Air Traffic Control and Related Occupations


Air traffic controllers direct air traffic within assigned airspace, and control moving aircraft and service vehicles at airports. Flight dispatchers authorize airline flights over assigned routes. Flight service specialists provide pilots with flight information essential to aviation safety. Air traffic controllers and flight service specialists are employed by  armed forces. Flight dispatchers are employed by airline and air services companies and by the armed forces.

Example Titles

air traffic controller (ATC)
airport air traffic controller
enroute air traffic controller
flight dispatcher
terminal air traffic controller



Main duties

Air traffic controllers perform some or all of the following duties:

• 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 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 perform some or all of the following duties:

• 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.

Flight service specialists perform some or all of the following duties:

• 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

• 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 initiate communication searches when aircraft become overdue

• Observe, record and report weather conditions at airports.

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school is required.

• A basic radio telephone operator's license is required.

• Air traffic controllers require an air traffic controller's license.

• Flight dispatchers may require experience in air traffic control or flight operations and may require a private pilot's license.

Monitor operation of engines, fuel consumption and functioning of aircraft systems during flight

• Assist captain and first officer in operation of aircraft as second officer.

Flying instructors perform some or all of the following duties:

• Instruct student pilots in procedures and techniques of flying aircraft and in ground school subjects such as navigation, radio procedures and flying regulations

• Train licensed pilots for additional certification.

Employment requirements

Pilots and flight engineers

• Completion of secondary school and graduation from a certified flying or aviation school are required.

• A commercial pilot's license or an air transport pilot's license is required.

• Additional licenses or endorsements to fly different types of aircraft are required.

• A university degree or college diploma may be required.

• Structured training is provided by employers.