What it takes to be an Air Traffic Control Specialist
These are characteristics of the exceptional men and women who provide the safe and orderly flow of air traffic at airports and in our skies:
- Disciplined
- Tough-minded
- Meticulous
- Driven
We'll give you the training you need to keep the air traffic system running smoothly. Qualifying is challenging but the support and satisfaction you'll get make this career worthwhile.
Nature of the Work
An air traffic control specialist (ATCS) is often described as one who provides for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic. At FAA, a controller's work is divided into three specializations:
- Terminal (Tower) Controller - Terminal controllers control air traffic at airports and give pilots taxiing and takeoff instructions, air traffic clearances, and advice based on their own observations and information from the National Weather Service, Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs), flight service stations, pilots, and other sources. They transfer control of aircraft to the ARTCC controller when the aircraft leaves their airspace, and they receive control of aircraft coming into their airspace.
- En Route Center Controller - Air traffic control specialists at FAA Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) give aircraft instructions, air traffic clearances, and advice regarding flight conditions while en route between airports. They provide separation between aircraft flying along the Federal airways or operating into or out of airports. Center controllers use radar, or in some cases, manual procedures to track the progress of all flights within the center's airspace. Where radar coverage is available en route controllers also provide radar service to pilots who are not on instrument flight plans, alerting them to potential traffic conflicts.
- Flight Service Station Controller - Air traffic control specialists at FAA Automated Flight Service Stations (AFSS) provide preflight, in-flight and emergency assistance to all pilots on request. They work with pilots face-to-face, by phone and radio. They provide information about weather conditions for specific flights, receive and forward pilots' flight plans, relay air traffic control instructions, assist pilots in emergency situations, provide airport advisory service, and initiate searches for missing or overdue aircraft.
Find out more about Current Openings in Air Traffic Control.