---
name: air-traffic-controller
description: "Occupational skill for the role 'air traffic controller' (also: flight controller, air traffic controller instructor, air traffic control officer, controller of air traffic, air traffic control specialist, air controller). Use when the user asks for typical air traffic controller work such as: Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.; Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.; Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references."
---

# Air Traffic Controller

Air traffic controllers assist pilots by providing information concerning the height, speed and course. They assist pilots in order to facilitate a safe take off and landing of aircrafts. They are responsible for maintaining a secure and orderly movement of aircraft along major air routes up in the sky and around airports. They control air traffic in and within vicinity of airports according to established procedures and policies to prevent collisions and to minimise delays arising from traffic congestion.

## Core workflow

1. Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
2. Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
3. Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.
4. Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
5. Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
6. Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
7. Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land.
8. Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.

## How to use this skill

- Read [references/profile.md](references/profile.md) for the occupation profile and scope.
- Consult [references/tasks.md](references/tasks.md) for the full task and activity inventory.
- Check [references/skills.md](references/skills.md) for essential vs. optional competences.
- Check [references/tools.md](references/tools.md) for the software commonly used in this role.
- See [references/ai-skills.md](references/ai-skills.md) — matched external AI agent skills (per-source attribution).

## Key competences (essential)

- air traffic control operations
- air transport law
- aircraft flight control systems
- airport planning
- analyse work-related written reports
- apply airport standards and regulations
- apply technical communication skills
- assist during take off and landing
- assist in the conducting of flight checks
- aviation meteorology
- carry out navigational calculations
- celestial navigation
- common aviation safety regulations
- comply with checklists
- electrical systems used in transportation

## Hot technologies

- Microsoft Access
- Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Outlook
- SAP software
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word

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*Sources: ESCO v1.2.1 (http://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/3c2da05f-eb24-41f7-8307-46c96660fee0), O*NET 30.3 (53-2021.00). See manifest.json for licensing/attribution.*