Air traffic controller training. How do air traffic controllers work? Retirement

“The Investigative Committee dropped charges against trainee air traffic controller Svetlana Krivsun in the case of the Falcon plane crash in Vnukovo” - this is a two-week-old TASS report about an event that occurred almost a year and a half ago. Then the young specialist was placed under house arrest and experienced significant stress all this time. Nice start to a career!

Yes, this is one of the risks of this profession. But such risks do not reduce its attractiveness. After all, an air traffic controller is a special profession, but what does this mean?

How does is called?

Air traffic controller is the name given to a whole family of air traffic control professions. If you think that a plane that has gained altitude flies as it wants, then you are deeply mistaken. He is closely monitored by a dispatcher who controls horizontal flight on his territory. It not only ensures flight safety by offering pilots the desired altitude and travel corridor, but also recommends the optimal path, helping to save fuel.

All dispatchers are connected and interact with each other within the framework of a unified air traffic management system in the country, and outside it - guided by uniform international rules. What types of dispatchers are there?

1. The departure controller issues permission to fly according to the declared flight plan.
2. The taxi controller controls the movement of aircraft from the moment the engines are started to the pre-launch and from the moment they taxi onto the taxiways after landing.
3. The launch and landing controller authorizes takeoff and landing, controls aircraft taking off and landing, and controls traffic on the runway and pre-landing straight.
4. The “circle” controller controls the movement of aircraft in the takeoff and landing zone at altitudes up to 1500 meters and within a radius of 50 km from the airfield. Issues clearance for landing approaches to arriving aircraft and initial climb instructions to departing aircraft.
5. The approach controller controls the movement of aircraft at altitudes of 1,800-5,700 meters and within a radius of 90-200 km from the airfield.
6. The control controller monitors the movement of aircraft at altitudes above 3,350 meters within established horizontal boundaries and transfers control of the flight to the next controller when the aircraft leaves his area of ​​​​responsibility.
7. The local air traffic controller controls flights up to an altitude of 1,500 meters within the area of ​​​​responsibility (usually comparable in area to the administrative region) in the horizontal plane.

There are seven types of controllers listed here, but there are others, such as procedural and area radar controller, procedural and radar approach controller, airfield controller, landing radar controller, and simulator instructor controller. So they are different.

How to become an air traffic controller?

Training air traffic controllers, like representatives of any other complex profession, is a serious and responsible process.

Specialists are trained in specialized one-year courses, in secondary specialized educational institutions (for example, the St. Petersburg Aviation Transport College of Civil Aviation) and in universities, for example, at the St. Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation, the Ulyanovsk Higher Aviation School of Civil Aviation and the Moscow State Technical University civil aviation. These universities have branches in different cities.

Dispatchers regularly undergo advanced training and certification with varying frequencies, depending on the class - annually, every two or three years. Managers are trained and certified less frequently.

Training is carried out either at the airline or at specialized educational institutions.

The future dispatcher undergoes a medical examination before entering training. And having become a specialist, he does it regularly. The medical flight expert commission issues a conclusion on professional suitability, allowing you to continue working for the next 4 years, if the air traffic controller is not older than 40 years old, then every two years and from the age of 50, the air traffic controller must undergo a medical flight expert examination commission every year if he has not retired by this age.

What qualities do you need to have to be successful in this profession?

The air traffic controller's workplace is equipped with navigation instruments, radio communications with pilots and telephone communications with other dispatchers and airfield services. In addition to a computer with specialized programs, the workplace contains air and meteorological situation monitors, various displays, indicators and sources of audio and visual signals, tablets, graphs, documents and reference books.

At the same time, the specialist negotiates with the crew, monitors the progress of the flight on the radar or monitor screen, maintains contact with the meteorological service and the crews of the aircraft, informing them about weather conditions or informing them about changes in the route.

At the same time, 10-20 aircraft can be under the control of one air traffic controller at the same time.

Working with technology, different sources of information and communication channels of different levels places a number of demands on dispatchers.

Requirements for professional qualities:

Secondary specialized or higher education in the specialty “Operation of Aircraft and Air Traffic Management” or “Air Transport Traffic Management”.

The air traffic controller must speak English and know professional flight terminology in this language. According to modern requirements, only those who speak the language at level 4 (out of 6) on the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) scale receive permission to fly on international routes. If the dispatcher does not have such a certificate, he can only work on local lines.

