Air Traffic Controllers and Related Occupations

## About This Job

* Direct air traffic within assigned airspace, and control moving aircraft and service vehicles at airports
* Authorize airline flights over assigned routes
* Provide pilots with flight information essential to aviation safety
* Work for the armed forces and airline and air services companies

## Earnings

### **Hourly Rate**

* High: $104.89/hr
* Median: $48.97/hr
* Low: $22.72/hr

## Duties

### **Air Traffic Controllers**

* Control flow of air traffic within assigned airspace using radar monitors, radio and other communication equipment and visual references

* Issue aircraft takeoff and landing instructions to pilots, and relay meteorological, navigational and other information to pilots in flight
* Keep radio and telephone contact with nearby control towers, terminal control units and other area control centers, and co-ordinate movement of aircraft into adjoining areas
* Alert airport emergency services when aircraft are experiencing difficulties and report missing aircraft to search and rescue services
* Direct activities of all moving aircraft and service vehicles on or near airport runways

### **Flight Dispatchers**

* Analyze environmental conditions and assess aircraft for load and fuel capacity, and other factors to determine flight routes
* Brief flight crew before takeoff on weather conditions, status of navigational facilities and airports en route
* Co-sign flight authorization with aircraft captain
* Monitor progress of flight and communicate as required with aircraft during flight
* Delay or cancel flights if necessary
* Prepare and maintain flight plans, flight logs and other reports

### **Flight Service Specialists**

* Provide pre-flight information concerning current and forecast weather conditions, radio frequencies, terrain, airports and related data to assist pilots in preparation of flight plans
* Check flight plans for completeness and accuracy, and forward flight plans to air traffic services facility
* Respond to radio calls from aircraft preparing for takeoff or landing, and supply information such as weather conditions, wind speed and direction, and presence of local air traffic
* Help air traffic control operations by relaying radio requests for flight clearances, arrival and departure information, and position reports
* Alert airport emergency services of aircraft experiencing difficulties and start communication searches when aircraft become overdue
* Observe, record and report weather conditions at airports

## Work Environment

Work in this occupation is typically performed in a structured environment, such as an office.

## Job Requirements

### **Education, training & qualifications**

* Completion of secondary school is required.
* A basic radio telephone operator's licence is required.
* Air traffic controllers and flight service specialists require completion of a NAV Canada training program which includes structured in-class and on-the-job training.
* Air traffic controllers require an air traffic controller's licence.
* Flight dispatchers may require experience in air traffic control or flight operations and may require a private pilot's licence

### **Skills**

* Spatial Perception
* Innovative
* Numerical Ability
* Detail-Oriented