Air Traffic Controller By: Pascal Siemens

Job Overview Air traffic controllers control the flow of aircraft traffic in the air and on the ground at airports They may even work during night. They can experience a lot of stress because they are responsible for thousands of people at the time They have the responsibility to tell the pilot of an airplane what to do in an approach, landing, taxiing to and from the runway and take off

Why am I Interested? Since I was little I was always interested in aviation. I even got a little model plane that I broke shortly after. I just find myself very interested in this career path.

Education Pathway Anyone who wants to become an air traffic controller must write an aptitude test. Applicants who pass this test move on to the second stage of recruitment -- the personal interview. If the applicant is successful in the interview, they have to pass a medical exam. This exam tests their health, hearing and diction, color perception, eyesight and other physical qualities Those accepted into the training program have to attend in six months of intensive training at the Transport Canada training centre. Training periods are followed by on the-job training, often in rural or northern areas. You’d have to be prepared to work in less popular areas. New Air Traffic controllers have to work their way up to the most popular assignments. You may also have to move around a lot in the first five years.

Salary and Future Outlook For someone who is in training the yearly salary can be about 24,000 $ per year but for a fully experienced air traffic controller it can be up to 106,000 $ a year According to the bridges website, by the year 2018, Nav. Canada is opening another 8,007 new job opportunities. But they only have 6,546 people to fill this demand which still leaves a few other openings.

Working conditions An air traffic controller is a stressful but exciting profession. Also is there a lot of stress since you’d have to make big decisions quick and accurate They also have to accept that they might be working during night since Air Traffic wont slow down during night times. Also the stress level a Air Traffic controller my vary depending on what kind on airport they work at. Therefore working at a Large Airport the stress level will be higher than if you’d work at a really small airport.

Related Occupations I would definitely want to try to stay in the aircraft industry as either : Aircraft Inspector: checks airplanes Airport Manager: ensure the safe and efficient operation of the airport on a daily basis. Flight Navigator: They are responsible for planning the course that will take an aircraft to a location in the least amount of time without compromising its safety and that of the plane’s passengers.

Resources https://accesscdn.bridges.ca/cx/careers/Education.do?occupationId=1677