Will “Control Tower Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
11% Chance of Automation
“Control Tower Operator” will almost certainly not be replaced by robots.
This job is ranked #178 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.
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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
- 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
- Control Tower Operator
- 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 “Control Tower Operator”
- Check conditions and traffic at different altitudes in response to pilots' requests for altitude changes.
- Organize flight plans or traffic management plans to prepare for planes about to enter assigned airspace.
- Initiate or coordinate searches for missing aircraft.
- Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
- Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes.
- Analyze factors such as weather reports, fuel requirements, or maps to determine air routes.
- Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information.
- Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
- Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
- Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
- Inspect, adjust, or control radio equipment or airport lights.
- Complete daily activity reports and keep records of messages from aircraft.
- Review records or reports for clarity and completeness and maintain records or reports as required under federal law.
- Conduct pre-flight briefings on weather conditions, suggested routes, altitudes, indications of turbulence, or other flight safety information.
- 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.
- Relay air traffic information, such as courses, altitudes, or expected arrival times, to control centers.
- Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.
- Provide on-the-job training to new air traffic controllers.
- Compile information about flights from flight plans, pilot reports, radar, or observations.
- Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement.
- Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
- Direct ground traffic, including taxiing aircraft, maintenance or baggage vehicles, or airport workers.
Related Technology & Tools
- Precision runway monitor PRM
- Differential global positioning system DGPS surveillance systems
- Automatic direction finder ADF radio systems
- Area navigation RNAV systems
- Flight simulators
- Air route surveillance radar ARSR systems
- Local area augmentation systems LAAS
- Long range navigation systems LRNS
- Distance measuring equipment DME
- Controller pilot datalink communication CPDC systems
- Airport surface detection equipment ASDE systems
- Ultra high frequency UHF radio communication systems
- Desktop computers
- Personal computers
- Mode S radar systems
- Nondirectional radio beacon markers
- Global positioning system GPS surveillance systems
- Digital airport surveillance radar DASR systems
- Binoculars
- Frequency modulation FM two way radios
- Very high frequency VHF radio communication systems
- Airport surveillance radar ASR systems
- Mainframe computers
- Wide area augmentation systems WAAS
- Standard terminal automation replacement systems STARS
- High frequency HF radio communications systems
- Transponder landing systems TLS
- Microwave landing systems MLS
- Direct-to-tool software
- Multi-center traffic management advisor McTMA
- Microsoft Office
- Final approach spacing tool FAST
- Traffic management advisor TMA software
- Automated radar terminal systems ARTS
- Expedite departure path EDP software
- En route descent advisor EDA
- Flight simulation software
- Center TRACON automation systems CTAS
- Advanced technologies and oceanic procedures ATOP