THE view from their office is probably one of the best in the East Midlands.
But I suppose it has to be.
From the 52-metre air traffic control tower, you can see as far as Loughborough and Crich on a clear day.
But there's little time for admiring the view when you're responsible for making sure planes take off and land safely.
Airport training officer Paul Kay said that his job wasn't exactly how the movies made out.
He said: "It's not like that film Pushing Tin. It is probably one of the calmest workplaces there is. It has to be.
"We build towards the summer when the number of passenger flights increases, but we keep the controllers trained well so more flights doesn't phase us."
For many the summer doesn't really begin until July but, with airlines starting their summer schedule on May 1, they are already dealing with an increased traffic load.
It's a competitive industry, Mr Kay said, with only one person getting work for every 2,500 that start on training.
He added: "When I was 17, I wanted to be a pilot in the RAF but didn't make it.
"I then went on to work in retail for nine years before applying for an 18-month course in Bournemouth to become an air traffic controller. It was a big commitment, but I've been here ten years in September and really enjoy it."
The team of 35 alternate between working at the top of the tower – which actually sways in the wind – and the bottom where the radars are.
Mr Kay said: "There is pressure, but we are trained to deal with it. In most jobs, if you make a mistake it's rectifiable. Here it isn't, so we have to be focussed."
