Do you have to be smart to be a air traffic controller?


Do you have to be smart to be a air traffic controller? No, but the type of people who make good controllers are often the type of people who are pretty good at mental arithmetic and such like. Its definitely a job which requires “brain power” and concentration. In ATC training, there is a little maths, but it's high school level.


What is the hardest part of being an air traffic controller?

The work can be high-stress and sometimes boring. Being an air traffic controller can be stressful due to the heavy workload and high-consequence environment, however, the job can also be dull and boring depending on how busy the skies are.


Can someone with ADHD be an air traffic controller?

Moreover, the position of the air traffic controller requires some of the strictest medical and mental requirements for any profession in the world; conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, and many psychiatric disorders (e.g., clinical depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, a history of drug abuse) almost ...


What are the chances of getting hired as an air traffic controller?

Controllers train for many years to qualify for the job, and only around 1% of applicants make it through to qualify. Initially, a controller will spend approximately 12 months studying both the practical and theoretical sides of air traffic control at a specialist college.


How do I become an air traffic controller in Canada?

To work with NAV CANADA, an air traffic controller must:
  1. Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant.
  2. Be at least 18 years old.
  3. Have completed grade 12 or the equivalent.
  4. Pass an exam and interview.
  5. Qualify for security clearance.
  6. Pass a civil aviation medical exam.
  7. Have good hearing and vision, including colour perception.


What personality type is an air traffic controller?

The highly logical and organized Introverted-Sensing-Thinking-Judging (ISTJ) Myers-Briggs test type is often a good fit for this career.


How much do ATC controllers get paid Canada?

How much does a Air traffic controller make in Canada? The average air traffic controller salary in Canada is $127,206 per year or $65.23 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $105,696 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $164,789 per year.


How many hours do air traffic controllers work in Canada?

During basic training, you can expect to be working a 37.5 hour workweek. Full-time attendance is mandatory. Once you move in to On-Job training, air traffic control students will switch to shift work and a 34 hour workweek.


How do I start a career in air traffic control?

There are several paths to becoming an air traffic controller. Candidates typically need an associate's or a bachelor's degree from the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program, several years of progressively responsible work experience, or a combination of education and experience.


How long is ATC training Canada?

NavCanada's ATC Training includes a classroom-based course, web-based courses, and simulator training, followed by on-the-job training at a flight information center or flight service station. The training can take up to two years to complete, and candidates are paid for their time during training.


What disqualifies you from being an air traffic controller?

The applicant must have no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any of the following: (1) A psychosis; (2) A neurosis; (3) Any personality disorder or mental disorder that the Federal Air Surgeon determines clearly indicates a potential hazard to safety in the Air Traffic Control System.


What are the pros and cons of being an air traffic controller?

The pros of being an air traffic controller include job stability, good earning potential, and the satisfaction of ensuring safe and efficient air travel, while the cons involve high stress levels, demanding work schedules, and the need to maintain constant focus and attention to detail.


Is 35 too old to be an air traffic controller?

Applicants to air traffic controller positions who are maintaining 52 weeks of ATC experience involving the full-time active separation of air traffic after receiving an air traffic certification or ATC facility rating, must be age 35 or below on closing date of the announcement.


Is 33 too old to become air traffic controller?

What are the age requirements for individuals without previous air traffic control (ATC) experience? Candidates applying to an ATCS Trainee announcement must be age 30 or below, cannot be age 31 as of the closing date of the vacancy.


Why do air traffic controllers have to retire at 56?

On top of contollers' rocky history, federal law requires that they retire at 56, in part because controllers have to stay current on advancing technology. The Federal Aviation Administration argues burnout gets more acute for workers by their mid 50s.