How to become Air Traffic Controller

How to become Air Traffic Controller

How to become Air Traffic Controller
Nikita Shakya

Many people desire to work in the aviation sector, but not everyone knows the requirements to become an air traffic controller. This demanding and satisfying position calls for a certain set of abilities, know-how, and experience. As a result, before you start looking for a job, it's crucial to understand how to become an air traffic controller.

Do you have what it takes to assist in directing aircraft safely through busy skies? In that case, continue reading to learn more about this fantastic job opportunity and how to become an air traffic controller. Anyone with the necessary qualifications can succeed in this dynamic sector with enough effort and commitment.

What is an air traffic controller?

An air traffic controller (ATC) is responsible for managing aircraft in the final minutes of a flight before it lands. They can also be called an aerodrome controller or an airfield controller. They are responsible for watching and guiding aeroplanes to ensure that no two aircraft are flying too close to one another and could collide. 

The position can be demanding because it necessitates extreme accuracy and split-second judgment. A typical career path for an ATO entails beginning as a trainee, working up to the assistant controller, senior controller, and, ideally, management positions.

Role and responsibilities of an air traffic controller

An air traffic controller has a crucial role to play in maintaining the safety of aeroplanes while working in a fast-paced setting. Their responsibility is to ensure that aircraft are operated safely, to give pilots guidance when necessary, and to work with other air traffic controllers at airports to control the flow of aircraft. 

Additionally, air traffic controllers are in charge of keeping an eye on the area around airports and interacting with pilots to ensure they fly safely.

Here are some of the significant roles and responsibilities of an air traffic controller:

  • Alerting pilots to adverse weather conditions closed runways, and other problems.
  • Use tools like radars to keep an eye on and control the direction of any aircraft.
  • To regulate how vehicles move on taxiways and runways and to give the pilot clearance for takeoff and landing.
  • To keep an eye on the aircraft after it departs the airspace.
  • To instruct other airport staff, such as luggage handlers and maintenance workers.
  • Identify and report any emergencies during an aircraft descent.

Qualifications required to be an air traffic controller

Being an Air Traffic Controller is a difficult job. It would be best to exhibit your attentiveness, visual and logical thinking abilities, and ability to remain calm under pressure.

This profession requires high focus, concentration, and attention to detail. However, it can be gratifying if you are interested in aeronautics and enjoy assisting others.

Some crucial qualifications required are:

  • Quick decision-making ability: As an air traffic controller, you must make decisions quickly, especially during takeoff and landing. When time is of important and you have several things to perform, making quick decisions becomes critical to avoiding failure. As an air traffic controller, making quick and fast decisions will help you overcome almost any problem.
  • Communication skills: Because communication is such an essential element of the job of an air traffic controller, you must have strong communication skills. When speaking, you should be able to utilize succinct and exact terms to save time and avoid uncertainty or misunderstanding, which could lead to tragedy.
  • Team Work: Working with other airport officers is an essential element of the job of an air traffic controller. To keep the airport running properly, you must collaborate with a team of other supervisors, managers, and staff employees. To keep an airport running properly, you must collaborate with maintenance personnel and pilots.

Steps to becoming an air traffic controller

To become an air traffic controller, you must go through the following steps:

  • You must have a bachelor's degree in science or a bachelor's degree in engineering with physics and math as required subjects. You are expected to get at least 60%.
  • A written exam, a vocal test, and a health check are all required.
  • Several years of relevant experience in the field of aviation management are preferred.

Salary of an Air traffic controller

An entry-level air traffic controller typically takes roughly 5 lakhs per year. But as you climb the experience ladder, this increases. In addition to their base pay, air traffic controllers also get respectable remuneration through gratuities, bonuses, and overtime pay. The annual salary of a senior air traffic controller can easily reach one million rupees. This number can vary depending on the airline or airport you work for.

Training courses required for becoming an air traffic controller

To become an air traffic controller, you can enrol in any of the following courses:

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Advantages and disadvantages of being an air traffic controller

Advantages:

  • Among the highest-paid employees in the airline business are air traffic controllers. You can make enough money to live comfortably as an air traffic controller. As you gain experience, your income gradually increases.
  • Choosing a career as an air traffic controller might be a great way to develop and hone your problem-solving abilities.

Disadvantages

  • Your work schedule as an air traffic controller can be pretty demanding.
  • Being an air traffic controller can be stressful because errors in judgment could result in accidents.

Career as an air traffic controller

An air traffic controller has a crucial role in maintaining aeroplanes' safety while working in a fast-paced setting. You have to ensure that aeroplanes are operated safely, assist pilots as needed, and cooperate with other air traffic controllers at airports to manage the flow of aircraft as part of your job. 

Air traffic controllers are also responsible for monitoring the congestion of airports and interacting with pilots to ensure they are flying safely. While the responsibilities of an air traffic controller can vary based on the position, most involve monitoring radar displays and providing pilots with instructions as necessary. 

It's a difficult job that requires careful attention to detail and dedication to the following protocol. On days with more aircraft than usual, working as an air traffic controller demands long hours, yet the job has several advantages.

FAQs regarding Air traffic controller

What are the long-term career prospects for air traffic controllers?

Air traffic controllers who gain experience and additional training can earn ratings allowing them to work in more complex roles and busier control towers and centres. Those with significant experience can train the next generation of air traffic controllers.

What is the salary range for air traffic controllers?

An entry-level controller's salary ranges from 4 lakhs to 6 lakhs rupees. Air traffic controllers receive decent gratuities, bonuses, and overtime pay in addition to their basic salary.

What are the primary skills required for an air traffic controller?

The most critical skills required are communication, quick thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.

What are the employment opportunities for air traffic controllers?

Air traffic controllers can work in commercial aviation, airports, and military forces.

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