Air Traffic Controllers coordinate the movement of aircraft, including within the vicinity of airports and between altitude sectors and control centers, so that they maintain safe distances.
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- Air Traffic Controllers
Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
What do they typically do
- Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties
- Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems
- Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace using radar, computer equipment, or visual references
- Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights
- Direct pilots to runways when space is available, or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land
- Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations
- Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety
- Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions
Number of Jobs
Average Annual
Job Growth +1.3%
Job Openings 67
Education & Training
- Education Most occupations require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.Associated Programs or MajorsLicense
Private Training Programs
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