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

Annual Median Salary
$102,128

Hourly Rate

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

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.

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