Andrea Cnudde
Northern News Services

IQALUIT (Aug 02/99) - "Are you up for the challenge?" That's the first thing Gabriel Filippi wants to ask you. The challenge is working as a flight service specialist with Nav Canada.

"The public says Ścontroller,' but we don't control aircraft here," he says. "We provide navigation services, air traffic service."

Filippi is the site manager of the flight services station at the Iqaluit airport.

It's an important job when you consider that even the smallest decision has to be made with the security and safety of the flying public in mind.

In his office, the radio behind him crackles and he cocks his head slightly towards it before continuing.

"I do a lot of things," Filippi chuckles.

Flight service specialists (FSS) assist the aircraft before take-off and during approach by providing weather observations, pilot briefings and airport advisories, he says.

Filippi encourages anyone interested in aviation to go for it. He refers to what Canadian astronaut Julie Payette said on her recent visit to Iqaluit, "If you don't apply, then it's ŚNo' for sure."

Upon completion of high school, you have to write a pre-interview exam with Nav Canada. Pass that, and it's off to the training institute in Cornwall, Ont., -- "Club Fed," Filippi jokes, explaining that it used to be the Transport Canada Training Centre.

"It's not for everyone, but if you try it you might find it easier than you expected."

Filippi has spent seven years in the North as a FSS and manager. His last posting before Iqaluit was in Kuujjuarapik in northern Quebec.

"It's different for sure," he says of his time here. "It's really special, more of an adventure and a challenge."

As he climbs the stairs to the control tower, he lowers his voice. "Try not to talk to the FSS," he says in hushed tones, "Even if it looks quiet, he's busy with the instruments."

One senses an atmosphere of controlled tension in an environment such as this, but Filippi immediately dismisses the old stereotype of the stressed-out air traffic controller.

"Personally I think it's a myth," he says, "I don't think it's this job, it's the individual's perception." He uses as a comparison a job at McDonald's. "Say it's noon and the kid working has 20 people lined up in front of him," he says, "This kid is stressed. That's bad stress."

In the control tower, Filippi gazes out the huge windows. "This is good stress," he says, "it's challenging."