Air Traffic Controllers - Aviation Series

Being an Air Traffic Controller is a cool thing to think about but have you thought about the responsibilities and the skills needed to master the job?
My day job is to develop ATC Simulators and other specialized software for use in the aerospace industry and I can offer you a glimpse inside the "Tower". 

 Air traffic controllers are personnel responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic in the global air traffic control system. Usually stationed in air traffic control centers and control towers on the ground, they monitor the position, speed, and altitude of aircraft in their assigned airspace visually and by radar, and give directions to the pilots by radio. The position of air traffic controller is one that requires highly specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. 

The main skills of an ATC Controller is a high level of situational awareness, a good memory and strong number and mathematical skills. He must also be able to make quick and have assertive decision making abilities. 

First of all to be an Air Traffic Controller you need to attend a special school, academy or college, usually operated by the provider of air traffic services in each country/zone. This offers a good chance that you will have a position by the time you finish the school.

After selection the air traffic controller must undergo more training, and choose a specialization or qualification which can take anywhere from a few months to several years. These are: 

• Area Controller ( Radar and Procedural ) 
• Approach ( Radar and Procedural )
• Airport or Aerodrome

 The Area Controller or En Route Controller is the controller that regulates traffic along the routes, usually at high level altitudes. They operate slices or blocks of the controlled airspace, coordinating with other area controllers and handing out flights to the other types of controllers, like approach or airport.


Picture showing area controller with navigation charts, flight plan data and emergency procedures codes courtesy of Winnipeg Freepress.

The Approach Controller regulates traffic on the descent phase of the flight ,airport approach and holding patterns.

The Airport Controller is the one handling the landings and takeoffs. This is one of the most complex positions due to the number of operations on such a small area such as the airport surface. Subdivisons are: 

• Ground Controllers
• Tower
• Radar or Ground Radar
• Clearance Delivery 

A controller's work position equipped with live cameras,airport light panel, radar and communications panel in the far right. Analog phones for backup.

The Ground Controllers issue taxi instructions and authorizes aircraft or vehicle movement on the aerodrome surface. This excludes the surface of the active runways which is done by the Tower Controllers.

Tower Controllers issue takeoff and landing instructions/clearances and authorizes aircraft/vehicle movements on or across runways.

Radar Controllers work in sync with the other types to provide radar data and positions for all the vehicles and aircraft on the airport surface. 

Example of a Radar Controller and En Route positions. Also a Precision Approach Radar.

The Clearance Delivery are an additional service to the Tower Controllers, helping to provide the controllers with data from the plane pilots like Flight Plans and Squak Codes and work in coordination with the ATIS - automated weather information service. 

Example of an automated Weather Service including wind speed, direction and cloud ceilings and temperatures.

Radar view with a weather area moving across traffic lanes.

Working conditions

Air Traffic Controllers work "actively" for 90-120 minutes with a 30 minutes break and in shifts of usually 12 hours with 24 hours free. An Air Traffic Controller is expected to work nights, weekends and holidays.

A precission approach radar with areas of severe(red), mild(yellow) and low(green) weather.

As a conclusion

Working as an Air Traffic Controller is a responsible, stressful but rewarding job, comes with many benefits especially if you are an "aviation geek" and gives you the option to always learn new things and develop yourself and your skills.
I also work on developing Air Traffic Control Simulators which might make the subject of a future article should steemit community like this one. Also feedback is welcome, since I specifically tried to not go in depth to keep it attractive.

First image thanks goes to: https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/3gx0ng/inside_an_air_traffic_control_tower/
Sadly, although i own a few personal tower images I couldn't use my own images due to state regulations.
The latter images are personal, taken out of the software I work on.