2. Job Description
Managing aircraft through all aspects of the flight
Ensuring arrival and departures are on time
They use radar and radio communication equipment to give advice and instruct
pilots.
They work in control towers at airports
Majority of the air traffic controllers operate in area control center
The air traffic controllers are responsible for the en-route stage of the aircraft, using
radar to locate the exact position of the aircraft to keep it safe in the airspace and
the most efficient route.
Approach controllers operate with instrument landing systems.
3. REQUIRED EDUCATION AND
EXPERIENCE
The FAA is the body that comes up with guidelines for schools that offer programs called the Air
Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative, or the AT-CTI program.
AT-CTI schools offer a degree that last for two to four years.
The topics that one is supposed to cover include, aviation weather, airspace, clearances, reading
maps, federal regulations, and other related topics.
Candidates with a recommendation letter from their from their AT-CTI school are allowed to take
the AT-SAT.
Students are given the exam before graduation but must have gone through the academic system
satisfactorily
A student who has passed the exam can apply for vacancies in any place.
4. Starting Salary and Potential Pay Increase
In May 2012, the median annual wage for air traffic controllers was about
$122,530
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in 2012 put the starting salary for the new
controllers undergoing training to be $ 17,803.
Controllers’ salaries increase after completing each training phase
Controllers who have finished on the job training and had been placed were started
at a salary of $37, 070 in 2012.
5. Work Schedule and vs. time off
Most air traffic controllers operate full time with others even working extra hours.
Controllers may rotate shifts between, evening, and night, since most control
centers operate full time.
Controllers work on weekend as well and holiday shifts.
6. Benefits and Perks
Air traffic controllers are entitled to a complete package of federal benefits such as
Annual leave
Sick leave
Life and health insurance
Salary increment after every phase of training
7. Quality of life
Air Traffic controllers enjoy hefty packs of averagely $118,430 annually, thus
making them have quality life
8. Progression
Graduates of the FAA Academy begin as developmental controllers.
They advance to different positions with on the time training , including
simulations and class study
9. Retirement
An air traffic controller can work and retire at an early age without a decrease in
their annual pay.
Most controllers retire at their fifties.
One is required to retire at least at age fifty after about twenty years of service.