Requirements for psychological qualities:

In terms of psycho-emotional load, this profession is one of the most difficult, since the dispatcher is responsible not only for expensive equipment, but also for human lives. Moreover, the emotional resonance in the media and people’s minds from plane crashes is stronger than, say, car accidents, although they occur hundreds of times less often.

Therefore, in addition to absolute health, to work successfully, an air traffic controller must have high responsibility and discipline, resistance to stress, extensive RAM, spatial imagination, and the ability to maintain attention at a high level of activity for a long time.

He must be able to quickly determine the air situation, since he must simultaneously monitor and control several objects moving in three-dimensional space in different directions at different speeds. The dispatcher must issue commands over the air and simultaneously listen to the conversations of his colleagues working in related sectors. In addition, it is necessary to monitor the radar screen and make notes on the graph.

How to build a career in this profession?

The primary career step is trainee dispatcher. Dispatchers can further specialize, for example, in air traffic control or in airfield control. But, one way or another, they can be assigned classes: first, second or third. They reflect the degree of qualification of the specialist.

Further stages of growth: senior dispatcher, dispatcher-instructor.

The head of dispatchers is the flight director, the head of the control tower or control center of various sizes - district, zonal or main air traffic management center.

If you visit dispatcher forums on the Internet, you will notice how involved these people are in their work, how proud they are of it, realizing the complexity, importance and uniqueness of such work. They feel like they are part of the global system, and these are not words: any dispatcher who speaks English can work abroad, since the air traffic control system is international.

Aviation specialists who control and maintain the air traffic of airplanes, helicopters and other aircraft are called air traffic controllers. Their place of work is airports and military airfields. The main task of representatives of this profession is to ensure the safe, regular and orderly movement of air transport. To do this you need to know:

• air navigation (the science that studies methods and means of controlling air transport);
• aviation meteorology (atmospheric processes, their impact on aviation activities);
• separation rules and instructions (dispersing aircraft over a certain distance to prevent a collision between them).

The work of an air traffic controller is organized in such a way that he can control all stages of the movement of an aircraft or other aircraft, from takeoff to landing. At the same time, the airspace is divided into certain zones assigned to an individual air traffic controller, who supervises the flight specifically within his area. Therefore, air traffic controllers have different areas of specialization:

1. Airfield control center - here they schedule the flight plan for the day, in coordination with other airport services, control the situation in the air during flights, and maintain constant communication with the crews of the aircraft.
2. “Taxiing” – checks the movement of vehicles on the territory of the airfield, allows or prohibits towing, starting the vehicle engine, and taxiing.
3. “Takeoff and landing” - are involved in the management of the takeoff and landing of aircraft.
4. “Circle” – controls the movement of vehicles in the take-off zone with a radius of 50 km from the airfield.
5. “Approach” - controls the flight at an altitude of 2100-5700 m, allows landing in the order of priority, defining time intervals.
6. District center - controls the movement of aircraft at an altitude of 2100-17000 m.
7. Local airlines point - operates in the area of ​​the local airfield at an altitude of 1500 m and below.
8. Local control center - occupies the area of ​​the administrative region far from major airports, controlling flights at altitudes up to 1500 m.

Control and guidance of the movement of aircraft and other air assets is carried out by monitoring the situation in the air using a special monitor. In this case, meteorological conditions, aircraft schedules, etc. must be taken into account.

Air traffic controllers have no room for error, since the lives of other people depend on their observation and reaction. Therefore, the organization of their work is aimed at preventing errors in flight control.

The dispatch service operates both day and night – 24 hours a day. Because of this, in order to avoid nervous and psychological stress, air traffic controllers perform their work duties in shifts.

Professional skills of an air traffic controller

Employers, when hiring a person for the position of air traffic controller, take into account the following personality traits:

• resistance to emotional and psychological stress;
• ability to distribute attention;
• attentiveness and responsibility;
• resourcefulness and self-control;
• initiative and organizational skills;
• Analytical mind;
• developed visual-motor coordination of movements.

In this case, the air traffic controller must know:

• design and operating principles of dispatch equipment;
• the structure of aircraft machines to give advice on quickly eliminating any problems during the flight;
• English (or other foreign language, depending on the place of work);
• professional terms.

