What Do Airfield Operations Specialists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Airfield Operations Specialists ensure the safe takeoff and landing of commercial and military aircraft. Duties include coordination between air-traffic control and maintenance personnel; dispatching; using airfield landing and navigational aids; implementing airfield safety procedures; monitoring and maintaining flight records; and applying knowledge of weather information. They also implement airfield safety procedures to ensure a safe operating environment for personnel and aircraft operation.

Other tasks include:

• Assist in responding to aircraft and medical emergencies.
• Manage wildlife on and around airport grounds.
• Coordinate with agencies, such as air traffic control, civil engineers, or command posts, to ensure support of airfield management activities.
• Plan and coordinate airfield construction.
• Perform and supervise airfield management activities, including mobile airfield management functions.
• Coordinate communications between air traffic control and maintenance personnel.

We asked Airfield Operations Specialists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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83% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 52% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Airfield Operations Specialists use airfield landing and navigational aids and digital data terminal communications equipment to perform duties. They receive, transmit, and control message traffic.

A typical day for an Airfield Operations Specialist will also include:

• Manage wildlife on and around airport grounds.
• Maintain air-to-ground and point-to-point radio contact with aircraft commanders.
• Receive and post weather information and flight plan data, such as air routes or arrival and departure times.
• Provide aircrews with information and services needed for airfield management and flight planning.
• Perform and supervise airfield management activities, including mobile airfield management functions.

We asked some Airfield Operations Specialists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	84% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	64% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	98% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	55% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	18% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	70% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Airfield Operations Specialists also collaborate with others to plan flight schedules and air crew assignments. They may also receive and post weather information and flight plan data, such as air routes or arrival and departure times.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Airfield Operations Specialists Coordinate changes to flight itineraries with appropriate Air Traffic Control (ATC) agencies. They might also Conduct departure and arrival briefings.

In addition, they Check military flight plans with civilian agencies.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Assist in responding to aircraft and medical emergencies.

To some Airfield Operations Specialists, it is also their responsibility to Coordinate communications between air traffic control and maintenance personnel.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as an Airfield Operations Specialist, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

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