Air Traffic Controller Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an air traffic controller. Feel free to use our air traffic controller job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an air traffic controller.
Who is an Air Traffic Controller?
Air traffic control is a national service that most governments support and fund to monitor and dictate the movement of planes from one location to another. Air traffic control helps to keep planes apart while maintaining smooth and efficient air traffic. They are also the first responder for emergencies involving aircraft in many countries.
Air traffic control has many aspects. Most people are familiar with the towers that monitor outgoing and incoming flights. Regional command centers are responsible for managing air traffic within a particular region. Many countries may also have a central control station. Air traffic control is also available at military bases and facilities. However, they interact with civilian controllers. These facilities use their combined staff and equipment to make sure that all aircraft flying over a country’s airspace are being monitored.
Air traffic controllers at airports determine when and where planes will take off or land. They also decide which runways they can use. Ground controllers coordinate the movements of the aircraft on the ground and ensure they reach the correct runways and terminals. After an aircraft takes off, it is controlled by a regional control center.
Most air traffic controllers work in area control centers. A few can work from airport control towers. This role is very important and requires a lot of concentration. The exact role you play will vary depending on where and how much you work.
Although most air controllers work at airports, some may also be based in air control centers. They give clearance to all aircraft approaching the airport. They are responsible for instrument landing systems. Some planes can make automatic landings. They are also able to manage aircraft in the initial stages of flight, even if they have just left the airport.
Tower controllers are also known as aerodrome controllers. They are located in the control towers of airports, which allows them to see the entire aerodrome from all angles. They are responsible for safely moving aircraft around the aerodrome, between runways and stands. They give clearance for aircraft to take off or land.
Air traffic control technology is complex. Air traffic controllers must be able to use many tools to help them plot their aircraft in flight. Pilots communicate with the control center using radios and transponders. They are well-trained in using their equipment and must be able to think on their feet as well as spatially. You must be able to make quick decisions in emergencies, as the job is often very stressful, especially during peak flight times.
Clear and fast communication is essential for commercial air pilots and controllers all over the globe. They are expected to speak English. While regional air traffic controllers can communicate in their native language with other citizens, they must also be able to talk to pilots from other nations. All countries can ensure that air travel is safe and smooth by dictating universal language for aircraft controllers.
Air Traffic Controller Job Description
Below are the air traffic controller job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an air traffic controller job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of an air traffic controller include the following:
- Directing the flight of an aircraft at an airport
- Providing information to aircraft regarding weather conditions
- Making sure there are no flights that exceed a certain distance between the planes
- Handling unexpected situations, emergencies, and unscheduled traffic.
- Coordinating the arrival sequence of aircraft at an airport.
- Coordinating any traffic between the terminals (planes, ground crew, passengers buses, etc.
- Directing and monitoring the movements of aircraft in the air and on the ground.
- Controlling ground traffic on airport runways or taxiways
- Giving pilots instructions for landing and taking off
- Transferring control of departure flights to another traffic control center and accepting control for arriving flights
- Informing pilots about runway closures and weather conditions.
Other important tasks include:
- Controlling and monitoring aircraft movements
Air traffic controllers monitor and use computers to track and observe aircraft within their area. They ensure that aircraft operate safely and efficiently. Tower controllers are responsible for monitoring aircraft at ground level, while approach and depart controllers control flight during takeoffs and landings.
- Provide essential information to pilots
Pilots need to know the status of their runways and severe weather conditions. The air traffic controllers have to provide them with information about this
- Instructing pilots
Air traffic controllers often instruct pilots on where and when to fly their aircraft. Air traffic controllers usually permit pilots to land and depart.
- Using emergency protocols
Air traffic controllers need to follow protocols when handling emergencies. Within a set time frame, they must inform airport staff and other officials about the situation.
Qualifications
The education, work experience, and training required for air traffic controllers are all essential. They must be at least 18 years of age to be qualified to work in this field.
Education
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is responsible for air traffic controllers, requires that candidates have the following education or equivalent.
Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative degree
Many candidates can earn an associate’s (or a bachelor’s) degree through an Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative, approved by the FAA. These degrees are for air traffic controllers and teach them fundamentals such as airspace charts, clearances, and weather issues.
Work experience
If they demonstrate increasing levels of responsibility, candidates with three years of experience in general work can also be accepted by the FAA.
Post-secondary education
Candidates can also combine work experience with a college education for a total of three years.
Training
All air traffic controllers are required to enroll in the FAA Academy training program. This training lasts for three months. Many air traffic controllers have completed multiple training programs over their careers. Additional training is required for moving to a new location or for taking on a supervisory position.
Certification
Aspired air traffic controllers must not only meet the educational and training requirements but also complete these certifications:
- Pre-employment test
This test is used to assess whether candidates can handle the role of the air traffic controller. The FFA offers these tests to assess the candidate’s abilities in memory and spatial reasoning.
- Air Traffic Controller Specialists Skills Test
This test verifies that candidates are qualified for the job. To pass, you must score 70% or more.