In addition to all of the above, it is advisable to have one of the higher education diplomas in the specialty “Operation of Aircraft and Air Traffic Management”, “Air Transport Traffic Management”.

The advantages of working as an air traffic controller:

• the work is not associated with physical activity (women of different ages can work);
• comfortable working conditions (indoors, sitting);
• the right to early retirement (men - from the age of 50 (work experience of at least twelve and a half years), women - from the age of 45 (with at least ten years of experience)).

Salary of a Russian air traffic controller in 2019

The average salary of an air traffic controller per month is about 120 thousand rubles. Such information is provided on the website http://ru.zarplat.info/air traffic controller. Already today there is information about an increase in salaries for air traffic controllers by 30% in 2018.

Here you can also view vacancies in the following companies in the Russian Federation: Strela - 90,000 rubles/month, AC 1st class - 72,000 rubles/month, Air Navigation of the North-West - 65,000 rubles/month, “Avangard” Sosnovy Bor – 250,000 rubles/month.

How to become an air traffic controller

There are not many universities in Russia where you can get the profession of air traffic controller. These are MSTU of Civil Aviation (Moscow), State University of Civil Aviation (St. Petersburg), Higher Aviation School (Ulyanovsk), Higher Military Institute named after. V.M. Komarova (Yaysk). The St. Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation has its branches in Khabarovsk and ATK GA, after studying there you can get a secondary vocational education.

Every three years, air traffic controllers undergo special advanced training courses, after which they confirm their current certificate and competence as required.

Experts remind

An air traffic controller is one of the most responsible professions, which is associated not only with aviation equipment, but also with human lives.

Every year in Russia the number of air transportations is growing, both on domestic and international routes. New destinations are opening, and foreign airlines continue to expand into the country's airports. People are used to flying: business trips, business trips, vacations - flights have long become something commonplace. However, few of the passengers boarding the aircraft think about who actually controls this huge flow of arriving and departing aircraft, and how this huge mechanism in constant motion is controlled.
1.

Today we’ll talk about this in a little more detail using the example of the Domodedovo ATS Center, which is a structural subdivision of the Moscow ATC Center.

The functions of the center include ensuring the safety, regularity and efficiency of aircraft flights in the Domodedovo airfield area. Air traffic control in the Domodedovo airfield area is carried out using TOWER technology (Tower - Command and Control Center) in two languages: Russian and English...
2.

Everything that happens on the airfield of the airfield occurs only under the control and on the commands of dispatchers. This applies not only to aircraft pilots, but also to ground technical services. True, for passengers all this remains completely unnoticeable throughout the entire time they are within the walls of the airport terminal complex and on board the aircraft...
3.

After the aircraft is prepared for flight, the crew of the aircraft must obtain permission for this flight from the airfield control tower. Next, a few minutes before departure, the crew requests permission from the taxi controller to start the engines and, after receiving it, begins preparations for takeoff. The taxi controller also reports the route to the runway and allows taxiing to the so-called pre-launch - a place on the taxiway directly in front of the runway...
4.

After the crew’s report on the pre-launch, the taxi controller transfers the aircraft under the control of the launch controller, who authorizes the executive launch, that is, taxiing directly onto the runway and aligning along its centerline, reports the conditions for take-off, and after the crew’s report of readiness, authorizes take-off. ..
5.

After takeoff, the plane comes under the control of the Moscow Air Control Center (MADC). It is sequentially served by controllers: circle and lower approach, who can make adjustments to the established procedure for entering the airway; then the upper approach, controlling the aircraft until it reaches the prescribed flight level and exits the Moscow Air Zone (AMZ), and, finally, the controllers of the District Control Center (RCC), who service the aircraft at the flight level...
6.

Let's talk a little more in detail about the work of launch controllers, whose area of ​​responsibility includes the airspace, which includes the sectors of climb after takeoff and the final stage of approach, as well as the maneuvering area (runway and taxiways) ...
7.

Today, Domodedovo Airport has two parallel runways with headings 14L/32R and 14R/32L; the Heading-Glideslope System (CGS) operates in all four directions, allowing aircraft with the appropriate equipment on board to automate the landing process as much as possible and ensure flight safety at a meteorological minimum of ICAO category III-A (with vertical visibility up to 15 meters and horizontal visibility up to 200 meters) ...
8.

