Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of aircraft to maintain the safe distances between the aircraft. Their primary concern is safety, but they also must direct aircraft efficiently to minimize delays. They manage the flow of aircraft into and out of the airport airspace, guide pilots during takeoff and landing, and monitor aircraft as they travel through the skies for security purposes. Air traffic controllers use radar, computers, or visual references to monitor and direct the movement of the aircraft in the skies and ground traffic at airports.

During an emergency situation, the air traffic controller plays a major role as they must notify the required authorities and alert emergency response staff as soon as possible. He or she must vigilant and be able to manage different tasks at one time. It can be very stressful at times due to the responsibility of the safety of aircraft, it’s crew and airline passengers. Air traffic controllers must be able to be focused and concentrate for long periods of times and usually work full-time. Hours and days vary to include shift work, nights, and weekends but the job is a great career choice for people who love multi-tasking and meeting new people. 

Career Roles & Responsibilities

1) Initiate and coordinate searches for missing aircraft.

2) Inspect, adjust, and control radio equipment and airport lights.

3) Review records and reports for clarity and completeness, and maintain records and reports as required under federal law.

4) Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency and when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.

5) Analyze factors such as weather reports, fuel requirements, and maps in order to determine air routes.

6) Check conditions and traffic at different altitudes in response to pilots' requests for altitude changes.

7) Conduct pre-flight briefings on weather conditions, suggested routes, altitudes, indications of turbulence, and other flight safety information.

8) Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, and other information.

9) Determine the timing and procedures for flight vector changes.

10) Direct ground traffic, including taxiing aircraft, maintenance and baggage vehicles, and airport workers.

11) Direct pilots to runways when space is available, or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land.

12) inform pilots about nearby planes as well as potentially hazardous conditions such as weather, speed and direction of wind, and visibility problems.

13) Organize flight plans and traffic management plans to prepare for planes about to enter assigned airspace.

14) Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.

15) Compile information about flights from flight plans, pilot reports, radar, and observations.

16) Relay to control centers such air traffic information as courses, altitudes, and expected arrival times.

17) Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.

18) Complete daily activity reports and keep records of messages from aircraft.

19) Issue landing and take-off authorizations and instructions.

20) Maintain radio and telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, and other area control centers in order to coordinate aircraft movement.

21) Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, and visual references.

22) Monitor and direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space and on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
 

Career Education Path Summary

Eligibility to become Air Traffic Controller

Aspirants who are planning to become air traffic controllers must have a bachelor’s degree (B.Sc in Science) with physics and mathematics as mandatory subjects or a B.Tech/B.E. degree in any field can apply for the post of Junior Executive Controller (ATC). The minimum pass percentage to apply for ATC is 60%

For UG Courses: 

1. Candidate must have a B.Sc in Science or B.Tech/B.E. degree with a minimum aggregate of 60%. However, the minimum aggregate rules vary from category to category.
2. Candidates have to appear in the written test, voice test, and medical test.
3. The age criteria for general category candidates is 27 years whereas for reserved category candidates it is 32 years and for OBC candidates it is 30 years to apply for the ATC.

For  PG Courses:

1. Candidate must have a bachelor's degree in the respective field.
2. Must have some professional experience in the aviation management industry.

Types of Job Roles Air Traffic Controller:

Air Traffic Controller is a restrictive career option as the air traffic controller job profiles are restricted to the aviation sector. Listed below are some of the popular air traffic controller job profiles:

Air Traffic Controller:  They are responsible for monitoring and directing the movement of the aircraft on the ground/ air by making use of the radar, computers, and visual references. They also control all ground traffic a the airports

Approach and Departure Controller: Their job is to give clearance to enter controlled airspace and hand off control of aircraft to en route controllers. They use radar equipment to monitor flight paths and they also provide pilots with information regarding weather and other critical notices.

Tower Controller: They direct the movement of vehicles on the runway, taxiways, check flight plans, and also clearance to the pilots during takeoff or landing.

En Route Controller:  Their job role is to monitor the aircraft once it leaves the airport's space. They work at air route traffic control centers located throughout the country, they are usually not located at the airports.