An air traffic controller is a conductor who directs an orchestra of aircraft turbines in the sky. The dispatcher is also a talented artist who paints unique paintings with the traces of airplanes in the blue of the sky. Well, if you try to describe the profession of an air traffic controller in official words, then it turns out that this is a specialist who controls the movement of air vehicles from the ground. The main 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 the air traffic controller include informing the crews about the meteorological situation, both along the route and at the airports, as well as maintaining communication with the pilots. Messages should be exchanged in accordance with radio traffic 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 unforeseen situation arises in the air. It also controls the movement of the aircraft if there is little fuel on board, and also creates a safe distance between aircraft. Controlling the quality of communication and the state of radio equipment is also the prerogative of air traffic controllers. In unfavorable weather conditions, air traffic controllers provide assistance, and, if necessary, redirect vessels to other aerodromes for landing. When conducting search or rescue operations, if aviation takes part in them, the dispatcher coordinates the direction of these operations. Profession air traffic controller description
Air traffic controller is the general name for a profession that includes several specialties.
Dispatcher at the control room at the airfield. His tasks include drawing up a flight plan for a day, agreeing this plan with dispatchers at other airports.
Dispatcher at the departure service point allows flight at the declared course indicated in the plan. The permit is issued on the basis of information supplied from the control room.
Taxi manager manages aircraft and airport services only on its territory. Only this dispatcher gives the right to start the engines of ships and manages the aircraft while moving along the steering lanes and gives the go-ahead for a preliminary start.
Landing and Launch Dispatcher manages aircraft on take-off and landing lanes, authorizes start and landing of aircraft.
Circle manager allows arriving ships to approach landing, and gives the command to departing ships about the initial climb.
Dispatcher approach and it assigns the order of approach of the vessels during landing, and also builds up certain intervals of takeoff and landing separation.
District center dispatcher carries out control over the movement of vessels in the horizontal within the areas that are established for him along the air routes running in the area of his responsibility, and beyond.
There are also specialties of the dispatcher of local aeronautical lines, the dispatcher of the informant. These people work far from air hubs and highways with heavy traffic.
To work as an air traffic controller, you must have certain qualities and meet certain requirements:
- exceptional health, and the requirements are the same as for the health of the pilots;
- high responsibility;
- resistance to stress;
- good physical fitness;
- ability to concentrate;
- fast reaction;
- great memory;
- ability to count quickly;
- the ability to navigate in space;
- have spatial thinking.
We also offer you to familiarize yourself with the profession of a pilot, linguist and bartender.
The dispatcher must be able to select the necessary information from a variety of messages, as well as be able to represent the position of aircraft in space at a given moment and after a certain travel time.
This profession appeared at a time when air flights became widespread and it was required to establish certain flight rules, as well as to provide radio communications and flight control. After that, the air traffic control system appeared, where the dispatcher controls the process of aircraft movement. And traffic safety depends on the dispatcher.
If for a second imagine a situation where the dispatcher simply did not come to work. Immediately, real chaos will begin in the air. Hundreds of aircraft will fly in different directions at different heights, and even in poor visibility. It's even scary to think about this. That is why the dispatcher must have good diction and the ability to correctly assess the situation in the air and instantly react to any changes in it.
Although the profession of an air traffic controller is considered romantic and creative, but in it, as in other professions, there are not only positive aspects, but also quite serious disadvantages.
Of the advantages, I would like to note:
- the salary of an air traffic controller in Moscow and other cities is quite high;
- vacation, which has a long duration;
- medical insurance;
- free flight once a year.
The disadvantages of the profession are significant:
- constant state of stress;
- shift work schedule;
- errors of 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 on airplanes. After all, it is they who make all flights easy and calm, and few passengers think about who is the most important in aviation.
You can get acquainted with the profession in the video:
An air traffic controller is a conductor who directs a celestial band of roaring aircraft turbines. An air traffic controller is an artist who paints his paintings on the blue canvas of the sky with airplane condensation trails. An air traffic controller is a pilot who directs aircraft to a safe route to a harbor. But if you adhere to the letter of the air law, this is a specialist in air traffic control from the ground. Its main function is to ensure the safe, orderly and regular movement of aircraft within its assigned area of responsibility.
The air traffic controller informs aircraft crews about the situation along the flight route and at aerodromes, provides meteorological information, maintains radio communication with pilots in accordance with the rules and phraseology of radio exchange, both in Russian and in English. Also, the air traffic controller enters the necessary data into the automated air traffic control systems to assess the air situation. His motto is “I see, I hear, I control”.
It is the air traffic controller who takes measures to maintain safety in the event of a difficult situation in the air and special cases of flight by ensuring safe intervals of longitudinal, vertical and lateral separation between aircraft. The dispatcher also exercises control over the operation of radio equipment and communications, sends, if necessary, aircraft to alternate aerodromes, assists the crews when aircraft get into dangerous weather conditions for flights - thunderstorm fronts, cyclones. In addition, air traffic controllers coordinate the organization of search and rescue operations in which aviation is involved. As the famous saying goes, "God created air traffic controllers so that pilots would also have their own heroes."
