In this conversation, Mahesh Sharma reconnects with veteran Group Captain Govind Saxena, exploring his journey in the Air Force, starting from his motivations to join, his experiences during his first posting in Chandigarh, and the mentorship he received. Gp Capt Saxena shares memorable incidents, challenges faced during his tenure, especially in Chandigarh and Tezpur, and the importance of support and guidance in the military environment. The discussion highlights the camaraderie, learning experiences, and the unique challenges of being an ATC officer. Gp Capt Saxena also
discusses the importance of interpersonal relationships within the ATC environment and emphasizes the need for aspiring controllers to maintain a positive mindset, stay ahead of traffic, and continuously seek professional
growth. He reflects on his own career regrets and offers valuable advice for the next generation of air traffic controllers.

Takeaways

Mentorship played a crucial role in his
development as an officer.

He emphasizes the importance of
communication in critical situations.

He learned valuable lessons from mistakes
made during operations.

His experiences reflect the importance of
mentorship in the Air Force. 

Building interpersonal relationships
enhances teamwork in ATC.

Maintaining a positive mindset is essential
for controllers.

Being ahead of traffic is key to effective
control.

Good humor and balance are important on
duty.

Continuous professional development is
vital for success.

Interpersonal skills are as important as
technical skills in ATC.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Govind
Saxena

02:54 First Posting at Chandigarh:
Memorable Experiences

06:02 Mentorship and Learning in the Air
Force

08:57 Transition to Tezpur: New Challenges
and Experiences

12:14 Handling Difficult Situations as a
Controller

14:59 Navigating Night Flying and Trainee
Pilots

18:02 Challenges Faced : Terrain and
Operations

29:50 Memorable Incidents in Air Traffic
Control

32:24 Building Interpersonal Relationships
in ATC

38:49 Advice for Aspiring Air Traffic
Controllers

46:55 Reflections on Professional Growth