When people think of careers in aviation, the first jobs that come to mind are most likely pilots and flight attendants, but have you ever considered the behind the scenes work of an air traffic controller? Air traffic controllers (ATC) have the immense responsibility of monitoring all the different flights passing through a specified airspace. They ensure that aircraft stay safe distances apart and assist the pilots as needed by giving directions during, take-off, landing, and en-route. Controllers work in a fast-paced, high-stress environment because they are responsible in directing a safe flight path for each plane and its passengers. If you are a radar controller, you are also working in a dark environment, your nose pinned to the radar screen. To become an air traffic controller, you must be prepared to take on the responsibility and strain of the job.
Once you’ve decided you’re up to the task you can begin looking for schools where you can be trained and licensed as an air traffic controller by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The only exception to this is if you have already received training and experience in the military. Most Aviation schools, such as Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University, have programs for training ATC operators. Because of the large degree of responsibility entailed by the job, standards are stringent. In addition to studying, gaining experience, and passing the FAA test, aspiring controllers must have recommendations from their aviation program, pass a medical exam, and submit to a drug screening.
If you have fulfilled all these requirements, you can be selected as a “developmental controller”, which basically means that you can work and gain experience but you still have more to learn. Twice a year you will be tested or screened while on the job. You will also undergo and annual medical examination to ensure you are healthy and up to the daily stress of your work. If your supervisor feels that you are not adapting to new tasks quickly enough, managing the multiple demands of your job, or put the flights that you manage at risk, you will be dismissed and may find it difficult to be hired again.
ATC is growing field, despite the problems with many airlines that you hear about now days. The reason for the growth is that air travel itself continues to be on the rise which means that more controllers are needed to monitor and direct flights. Also, controllers must retire at age 56. This means that controllers will always be needed to replace those who are retiring.
Despite the stress and the stringent requirements, controllers normally love their work because it is challenging. It requires them to think on their feet and solve problems based upon ever changing situations. If you listen in to an ATC transmission you will see that controllers have a sense of humor and strong camaraderie with the pilots and other controllers with whom they work.
