Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life
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Air Traffic Controllers
Air Traffic Controllers 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.
Table of Contents
Job Description
Air Traffic Controllers 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. They also inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
Other tasks include:
- Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
- Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
- Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
- Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
- Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
- Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land.
We asked Air Traffic Controllers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.
74%
59%
74% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 59% 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, Air Traffic Controllers monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references. They transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
A typical day for an Air Traffic Controller will also include:
- Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
- Direct ground traffic, including taxiing aircraft, maintenance or baggage vehicles, or airport workers.
- Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
- Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
- Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement.
We asked some Air Traffic Controllers 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? | 62% said yes | |
| How important is it to work in a team in this job? | 83% said very important | |
| Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? | 62% said yes | |
| Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? | 70% said yes | |
| Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? | 20% said yes | |
| Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? | 96% said yes |
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Air Traffic Controllers also alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties. They may also provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Air Traffic Controllers Review records or reports for clarity and completeness and maintain records or reports, as required under federal law. They might also Provide on-the-job training to new air traffic controllers.
In addition, they Conduct pre-flight briefings on weather conditions, suggested routes, altitudes, indications of turbulence, or other flight safety information.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them Check conditions and traffic at different altitudes in response to pilots’ requests for altitude changes.
To some Air Traffic Controllers, it is also their responsibility to Analyze factors such as weather reports, fuel requirements, or maps to determine air routes.
Working life
Standard 40 hour work week
Regular schedule like a 9 to 5
In a typical work week as an Air Traffic Controller, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.
Is this right for me
The Entrepreneurs and The Organizers
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.
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