In April 2024, a team of 4 Air Traffic Controllers completed a motorcycle ride from Aberdeen to Gibraltar, visiting every NATS and NATS Solutions Air Traffic Control Unit.

This trip, “The BigTour, 24 in 2024” was to raise funds for the Solidarity Wings Fund @ Aerobility and Prostate Cancer UK.

The Solidarity Wings Fund @ Aerobility is part of the ongoing relationship between NATS and Prospect NATS ATCOs Branch. 

Prostate Cancer UK is a charity of great personal significance to Wayne and the Aberdeen Control Tower Staff.  An ex-staff member from the unit passed away in May 2023 from the disease, having been diagnosed in 2021.  His diagnosis shocked staff at the unit and the whole team feel that raising awareness of prostate cancer across the wider NATS/NATS Solutions businesses.  If knowledge of this tragic situation makes any male staff member get a PSA check, and avoid this awful disease then we consider this a success.

The team spent at least an hour at each unit meeting the staff and hearing about their work.

They departed Aberdeen on Sunday 14th April and arrived in Gibraltar on Thursday 25th April.

The team arrived back in Portsmouth on 29th April ahead of the final days ride on the 30th finishing up at NATS Corporate HQ and Western Radar at Whiteley. 

The trip was demanding, with an approximate road distance 0f 3000 miles. and possible re-routes has been built in.   

We would like to thank everyone who helped us along the way, many of whom you can see on our supporters page.

Wayne Clarke
Richard Fell
Harvey McVicar
Shaun Bellairs-Wray