Air Traffic Controllers
Background
Every day, hundreds of military airplanes and helicopters take off and land all over the world. Their movements are closely controlled in order to prevent accidents. Air traffic controllers track aircraft by radar and give voice instructions by radio. Air traffic controllers direct the movement of aircraft into and out of military airfields.
What They Do
Air traffic controllers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Compute speed, direction, and altitude of aircraft
- Maintain air traffic control records and communication logs
- Operate radio equipment to issue take-off, flight, and landing instructions to pilots
- Plot airplane locations on charts and maps
- Relay weather reports, airfield conditions, and safety information to pilots
- Use radar equipment to track aircraft in flight
Physical Demands
Normal color vision, normal hearing, and a clear speaking voice are required to enter this career. Controllers must pass a special physical exam.
Special Requirements
Certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) normally must be obtained during training.
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
- Ability to make quick, decisive judgments
- Ability to work under stress
- Skill in math computation
Helpful School Subjects
Helpful school subjects include:
- English
- General math
Helpful Fields of Study
No information available.
Work Environment
Air traffic controllers work in land-based and shipboard control centers.
Services offering this career:
- Air Force
- Army
- Marine Corps
- Navy
Hiring Practices
To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.
This position is for enlisted personnel.
Wages
The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.
Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay.
Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.
There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.
Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.
Training Provided
Job training consists of seven to 13 weeks of classroom instruction. Training length varies depending on specialty.
Course content typically includes:
- Air traffic control fundamentals
- Communication procedures
- Radar and other landing approach procedures
- Visual and instrument flight procedures
Additional training occurs on the job. Aircraft carrier air traffic controllers receive specialized training.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian air traffic controllers work for the FAA in airports and control centers around the country. They perform duties similar to military air traffic controllers. They may specialize in specific areas, such as aircraft arrivals, departures, ground control, or en route flights.
Related Civilian Careers
Employment and Outlook
In peace time the services have about 7,000 air traffic controllers. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new controllers due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, new controllers normally perform duties such as ground control or work in airfields with light air traffic. With experience, they perform more difficult controller duties. In time, they may become supervisors of other controllers.