglas, Head of Air Traffic Services, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have the youngest licensed ATCO in the country and it’s a testament to the huge amount of work Josh has put in.

“His hard work has really paid off, and he continues to be a brilliant member of the team.

“Qualifying as an Air Traffic Controller is no easy feat, but Josh has shown he has what it takes, and this is an amazing achievement. I hope this is a shining beacon to the rest of our great young assistants to follow in his footsteps.”

Phil Forster, Managing Director of Teesside Airport, added: “No airport operates without the dedication of all its teams – from the Fire Station, to Ground Crew and the Air Traffic Control tower.

“Josh has been a rising star in our tower and to have a Teessider as the youngest controller in the country is a proud moment. I wish him massive congratulations – and hope he continues to have many happy years with us.”