Air traffic controllers are responsible for keeping air traffic flying safely in Irish airspace, managing their movements and ensuring planes are arriving and departing on time. They give instructions and advice to pilots and collectively handle around two and half million flights each year, using a network of nationwide communications, surveillance and navigation systems.
There are three main areas of responsibility for air traffic controllers:
- area control
- approach control
- aerodrome control.
These roles cover aircraft throughout their flight, from taxiing round the airport, to take off, flight, landing and taxiing again.
Area controllers oversee the en-route stage of a flight. They use radar and the latest technology to track an aircraft’s exact position, to keep traffic separated in flight and to give pilots the most efficient route to their destination.
Approach controllers take over contact with a pilot when the aircraft is within 25 to 30 kilometres of the airport, giving initial clearance to approach the airport, guiding and sequencing aircraft into the most efficient order for landing.
Aerodrome controllers then take over when the aircraft is five miles away. They guide pilots in for a safe landing. At very busy airports, aerodrome controllers may be split into air control and ground control. Ground control guide the aircraft to its parking stand once it has landed. They also make sure the departing aircraft get from the stands to the runways, and take off safely.
The majority of air traffic controllers (80 per cent) work in area control centres.
Air traffic controllers need to be prepared to deal with any situation, for example:
- changing flight plans
- bad weather conditions
- unexpected events, such as security alerts
- unscheduled traffic entering the airspace.
Air traffic controllers also may be required to communicate with their counterparts in foreign air traffic control centres, for example those in Europe and the North Atlantic.
Much of an air traffic controller’s working time is spent using radars, radio equipment, and computers for communicating and collecting data.
Hours and environment
Air traffic control services are provided seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. This means that air traffic controllers have to work shifts during their working week, and these can include a mix of weekends, early mornings and late nights.
When working a shift, rest periods of half an hour are usually taken after every one and a half to two hours’ duty.
Air traffic controllers work at flight control centres and in airport traffic control towers. These can be busy areas, and are well ventilated with good lighting to ensure a good working environment. There is a lot of technical equipment, such as radar screens, and air traffic controllers have to wear headsets while they are on duty.
Salary and other benefits
These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.
Starting salary for fully qualifed Air Traffic Controllers is €50,000 rising to in excess of €100,000 including shift allowances.
Skills and personal qualities
An air traffic controller needs to:
- work well and concentrate under pressure
- be able to make decisions quickly, but with confidence
- have a patient, calm and efficient manner
- react intuitively and efficiently to new and unexpected situations
- have good communication skills, and be able to speak clearly, precisely and authoritatively to pilots
- be able to check and interpret complicated data quickly and accurately
- understand geometry and be excellent at mental arithmetic
- have good spatial awareness and vision
- have a good memory
- work well in a team.
Interests
It is important for air traffic controllers to be:
- enthusiastic about aviation
- interested in working in a high-tech environment.
Entry routes
Candidates are recruited through the Irish Aviation Authority’s Student Controller Programme.
Applicants must be at least 19 years of age. There is no upper age limit.
Applicants must have passed at least five subjects in the Leaving Certificate (including English and Mathematics) with Grade C in at least two higher level papers. An Level 5 qualification (NFQ) is also be acceptable.
Useful Links:
NATS (National Air Traffic Services UK)