Air Traffic Controller

aviation · teamwork · safety · communication

Talk to pilots constantly. Air traffic controllers wear headsets and speak to airplane pilots all day long, giving them directions about where to fly, how fast to go, and when it's safe to land.

Work in control towers. Many controllers sit in tall towers at airports where they can see planes taking off and landing, watching the runways and skies to keep everything organized and safe.

Monitor radar screens. Controllers stare at computer screens showing blips that represent each airplane in the sky, tracking exactly where each plane is flying so they can prevent accidents.

Make split-second decisions. Controllers must think super fast and remember lots of information about many planes at once, telling each pilot exactly what to do so thousands of people arrive safely every day.

Work worldwide 24/7. Air traffic controllers work at airports and control centers all around the world, keeping planes safe in the air during daytime, nighttime, and every hour in between.