Passing the headset – three generations of ATCs
Sarah Hazlehurst
Derek, Clint, Ben and Jacob Bowles share more than just family ties. This grandfather (Derek), father (Clint), and two sons (Ben and Jacob) are all air traffic controllers (ATCs) who have previously, or are currently working for Airways. This family have passed down not just a love for the career, but a legacy of dedication, expertise and a deep passion for keeping our skies safe.
In this article, Clint Bowles reflects on his family’s legacy in air traffic control, and shares how his career in aviation was sparked by his father, Derek, the first in the family line to work as an ATC. “I believe Dad must have inspired me because I had no other connection to aviation. I went to work with him many times and would join him up in the tower. I even had my pilot licence before I had my driver’s licence,” he recalled. Clint’s eldest son Ben followed in his footsteps, also gaining his private pilot licence before his driver’s licence.
At the start of Clint’s aviation journey, Derek would actively seek out spare seats for him in aircraft, so he could experience flying as well as listening in to the airwaves to understand about the role of air traffic control.
“Up until this year I have been active in both – being an ATC and Pilot examiner concurrently, and I’m still very active as a flying instructor,” Clint says.
A father’s pride
When asked how he felt about his sons entering the same profession, Clint’s sense of pride was evident. He explained that he never actively encouraged his children to follow in his footsteps – instead, it was something that evolved naturally.
“I didn’t push at all; I just let them do what they wanted to do,” he said. This approach seemed to work, as both Ben and Jacob eventually gravitated toward the same career. “It’s funny because the boys have started liking the same things I like, and the same planes. It’s very cool, and it’s awesome to think back and see how it’s all happened this way, just so natural.”
Growing up, Ben and Jacob had a front-row seat to the world of aviation, with many visits to the tower with Dad. Clint’s sons also frequently flew with him. “I used to have two car seats in the back of the Cessna travelling from Christchurch to Blenheim, going to see Granny,” he reminisced.
For Ben, ATC came as a career change later in life after working in the graphic design and sports industry. Upon reflecting on this change, Ben shares: “The work-life balance was one of the main things that inspired me to become an ATC, particularly with a young, growing family. Dad was so present throughout my childhood, and that was something I wanted for my family as well.”
His family, especially his three-year-old son Baxter, has embraced the legacy as well. “Baxter loves visiting the airport, especially if he gets a wave from Uncle Jay-Jay in the tower,” he shared. Ben and brother Jacob now work together in New Plymouth Tower, following Jacob’s move from Napier Tower.
Fond memories visiting the tower
Jacob, though exposed to aviation from an early age, initially pursued a degree in industrial design. However his memories of visiting the control tower as a child stayed with him. “I have fond memories visiting Dad in the Christchurch control tower, spotting planes through binoculars, helping put paper strips in their holders, and raiding the treat drawer,” he said. “Looking out over the airport from the tower felt like such a magical place, which is sometimes easy to forget when it becomes your day-to-day.”
Eventually he realised he could apply his design skills to the fast-paced environment of ATC. “Each shift is like solving a puzzle, utilising the information, procedures, and tools around you to find a safe and expeditious solution,” he explained. Reflecting on the family legacy, he said, “I’m honoured to be part of the remarkable legacy created by my family and incredibly fortunate to share the journey with my brother, working at the same unit. I’m inspired by what Dad has achieved at Airways and in the wider aviation community, and I’m proud to say that I’m an air traffic controller too.”
Though it wasn’t a path Clint planned or pushed for, seeing his sons thrive in the same profession he loves is more fulfilling than he could have imagined. As this family’s story continues, it’s clear that their shared career in air traffic control is more than just a job – it’s a legacy that binds them across generations. With Ben’s son, Baxter already displaying signs of interest in aviation at the age of three – “He’s already spouting out aviation stuff,” Clint says – that legacy may continue to soar for years to come.
