BE AN ATC IN SRILANKA

 

CORE SKILLS OF A CONTROLLER

Air traffic controllers are generally individuals with excellent spatial awareness, are numerate, calm under pressure and able to follow and apply rules yet be flexible when necessary. Normally trainee controllers begin work in their twenties. Rigid physical and psychological tests and excellent vision, hearing, speaking skills are a requirement, and controllers must take precautions to remain healthy and avoid certain medications that are banned for controllers.

Most training focuses on improving the ability to absorb data quickly from a variety of sources, and to use this to visualize, in time and space, the position of each aircraft under control, and to project this forward into the near future. This skill is termed situational awareness (having the picture or having the flick), and is central to the job. This is then used to make relatively simple rule-based decisions very quickly and accurately to keep aircraft separated in the sky while moving traffic as expeditiously as possible and presenting the traffic in an orderly and useful manner to the next sector.

Communication is a vital part of the job: controllers usually communicate with the pilots of aircraft using a simple radiotelephony system, which has many attendant issues. Although other languages are sometimes used, the default language of aviation is English and controllers who do not speak this as a first language are generally expected to show a certain minimum level of competency with the language.

Teamwork plays a major role in a controller’s job, not only with other controllers and air traffic staff, but with pilots, engineers, managers Technical personal etc.

 

QULIFICATION ENTRYS FOR POST OF TRAINEE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER

 

1. Educational and other Qualifications

  • Should possess a BSc Degree of a recognized University. Preference will be given to Physical Science subjects and with ‘A’ pass in English Language at the GCE (O/L) Examination or equivalent

OR

  • Should have passed the GCE (A/L) Examination in three subjects including combine mathematics and physics with ‘A’ pass in English language at the GCE (O/L) Examination or equivalent

AND

  1. Air Navigator’s Licence

    OR

  2. Commercial Pilot’s Licence with instrument rating and a minimum of 350 flying hours.

    3. OR

  3. A Certificate of competency in Air Traffic Control and a holder of an Air Traffic Controllers Licence issued by a contracting state of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

    4. OR

  • Should have passed the GCE (A/L) Examination in three subjects including Mathematics and Physics.

AND

Should have passed the GCE (O/L) Examination with ‘A’ Pass in English Language

AND

Should have completed at least three (03) years of satisfactory service as an Air Navigation Services Assistant (inclusive of training period)/AIS Officer/ Aero Com. Officer.

Candidates who meet the above criteria for selection are also required to have proficiency in either Sinhala or Tamil Language.

2. Age

Should not be less than 21 years of age and not more than 28 years of age on the closing date for date for application. Age limit is not applicable for candidates who are in possession of Air Traffic Controller’s Licence.