Air Traffic Controllers

Course Advisor; United States; On-site; USD 68,090 - 178,650; Full time

Job summary

Course Advisor is looking for an Air Traffic Controller responsible for controlling air traffic and ensuring flight safety. Candidates should possess strong skills in active listening, decision making, and critical thinking. The role involves directing ground traffic, providing weather briefings, and coordinating emergency responses. The average salary for this position ranges between $68,090 and $178,650 annually. This role presents opportunities for growth in states with higher demand such as Nevada and Virginia.

Qualifications

• Ability to give full attention to others and understand their points.
• Effective verbal communication skills.
• Making informed decisions considering costs and benefits.
• Identifying strengths and weaknesses of solutions.
• Assessing personal performance for improvement.
• Solving complex problems with effective options and solutions.

Responsibilities

• Control air traffic movements according to established procedures.
• Provide flight path changes or directions for emergencies.
• Conduct pre-flight briefings on weather conditions.
• Direct ground traffic at the airport.
• Coordinate searches for missing aircraft.
• Direct pilots to runways and maintain traffic patterns.

Skills

Active Listening

Speaking

Judgment and Decision Making

Critical Thinking

Monitoring

Complex Problem Solving

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Office

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Access

Adobe Acrobat

ERP software

SAP software

Flight simulation software

Job description

Position Description

Control air traffic on and within the vicinity of an 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.

Life As an Air Traffic Controller

• Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
• Conduct pre‑flight briefings on weather conditions, suggested routes, altitudes, indications of turbulence, or other flight safety information.
• Direct ground traffic, including taxiing aircraft, maintenance or baggage vehicles, or airport workers.
• Initiate or coordinate searches for missing aircraft.
• Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land.
• Analyze factors such as weather reports, fuel requirements, or maps to determine air routes.

What an Air Traffic Controller Should Know

• Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Monitoring: Monitoring and assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Types of Air Traffic Controller

• Radar Air Traffic Controller
• Communications Operator
• Airways Control Specialist
• Air Traffic Supervisor
• Airway Controller

Job Outlook for Air Traffic Controllers

In the United States, there were 24,900 jobs for Air Traffic Controllers in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 3.6% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 900 new jobs for Air Traffic Controllers by 2026. There will be an estimated 2,400 positions for Air Traffic Controllers per year. States such as Nevada, Nebraska, Louisiana, Illinois, Virginia, and New Hampshire offer higher growth, while Michigan, Wisconsin, and West Virginia have lower growth.

Air Traffic Controller Average Salary

The average yearly salary of an Air Traffic Controller ranges between $68,090 and $178,650. The highest salaries are found in Illinois, Virginia, and New Hampshire.

Tools Used by Air Traffic Controllers

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Access
• Adobe Acrobat
• Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software
• SAP software
• Really Simple Syndication (RSS)
• Flight simulation software