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Scope for Air Traffic Control- 19-Apr-2010
Although the word aviation springs to mind images of pilots and airhostesses, but many important job profiles like aeronautical engineers and those who work in Air Traffic Control do have equal responsibility play in the success of aviation sector.
These technical profiles ensure safe air travel, and demand error-free thinking and thorough knowledge of the job.
ATC, a 24X7 responsibility :
A job in Air Traffic Control (ATC) entails operating the control systems, 24x7. You are responsible for the safety, orderly flow of air traffic and ensuring no mid-air collisions or grievous events occur. Sound footing in Mathematics, ability to calculate based on aircraft specifications is required. There is no scope for wait a minute, live aircrafts are awaiting your instructions. Peak hours, morning and late evenings have the highest flow of air traffic. The ATC is also responsible for monitoring movements of flights that are passing in its jurisdiction.
The radar control a crucial component of the ATC, is exceptionally challenging. Getting in here by no other means except by proving your abilities, getting the radar rating after at least 10 years of hands-on experience. Others include surface movement control, aerodrome control, and approach control unit. You need a BE degree to enter, a degree specifically in electronics helps.
Airport Authority of India (AAI) is the largest recruiter for ATC, you will be trained at Civil Aviation Training Colleges across the country and also at Regional Training Centers in all metros.
Career progression:
As a Junior Executive Trainee (JET), the basic salary offered is Rs. 16,400. In addition, you get 30 percent HRA plus loan facilities. A new recruit will take home between Rs. 25,000-Rs. 30,000. After three years, you are eligible for promotion as Assistant Manager ATC; basic salary is Rs. 20,000. After three years, you get to be Manager ATC with Rs. 24,000 as your basic. A Senior Manager would receive Rs. 29,000 as basic salary. After three years on the job, you can happily take home Rs. 62,000 including perks and station allowances, depending on the air traffic flow. The other progression stages include Assistant General Manager, Deputy GM, Additional GM, General Manager and Executive Director.
The job opportunities in ATC have been growing over the years. Along with the ever increasing growth in air traffic there is a shortage of qualified candidates. Working in ATC is not easy; its very challenging, leaving no space for miscalculations. You work six hour shifts, converting to 42 hours of work in a week. Throughout the year you end up working through the cycle of morning, afternoon and night shifts. Dont worry; you get the time to rest, its required in order to perform on the job. In addition, you get car loans, housing loan and full health coverage for you and your family. You can also encash earned leaves.
Its stressful, your biological clock goes haywire, ulcer problems are common because of high intake of tea/coffee, hearing problems and eye sight problems are a given. But you are here to solve problems, whatever has to be done is immediate, there is no work to take home, shared Sandeep Mukerjee, Senior Manager (ATC), New Delhi.
Training in various components is provided, update on issues such as Bird Management, System Summarization and getting a familiarisation flight every four years is part of the parcel. There are 400-odd vacancies available at the entry level in ATC.
His love for the job shines through. From Approach Control Unit to Area Control Unit, be assured, Swaminathan, AGM (ATC), Radar Controller, New Delhi, has an update on all. He sits comfortably and guides each aircraft towards a safe landing, take-off and mid air process. The stress of the enormous amount of responsibility finds no reflection in his calm voice instructing pilots.
