Will “Air Traffic Controller (Tower Option)” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

Job Description

Control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers according to established procedures and policies. Authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government or company regulations to expedite and ensure flight safety.

Job Details

• The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 53-2021.00
• The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 118,200.00
• The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 56.00
• Currently, there are 23,240 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Air Traffic Controllers”.

Also Known As…

• Air Traffic Controllers
• Radar Air Traffic Controller
• Control Tower Operator
• Certified Professional Controller (CPC)
• Air Traffic Controller, Center
• Air Traffic Controller (Tower Option)
• Air Traffic Controller (Enroute Option)
• Air Traffic Controller (ATC)
• Air Traffic Control Specialist/Certified Professional Controller (ATC Specialist/CPC)
• Air Traffic Control Specialist, Terminal
• Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS)
• Traffic Control Specialist
• Tower Control Operator
• Tower Air Traffic Control Specialist
• Technical Communicator
• Station Air Traffic Control Specialist
• Signal Tower Operator
• Ground Control Approach Technician (GCA Technician)
• Flight Tower Dispatcher
• Flight Service Specialist
• Flight Radio Operator
• Flight Radio Officer
• Flight Dispatcher
• Flight Control Specialist
• Flight Communications Officer
• Enroute Controller
• Dispatcher
• Communicator
• Communications Operator
• Chief Controller
• Chief Communications Officer
• Airways Operations Specialist
• Airways Control Specialist
• Airway Traffic Controller
• Airway Controller
• Airport Traffic Controller
• Airport Tower Controller
• Airline Dispatcher
• Aircraft Communicator
• Air Traffic Supervisor
• Air Traffic Coordinator
• Air Traffic Control Operator
• Air Route Traffic Controller
• Air Route Controller
• Access Control Specialist

Tasks for “Air Traffic Controller (Tower Option)”

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

Related Technology & Tools

• Ultra high frequency UHF radio communication systems
• Precision runway monitor PRM
• Local area augmentation systems LAAS
• Differential global positioning system DGPS surveillance systems
• Nondirectional radio beacon markers
• High frequency HF radio communications systems
• Mainframe computers
• Automatic direction finder ADF radio systems
• Microwave landing systems MLS
• Controller pilot datalink communication CPDC systems
• Distance measuring equipment DME
• Very high frequency VHF radio communication systems
• Mode S radar systems
• Air route surveillance radar ARSR systems
• Global positioning system GPS surveillance systems
• Area navigation RNAV systems
• Airport surface detection equipment ASDE systems
• Flight simulators
• Desktop computers
• Frequency modulation FM two way radios
• Airport surveillance radar ASR systems
• Standard terminal automation replacement systems STARS
• Digital airport surveillance radar DASR systems
• Long range navigation systems LRNS
• Personal computers
• Binoculars
• Wide area augmentation systems WAAS
• Transponder landing systems TLS

• Automated radar terminal systems ARTS
• Advanced technologies and oceanic procedures ATOP
• Traffic management advisor TMA software
• En route descent advisor EDA
• Center TRACON automation systems CTAS
• Flight simulation software
• Microsoft Office
• Expedite departure path EDP software
• Multi-center traffic management advisor McTMA
• Final approach spacing tool FAST
• Direct-to-tool software