What Is Air Traffic Control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based air traffic controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and through controlled airspace, and can provide advisory services to aircraft in non-controlled airspace.
Entry Requirements To Study Air Traffic Control In South Africa
Educational requirements
To qualify as an air traffic controller, you’ll need to complete four to six years of training, which includes both practical and theoretical components. While entry requirements vary between the different training institutes, it’s likely that you’ll need to have completed Grade 12 with mathematics, physical sciences, and English to enrol for this qualification.
Being medically fit is another requirement. Once you’ve completed your training, you’ll work as an air traffic controller assistant to gain experience. After you’ve launched your career, you’ll need to go for an annual physical examination to keep your qualification.
What to study:
Air Traffic Controller Training – you can study at specialized colleges, the SA Air Force, and at major airports across South Africa
National Certificate: Aviation Support Operations – you can study at specialized tertiary education institutes
Minimum requirements
Be a minimum of 18-years-old.
Have Grade 12 with maths and English (HG D or SG C or level 4 upwards)
Be a South African citizen.
Be medically fit.
Employment opportunities
An air traffic controller completes their duties in a control centre. This career comes with moderate local and international employment opportunities. As an air traffic controller, you can find employment with the government or large private companies at airports across South Africa.
Work opportunities are also available for the SA Air Force. Your experience as an air traffic controller, and your work performance, will have an impact on the progression of your career. With hard work and dedication, you could work your way up to a managerial role.
Skills and qualities needed
An interest in flying is a good foundation for this career. This is one of the most stressful jobs out there, so you’ll need to be dedicated to completing your responsibilities. The skills and qualities that air traffic controllers need include the following:
Ability to work under pressure
Reliability and trustworthiness
Outstanding focus and attention to detail
Excellent communication skills
Logical thinking and problem-solving skills
Superior planning and organisation capabilities
Ability to handle emergency situations
Emotional maturity
Superior decision-making skills
Efficient work ethic
Physical and mental well-being
Adequate hearing, eyesight, and colour perception
Outstanding memory
Where To Study Air Traffic Control In South Africa
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
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.
Schools Offering Air Traffic Control In South Africa
43 Air School South Africa
Aviation Training Academy ATNS
Johannesburg School of Flying
What qualification do you need to be a air traffic controller In South Africa ?
You can apply for a place as a trainee with National Air Traffic Services. You’ll need a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent qualifications, including English and maths.
Where can I study for air traffic controller in South Africa?
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.
Do you need math for air traffic controller In South Africa ?
Air traffic control is a fast-paced job that requires a mathematics background. The required math knowledge includes geometry and calculus. Additionally, air traffic controllers must understand geography and weather conditions, engineering, computers, aeronautics, and aviation regulations.
How long is training for air traffic controller In South Africa ?
The training program varies, however it is approximately 12 months for the Tower stream and 14 months for the Enroute stream. On-the-job training times can also vary.
Which course is best for air traffic controller In South Africa ?
To be eligible for becoming an Air Traffic Controller in India, one should have an Engineering Degree in Electronics / Telecommunication / Radio Engineering / Electrical or Master’s Degree in Electronics or any discipline with electronics, telecom, radio physics, as specialization subjects or Master’s with physics,
Can you become an air traffic controller without a degree In South Africa ?
Even without the military or work experience, there are still plenty of requirements for air traffic controllers, as they are government positions. The FAA also wants applicants to have three years of “progressively responsible work experience,” or a Bachelor’s degree, or a combination of the two.
Is it hard to become air traffic controller In South Africa ?
Even though the path to becoming an air traffic controller isn’t as long or difficult as trying to become a doctor or lawyer, it is by no means easy. It typically begins with a Federal Aviation Administration approved collegiate training program.