From course graduation to A watch at LATCC and a spell on the north bank wings. Progression onto radar delayed by the union training ban but, when that was over, radar on the north bank sectors and TMA north and, latterly, TMA south. Great times, lovely people. Then, in the mid ‘80s, I applied to work at CATO 6 Uxbridge, as an ATC investigator. Once in post I settled down to an office environment. Then a number of high profile aviation incidents and I was “volunteered” to act as the ATC “expert….?” I was, therefore, involved in Lockerbie, the British Midland East Midlands accident and the BAC 111 windscreen incident and for all significant ATC events for many years. During this period government decisions moved ATC regulation from NATS to the CAA at Aviation House Gatwick and I decided to move too, despite some really kind offers from NATS to stay. There are a number of ATC units who benefited from that decision because they missed Weston as their manager.

At Gatwick, after a time, I was made head of the ATS investigation team and then, whilst keeping that responsibility, came to lead the Department responsible for the MOR Scheme.  A post became available to lead the Enforcement Branch of the CAA and I was asked if I would like it with promises that I could prioritise Just Culture. I took it and was later given responsibility for CAA security as well. Not the best job I ever had because, regularly, whichever decision I took was always wrong with one party or other. Was never challenged as to my decisions by the courts and, I am happy to say, chose not to prosecute any ATCO. The role involved close cooperation with all branches of aviation, the security services and Government and I kept in touch with lots of good people from the Lockerbie era. Politics were becoming more and more prevalent and I had had enough so, despite requests to stay, after staying on for a few months after my due retirement age I walked out of the door and have never entered a CAA building since.

Hoping to settle down to a quiet life thereafter, I was contacted by Eurocontrol who asked me to help with their Just Culture project and for the next 10 years I toured the world trying to instil the concept. Don’t think that we managed to achieve global acceptance but we did some good. Unfortunately, my wife became very ill in the early 2020’s and I decided to concentrate my efforts on helping to keep her alive. Since then the medics have worked hard on restoring her to being a reasonably healthy, albeit old Welsh woman, with us and we live in happy retirement in East Sussex.

My best moments: up a bit, down a bit left or right a bit at LATCC and a letter I received from a B737 driver who stated that the ATC emergency training scheme, TRUCE, introduced as a response to a Recommendation from the team investigating the BAC111 incident had, in his opinion, saved the lives of his crew and passengers. The controller did really well and I have met with him since the incident. He also praised TRUCE as the reason he handled it as he did. We only put forward the Recommendation, others actioned it and should take the acclaim.

Worst bits : prosecuting people, some of whom went to prison but, in my opinion, they deserved it.