Airspace manager

Description

Airspace managers control activities aimed at developing the European airspace into a continuum that is flexible and reactive to changes of users’ needs in airspace. They aim to optimise the network capacity and improve the performance.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to airspace manager:

air traffic and airspace manager
airspace and air traffic manager
airspace management officer
manager of airspace

Minimum qualifications

A bachelor’s degree is generally the minimum required to work as an airspace manager.

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.

Airspace manager is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Airspace manager career path

Similar occupations

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

air traffic instructor
aviation communications and frequency coordination manager
air traffic manager
airport environment officer
aviation meteorologist

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of airspace manager.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Air transport law: The rules and regulations governing air transport, including 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.
  • Celestial navigation: Understand the science of celestial navigation and position fixing by using specialised measuring equipment.
  • Electronic communication: Data communication performed through digital means such as computers, telephone or e-mail.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of airspace manager.

  • Possess visual literacy: Interpret charts, maps, graphics, and other pictorial presentations used in place of the written word.
  • 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.
  • Use geographic information systems: Work with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
  • Think analytically: Produce thoughts using logic and reasoning in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Carry out navigational calculations: Solve mathematical problems to achieve safe navigation.
  • Have spatial awareness: Be aware of your position and the space around you. Understand the relationship of objects around you when there is a change of position.
  • 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.
  • Apply the concept of Flexible Use of Airspace: Monitor the effective implementation of the Flexible Use of Airspace (FUA) concept at various levels.
  • Monitor airspace planning: Process airspace data to monitor and improve airspace planning; improve flight efficiency and reduce operational costs.
  • Operate radar equipment: Operate radar screens and other radar equipment; ensure that aircraft fly at a safe distance from one another.
  • Manage aspects of airspace management: Manage all aspects of airspace management in all airspace classes.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

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

  • 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.

Optional skills and competences

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

  • 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.
  • Act reliably: Proceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.
  • 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.

ISCO group and title

1349 – Professional services managers not elsewhere classified


References
  1. Airspace manager – ESCO
Last updated on July 15, 2022