Managing air traffic is not an easy task. You need to be alert and of sound mind to know how to handle incoming and outgoing flights. Employment as an air traffic controller is given by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It is a government agency, which looks after air transportation. With the rising trend of air transport, the need of air traffic controllers is rising day by day. Pay scale offered for an air traffic controller is high as the amount of concentration involved is more.
Nature of job
The main work of an air traffic controller is to guide the plane in and out of the airport. An air traffic controller has to communicate with the pilot to ensure safe landing. Apart from communicating, it is his duty to ensure everything runs smoothly. One wrong move in the daily work can result in loss of human life. There are times where the air traffic controller even has to direct a particular plane which is due for landing. Coordination of air traffic is essential when working as an air traffic controller. Calculation of distance and speed should be done for an incoming plane with an outgoing plane from the airport. The air traffic controller should also know the air space in which he/she is handling air traffic.
Apart from guiding planes, an air traffic controller needs to keep a watch on security and evacuation methods. There are chances where a technical problem might arise on the runway. In such situations, it is the job of an air traffic controller to keep other incoming and outgoing planes on alert. The air traffic controller has to work on delays. There are chances where the traveling time might be more. In such situations, there is chaos on the runway as departing flights will be on schedule. An air traffic controller's location is usually in the airport tower, which is near the runway.
The instruments involved for an air traffic controller is the radar and visual observation. As explained, the air traffic controller needs to be alert when any departing or arriving flight in on the runway. Communicating with pilots is also in the list for an air traffic controller. The air traffic controller needs to study the radar with high precision. Every movement of the plane should be tracked with the use of radar. The radar is the only source of knowledge for the air traffic controller to know incoming or outgoing plane. If there is any mishap on the runway, it is the job of an air traffic controller to divert all departing and arriving flights in a safe area till the situation is under control.
Work environment
Day and night shifts are included in the job profile of an air traffic controller. The airport is in use all day long, so there is a need of an air traffic controller. The air traffic controller must devote 40 hours in a week for his job. This is strenuous but lots of job packages are available which can attract a candidate. There are times where several planes are in the same air space; they need to be directed with proper coordination.
Educational qualifications
To become a successful air traffic controller, a candidate must be FAA approved.
The FAA test consists of different modules, which are included in the air traffic controller program. Pre employment test, receiving school recommendation with special subjects like federal law is the main criterion to become an air traffic controller. The candidate should also clear the evaluation test given by FAA. Once selected, the candidate will have a medical and drug test to ensure he/she is physically fit for the job. Final test is of security clearance for the air traffic controller. The job of an air traffic controller requires lots of security and secrecy. It is an important job, which saves a nation from various attacks. Before the main hiring goes into action, the air traffic controller will have to clear security test.
Training of an air traffic controller
The candidate must enroll for Air Collegiate Training Initiative Program or Minneapolis Community and Technical College, which has Air Traffic Control Program. The test is of 8 hours, which is completely done on the computer itself. Apart from this exam, the candidate must have 3 years of work experience with 4 years of college. The candidate should be less than 30 years of age to successfully qualify for the main test. The air traffic controller should have basic communications skills, which are required at workplace.
Once candidates clears all the tests, he/she will be called for the final round, which is taken by airport authority.
Earnings and returns
The job of an air traffic controller requires high skill and devotion. Payment of an air traffic controller is given according to the job responsibility given to them. The package usually offered for an air traffic controller is around $117,240 to $142,210. The earning might fluctuate as per the area and nature of work. Age and experience plays an important role in the salary package offered for the post of air traffic controller.