At the same time, as a rule, only two courses are operating, which are mainly determined by the direction of the wind. But course 32 is considered a priority, because when landing on runways 32L and 32R, it is easier to create a gap between aircraft, while when landing on runways 14, the space for maneuver is limited by Moscow (flights over which are prohibited below 8000 meters), as well as Vnukovo and Ramenskoye...
9.

For the effective operation of the two existing lanes, it is necessary to commission another locator, which has already been built on the territory of the airport, but is not yet interfaced with the existing TERCAS air traffic control system (TERCAS - Terminal and En-Route Control Automated System). Three radars: one each in Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo - provide full coverage of the cost center, the new locator will significantly improve the operation of existing systems and cover the range from the ground to a height of 500 meters at the most accurate possible level...
10.

There are plans to build a third runway; an area of ​​9,550 hectares has already been reserved for future construction. Also, in connection with the expansion and increase in the number of lanes, it is planned to build a new control tower up to 100 meters high...
11.

Now the airport schedule is designed in such a way that from 7 to 23 hours at least 40 takeoff and landing operations are performed every hour in order to distribute the load as evenly as possible over time. Over the next year, with the introduction of a new airspace structure at the Moscow Airport, with both runways operating, Domodedovo Airport will be able to provide a capacity of up to 90 takeoff and landing operations per hour. In 2013, the peak load was 59 operations per hour...
12.

Overall, the airport's capacity is even higher than the approach can provide. This is also due to the fact that previously the distribution of flights between the airports of the cost center was determined mainly taking into account the geographical principle: Sheremetyevo served the northern and northwestern directions and all international flights, Vnukovo - the southern and southeastern directions, Domodedovo - the eastern...
13.

Currently, in the context of competition between airports, the geographical principle of distribution of aircraft flows is no longer key, which, along with the ban on flights over Moscow, in turn increases the load on the cost center...
14.

The height of the existing tower is 42 meters, from which almost the entire territory of the airport is visible. An overview of those sections of the runway that are closed by structures is provided using video cameras...
15.

In the calm working atmosphere that reigns in the treatment room of the Internal Affairs Directorate, it is difficult to believe that the people behind the controls are representatives of one of the most stressful and responsible professions!
16.

Dispatchers have 6 shifts, each with 10 people: a flight director, a senior dispatcher and 8 dispatchers (this is a payroll, in fact, 6-7 people work at the same time). The dispatcher's work schedule should not exceed 36 hours per week. Dispatchers go on shift according to a schedule: day, morning, night. When leaving for a shift, a 15-minute briefing is carried out, another 15 minutes are spent on reception/handover of duty.

After two hours of work, there is a 20-minute break, and at high intensity close to the airport’s capacity, a 10-minute break after each hour of work. After night duty, three days off are provided. Vacation is 28 main days and 39 additional for harmful working conditions, which makes a total of 67 days...
17.

Over the course of several years of work on the tower at Domodedovo, the charming Natalya managed to experience many difficult situations - such is the job of a dispatcher. But thoughts about changing jobs never arose. Even in her youth, she chose this profession for herself, and it could hardly have been otherwise when the whole family worked at the airport. Previously, girls were hired as air traffic controllers with great reluctance, but today the situation has leveled out. Young specialists are in great demand today and such a problem no longer exists...
18.

Each dispatcher undergoes a medical examination every two years, and every three years is required to receive a certificate of English language proficiency in ICAO Category IV. Dispatchers retire at age 50, but this does not mean that the employee must quit right away. If the medical board allows it, and for dispatchers it is almost the same as for civil pilots, then people continue to work. The main criterion in this case is health...
19.

At the time of filming, runway 14L was controlled by one controller, and the adjacent one (14R) was controlled by two. At this time, planned work was being carried out at the end of runway 14L, and landings were not carried out on it; accordingly, the load was less. While runway 14R worked for both takeoff and landing, and was served by two dispatchers: a control dispatcher (works directly with aircraft crews - conducts radio communications) and a support dispatcher (controls traffic, ensures interaction with other services, keeps a log of takeoffs / landings and assists management including work with runway lighting equipment). The distribution of employees is handled by the senior dispatcher, guided by the current situation...
20.

