Managing airplane takeoffs and landings necessitates the coordination of several different air traffic control jobs. Despite the fact that air traffic control jobs involve a variety of tasks, they can be divided into four main categories: monitoring, communication, timing, and prioritizing. Attention to detail, mental focus, and the ability to work under pressure are all necessary qualities for an air traffic controller.
A variety of community and career colleges offer a one-year air traffic controller program. Aside from formal post-secondary education, each airport has its own training program and examinations. At all airports, large and small, the role of traffic coordinator is critical to ensuring safe air travel. Most airports offer specific courses in new software, conflict management, communication, and procedures in addition to the initial training. Because technology is changing at such a rapid rate, continuous training is critical in this field.
One of the most important air traffic control jobs is monitoring aircraft as they enter the airspace around an airport. The air traffic controller can track all of the aircraft and their locations relative to each other, the ground, and the airport using a combination of radio communication, computer technology, and airplane detection equipment. This career requires spatial awareness, an understanding of airplane dimensions, and a basic understanding of physics.
Being an air traffic controller necessitates a high level of communication. This position necessitates the ability to communicate quickly and effectively with a variety of pilots, co-pilots, and other air traffic controllers. A series of mock communication drills are used during training to provide the skills required in this role. Sending the wrong information to a pilot or failing to include critical information in a verbal communication can be fatal.
One of the many important air traffic control jobs in this position is coordinating the takeoff, taxiing, and landing timing for all planes on a set of runways. The controller can maximize runway usage and minimize waiting times having a solid understanding of the time required to complete these steps for various plane models and sizes. It is up to the air traffic controller in an emergency situation to prioritize air traffic in order to reduce the risk to passenger safety. Although this may appear to be a simple task, pilots frequently have competing priorities and demands. The air traffic controller is responsible for making the final decision, which he must be able to justify and communicate clearly to the pilots and other controllers.