With the technological advancement in the aviation field, many new aircrafts and services are being launched almost everyday. The cost of traveling by airplanes has reduced considerably, and more people are traveling by air. All these factors have lead to very heavy traffic at major airports. This is when the importance and need of air traffic control comes into picture.
Air traffic controllers are the professionals who direct the traffic of private, public, passenger, commercial and transport aircrafts in and around the airport. These professionals use advanced technology, such as the radar and radio communication, for effective handling of the traffic. Many schools provide professional courses for air traffic controllers, which teach them on how to read flight plans, traffic instruments and weather conditions. They are also given hands on experience at the federal aviation administration's (FAA) flight control center during training.
These schools provide certificate programs, two-year associate programs and bachelor's degree programs, which thoroughly prepare these students on the background as well as operation. The course curriculum of air traffic control teaches students everything about airway systems, FAA rules, aircraft performance, and other job related skills. Students are taught the use of controller equipment including the various radars, electronic communication instruments, and the navigation computers.
A lot of periodic tests and assessments are conducted, during the course to check students' level of understanding and progress. Students are expected to display skills for quick solving, of complex problems that could arise anytime in the field of airports. It is also essential for them to display the various methods of applying FAA procedures, and other air traffic rules in different situations for effective handling of traffic.
The FAA provides almost four to five months of intense training in air traffic control, at its academy only for those students who meet the stringent admission requirements. After this training the students are sent for several months, of successful on-the-job experience to increase their knowledge. This is considered to be mandatory for employment as an air traffic controller.
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