The electrical service engineer on duty checks the runway lighting equipment (we hope that we will be able to get to know the operation of this equipment more closely next time).
Runway lights are manually adjusted by the controller depending on meteorological visibility. The weather display shows visibility at three points: at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the strip. The lighting intensity is selected based on the minimum meteorological visibility.

If visibility at at least one of the points is less than 600 meters, the dispatcher informs the crew of its values ​​at all three points. If visibility is in the range from 600 to 2000 meters, only one value is reported (in the landing zone). If visibility is more than 2000 meters, its value is not reported at all. Crews receive all meteorological information, including visibility, from an automatic informant (ATIS - Automatic Terminal Information Service). At the request of the aircraft crew, the intensity of the runway lights can be changed...
21.

In general, over time, the work of a dispatcher, having passed the stage of controlling aircraft, was transformed rather into service. Nowadays, the main task of air traffic controllers is to provide crews with aeronautical and meteorological information, as well as to prevent dangerous approaches...
22.

To maintain a safe interval, the vectoring method is used (to a greater extent during landing approach). Vectoring - providing navigation guidance to aircraft by instructing crews on certain courses based on the use of radar data. The main difference between the vectoring stage and other stages of the flight is that the dispatcher takes responsibility for navigation in this case.

Vectoring ends either with a clear indication to the crew of the need to continue navigation using their own means, or by putting them on a course that will allow them to independently (using the technical means of the approach system, for example, KGS) bring the aircraft to the pre-landing straight line, or by entering the visual maneuvering zone. This is accomplished by changes in either course or speed...
23.

If there is a threat of reducing the safe interval on the pre-landing direct line, the controller can give the aircraft a command to go around. An interval of 5 kilometers is considered safe, and for a heavy aircraft (more than 136 tons) - 10 kilometers. The second possible reason for the go-around command could be the presence of obstacles on the runway. In all other cases, the decision to go around is made by the aircraft commander...
24.

The head of the traffic service of the Domodedovo ATS Center, Viktor Aleksandrovich Sitnikov, demonstrates a visual diagram, looking at which you can assess the degree of orderliness of air traffic. For comparison, on the left diagram green and red stripes indicate the daily trajectories of aircraft takeoffs and landings at London Heathrow Airport, and on the right diagram the areas of flight by aircraft in the Moscow air zone are colored blue...
25.

These are just the general basics of air traffic control at an airport; in one story it is impossible to cover all the features of this complex and multi-level system. But the main thing is that everything in it is subject to one general requirement - ensuring order and safety of aircraft flights. Fulfilling precisely this global task, together with the work of other services, is the key to a pleasant flight for the passenger...
26.

Well, there’s no need to even talk about the magnificent views from the control tower and especially during sunset hours, it’s enough to see it once - there really is a place for the eye to rest...
27.

We thank the press center of the Moscow Air Traffic Control Center and the press service of Domodedovo Airport for organizing this event and facilitating the photography.
Special thanks to the head of the traffic service of the Domodedovo ATS Center, Viktor Aleksandrovich Sitnikov, for a very informative and interesting story about the work of dispatchers!

Taken from tankasan in Domodedovo - tower...

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Suitable educational specialties: Technical operation of automated systems, air traffic control, technical operation of aircraft and airports, aircraft traffic control systems, organization of airspace use, systems
Key items: mathematics; Russian language; Informatics; physics

Tuition cost (average in Russia): 560,000 rubles

Job description:

*Tuition fees are for 4 years of bachelor's degree .

Air traffic control specialist.

Features of the profession

The crew, while flying the plane, is in contact with dispatchers, who are responsible for the order of movement of planes and helicopters.

Control by the dispatcher includes absolutely all stages of the aircraft’s movement: from taxiing from the parking lot before takeoff to taxiing to the parking lot after landing.

All airspace is divided into areas of responsibility of control centers. And the dispatcher controls the movement within the area of ​​​​responsibility of his point.

Dispatcher airfield control tower draws up a daily flight plan, coordinates its implementation with other services, with his colleagues from other airports (for example, with the air traffic control department of another airport). He is constantly in touch with ship crews and monitors the air situation. At some airports, these functions are performed by a liaison team.

The “Taxiing” controller controls traffic on the airfield territory.

Dispatcher "Start and Landing" supervise ships taking off and landing.

