How To Become A Air Traffic Controller

The path to becoming an air traffic controller is quite interesting and varies from place to place. This is because requirements are set up past the civil aviation government of each country. While the basic requirements for condign a lawyer or doctor are adequately standard around the earth, learning to manage the aircraft flight above our heads seems to be a fairly different process.

Each state is different

From our research, it would appear that every land has different requirements in order to get an air traffic controller (ATCO). In general, however, we can say that the following requirements seem to exist in some form across the board:

Encounter a bones standard of medical fitness (standards vary)
The completion of secondary schoolhouse (high school) educational activity
Have the legal correct to piece of work in the land of the organization (this varies from full citizenship to but having the appropriate piece of work permit)
Have acceptable English skills

Outside of these basic requirements, it does seem to vary wildly from authorization to potency.

Information technology appears that some countries only require a bones secondary school education to be eligible. Photograph: NATS

Examples around the world

Permit'southward accept a look at a few examples beyond various national aviation authorities when it comes to condign an ATCO. The lists below exclude mentions of the basic medical and legal requirements every bit they appear to be fairly like:

Eurocontrol

To work at this intergovernmental organization as an ATCO, you volition be given specialized training. Eurocontrol volition pay for that training, while besides providing trainees with a monthly assart while they learn. Yet, to exist eligible for consideration, applicants must:

Be younger than 27 when the training starts
Accept completed your secondary education at an avant-garde level, with mathematics as one of your subjects
Non accept failed similar training elsewhere

NATS

To work every bit an ATCO for this UK organization, you'll also exist trained by the firm itself. Indeed, the NATS website notes that the length of this higher-based training varies and depends on several factors, including the specialism chosen and how speedily trainees can consummate different phases. However, it'south noted that training takes a year to eighteen months and includes a combination of applied and theory-based sessions.

To be eligible for consideration for this preparation, applicants must:

Be 18 years of age or older
Achieve five GCSEs at Grade 4 or Scottish National 5's Grade A-C including English and Maths. Equivalent qualifications are accepted.

NAV CANADA

Becoming an ATCO in Canada starts off similar to that of NATS or Eurocontrol. "Becoming an Air Traffic Controller or Flight Service Specialist does non require whatever prior feel or specialized grooming – all preparation is provided..." NAV CANADA's website states.

To be eligible, all the same, candidates must amongst other things:

Be 18 years or older,
Take a high school diploma (or equivalent)

FAA

The following is required to be an ATCO with the Federal Aviation Administration:

Exist age thirty or under (on the closing engagement of the application period)
Laissez passer a security investigation
Have three years of progressively responsible work experience, or a Bachelor's degree, or a combination of postal service-secondary pedagogy and work experience that totals three years

The FAA likewise notes that it has a partnership with selected colleges and universities in the form of the Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) Program. This, it says, is a valuable source of applicants for air traffic controller positions. A few sample programs mentioned on its list include:

Arizona Land University, which amongst other programs, offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Aeronautical Direction Technology (Air Traffic Management)
The Broward College Air Traffic Control plan
Jacksonville Academy Air Traffic Control track

Conclusion: It depends on where yous live

Every bit a result of our research, it's clear that becoming an ATCO doesn't simply consist of enrolling in a specific school programme. Rather, it appears that the bar is really quite low when it comes to beingness eligible for consideration. However, considering the challenging mental conditions that ATCOs suffer, it'due south a safety bet that diverse organizations are quite strict with selecting applicants to enroll in their respective training programs.

For those thinking of condign air traffic controllers, what is required in your country? And if you're an air traffic controller, what was the path to getting your job? Permit usa know by leaving a comment!

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