Air traffic controllers are the ones who are assigned the task of looking after safety and the systematic movement of the aircrafts not only through the air routes but also around the airport. This task of maintenance is mainly conducted by giving instructions and advice to the pilots related to the matter of speed, course and height. The work of air traffic controllers can be divided into three major classifications:
- Area controllers
- Approach controllers
- Aerodrome controllers
Almost 80% of these Area controllers are associated with the job of area control and have to mainly look after the aircraft that maintains the flight of the airways. Approach controllers need to deal with the aircraft movement entering or leaving the airport; whereas, the aerodrome controllers are those that guide the aircraft at the time of landing and even to terminal. A certain air traffic controller has to manage several of such aircrafts at a given time so they need to be very efficient in giving clear instructions and also apt in their decision making capabilities.
Some of the activities that are commonly carried out by air traffic controllers are:
- Keeping contact with the aircraft via radio or radar.
- Giving necessary directions to the pilot while the aircraft is at the airport or en route.
- Instructions allocating the ultimate cruising level.
- Provide information regarding weather conditions.
- Keeping a check on the maintenance of safe distance between planes moving via same air route.
- Practical handling of unanticipated affairs, unscheduled traffic and emergencies.
Approach controllers work from the control center or from the airport tower. They manage the landing system and the instruments associated with it. At some highly busy airports, this job is controlled under two categories: one is air control and the other is ground control. As all these involve the safety of so many passengers, the air traffic controllers need to be extremely responsible and very competent.