Air Traffic Controllers and Related Workers

Nature of work

Air traffic controllers direct air traffic within assigned airspace, and control moving aircraft and service vehicles at airports. Flight service specialists provide pilots with flight information essential to aviation safety. Air traffic controllers and flight service specialists work for NAV Canada and the Canadian Forces. Flight dispatchers authorize airline flights over assigned routes. Flight dispatchers work for airline and air services companies and by the Canadian Forces.

Job 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.
• Maintain radio and telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units and other area control centres, and coordinate 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 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 like weather conditions, wind speed and direction and presence of local air traffic.
• Support 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.

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 conditions warrant.
• Prepare and maintain flight plans, flight logs and other reports.

Sample job titles

• air traffic control assistant
• air traffic control chief
• air traffic control officer
• air traffic controller (ATC)
• airline dispatcher
• flight dispatch assistant
• flight dispatcher
• flight operations officer
• flight service specialist (FSS)

Skills

• You need good health and eyesight, good judgement, constant vigilance, and the ability to communicate effectively. The candidates who succeed in training are self-confident and mature team players who are highly motivated, decisive, and self-disciplined.

Job requirements

• High 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.

Other considerations

• Air traffic controllers with experience and appropriate NAV Canada endorsements may move to units with higher volumes of air traffic.

Regulations

Contacts

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