Most of the Russian air traffic controllers are employees of the national provider of air navigation services - FSUE State Air Traffic Management Corporation in the Russian Federation. However, some airports and aerodromes have their own air navigation services operating within the framework of the Unified Air Traffic Management System (EU ATM) existing in our country.
What kind of air traffic controllers are there?
There are several specialties in the profession of an air traffic controller.
Air Traffic Planning Team Dispatcher draws up a daily flight plan, coordinates its implementation with other services, with his colleagues from other airports.
Delivery departure service point dispatcher issues a permit to fly on the route declared in the presented plan.
Taxi manager manages the movement of aircraft and aerodrome services on the territory of the aerodrome. It is he who allows the start of the aircraft's engines, directs the movement along the taxiways and gives the command to taxi to the preliminary start in front of the runway (runway).
Launch and landing dispatchers direct the aircraft taking off and landing on the runway, give the command to take the final start and start takeoff, control the landing.
Circle manager manages the movement of aircraft in the airspace from 2 km and below and within a radius of 50 km from the airfield. Issues approach clearance for arriving aircraft and instructions on the initial climb to departing aircraft.
Approach dispatcher manages the aircraft movement in the airspace limited by heights of 2, 6 km and a distance of 90–120 km from the aerodrome; solves the problems of determining the sequence of landing approach, is engaged in the construction of the necessary separation intervals for landing and takeoff. The above dispatchers, as a rule, work directly at the airport at the control tower (tower).
District center dispatcher controls the movement of the aircraft within the boundaries established for it in the horizontal plane both along the air routes passing through its area of responsibility, and outside these routes.
There are also dispatchers of local air lines, a local dispatch center, dispatchers-informants. They control flights and provide the aircraft with flight information away from major air hubs and high-traffic routes.
What are the criteria for selecting dispatchers?
Firstly, very strict health requirements are imposed on the air traffic controller. It shouldn't be worse than that of a civil aviation pilot. Secondly, the dispatcher must be responsible, stress-resistant, restrained, physically developed. He must be able to concentrate on work, he must have a good reaction, an excellent memory. Thirdly, the dispatcher must have a mathematical mindset, be able to count quickly and well, keep in memory a lot of numbers and other information. Figuratively speaking, the work of an air traffic controller is similar to playing chess under conditions of constant pressure and periodic time pressure. This work is very difficult and extremely demanding. However, it also pays very well.
Air traffic controllers are trained in three higher and four secondary educational institutions subordinate to the Federal Air Transport Agency. These are the St. Bugayev (UI GA), as well as the Aviation and Transport College of St. Petersburg University, the Krasnoyarsk branch of the St. Petersburg University, the Ryl Aviation Technical College (a branch of the Moscow State University of Civil Aviation) and the Omsk Flight and Technical College (a branch of the Ulyanovsk Institute). In addition, the Air Navigation Institute, a non-profit educational institution of additional professional education, which is a structure of the State ATM Corporation, is engaged in training from among aviation specialists and improving the qualifications of dispatchers.
Profession training takes three to four years in specialized secondary educational institutions, and five years in higher educational institutions. After training and internship, the dispatcher receives a certificate, which must be confirmed every two or three years (depending on the class). Professional development - every three years.
The crew, flying the aircraft, is in touch with the dispatchers who are responsible for the order of movement of aircraft and helicopters. The entire airspace is divided into areas of responsibility of control points. And the dispatcher controls the movement within the area of responsibility of his point.
Airfield dispatcher draws up a daily flight plan, coordinates its implementation with other services, with his colleagues from other airports (for example, with the ADP of another airport). He is constantly in touch with the crews of ships, monitors the air situation. At some airports, these functions are performed by a liaison team.
Dispatcher "Taxi" controls movement on the territory of the aerodrome.
Dispatcher "Start and Landing" supervise ships taking off and landing.
Circle Dispatcher manages traffic within a radius of 50 km at an altitude of 2100 m and below (take-off and landing zone). He issues permits for arriving to carry out an approach, and for departing - instructions on the initial climb.
Approach Dispatcher directs traffic at an altitude of 2100-5700 m. The coverage area of the circle zone is 90-120 km. from the airfield. It determines the sequence of the approach to the landing, the intervals.
District center dispatcher controls flight at altitudes of 2100-17000.
Local Airline Dispatcher- supervises the flight at an altitude of 1500 m and below in the airfield area.
Local dispatcher- manages a 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 the meteorological conditions, the schedule of ships' movement, etc. The dispatcher is constantly in touch with the crews of the ships and with his colleagues from adjacent areas of responsibility.
The 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 the aircraft to a safe distance, decide to ban landings (or vice versa), etc. In addition, one dispatcher can have up to 20 aircraft at the same time.
Since there is no time to think about the situation for a long time, all actions of the dispatcher are strictly regulated.
