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Students train in the flight simulator.
Source: DFS/ Deutsche Flugsicherung; German Air Traffic
Safety Authority |
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| Air traffic controllers must also pass psychological tests |
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Not a job for everyone
Both air traffic control occupations have equally strict requirements. In addition to professional training, controllers must have strong powers of concentration and the ability to handle a great deal of responsibility even under stress. After all, when there's a lot going on in the air, a single controller may have to handle up to ten planes, all requesting service. Air traffic controllers must also have a good memory as well as a natural affinity for all things technical. For example, a controller must be have good spatial perception for visualising things on a two-dimensional radar screen.
As a result, only a few people can perform the job of an air traffic controller. Many are sorted out right at the beginning when they fail to pass the one-week aptitude test required for training as a tower or centre controller. This exam tests things like memory, concentration, spatial perception and stress tolerance. Once you've passed this hurdle, the 13 to16 month training course is fascinating. The syllabus is filled with subjects such as aviation law, navigation, fight simulation, aeronautical meteorology and international aviation English. To gain a firm footing in their future aviation career, young air traffic controllers also complete a 12 to 18 month training programme in their future place of employment (either tower or centre), under the supervision of experienced colleagues. After completing their training, most rookie controllers-30% of all air traffic controllers are women-work at international airports. There they are recruited by the local national air traffic control agencies; in Germany, this is the DFS, which stands for "Deutsche Flugsicherung" (German Air Traffic Control).
This occupation entails a lot of responsibility, but it is also secure and provides additional opportunities for advancement, for example as a team leader or trainer. Anyone who manages to complete the difficult training and can handle stress later on will have a secure, well-paid job.
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