The 44th General Assembly was opened, Monday 20th October, by the President of IFATSEA, Daniel Boulet, with opening remarks and a welcome by Filippo Tomassello, EASA Rulemaking Officer.

This was followed by several addresses. The Advisor to the Executive Director of SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU) Fiona McFadden was referring to the next stages of the mandate of the SJU working with the Deployment Manager.

In a moving ceremony, the Tom Casey Award was conferred posthumously to the wife of former IFSA President Pietro Colucci in recognition of Mr Colucci’s contribution to IFATSEA.

Brigadier General Roberto Cattaneo held a speech on behalf of the Italian Air Force Chief of Staffand wished the Assembly a fruitful and stimulating work.

Mr Coratti, Presidente Assemblea of Rome highlighted in his address the importance of aviation and the work of the ATSEPs to the city of Rome and welcomed the delegates and wished us a successful week.

Roberto Weger adressed his best wishes to the Assembly on behalf of SITTI-DG, followed by Angelo Protopapa, rpresenting ENAC, followed by Luca Falessi, representative of ENAC.

The delegates were especially honoured to be addressed by Principessa Maria Elettra Marconi, daughter of Guglielmo Marconi, founder of the Marconi Company. Principessa Marconi shared wonderful stories of her father’s work and his influence in the world.

IFATSEA Plenary session continued Tuesday with an address by Frank Brenner (Director General – Eurocontrol) on the topics of Centralised Services and Just Culture. This was followed by an presentation from Rudy Kellar (Executive Vice-President, Service Delivery – NAV CANADA) on Aireon and the plans for satellite based ADS-B surveillance and global aircraft tracking.

In line with IFATSEA’s Constitution, revised in 2013, the newly formed Committees set to work to elect their chairmen and secretaries and established their terms of references and work plans.