Air traffic controller
Stay calm and focus as you guide aircraft through take-off, flying and landing phases.
Also known as: air traffic control officer (ATCO)
About the job
What it's like
Is a career in aviation on your radar? Air traffic controllers guide pilots through taking off and landing at airports. You'll help them fly safely, deal with the weather and avoid other aircraft.
You'll give clear instructions to pilots, making sure that aircraft flying through UK airspace are kept a safe distance from one another.
There are three specific roles you could do within air traffic control:
1. Area controller. You'll be based in a regional control centre where you'll track and guide aircraft safely through your sector.
2. Approach controller. You'll manage aircraft as they get close to the airport and arrange them into the correct landing order.
3. Aerodrome controller. You'll work from a control tower and give pilots instructions for landing as they descend. You could also have ground control duties. For example, you may direct an aircraft on the runway after landing and before take-off.
An air traffic controller must concentrate at all times. You'll receive lots of information that you need to interpret quickly.
Your tasks might include:
maintaining safe distances between aircraft in all phases of flight
monitoring radars, using surveillance tools and issuing clear instructions to prevent collisions
giving pilots take-off, landing and taxi instructions
alerting pilots about altitude, speed and route changes while they're in the air
coordinating the flow of air traffic through controlled airspace
directing aircraft on taxiways and runways at airports
responding to emergency distress calls – working under pressure to help the aircraft land safely
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
National Air Traffic Services (NATS) – learn how to train as an air traffic controller
Careers in Aerospace – check out this guide to aerospace and aviation opportunities
Other careers that you might like
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Ground controller
Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
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Transport
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- understanding
- analysing
- taking responsibility
- developing a plan
- sorting
- observation
- working with numbers
- problem solving
- working with technology
- verbal communication
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Computing Science
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Maths (Mathematics)
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Physics
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Applications of Mathematics
Trainee scheme
You can apply for a place as a trainee with National Air Traffic Services (NATS). You'll need some National 5 qualifications.
To get into the NATS training course, you must pass a series of online tests. If you get through these, you'll be invited to an assessment centre for further tests and an interview.
You may have to temporarily relocate while training. The initial training will take one year. Although, you may have to do further training once you're working.
Got experience as a military air traffic controller, military pilot or commercial pilot? You may be considered for NATS training even if you don't have any qualifications.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you apply for a NATS training course. Useful subjects include:
Aviation
Air Operations
Aeronautical Engineering
Use the My World of Work course search to find HNCs and HNDs.
You'll need to pass a medical examination and get security clearance before being offered a job.