The Krug controller controls movement within a radius of 50 km at an altitude of 2100 m and below (take-off and landing zone). It issues landing permits to those arriving, and instructions on the initial climb to those departing.

The Approach controller controls the movement at an altitude of 2100-5700 m. The coverage area of ​​the circle is 90-120 km. from the airfield. It determines the landing sequence, the landing approach, the intervals.

Dispatcher district center controls flight at altitudes 2100-17000.

Dispatcher local airlines point- directs the flight at an altitude of 1500 m and below in the airfield area.

Dispatcher local control center- directs the flight away from major airports - at an altitude of 1500 m and below within the established area of ​​​​responsibility (usually this is the area of ​​​​the administrative region or a significant part of it).

The dispatcher constantly monitors the air situation using a special monitor, taking into account weather conditions, ship traffic schedules, etc. The dispatcher is constantly in touch with the crews of the ships and with his colleagues from adjacent areas of responsibility.

An airplane is too fast a mode of transport for the dispatcher to allow himself to be slow. For example, in an unexpected situation, he must quickly disperse planes to a safe distance, make a decision to prohibit landing (or vice versa), etc. In addition, one dispatcher can handle up to 20 aircraft at the same time.
Since there is no time to think about the situation for a long time, all the actions of the dispatcher are strictly regulated.

The work of the dispatcher is organized in such a way as to minimize errors in flight control. In addition to the rules and instructions, the dispatcher has equipment at his disposal: monitors, communications, signal boards, etc. He also receives information from meteorological services and uses reference information.
Every dispatcher knows that his wrong decisions can lead to disaster and loss of life. High responsibility with a large amount of work, high speed of decisions - all this means increased nervous tension.

An air traffic controller at a Miami airport fell asleep during an overnight shift, the Associated Press reported Saturday (April 16, 2011). The incident occurred early on Saturday morning. During this night duty, 12 more people worked in the control room, and one of them reported a colleague who had fallen asleep. According to the preliminary results of the investigation, the dispatcher did not miss a single radio signal from the aircraft, so the incident did not in any way affect the operation of the airport. However, the dispatcher who fell asleep at his post was suspended from work. This has already happened at airports in Texas, Nevada, Tennessee and Washington. A few days ago, a nationwide review of air traffic control services began in the United States, and the United States' chief air traffic controller, Hank Krakowski, resigned. The leadership of the US Federal Aviation Administration has already announced that it will have to abolish the practice of solo night watches and revise the work schedules of air traffic controllers.

The work of the Approach dispatcher is especially difficult in terms of emotional stress.

The profession of an air traffic controller is one of the most dangerous and responsible professions associated with technology and human lives (from the point of view of psychology, the greatest interest is

The dispatch service operates around the clock, and dispatchers maintain their watch in shifts. This, like nervous tension, can be attributed to the disadvantages of the profession. However, these difficulties are compensated by the feeling of satisfaction from a job well done and the awareness of one’s own indispensability.
Among the bonuses of the profession is the right to early retirement. For men - from 50 years old, for women - from 45 years old, if they have worked in direct flight control services for at least 12 years 6 months and at least 10 years. (Clause 14 of Article 27 of the Federal Law of the Russian Federation dated December 17, 2001 No. 173 - Federal Law)

Important qualities

Stress resistance, high sense of responsibility, ability to manage your attention.
Good health (including the cardiovascular system) is necessary. Therefore, once every 2 years, an air traffic controller undergoes a medical and flight expert commission.

Knowledge and skills

As already mentioned, all actions of the dispatcher are strictly regulated. For each work situation there are established rules, instructions and behavior scenarios, and the dispatcher must know them. He must know the laws of air navigation and understand aviation meteorology.
Knowledge of English within the limits established by international standards is also required.

Where do they teach

Secondary vocational education

Krasnoyarsk Aviation Technical College of Civil Aviation,
Khabarovsk branch of Krasnoyarsk Aviation Technical College
Specialty: Air Transport Traffic Control

Higher education

Yeisk Higher Military Aviation School (Military Institute) named after. V.M. Komarova
Krasnodar Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots (Military Institute) named after. A.K. Serova
St. Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation (University of Civil Aviation)
Specialty: "Operation of Aircraft and Air Traffic Management"

Advanced training occurs every 3 years, confirmation of a valid air traffic controller certificate is carried out, depending on the class of the controller, after 2 or 3 years. In addition, a mandatory requirement for an air traffic controller at present is. 4 - mandatory level on the ICAO scale since 2011.

