As an air traffic controller, you’ll be calm under pressure and able to use your considerable training and communication skills to guide pilots on their journey. Learn more about a career in air traffic control, find out what it involves and what you’ll need to study and do to get the role.
A role in air traffic control typically means you’ll be using complicated radar and radio equipment to communicate instructions, information, and advice to pilots.
Working in a team, tasks vary depending on which type of controller you decide to become. For example, area controllers support aircrafts flying at high altitudes. Other types of controllers include approach controllers, aerodrome controllers and RAF air operations control officers.
It's incredibly rewarding and mentally challenging role. You’ll monitor data on things like weather conditions, distances between planes and instruct aircraft on when to climb and descend. Shift work is needed to make sure the control centre is manned 24 hours a day.
Daily tasks will vary but could involve:
The average salary for an air traffic controller in the UK is £95,680. Graduates start at around £36,500.
Travelling for work is uncommon as an air traffic controller unless you decide to work overseas permanently.
Air traffic controllers are not able to work from home due to the nature of the job.
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