![]() ![]() En route controllers work in secure office buildings across the country, which typically are not located at airports. Many tower controllers and approach and departure controllers work near large airports. Most air traffic controllers work in control towers, approach control facilities, or en route centers. Most controllers work for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Support activities for air transportation The largest employers of air traffic controllers were as follows: Federal government Their objective is to keep traffic levels manageable for the airports and for en route controllers.Īir traffic controllers held about 22,900 jobs in 2021. When they identify a bottleneck, they provide instructions to other controllers to help prevent traffic jams. Some air traffic controllers work at the Air Traffic Control Systems Command Center, where they monitor traffic within the entire national airspace. En route controllers direct aircraft for the bulk of the flight before handing off oversight to terminal approach controllers. They may adjust the flight path for safety reasons, such as to avoid collision with another aircraft. ![]() As an aircraft approaches and flies through a center’s airspace, en route controllers guide it along its route. Each center is assigned an airspace based on the geography and air traffic in the area in which it is located. They work at en route traffic control centers located throughout the country, which typically are not located at airports. ![]() They assist an aircraft until it reaches the edge of a facility’s airspace, usually about 20 to 50 miles from the airport and up to about 17,000 feet in the air.Įn route controllers monitor aircraft that leave an airport’s airspace. Terminal approach and departure controllers work in buildings known as Terminal Radar Approach Control Centers (TRACONs). They also inform pilots about weather conditions and other critical notices. These controllers give pilots clearances to enter controlled airspace and hand off control of aircraft to en route controllers. Most observe from control towers, managing traffic from the airport to a radius of 3 to 30 miles out.Īpproach and departure controllers ensure that aircraft traveling within an airport’s airspace maintain minimum separation for safety. ![]() They check flight plans, give pilots clearance for takeoff or landing, and direct the flow of aircraft and ground traffic in their area of responsibility. Tower controllers direct the movement of aircraft and other vehicles, such as snowplows, on runways and taxiways. The following are examples of types of air traffic controllers: For example, a controller might direct one aircraft on its landing approach while providing another aircraft with weather information. They also use radar, computers, and other visual references to monitor and direct aircraft movement in the skies and on airport grounds.Ĭontrollers usually manage multiple aircraft at the same time. Air traffic controllers use radio equipment to communicate with pilots. They manage the flow of aircraft into and out of the airport airspace, guide pilots during takeoff and landing, and monitor aircraft as they travel through the skies. Alert airport response staff in the event of an aircraft emergencyĪir traffic controllers’ primary concern is safety, but they also must direct aircraft efficiently to minimize delays.Inform pilots about weather, runway closures, and other critical information.Transfer control of departing flights to other traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.Issue takeoff and landing instructions to pilots.Control all ground traffic at airport runways and taxiways.Monitor and direct the movement of aircraft on the ground and in the air.DutiesĪir traffic controllers typically do the following: 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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