Air traffic control jobs involve monitoring, communication, timing, and prioritization. Training is available at community and career colleges, and ongoing training is important due to changing technology. Air traffic controllers must have attention to detail, mental focus, and the ability to work under pressure. Communication is essential, and coordinating the timing of takeoffs, taxiing, and landings is crucial. The final decision rests with the air traffic controller, who must justify it and communicate it clearly to pilots and other controllers.
The process of managing the takeoff and landing of airplanes requires the coordination of many different air traffic control jobs. While there are a number of different tasks involved in this position, air traffic control jobs can be grouped into four main categories: monitoring, communication, timing, and prioritization. The skills needed to be an air traffic controller include attention to detail, mental focus and the ability to work under pressure.
A one-year air traffic controller program is available at a wide variety of community and career colleges. In addition to this formal post-secondary training, all airports have their own training and examination program. The role of the traffic coordinator is central to safe air travel at all airports, large and small. In addition to initial training, most airports offer specific courses in new software, conflict management, communication and procedures. Ongoing training is very important in this career as technology is changing rapidly.
Monitoring aircraft entering the airspace around an airport is one of the most important jobs of air traffic control. Through a combination of radio communication, computer technology and aircraft detection equipment, the air traffic controller can track all aircraft and their locations in relation to each other, the ground and the airport. Spatial awareness, understanding airplane dimensions, and basic physics come in handy in this career.
Communication is an essential component of being an air traffic controller. The ability to communicate quickly and effectively with a variety of pilots, co-pilots and other air traffic controllers is central to this role. During training, there are a series of communication simulations used to provide the necessary skills for this role. Sending the wrong information or failing to include essential information in a verbal communication to a pilot can have fatal consequences.
Coordinating the takeoff, taxi and landing timing of all planes on a set of runways is one of the many important air traffic control jobs required in this position. A solid understanding of the time required to complete these steps on different models and sizes of planes allows the controller to maximize runway usage and minimize wait times. In an emergency situation, it is up to the air traffic controller to prioritize air traffic to minimize the risk to passenger safety. While this may sound simple, there are often conflicting priorities and demands from pilots. The final decision rests with the air traffic controller, who must be able to justify his decision and communicate it clearly to pilots and other controllers.
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