There are various options for working in the aviation industry as a pilot, cabin crew or air traffic controller. A technical job post requires minute observation and candidates who are best suited for the job are the ones that have a high level of concentration and focus. It requires candidates who are accountable and responsible on the job, as many lives are dependent on their job. They have two options; either they can be airport tower controllers or terminal controllers. They have to keep track of all the planes traveling through the airport's airspace. Their main responsibility is to make the traffic flow constantly at the airports and also guiding them by giving them the right directions. On the basis of radar, they give directions to the pilot and they also closely monitor all the planes to ensure a proper distance between all aircraft. They also give directions about changes in weather, so that the directions can be changed at the right time.
All those individuals who are interested in the aviation industry must enroll in an education program which is FAA-approved. They also have to pass a pre-employment test, through which they tend to know whether the individual is capable of learning a controller's duty or not. An individual can take their pre-employment only in the FAA Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative Program or the Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Air Traffic Control Training Program. It is a computer generated test of 8 hours. A selection is done on a random basis if the numbers of applicants who have applied are in huge numbers. A minimum of 3 years of experience is required in addition to the pre-employment test and a degree of four years. Candidates with work experience are preferred. They should also have studied Math and Physics in their high school years.
Air traffic controllers must be good in articulation as their main job is to give pilots directions quickly and clearly. They should have good memory and should be intelligent to know when to give which direction. They should be able to remember the conversation that has happened with the pilot. At times, they also have to make decisions to give the right directions. The ability to concentrate is most important for the controller because they have to make these decisions in the midst of noise and other distractions.
More opportunities are expected to arise in this field for all those who have graduated from the FAA program. The salary paid is very lucrative, which is in the range of $100,000 to $125,000. This increases with the increase in years of experience.
