Inuvik (Jun 09/06) - Providing weather information and assisting in airport operations are all part of being a flight service specialist (FSS).

Nav Canada is hosting an upcoming recruitment drive to hire local people for these positions.

"It's a great job and a wonderful experience," said site manager Ken Ettie.

Ettie had been a FSS for 18 years in Inuvik prior to becoming manager.

Ettie and his crew at Nav Canada provide airport operations assistance in Inuvik and Norman Wells.

"People think we are a control tower," said Ettie, while standing in the tall structure that oversees the Mike Zubko airport.

"We are not air traffic controllers because we are not on a controlled airfield," explained Ettie.

While the flight service station resembles a control tower, in reality, the people inside it only provide pilots with information needed for flights.

"We provide pilots with the required information before they go in the air," said Ettie.

Up-to-the-minute weather reports are given to pilots before they even decide to fly.

Ettie said the pilots are also provided with electronic bulletins, which inform them of updates on their chosen route.

"If something comes up at their destination, we tell them before they leave, or as soon as possible," said Ettie.

The specialist in the station does control certain aspects of airport services, though.

The runways and taxiways are both totally under the control of Nav Canada.

"We tell you when and if you can be on the tarmac," said Ettie.

The control is a safety precaution to avoid any traffic collisions or issues.

Nav Canada is currently looking to gather a list of potential employees who would work in the Inuvik station.

"We are not downsizing or eliminating any current employees," said Ettie. "We are simply looking to the future, within the next year or so."

Hiring locally is the main objective of the recruitment drive, said Ettie.

"People from the south tend to go back after a few years, and we want someone permanent," he said.

A presentation will be given at the Eskimo Inn on June 13 from 3 to 6 p.m.

Tours of the Inuvik flight service station will also be given the next day.

Ettie said Nav Canada expects to expand the recruitment drive to their other Northern locations as well.