Air traffic controller

ATC service is an inalienable part of air traffic. It provides the users with complete range of air navigation services. Controllers bear responsibility for providing flights safety during servicing air traffic. They are in charge of:

• listening to operational frequency of their sector and keeping radio communication with the traffic

• listening to emergency frequency

• identification of the traffic

• preventing collisions between the aircraft

• coordinating planes movements- assigning them speed, heading, flight path, flight conditions in holding pattern etc.

• keeping the aircraft safely separated from each other on all phases of the flight, taking into account air space classification, flight rules according to which flight is performed and type of the aircraft

• accepting and handover the aircraft from/to adjacent sector

• relaying controller’s instructions, clearances and recommendations to the pilots concerning safety of flights

• controlling of pilots’ flight plans following

• supplying the crew with meteorological information if they are in need

• analyzing, revealing and solving conflict situations with the aim of preventing minimum separation infringement

• assisting the crews in emergency situations

Thus, the controllers assume responsibility for the lives of all people who are in the air in their areas.

Depending on the area where controller works we distinguish different types of controllers:

Ground controllers

They

-give clearances to start-up, run-up engines

-issue taxiing direction

-inform pilots about TW and RW conditions, current works and meteorological conditions at the airport

-designate a parking stand number for arriving aircraft

-guide pilots in parking area, give clearance for holding position before take off

-provide safe moving of the aircraft in maneuvering area

Tower controllers

They

- clear the crew for occupying the RW

- monitor RW occupying, crossing and vacating by ground personnel

- designate RW number for landing and take off

- issue clearance for take off and landing

- instruct pilots as for initial climb

- inform pilots about RW conditions, birds activity and meteorological conditions at the airport

-provide safe separation between departing and arriving aircraft

- inform airport services about readiness and emergency/alarm signal

Approach controllers

They

- monitor and control air traffic in the area restricted by altitudes peculiar for each airport issue instructions to aircraft who are intending to land at the airport (This involves vectoring aircraft in a safe, orderly, and expeditious manner and, if needed, stacking the aircraft at different holding altitudes)

- prioritize sequence of approach for landing

- provide necessary separation between the aircraft

ACCs

They

- provide safe passage of traffic on high flight levels

- constantly monitor air space situation on the screen

- coordinate planes movements assigning them FLs, routes, speed, heading

- warn crews about possible conflict situations

- advise avoiding actions due to another traffic or weather conditions

- offer weather information if required

ATC’s facilities

Some years ago all control centers in Ukraine were equipped with automated system which substituted a lot of controller’s functions. On these monitors ATC can observe aircraft plot, its call sign, its heading, and speed and flight level. It eliminates necessity to keep this information in mind. This system provides controllers with such information as flight plans, delays, flight plans’ conflict, and weather conditions at the airports. There are two warning functions of this system: function of prediction which helps controller to maintain necessary separation between the planes and warns ATC in case of infringement of this separation 120 seconds in advance; function of violation which goes off in case of violation of minimum separation.

Thus, state-of-art advanced and sophisticated equipment which is at controllers disposal is aimed to enhance the safety in the air and on the ground.

Pre-shift preparation

ATCs work in shift pattern. Each controller’s shift is proceeded by pre-shift briefing where meteorologists notify the team about weather conditions for different sectors of control, issue SIGMET, and inform about met conditions at own airport and the nearest airports.

Then military officers take the floor. They remind about prohibited areas, advise about restricted areas, state flights, training military flights. For low arrears they note explosive works and applications of small-engine aviation. Following it a technician reports on technical condition of the operative system, on any changes and malfunctions.

Then supervisor of lower area informs the audience about RW, apron, TW, stand conditions, gives instructions to his team and assigns controllers to different sector positions. Then upper area supervisor takes the word and also informs the team about work loading in his sector, states if there are any traffic congestions and gives instructions to his team and it is for him to assign controllers to their positions in sectors.

ATC’s career

The career in air traffic control service starts with operational controller who may have ratings for different control sectors. Then career is predetermined by experience and level of proficiency. If gained knowledge and skills allow operational controller may become a senior controller or a supervisor.

If controller has a calling for this profession and he is good at documents, regulations and recommendations he may obtain the designation of Simulator Training Instructor.

Supervisor

Supervisor bears responsibility for all controllers in his team, for their actions, so he has to be an excellent psychologist to select members for his team as he has to be sure in them as in himself. He has to be familiar with all leading documents, to be highly experienced as an operational controller.

The Supervisor is responsible for

• his team controllers to ensure safety in their sector of control

• coordinating the work with aviation authorities and other services

• monitoring controller’s actions in case of emergency

• following all necessary working documents

• organizing professional training for his controllers and checking their knowledge

• undertaking preventive measures in case of appearance of complicated situations

Simulator Training Instructor

Simulator Training Instructor is the top of controller’s career. Mainly it’s a person who has a good command of leading documents, who is perfect at practical skills, who has a long experience as an operational controller. It’s also a person who has some pedagogical skills and knowledge as his primary task is to drive home to controllers some aspects of their job, to drill their practical skills, to enhance their theoretical knowledge.

Simulator Training Instructors create various exercises for controllers: f.e. controlling air space with high congestion of aircraft or in restricted visibility due to thick fog or in limited situation f.e. with big front of CB activity and thus with a big workload for controller. They can also work out exercises with emergency situations – fire on board, depressurization, engine failure and so on.

Requirements for the controllers

ATC’s activity and responsibility for the lives of people specify certain requirements for candidates’ qualities to meet.

Every controller is required to be:

-quick-thinking ( as the aircraft moves rather quickly and especially during take-off and landing; so separation may be violated quickly and ATC’s decision should be made in some seconds)

-responsible (controllers assume responsibility for the people on the board of the plane within their air space)

-attentive (there are various rules concerning controlling air traffic, infringement of any of them should be spotted in time, otherwise it may become fatal)

-able to plan, predict and calculate in mind quickly (any conflict situation has to foreseen and eliminated)

-able to work under pressure/able to handle stress (in case of controlling congested airspace, working at busy airports; it creates tense and anxious atmosphere in the operational room because any distraction can be lethal)

-level-headed and able to make adequate decisions in extreme situations ( in case of emergency controller has to pull himself together and do his best in order to cope with the problem and assist the crew)

-able to cope with multi-task ( ATCs have to communicate with the crew , monitor other traffic on the screen and keep in mind theoretical information simultaneously )

-able to work in team and collaborate with people

Benefits and drawbacks of ATC’s job

Like every profession ATC’s position has its benefits and drawbacks

Benefits comprise

- working for a respected company

-high salary

-plenty of free time as it is shift work (we have 3 days off in a row)

-having long holidays (56 days with additional payment for health improvement)

-communication with pilots from all over the world

-having wide opportunities for promotion

- having free professional training

-working with state-of-art equipment

-having social benefits (medical insurance, high pension, early retirement, free sport activities)

-having free transportation from home to work and visa versa.

Drawbacks include

-dealing with stress due to traffic congestion and emergencies (as it is rather responsible job and any minor mistake can lead to fatality)

- fatigue due to night shifts

-pressure from constant professional exams and medical checks