Air Traffic Controllers and Related Workers

(NOC 2272)

in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

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 Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

  • Estimate 3410 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 5690 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$22.58

Minimum

$35.34

Median

$52.84

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$75,030

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Hourly Pay

$18.00

Minimum

$34.90

Median

$54.10

Maximum

Annual Pay

$13,568

Minimum

$60,422

Median

$107,009

Maximum

About the job

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.

By the numbers

Quick look

160

employed in 2016

90.3%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

35.5%
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64.5%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
45.3

median age

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

25,875

employed in 2016

91.5%

employed full-time

7.6%

self employed

20.0%
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80%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
42.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

61.3%

Halifax

$89,479 median annual income
38.7%

Annapolis Valley

$58,804 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

66.7%

Transportation and warehousing

33.3%

Public administration

What is the age of Employment?

38.0%

45-54

28.0%

25-34

16.0%

35-44

13.0%

55-64

6.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

24.2%

25-34

23.5%

45-54

23.4%

35-44

16.4%

55-64

7.7%

15-24

Top levels of education

45.2%

College Diploma

$92,716 median annual income
32.3%

High school

$64,044 median annual income
16.1%

Bachelor

N/A
12.9%

Trade Certification

N/A

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

33.1%

College Diploma

$59,986 median annual income
29.8%

Bachelor

$63,965 median annual income
11.9%

High school

$45,835 median annual income
9.9%

Master

$65,105 median annual income
6.9%

Trade Certification

$57,773 median annual income

Education & training

There is no information to display in this section

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Air Traffic Controller

Not Provincially Regulated: This job may be regulated by a federal regulatory body.

Regulating body:
Transport Canada - Civil Aviation Services
Dartmouth, NS
Flight Service Specialist

Not Provincially Regulated: This job may be regulated by a federal regulatory body.

Regulating body:
Transport Canada - Civil Aviation Services
Dartmouth, NS

Contacts

NAV CANADA
Ottawa, ON

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.