Air traffic instructor

Description

Air traffic instructors train people in all the matters regarding with the operations in air navigation services such as the management of flight traffic and the communication for navigation in aerodromes. They teach all the directives issued by air traffic control for the purpose of passing to trainees the sense of safety and expeditious flow of air traffic.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to air traffic instructor:

air traffic control instructor
air traffic trainer
instructor of air traffic control
air traffic control trainer

Minimum qualifications

Associate’s degree is generally required to work as air traffic instructor. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Air traffic instructor is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Air traffic instructor career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to air traffic instructor.

cabin crew instructor
airspace manager
aviation surveillance and code coordination manager
air traffic manager
aviation communications and frequency coordination manager

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of air traffic instructor. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of air traffic instructor with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of air traffic instructor.

Geographic areas: Know the geographic area in detail; know where different organisations carry out operations.
Procedures associated with different air navigation areas: Know relevant information related to various air navigation areas, including the availability of air navigation facilities and services and the procedures associated with them, as well as general air navigation procedures.
Air traffic management: Thoroughly understand the major activities in air traffic management, such as air traffic control, air traffic flow management, and aeronautic information services.
Geographic information systems: The tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).
Geographical routes: The interpretation of geographical information such as locations and distances between them.
Meteorology: The scientific field of study that examines the atmosphere, atmospheric phenomena, and atmospheric effects on our weather.
Pedagogy: The discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.
Air transport law: Know air transport laws and regulations. Due to the nature of aviation, knowledge of air transport laws partially overlaps with knowledge of international law.
Air traffic control operations: Understand the tasks performed by air traffic controllers, including Interaction and effective communication between aircraft and air traffic controllers; execution of follow-up activities, and ensuring smooth operations during flights.
Aviation meteorology: Understand aviation meteorology to deal with the impact of weather on air traffic management (ATM). Understand how thorough changes in pressure and temperature values at airports can create variations in head and tail-wind components, and may impose low visibility operating conditions. Knowledge of aviation meteorology can help to reduce negative impact on the ATM system by diminishing disruption and the consequent problems of disturbed flow rates, lost capacity and induced additional costs.
Common aviation safety regulations: The body of legislation and regulations that apply to the field of civil aviation at regional, national, European and International levels. Understand that regulations aimed at protecting citizens at all times in civil aviation; ensure that operators, citizens, and organisations comply with these rules.
Surveillance radars: Know that Mode A/C Secondary Surveillance Radar stations continuously interrogate all aircraft within their range. Know that Mode S Secondary Surveillance Radar stations carry out interrogations of aircraft within their coverage.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of air traffic instructor.

Use meteorological information: Use and interpret meteorological information for operations dependent on climatic conditions. Use this information to provide advise on safe operations in relation to weather conditions.
Give instructions to staff: Give instructions to subordinates by employing various communication techniques. Adjust communication style to the target audience in order to convey instructions as intended.
Possess visual literacy: Interpret charts, maps, graphics, and other pictorial presentations used in place of the written word. The graphics used vary from process to process; therefore, the professional must have sufficient knowledge of the field in order to follow and use the information presented.
Evaluate education programmes: Evaluate ongoing training programmes and advise on potential optimisation.
Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
Evaluate training: Assess the realisation of the training’s learning outcomes and goals, the quality of teaching, and give transparent feedback to the trainers and trainees.
Use air traffic services document: Utilise Air Traffic Services document to prevent collisions between manoeuvring aircraft; ensure orderly flow of air traffic.
Comply with air traffic control operations: Act in compliance with instruction provided by air traffic controllers.
Write work-related reports: Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.
Train staff in navigational requirements: Plan and conduct ground training activities and airborne instruction; apply navigational methods to mission requirements.
Apply technical communication skills: Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
Prepare syllabuses for vocational courses: Prepare syllabuses for use in different kinds of vocational courses. Compile, adapt, and integrate important study subjects in a course to assure integral teaching programs.
Assist students in their learning: Support and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.
Conduct examination processes for apprentices: Provide examinations to trainees and students on their practical knowledge. Follow procedures to assure transparency and accuracy in the assessment exercise.
Prepare examinations for vocational courses: Prepare examinations that test both theoretical and practical understanding of the content and the procedures imparted during a course or teaching programme. Develop exams that assess the most important insights that trainees should have gained from participating in the course.
Teach air traffic control: Teach air traffic subjects by imparting knowledge on aviation theory and regulations in air traffic, as well as providing instruction in the practical performance of procedures in air traffic control services.
Analyse work-related written reports: Read and comprehend job-related reports, analyse the content of reports and apply findings to daily work operations.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of air traffic instructor. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of air traffic instructor. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Use modern electronic navigational aids: Use modern navigational aids such as GPS and radar systems.
Coach employees: Maintain and improve employees’ performance by coaching individuals or groups how to optimise specific methods, skills or abilities, using adapted coaching styles and methods. Tutor newly recruited employees and assist them in the learning of new business systems.
Ensure efficient communication in air traffic services: Ensure the implementation of an efficient communication exchange in air traffic services (ATS) involving airport movement areas. Follow procedures within the network.
Deal with air traffic issues: Deal with issues affecting the airline e.g. air traffic control problems and adverse weather conditions. This may involve rearranging flight slots when delays occur.
Operate airport control tower: Operate the airport control tower, which is crucial to the safe taxiing, take-off and landing of aircraft.
Use geographic information systems: Work with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Identify training needs: Analyse the training problems and identify the training requirements of an organisation or individuals, so as to provide them with instruction tailored to their prior mastery, profile, means and problem.
Review meteorological forecast data: Revise estimated meteorological parameters; solve gaps between real-time conditions and estimated conditions.
Analyse data for aeronautical publications: Collect, edit, and most importantly analyse data received from civil aviation authorities and related services. Analyse the data to prepare amendments that are incorporated into aeronautical informational publications.
Compile data for navigation publications: Compile data for navigational publications; gather and process authentic and valid data.
Operate radar equipment: Operate radar screens and other radar equipment; ensure that aircraft fly at a safe distance from one another.
Advise on teaching methods: Advise education professionals on the proper adaptation of curricula in lesson plans, classroom management, professional conduct as a teacher, and other activities and methods related to teaching.
Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.

ISCO group and title

2320 – Vocational education teachers

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Air traffic instructor – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022