Air Traffic Controllers

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

• Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
• Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.
• Monitor, direct, or sequence the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
• Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
• Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement.
• Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
• Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
• Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land.
• Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information.
• Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes.
• Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
• Check conditions and traffic at different altitudes in response to pilots' requests for altitude changes.