Air traffic manager

Description

Air traffic managers coordinate the planning of ground control, the maintenance of the aircrafts, and the handling of customers. They strive for the most efficient use of resources in directing the aircraft. They manage safety, quality, and risks in everyday work. They also plan and compare performance with other air navigation service providers.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to air traffic manager:

air traffic operations supervisor
air traffic supervisor
air traffic control manager
air traffic senior manager
air navigation manager
centre director for air traffic systems and operations
flight navigation manager
air traffic operations manager
flight control manager

Minimum qualifications

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as air traffic manager. 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 manager is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Air traffic manager career path

Similar occupations

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

airspace manager
aviation surveillance and code coordination manager
airport environment officer
airside safety manager
air traffic instructor

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of air traffic manager. 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 manager 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 manager.

Geographic areas: Know the geographic area in detail; know where different organisations carry out operations.
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.
Airspace system block upgrades: An Airspace System Block Upgrade (ASBU) designates a set of measures that can be implemented to improve the functionality of the ATM system.
Celestial navigation: Understand the science of celestial navigation and position fixing by using specialised measuring equipment.
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.

Essential skills and competences

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

Use modern electronic navigational aids: Use modern navigational aids such as GPS and radar systems.
Perform risk analysis: Identify and assess factors that may jeopardise the success of a project or threaten the organisation’s functioning. Implement procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.
Ensure quality of aeronautical information management services: Undertake complex tasks and perform medium and high level database, desktop and GIS-related activities; develop quality aeronautical data sets and publications.
Perform data analysis: Collect data and statistics to test and evaluate in order to generate assertions and pattern predictions, with the aim of discovering useful information in a decision-making process.
Follow airport safety procedures: Comply with airport safety procedures, policies and legislation to ensure a safe working environment for all employees, and to ensure the safety of passengers.
Train staff in navigational requirements: Plan and conduct ground training activities and airborne instruction; apply navigational methods to mission requirements.
Manage air navigation services: Manage air navigation services; oversee financial planning and follow evolutions in aviation technology.
Ensure safety in international aviation: Communicate with national and international agencies to ensure maximum efficiency and safety in the field of aviation.
Perform market research: Gather, assess and represent data about target market and customers in order to facilitate strategic development and feasibility studies. Identify market trends.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

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

Airport environmental regulations: The official regulations for environmental standards in airports as dictated by national codes for planning airport facilities and related developments. These include regulatory aspects which govern noise and environmental aspects, sustainability measures, and impacts in relation to land use, emissions, and wildlife hazard mitigation.
Aircraft flight control systems: Know the setting, features and operation of aircraft flight control systems. Manage flight control surfaces, cockpit controls, connections, and operating mechanisms required to control the flight direction of an aircraft. Operate aircraft engine controls in order to change aircraft speed.
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).
Statistics: The study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments in order to forecast and plan work-related activities.

Optional skills and competences

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

Coordinate flight schedules: Manage and review flight schedules and aircraft operations before and after departure.
Inspect aircraft documentation: Inspect documentation of aircraft related to maintenance and airworthiness.
Provide assistance to a variety of airport users: Satisfy needs of various types of airport customers; prepare and implement plans to address the request of stakeholders.
Test ground system performance: Develop test strategies for complex software and hardware products; include troubleshooting and system support; calculate system performance.
Use geographic information systems: Work with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Work in an aviation team: Work confidently in a group in general aviation services, in which each individual operates in their own area of responsibility to reach a common goal, such as a good customer interaction, air safety, and aircraft maintenance.
Plan maintenance activities: Plan and organise the process aimed at preserving equipment or systems in good working condition by inspecting the installation, resolving malfunctions, replacing worn parts and performing other maintenance tasks.
Apply airport standards and regulations: Know and apply the accepted standards and regulations for European airports. Apply knowledge to enforce airport rules, regulations, and the Airport Safety Plan.
Monitor aviation meteorology: Monitor and interpret the information provided by weather stations to anticipate conditions that may affect airports and flights.

ISCO group and title

1324 – Supply, distribution and related managers

 

 


 

 

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