If you’re reading this at your desk in a warm office, spare a thought for the NATS engineers who are exposed to the elements, all year round working to keep the skies safe.

As we set a course for the new year, we thought it was a good time to reflect on our most popular web content for 2016; it gives us the chance to look again not just at the blog, but also our popular Discover features and the Drone Assist app.

We all know the feeling: the year-long angst wondering if you’ve made it onto the Nice List in time for Christmas Eve. Well fret no longer…

Flow regulations are used to reduce or slow down air traffic because of things like bad weather, or not enough room on the ground at the destination airport. It’s a decision that’s never taken lightly, but it is always done with safety in mind.

At NATS we employ hundreds of people in unique roles that support our air traffic controllers in managing aircraft flying in our skies safely and efficiently. From Analysts to Engineers and Project Managers to Technicians, our employees are passionate about their roles and the contributions they make to air traffic management.

To become an air traffic controller requires a specific set of skills and attitude, things that can’t necessarily be taught or learned. For every successful controller validated, many thousand wash out during the process. But as you may suspect, for those that have what it takes it’s rewarding in every sense.

After much deliberation, cogitation and digestion, I’m very pleased to say that we now have the winners for our competition to (almost) be a Heathrow air traffic controller for the day.

These stunning long exposure photographs were taken by one of our air traffic controller in Heathrow Airport tower. They were so good we wanted to share them with you.

Jake Longstaff is proof that if you want something hard enough you should never give up.

There’s still time to enter our competition to (almost) be a Heathrow controller for a day, but time is running out!