Air Traffic Controllers

What Does a Air Traffic Controllers Do?

Control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport, and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers, according to established procedures and policies. Authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government or company regulations to expedite and ensure flight safety.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
• 2Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
• 3Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
• 4Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
• 5Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
• 6Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
• 7Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land.
• 8Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.

Required Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Learning
• Adobe Acrobat
• Advanced technologies and oceanic procedures ATOP
• Automated radar terminal systems ARTS
• Center TRACON automation systems CTAS
• Direct-to-tool software
• En route descent advisor EDA
• Expedite departure path EDP software
• Final approach spacing tool FAST
• Flight simulation software
• Microsoft Access

Air Traffic Controllers Salary