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Job Title:

Center Air Traffic Controller

Related Job Title:

En Route Controller, Air Traffic Controller, TRACON Controller, Air Traffic Specialist

Job Description:

Air Traffic Specialists use both radar, visual information and radio communications to direct and monitor air traffic so it flows, smoothly, efficiently and safely through US airspace. Center Controllers work from FAA Center Facilities. One Center facility is located within each Center Airspace (21 in the US). Center Controllers monitor movement of aircraft and give instructions to pilots for routing through the airspace. They give clearance to pilots for altitude and course changes within their Center airspace. They hand-off flights to the TRACON Controllers for descent procedures that lead to landing within the Center airspace. Center Controllers also provide weather updates and relay current weather information. One of their primary duties is to provide and maintain separation among aircraft in the Center airspace.

Areas of Expertise:

• Must have excellent listening and communication skills
• Thorough knowledge of the air traffic management system and the FAA regulations.

Interests and Abilities:

• Enjoy aviation and have an understanding of the science of flight
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Excellent problem solving abilities regardless of the pressure to meet a deadline.
• Enjoy a challenging work environment.
• Ability to visualize a 2-dimensional picture in a 3-dimensional way
• Ability to use a computer to get information and to help solve problems

Suggested Topics to Study in School:

• Physics
• Aeronautics or science of flight
• Meteorology
• Aviation
• Algebra and graphing of equations
• Computer training

Education and Training Needed:

• Must have a 2 or 4 year college degree before initiation of ATC training
• Successfully pass an FAA aptitude test
• Air Traffic Control Training through the FAA
• Computer training

You might want to further explore this career by checking out the web sites given below.

What can I do right now?
Spend time playing logic puzzles.
Spend time drawing maps from memory
Learn how to read all the different kinds of aeronautical charts
Take a ground school course
Join Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and participate in their activities
Become proficient at using database software
Practice your problem solving skills by engaging in some computer activities that have you review information and assess a situation in a short amount of time e.g. air traffic control simulation, flight simulation

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