An air traffic controller is a conductor who controls the orchestra of aircraft turbines in the heavens. The dispatcher is also a talented artist who paints unique pictures of aircraft tracks on the azure sky. Well, if you try to describe the profession of an air traffic controller in official words, it turns out that this is a specialist who controls the movement of aircraft from the ground. The primary responsibility of an air traffic controller is to ensure the orderly and safe movement of ships in the area for which he is responsible.

The duties of an air traffic controller include informing crews about the meteorological situation, both en route and at airports, as well as maintaining communication with pilots. Messages must be exchanged in accordance with radio communication rules. In addition, the controller must enter data into automated systems so that they can correctly assess the situation in the airspace.

It is the air traffic controller who must maintain safety in the event that an unexpected situation arises in the air. It also controls the movement of the aircraft if there is little fuel left on board, and also creates a safe distance between aircraft. Monitoring the quality of communication and the condition of radio equipment is also the prerogative of air traffic controllers. In unfavorable weather conditions, air traffic controllers provide assistance and, if necessary, redirect ships to other airfields for landing. When conducting search or rescue operations, if aviation is involved, the dispatcher coordinates the direction of these operations. Profession air traffic controller description

Air traffic controller is a general name for a profession that includes several specialties.

Dispatcher at the control tower at the airfield. His tasks include drawing up a flight plan for the day and coordinating this plan with dispatchers at other airports.

Dispatcher at the departure service point authorizes flight on the declared course indicated in the plan. Permission is issued on the basis of information supplied from the control center.

Taxi Manager operates aircraft and airport services only on its territory. Only this dispatcher gives the right to start the engines of ships and controls the aircraft while moving along the control tracks and gives the go-ahead for the preliminary start.

Landing and launch controller controls aircraft on the take-off and landing strips, permits the take-off and landing of aircraft.

Circle Manager allows arriving ships to land, and gives instructions to departing ships to begin their initial climb.

Manager approach and assigns the order of approach of vessels when landing, and also builds certain intervals of takeoff and landing separation.

District center dispatcher carries out control over the horizontal movement of vessels within the areas that are established for it along the air routes running in the area of ​​its responsibility and beyond.

There are also specialties of a local air route dispatcher and an informant dispatcher. These people work far from air hubs and routes with heavy traffic.

To work as an air traffic controller, you must have certain qualities and meet certain requirements:

– exceptional state of health, and the requirements are the same as for the health of pilots;
– high responsibility;
– resistance to stress;
– good physical fitness;
– ability to concentrate;
- fast reaction;
– excellent memory;
– ability to count quickly;
– ability to navigate in space;
– have spatial thinking.

We also suggest that you familiarize yourself with the profession of a pilot, linguist and bartender.

The controller must be able to select the necessary information from a variety of messages, and also be able to imagine the position of aircraft in space at the moment and after a certain time of travel.

This profession appeared at a time when air flights became widespread and it was necessary to establish certain flight rules, as well as provide radio communications and flight control. After this, an air traffic control system appeared, where the dispatcher controls the process of aircraft movement. And traffic safety depends on the dispatcher.

If you imagine for a second a situation where the dispatcher simply did not show up for work. Immediately there will be real chaos in the air. Hundreds of planes will fly in different directions at different altitudes, and even in poor visibility. It's scary to even think about this. This is precisely why the dispatcher must have good diction and the ability to correctly assess the situation in the air and instantly respond to any changes.

Although the profession of an air traffic controller is considered romantic and creative, it, like other professions, has not only positive aspects, but also quite serious disadvantages.

Among the advantages I would like to note:

– the salary of an air traffic controller in Moscow and other cities is quite high;
– vacation of longer duration;
- medical insurance;
– free flight once a year.

The disadvantages of the profession are significant:

– constant state of stress;
– shift work schedule;
– errors by air traffic controllers can lead to criminal liability.

Despite the presence of stressful situations, the work of a dispatcher is considered incredibly important and you need to understand that without these people it is simply impossible to fly airplanes. After all, they are the ones who make all flights easy and calm, and few passengers think about who is the most important in aviation.

You can get a closer look at the profession in the video: