Success at School
Air traffic services assistant
Success at School, Mid Florida, Florida, us, 32745
Air traffic services assistants (ATSAs) give help to air traffic controllers in their everyday working tasks. Their work is varied as the job title covers many different positions. Assistants working for the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) are known as ATSAs. Those employed by non-NATS controlled airports are often called air traffic control assistants (ATCAs).Also known as:Air traffic control assistantAssistant – air traffic controlWork activities
Air traffic services assistants (ATSAs) help air traffic controllers (ATCOs) to do their everyday work. This work can be varied, as the title ATSA covers many different positions. A big part of an ATSA’s job is making and answering phone calls or using a two-way radio. They may have to call other airfields to find out information on incoming flights. They might also have to deal with any calls to the area in which they are working. This could be in the visual room in the air traffic control tower, or in the approach/radar room. ATSAs are usually either tower assistants or approach/radar room assistants. If they are working in the tower, they will carry out some of the following tasks:Enter data into flight information and display systems.Pass departure warnings to other airports.Compile daily flight schedules.Handle incoming/outgoing messages and pass on relevant information.File flight plans and book out aircraft.Handle all telephone calls.They might also have to work with other agencies regarding aircraft slots and weather information. Assistants working in the approach/radar room will have to do some of the following tasks:Deal with any telephone calls.Prepare weather boards.Update recorded information for pilots.Some ATSAs have to prepare flight strips. These contain all the information needed to track an aircraft during its flight, and are used by ATCOs. This information is constantly updated.Personal qualities and skills
To do well in this career, you’ll need:To be able to pay attention to detail and produce accurate work.A clear voice and good hearing as you will be dealing with people on the phone a lot.An interest in aviation and some knowledge of the subject. This will greatly improve your chances at an interview for this job.To be able to work well under pressure.Your colour vision will be tested. People who wear contact lenses or glasses can work as ATSAs, if their unaided vision meets certain standards. A driving licence is often required for people wishing to get into this job. Some employers will expect you to live near the airport. This usually means being within one hour’s travel from the airport.Pay and opportunities
According to job site Glassdoor, air traffic services assistants (ATSAs) earn in the range of £19,000 - £28,000 (based on 48,478 salaries, January 2024).Depending on where they are based, civilian ATSAs usually work a standard full-time week, which includes shifts, evenings and weekends, and may be altered at short notice.National Air Traffic Services (NATS) assistants work at major control centres at Swanwick and Prestwick. NATS also provides air traffic control services at many other major UK airports, for example, Heathrow, Gatwick and Edinburgh. There are also many airports not controlled by NATS. Opportunities to work as an ATSA also occur in the RAF (where they are known as flight operations assistants), and in the Royal Navy (as a Naval Airman/woman) in the Aircraft Handling branch. Opportunities for ATSAs occur at airports throughout the UK.Where are vacancies advertised?
Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, on the Government’s Find a Job service, and on the NATS website. For air traffic services assistant vacancies at non-NATS controlled airports, contact the recruitment department of each individual airport.Entry routes and training
An apprenticeship could be a good way into this role:Aviation ground operative (level 2 / intermediate)On either of these programmes, you will need to specialise in the flight operations pathway.Whether or not you do an apprenticeship, training for this career is on-the-job. Training covers subjects such as aircraft performance, weather and law. You will be supervised by an experienced member of staff. It is also possible to train as an air traffic control assistant through the RAF, where they are known as flight operations assistants.Qualifications
Most air traffic services assistants’ vacancies will ask for a minimum of four GCSEs at grades 9-4. Passes in English and maths are essential. As competition for posts can be strong, some candidates have higher level qualifications, such as A-levels.To get onto an apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.Age limits:
It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits. Applicants for this role within the RAF or the Royal Navy will be subject to their criteria regarding age limits for service.Skills gained in other aviation careers may be useful. Knowledge of the industry will be helpful. Joining NATS as an assistant is not a short cut to becoming an air traffic controller (ATCO). Candidates for ATCO training must apply through the usual routes and satisfy the entry requirements.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Air traffic services assistants (ATSAs) help air traffic controllers (ATCOs) to do their everyday work. This work can be varied, as the title ATSA covers many different positions. A big part of an ATSA’s job is making and answering phone calls or using a two-way radio. They may have to call other airfields to find out information on incoming flights. They might also have to deal with any calls to the area in which they are working. This could be in the visual room in the air traffic control tower, or in the approach/radar room. ATSAs are usually either tower assistants or approach/radar room assistants. If they are working in the tower, they will carry out some of the following tasks:Enter data into flight information and display systems.Pass departure warnings to other airports.Compile daily flight schedules.Handle incoming/outgoing messages and pass on relevant information.File flight plans and book out aircraft.Handle all telephone calls.They might also have to work with other agencies regarding aircraft slots and weather information. Assistants working in the approach/radar room will have to do some of the following tasks:Deal with any telephone calls.Prepare weather boards.Update recorded information for pilots.Some ATSAs have to prepare flight strips. These contain all the information needed to track an aircraft during its flight, and are used by ATCOs. This information is constantly updated.Personal qualities and skills
To do well in this career, you’ll need:To be able to pay attention to detail and produce accurate work.A clear voice and good hearing as you will be dealing with people on the phone a lot.An interest in aviation and some knowledge of the subject. This will greatly improve your chances at an interview for this job.To be able to work well under pressure.Your colour vision will be tested. People who wear contact lenses or glasses can work as ATSAs, if their unaided vision meets certain standards. A driving licence is often required for people wishing to get into this job. Some employers will expect you to live near the airport. This usually means being within one hour’s travel from the airport.Pay and opportunities
According to job site Glassdoor, air traffic services assistants (ATSAs) earn in the range of £19,000 - £28,000 (based on 48,478 salaries, January 2024).Depending on where they are based, civilian ATSAs usually work a standard full-time week, which includes shifts, evenings and weekends, and may be altered at short notice.National Air Traffic Services (NATS) assistants work at major control centres at Swanwick and Prestwick. NATS also provides air traffic control services at many other major UK airports, for example, Heathrow, Gatwick and Edinburgh. There are also many airports not controlled by NATS. Opportunities to work as an ATSA also occur in the RAF (where they are known as flight operations assistants), and in the Royal Navy (as a Naval Airman/woman) in the Aircraft Handling branch. Opportunities for ATSAs occur at airports throughout the UK.Where are vacancies advertised?
Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, on the Government’s Find a Job service, and on the NATS website. For air traffic services assistant vacancies at non-NATS controlled airports, contact the recruitment department of each individual airport.Entry routes and training
An apprenticeship could be a good way into this role:Aviation ground operative (level 2 / intermediate)On either of these programmes, you will need to specialise in the flight operations pathway.Whether or not you do an apprenticeship, training for this career is on-the-job. Training covers subjects such as aircraft performance, weather and law. You will be supervised by an experienced member of staff. It is also possible to train as an air traffic control assistant through the RAF, where they are known as flight operations assistants.Qualifications
Most air traffic services assistants’ vacancies will ask for a minimum of four GCSEs at grades 9-4. Passes in English and maths are essential. As competition for posts can be strong, some candidates have higher level qualifications, such as A-levels.To get onto an apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.Age limits:
It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits. Applicants for this role within the RAF or the Royal Navy will be subject to their criteria regarding age limits for service.Skills gained in other aviation careers may be useful. Knowledge of the industry will be helpful. Joining NATS as an assistant is not a short cut to becoming an air traffic controller (ATCO). Candidates for ATCO training must apply through the usual routes and satisfy the entry requirements.
#J-18808-Ljbffr