Air Traffic Controllers

Air Traffic Controllers typically perform the following tasks: • Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems. • Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions. • Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights. • Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations. • Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties. • Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety. • Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land. • Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references. • Direct ground traffic, including taxiing aircraft, maintenance or baggage vehicles, or airport workers. • Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information. • Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement. • Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes. • Initiate or coordinate searches for missing aircraft. • Provide on-the-job training to new air traffic controllers. • Check conditions and traffic at different altitudes in response to pilots' requests for altitude changes. • Relay air traffic information, such as courses, altitudes, or expected arrival times, to control centers. • Inspect, adjust, or control radio equipment or airport lights. • Compile information about flights from flight plans, pilot reports, radar, or observations. • Organize flight plans or traffic management plans to prepare for planes about to enter assigned airspace. • Review records or reports for clarity and completeness and maintain records or reports, as required under federal law.