Expert: Dacus T. Grant - 3/5/2004

Question
Hello. My name is Carol and I am a junior in high school and i was curious about aviation careers.
How well would you describe the salary of an air traffic controller?
What kind of work does it entail and what is the hardest task of an ATC?
I was thinking of joining the Air Force ROTC in college; would you happen to know what an Airfield Operations Officer would do?
Thank you so much for your time and consideration!

Answer
Hello Carol,
    I think that the salary for an air traffic controller can be described as very good.  It depends on the facility but certified professional controllers at Memphis ARTCC start at about $100,000 a year.  After you get out of school or the FAA academy you have about three years of training at the facility before you are a CPC.  The FAA site for air traffic control jobs in: http://www.faa.gov/careers/employment/atc.htm
The site also describes the nature of the work and will explain the various jobs in all three of the air traffic control options.  
I'm sorry but I have no idea what an Airfield Operations Officer would do.  My guess would be that he/she would be like an airport manager in civilian life.  In charge of the day to day operations of the airport.

I hope this helps.
Good Luck.


Dacus Grant
dacus@iwon.com