Tower Air Traffic Controller Overview
Required Education and Training To Become a Tower Air Traffic Controller
Best Schools to become a Tower Air Traffic Controller in U.S. 2024
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide
In-State Tuition:$11,160
Out-of-State Tuition:$11,160
Admission Rate:58%
Graduation Rate:17%
Total Enrollment:11,574
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
In-State Tuition:$38,976
Out-of-State Tuition:$38,976
Admission Rate:65%
Graduation Rate:63%
Total Enrollment:10,301
Utah Valley University
In-State Tuition:$5,614
Out-of-State Tuition:$17,174
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:39%
Total Enrollment:43,099
Liberty University
In-State Tuition:$15,467
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,467
Admission Rate:99%
Graduation Rate:66%
Total Enrollment:96,709
Broward College
In-State Tuition:$1,968
Out-of-State Tuition:$7,402
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:35%
Total Enrollment:30,057
University of North Dakota
In-State Tuition:$9,237
Out-of-State Tuition:$13,856
Admission Rate:83%
Graduation Rate:63%
Total Enrollment:13,876
Tower Air Traffic Controller Job Description:
- Control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport, and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers, according to established procedures and policies.
- Authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government or company regulations to expedite and ensure flight safety.
Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Tower Air Traffic Controller
Job Duties for Tower Air Traffic Controllers
Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
Technologies and Skills Used by Tower Air Traffic Controllers
Flight control software
- Direct-to-tool software
- Traffic management advisor TMA software
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
Basic Skills
- Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
- Talking to others
People and Technology Systems
- Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
Problem Solving
- Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it