Air traffic controllers often abbreviated ATC are personnel responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic in the global air traffic control system.
Air traffic controllers: receive information about flights from flight plans, pilot reports, radar, and observations; direct aircraft to manage aircraft traffic flows so that accidents are avoided.
Advise pilots on weather conditions, the status of facilities, airports and other services; give pilots permission to take off, land and change altitude and direction; give airport workers permission to move around on the tarmac and runway; monitor aircraft in the air on a radar and look for possible conflicts; check equipment used for navigation.
Communicate by telephone, radio, and satellite communication systems with pilots, air traffic controllers, and other airport professionals; alert airport fire crew and rescue services in cases of emergency, and write reports on incidents.
Where To Study Air Traffic Control In South Africa?
Below is the List Of Air Traffic Controller Schools In South Africa;
43 Air School South Africa
Aviation Training Academy ATNS
Johannesburg School of Flying
Bursaries And Funding
Air Traffic Control Bursaries In South Africa
High School Subjects Needed For Traffic Control Schools
Grade 12 certificate with Mathematics and English
What to Study
Air traffic controllers receive a combination of theory and practical training before they qualify. Once qualified, they receive ongoing training. The Department of Transport and the SA Defence Force train air traffic controllers in their employ.
Theoretical training is given at O R Tambo Airport and Waterkloof Air Force Base and practical training at major airports throughout the country, or at air bases in the case of the Defence Force.
The Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) College is situated at O R Tambo Airport. After successfully completing the course offered, students can register as professional air traffic controllers and can work as area, approach or radar controllers.
Air traffic controllers (in all specializations) must obtain a valid traffic controller’s license. In addition, controllers must obtain a facility rating for the type of facility to which they are assigned. Air traffic controllers must take and pass yearly physical examinations to re-qualify for their positions.
Employment
- Department of Transport
- SA Air Force
- various airports
How do I become an Air Traffic Controller?
- AIR TRAFFIC AND NAVIGATION SERVICES (ATNS):
To become a civilian ATC in South Africa, training is provided by Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) through the Aviation Training Academy. The course takes 4-6 years before you are fully qualified.
‘ATNS is proud to provide bursaries for motivated and interested candidates to train to become Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCO’s)’ – ATNS
Minimum requirements:
18 year +
Grade 12 with Mathematics and English
South African Citizen
Medically fit
Once qualified you will begin your career as an ATC Assistant. From here you will progress to Aerodrome Control and finally to Procedural and/or Radar Control.
Air Traffic Controller Salary in South Africa
According to payscale.com, the average salary for an Air Traffic Controller in South Africa is R259,908.