Expert: Christopher McKenna - 9/8/2008

Question
Hello,
  I have an assignment for my aerospace class in high school and was wondering if you would be willing to answer a few questions for me.

1. What level of education do you need to become an air traffic controller?

2. Are there different rankings in the field of air traffic controller? If so, how long does it take to become  the top rank or level?

3. What is the average salary, or salary range for an air traffic controller?

4. What makes the job difficult?

5. What responsibilities do you have as an air traffic controller?

It would be great if you could get back to me within the next day or two.

Thank you for your time and consideration

              Kyle


Answer
1. The FAA requires a college education, or a significant amount of experience, for example, being a military controller.

2. Not really rankings. Controllers at the busiest facilities do get paid more, though. At some places, it can take 3 or 4 years of on the job training to become completely certified.

3. The range starts at about 60,000 or so, and goes up to 120,000 dollars or so.

4. The most difficult thing is the attention to detail and the intense focus required. One must work an hour to two hours at a time at peak mental capacity, and that can be fatiguing.

5. Our biggest responsibility is keeping planes from colliding. Then comes helping them avoid dangerous conditions like severe weather, and dangerous terrain.

I hope this helps!

Chris