Air Traffic Controller Course: Air traffic controller officers (ATCO) are responsible to coordinate the safe and orderly flow of traffic in global air traffic control. It requires special knowledge, skills and abilities to pursue this post.
It is considered to be one of the most mentally challenging jobs as these officers have to make real-time decisions on a daily basis, for monitoring speed, position and altitude of aircraft in their assigned airspace. Under Air traffic controller course, officers have to deal with a lot of stress and irregular working hours (night, weekend and rotating shifts are common).
Airport Authority of India (AAI) conducts ATC entrance exams to recruit personnel for pursuing Air traffic controller course. It provides ATC services to Indian airspace and oceanic areas nearby. It manages 126 airports, including 26 civil enclaves, 11 international airports, 89 domestic and 11 custom airports.
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Air Traffic Controller Course: Eligibility
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
Candidates need to possess the following educational qualifications to sit for the ATC course;
- Engineering degree in electronics/ Telecommunications/ Radio engineering/ Electrical with specialization in electronics with 60% (atleast). OR,
- MSc degree with electronics, wireless communication, radio engineering or radio physics as special subject (with first class).
The candidate should be proficient in written and spoken English of 10+2 standard. Also, he/she should clear ICAO (international civil aviation organization) language proficiency test (minimum level-4), for the purpose of issuance of license and ratings under the ATC course.
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SELECTION PROCEDURE
- Written test – ATC entrance exam
- Voice test
- Personal interview
- Medical fitness as per ICAO Annex-1
NOTE: A written examination is held in 10 cities namely, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Nagpur, Allahabad, Ahmedabad and Trivandrum.
AGE LIMIT
- Upper limit; 27 years
- Lower limit; 21 years
Under standard reservation policy, age relaxation is provided for SC, ST, OBC and Ex-servicemen for pursuing ATC courses.
Air Traffic Controller Course: Income
Candidates pursuing the ATC course gets a stipend of ₹7500 per month. With free boarding and lodging facilities in Civil aviation training college (CATC), Allahabad, UP.
Junior executive ATC officer has a pay scale of ₹40,000-₹1,40,000. It includes monthly dearness allowance, perks for Executive officers set, fixed medical allowance, etc. as per AAI rules and set.
JOB PROFILE
An individual pursuing an ATC course can be posted for various ranks as per the performance:-
- Junior executive
- Assistant manager
- Manager
- Senior manager
- Assistant general manager
- Deputy general manager
- Joint general manager
- General manager
- Executive director (ATM)
- Member in AAI board
Air Traffic Controller Course: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What are the type of questions asked in the Air traffic controller course entrance exam?
There are 120 questions in total. Out of which 60 questions are from basic physics and mathematics and the rest 60 questions are related to the English language, general reasoning, general aptitude and general knowledge.
- What is the cost of the Air traffic controller course?
The ATC course and training after selection is free of cost (borne by AAI). But, if a candidate fails to secure 70% passing marks he/she can be disqualified.
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- What are the career prospects for the junior executive?
After two years of experience, a Junior executive ATC officer is promoted to the post of assistant manager.
- From where can I get information regarding the recruitments in Airport authorities of India?
You can check for details regarding recruitment in AAI on the following page here!
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