- Certificate of Air Traffic Control Tower Operator
This FAA credential allows candidates to assume supervisory roles and further their careers. This credential can be earned after you have completed the FAA Academy, complied with all requirements, and worked as an entry-level development controller.
Essential Skills
- Avoid Stress
Air Traffic Control (ATC), depending on various factors like bad weather, emergencies and equipment failure, sudden increases in traffic volume, poor coordination, etc. can sometimes be extremely stressful. An ATCO (Air Traffic Control Officer), is required to manage stress and pressure with calm and ease to prevent breakdown. An Air Traffic Controller must also be able to adapt to changing situations.
- Spatial Awareness
Air Traffic Control, or more accurately Air Traffic Management, is a dynamic job. The information changes with time. Therefore, ‘right’ decisions must be made quickly to ensure that air traffic flows safely and efficiently.
- Visualization
Visualization is the ability to convert information and material into a visual representation of what is happening. Air Traffic Controllers can see the traffic situation at the moment, how it will change and what actions they should take to keep the aircraft safe.
- Prioritization
Air traffic controllers have many tasks to complete at any given time. However, they can prioritize tasks that allow them to quickly identify the most important tasks and give priority to those tasks.
- Multitasking Capability
The fact that humans, as finite beings, cannot handle all things simultaneously is a fact. However, this is not true for an air traffic controller, who must manage and write on flight movement strips while giving departure clearance. They also need to coordinate with other ATC units, plan for the next departure or arrival.
- Flexibility
While there are many rules and regulations for Air Traffic Control, ATCOs must follow these rules. However, they should be flexible when the situation calls for it. Flexibility can also be considered an inherent quality of an Air Traffic Controller.
- Communication skills
Communication is a vital part of the air traffic controller job. Controllers must have exceptional communication skills. It will help save time and prevent confusion and misunderstandings that could lead to a catastrophe.
- Excellent Memory
An air traffic controller must have a good memory. Air Traffic Control situations often require controllers with an excellent memory to recall aircraft movements and other pertinent information for a time of around 8-10 minutes.
- Team Player
Air Traffic Control is a team sport that requires a lot of coordination with other units, such as Pilots, Airlines, Airport Operators, and the Air Force. To get the job done well, a controller must work with all units.
- Numerically proficient
Air traffic controllers deal with a lot of numbers, such as Flight levels, landing times, and take-off times, which depend on Aircraft, to calculate the timings for aircraft crossings. These professionals must be able to perform numeric calculations and math quickly.
How to Become an Air Traffic Controller
These are the requirements to be an air traffic controller, according to Federal Aviation Administration.
- Be a United States citizen
- You must be at least 30 years old (by the close date of the application period).
- Pass a medical exam
- Conduct a security check
- Pass the FAA pre-employment test for air traffic
- Communicate clearly in English to understand communications equipment
- Three years of progressively responsible experience in work, or a Bachelor’s degree or combination of post-secondary education, work experience totaling three years
- You are willing to relocate to an FAA facility depending on the agency’s staffing requirements
To get certified as an Air Traffic Controller, you must have either formal education or work experience. This could include a bachelor’s degree (4 years) or a related work experience (3 years). It is preferable to have both education and work experience. You will need to follow more specific steps to become an air traffic controller. They include:
- Participate in an Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative Program (AT-CTI).
Federal Aviation Administration has established a network with educational institutions to help students pursue their aviation careers. You cannot be guaranteed employment after completing the degree programs you find here.
It’s important to remember that you must start your training to improve your skills. If you do not, your mandatory retirement will be at 56 years old. Only one exception: Retired military air traffic controllers may be eligible for an appointment once they reach 31 years old.
- To be considered for Federal Aviation Administration Training Program, you must pass several assessments
Anyone interested in aviation safety can receive training and education from the Federal Aviation Administration. More information about testing and training programs can be found on the Federal Aviation Administration website.
- Take a Federal Aviation Administration Training Program
Your training program will differ depending on which branch of aviation you are interested in joining. The Federal Aviation Administration has specific guidelines for these tests and training programs. Training can take anywhere from 2 to 4 years. It teaches you how to read maps and look out for aircraft weather patterns. You also learn federal regulations and airspace allowances.
- Apply for a job
After completing your training, you will be able to apply for jobs. Federal Aviation Administration has employment opportunities available for those with prior air traffic controller experience and entry-level trainee air traffic control specialists. This is done through job vacancies that are posted only for a short period each year.
Where to Work as an Air Traffic Controller
Control towers have large windows that allow you to see the runways and aircraft from above, while the routing center is open-plan. In both cases, air traffic controllers use multiple screens to process and receive information. They also use headsets to communicate with pilots and operators.
These professionals can work anytime because air traffic control facilities are open 24 hours a day. They work more than 40 hours per week and most have standard shifts. Federal regulations require air traffic controllers to work 10-hour shifts or less and to take at least nine-hour breaks in between.
Air Traffic Controller Salary
Most air traffic controllers are full-time employees. The average salary is determined by their experience and where they live.
The average salary an Air Traffic Controller earns in the U.S. is $46,504 per annum.