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The
air traffic control system is a vast network of people and equipment
that ensures the safe operation of commercial and private aircraft.
Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of air traffic to
make certain that planes stay a safe distance apart. Their immediate
concern is safety, but controllers also must direct planes efficiently
to minimize
delays. Some
of them work with airport traffic; others control flights between
airports.
Airport tower or terminal controllers watch over
all planes traveling through the airport's airspace. Their main
responsibility is to organize the flow of aircraft in and out of
the airport. Relying on radar and visual observation, they closely
monitor each plane to ensure a safe distance between all aircraft
and to guide pilots between the parking position and the end of
the airport's airspace.
After each plane departs, airport tower controllers
notify en-route controllers who will next take charge. Airplanes
usually fly along designated routes; each
centre is assigned a certain airspace containing
many different routes. En-route
controllers work in teams of up to three members, depending on how
heavy traffic is; each team is responsible for a section of the
centre's airspace.
Radar controllers warn pilots about nearby planes,
restricted areas, and other potential hazards. Two planes on a collision
course will be directed around each other. If a pilot wants to change
altitude in search of better flying conditions, the controller will
check to determine that no other planes will be along the proposed
path. As the flight progresses, the team responsible for the aircraft
notifies the next team in charge. Through team coordination, the
plane arrives safely at its destination.
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AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL IN ROMANIA
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Click on any airport for a satellite view |
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There
are approximately 530 air traffic controllers in Romania, about
300 of them being en-route controllers. The majority of controllers
work for ROMATSA (Romanian Air Traffic Services Administration), either in a control
centre or in a control tower at one of the 17 civil airports.
Until
recently, en-route controllers were based throughout the country
in 5 centres, each one responsible for a specific geographical area.
Now en-route control for all of Romania has been concentrated in
just three locations: Bucharest, Arad and Constanta. There are future
plans to man operations eventually from a single centre in Bucharest.
The
Romanian air traffic controllers are responsible for the safety
and efficiency of 400,000 flights every year, of which
80% are overflights and 20% are inbounds/outbounds at Romanian airports.
From the total number of aircraft, 15% are national flights, the
other 85% being operated by foreign airlines.
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HOW TO BECOME AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER
| If you're
able to make quick decisions, handle responsibility and you don't
mind stress, then air traffic control might be a possible career choice
for you. |
 In
Romania
ROMATSA
invites men and women to apply to become air traffic controllers
but ONLY when an operational need has been identified. When this
is the case ROMATSA will generally sponsor course fees and tuition.
Additionally,
the Romanian
Aviation Academy provides ab-initio training for a considerable
fee. It is strongly recommended that potential students determine
their employment prospects before undertaking such training.
At
Maastricht UAC
Regrettably
little is known and has been done to promote this opportunity open
to Romanian nationals to become air traffic controllers at EUROCONTROL's
Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (UAC). |
In
order to apply at Maastricht, you must - amongst other things:
- Be
at least 18 and less than 25 years of age
- Have
successfully completed secondary education at an advanced level
- Have
a good knowledge of English, the international language of aviation
- Be
medically fit
- Be
free from military obligations at the start of the course
Recruitment
takes place all the year round, check out the MUAC
website. Please
do not hesitate to contact RATCA if you need more information on
this matter. We will be more than glad to assist. |
En-route, Terminal or Tower?
In Romania, like anywhere else, there
are three main pathways available for air traffic controllers:
- En-route
controllers are responsible for the safe management of
air traffic
over Romania and over a section of the Black Sea.
- Terminal
area controllers manage the orderly flow of aircraft
arriving to and departing from major city airports such as Bucharest
and Constanta.
- Tower
controllers are responsible for all aircraft and vehicle
movements on the taxiways, runways and in the vicinity of the airports.
When
it comes to determining where trainees should be assigned, ROMATSA's
own operating needs have paramount priority. Needless to say, wherever
possible, trainees' own preferences are taken into account, too.
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Personal
Qualities and Skills Required
- Very good knowledge of English
- Ability
to work under pressure and remain calm in emergency situations
- Ability
to determine distances and angles
- High
levels of concentration
- Ability
to work well in a team
- Good
eyesight and normal colour vision
- A
clear speaking voice
- A
high standard of health and fitness
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A significant change is the increasing automation of air traffic
control equipment. Radars for instance, have undergone major change,
so air traffic controllers are expected to be more computer literate.
You've got to be more comfortable using a mouse and keypad than
pen and paper.
Be
aware that air traffic controllers are required to work shifts including
nights, on any day of the year. Shifts are rotated, so days off
are rotated too. |
For
further information:
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ROMATSA
Str. Ion Ionescu de la Brad nr. 10
P.O. Box 18-90 - Sector 1
RO-71592 Bucuresti
ROMANIA |
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Maastricht UAC
Tel: +31.43.366.14.19
Horsterweg 11
6199 AC Maastricht Airport
THE NETHERLANDS |
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