The dispatcher's work 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, communication equipment, signal boards, etc. He also receives information from meteorological services, uses reference information. Every dispatcher knows that his wrong decisions can lead to disaster and loss of life. High responsibility with a large volume of work, high speed of decisions - all this means increased nervous tension.
An air traffic controller at an airport in Miami fell asleep while on night duty, the Associated Press reported Saturday (April 16, 2011). The incident took place early Saturday morning. During this night shift, 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 that the incident did not in any way affect the operation of the airport. However, the dispatcher who had fallen asleep at the post was removed from work.
This has already happened at airports in Texas, Nevada, Tennessee and Washington DC. A few days ago, a nationwide inspection of air traffic control services began in the United States, and the US 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 single night shifts and revise the work schedules of air traffic controllers.
Pros and cons
The work of the "Approach" dispatcher is especially difficult in terms of emotional load.
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 dispatcher service works around the clock, and dispatchers keep their watch in shifts. This, like nervous tension, can be attributed to the disadvantages of the profession. However, these difficulties are compensated by a sense of satisfaction from a job well done and the realization of their 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 Art. 27 of the Federal Law of the Russian Federation of December 17, 2001 No. 173 - FZ)
Important qualities
Resistance to stress, a high sense of responsibility, the ability to manage your attention. Good health is essential (including the organs of the cardiovascular system). Therefore, once every 2 years, the 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 working situation there are established rules, instructions and behavior scenarios, and the dispatcher must know them. He must know the laws of air navigation, understand aviation meteorology.
Training occurs every 3 years, the confirmation of the current certificate of the air traffic controller is made, depending on the class of the controller, after 2 or 3 years. In addition, the mandatory requirement for an air traffic controller at the present time is. 4 - compulsory level on the ICAO scale since 2011.
Secondary vocational education:
- Krasnoyarsk Aviation Technical College of Civil Aviation,
- Khabarovsk Branch of the Krasnoyarsk Aviation Technical College
Specialty "Air traffic control"
When choosing a profession, most Russians ask in advance what income the profession will bring them. An air traffic controller's salary often becomes an attractive factor for those who want to get decent money for their work. But do not forget that taking on any functions, along with the right to remuneration, you receive a set of responsibilities. Being an Aeroflot dispatcher is a big responsibility. High requirements are imposed on people who have chosen a specialty.
The profession of "air traffic controller" is very responsible. The safety of civil and military flights depends on how a specialist performs his work.
Open vacancies "dispatcher" in different cities
It is believed that a dispatcher is one of the most difficult professions in the world. The people who chose her twice a year are required to confirm prof. suitability and undergo a regular full physical examination. Both physical and mental fitness is checked. Dispatchers have to experience great mental stress every day. It is better for people with a weak nervous system not to consider the profession as an option for future employment.
What knowledge does a dispatcher need
The baggage of knowledge of an air traffic controller depends on what specialization he has chosen. There are types of profession, which depend on the value of the point of employment and the functions performed:
- a local point serving flights at an altitude of one and a half kilometer, located at a remote distance from major airports;
- point of local airlines - the area of the local small airfield, the height is the same as in the previous case;
- aerodrome of the regional center - serviced altitude 2100 - 17500 m;
- "Approach" - the responsibilities include determining the time interval and the distribution of the take-off-landing sequence, serviced altitude - 2100 - 5700 m;
- "Circle" - control of a radius of 50 km from the location of the control room;
- “Start and Landing” - take-off and landing management;
- "Taxiing" - is responsible for the condition of the aircraft, gives permission for towing, determines the parking place;
- Aerodrome control center - constant communication with the crews of the aircraft, control of the air situation, interaction with other control points.
Airports dispatchers work around the clock. Each employee must be able to simultaneously use several devices, keep under control the weather and all entrusted airspace for the presence of aircraft in it. The load on the brain and psyche is fantastic.
Regardless of specialization, the dispatcher must know:
- Separation instructions and rules. We are talking about the location of aircraft in space at a certain distance that does not allow collisions.
- Aviation metrology. How weather changes affect aircraft in flight.
- Air navigation. Means and methods of aircraft control.
The airline dispatcher has no right to be wrong. One mistake he made can cost many people their lives.
Earnings of Russian air traffic controllers
As you can see, the salaries of representatives of the profession are high. However, it should be noted that this was not always the case. Until recently, in the early 2000s, the incomes of dispatchers in Russia did not exceed 9,000 rubles.
Note that regional pegs are not reflected in salaries. The status of the airport influences the level of income most of all. Naturally, the dispatcher is his colleague, working at the peripheral aerodrome.
How much do dispatchers earn in European countries
Considering the income of domestic representatives of the profession, one cannot fail to mention the average salaries of their foreign colleagues. For example, we will give the salaries of dispatchers in some European countries:
As can be seen from the table, the situations differ in different European states. The best life is for the Germans and the British. But the Polish dispatchers have a hard time. Professional workloads and remuneration for them do not match.
Note that there are a little less English and German. Their income is 8,000 USD per month.
