AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS

Nature of the Work

The air traffic control system is a vast network of people and equipment that ensures the safe operation of commercial and private aircraft.  Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of air traffic to make certain that planes stay a safe distance apart.  Their immediate concern is safety, but controllers also must direct planes efficiently to minimize delays.  Some regulate airport traffic; others regulate flights between airports.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Air traffic controller trainees are selected through the competitive Federal Civil Service system.  Applicants must pass a written test that measures their ability to learn the controller's duties.  Applicants with experience as a pilot, navigator, or military controller can improve their rating by scoring well on the occupational knowledge portion of the examination.  Abstract reasoning and three-dimensional spatial visualization are among the aptitudes the exam measures.  In addition, applicants generally must have 3 years of general work experience or 4 years of college, or a combination of both.  Applicants also must survive a 1 week screening at the FAA's Aeronautical Center Academy in Oklahoma City which includes aptitude tests using computer simulators, physical and psychological examinations.  Successful applicants receive drug screening tests.  For airport tower and enroute center positions, applicants must be less than 31 years old.  Those 31 years old and over are eligible for positions at flight-service stations.

Job Outlook

Employment of air traffic controllers is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2005.  Employment growth is not expected to keep pace with growth in the number of aircraft flying because of the introduction of laborsaving air traffic control equipment that should make controllers more productive.

Earnings

Air traffic controllers who started with the FAA in 1993 earned about $22,700 (grade 7) a year.  Controllers at the grade 9 level and above earn 5 percent more than other Federal workers in an equivalent grade.  A controller's pay is determined by both the worker's job responsibilities and the complexity of the particular facility.  Earnings are higher at facilities where traffic patterns are more complex.  In 1993, controllers averaged about $53,800 a year.

Depending on length of service, they receive 13 to 26 days of paid vacation and 13 days of paid sick leave each year, life insurance, and health benefits.  In addition, controllers can retire at an earlier age and with fewer years of service than other Federal employees.  Air traffic controllers are eligible to retire at age 50 with 20 years of service as an active air traffic controller or after 25 years of active service at any age.  There is a mandatory retirement age of 56 for controllers who manage air traffic.

Sources of Additional Information

A pamphlet providing general information about controllers and instructions for submitting an application is available from any U.S.  Office of Personnel Management Job Information Center.  Look under U.S.  Government, Office of Personnel Management, in your telephone book to obtain a local Job Information Center telephone number, and call for a copy of the Air Traffic Controller Announcement.  If there is no listing in your telephone book, dial the toll-free number 1-800-555-1212 and request the number of the Office of Personnel Management Job Information Center for your location.


