Although airport tower or terminal controllers watch ever 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 hangar or ramp and the end of the airport's airspace. In addition, controllers keep pilots informed about changes in weather conditions such as wind shear, a sudden change in the velocity or direction of the wind that can cause the pilot to lose control of the aircraft.
During arrival or departure, several controllers handle each plane. As a plane approaches an airport, the pilot radios ahead to inform the terminal of its presence. The controller in the radar room just beneath the control tower has a copy of the plane's flight plan and already has observed the plane on radar. If the way is clear, the controller directs the pilot to a runway; if the airport is busy, the plane is fitted into a traffic pattern with other aircraft waiting to land. As the plane nears the runway, the pilot is asked to contact the tower. There, another controller, who also is watching the plane on radar, monitors the aircraft the last mile or so to the runway, delaying any departures that would interfere with the plane's landing.
Once the plane has landed, a ground controller in the tower directs it along the taxiways to its assigned gate. The ground controller usually works entirely by sight, but may use radar if visibility is very poor.
The procedure is reversed for departures. The ground controller directs the plane to the proper runway. The local controller then informs the pilot about conditions at the airport, such as the weather, speed and direction of wind, and visibility. The local controller also issues runway clearance for the pilot to take off. Once in the air, the plane is guided out of the airport's airspace by the departure controller.
After each plane departs, airport tower controllers notify en-route controllers who will next take charge. There are twenty-two en-route control centers located around the country, each employing 300 to 700 controllers, with more than 150 on duty during peak hours at the busier facilities. Airplanes generally fly along designated routes; each center is assigned a certain airspace containing many different routes.
In addition to airport towers and en-route centers, air traffic controller specialists also work in flight service stations operated at over 100 locations. These specialists provide pilots with information on the station's particular area, including terrain, preflight and in-flight weather information, suggested routes, and other information important to the safety of a flight. Flight service station specialists help pilots in emergency situations and participate in searches for missing or overdue aircraft. However, they are not involved in actively managing air traffic.
TRAINING
Pilots
All pilots who are paid to transport passengers or cargo must have a commercial pilot's license with an instrument rating issued by the FAA. Helicopter pilots must hold a commercial pilot's certificate with a helicopter rating. To qualify for these licenses, applicants must be at least eighteen years old and have at least 250 hours of flight experience. The time can be reduced through participation in certain school curricula approved by the FAA.
They also must pass a strict physical examination to make sure that they are in good health and have 20/20 vision with or without glasses, good hearing, and no physical handicaps that could impair their performance. Applicants must pass a written test that includes questions on the principles of safe flight, navigation techniques, and FAA regulations. They also must demonstrate their flying ability to FAA or designated examiners.
To fly in periods of low visibility pilots must be rated by the FAA to fly by instruments. Pilots may qualify for this rating by having a total of 105 hours of flight experience, including forty hours of experience in flying by instruments; passing a written examination on procedures and FAA regulations covering instrument flying; and demonstrating their ability to fly by instruments.
Airline pilots must fulfill additional requirements. They must pass FAA written and flight examinations to earn a flight engineer's license. Captains must have an airline transport pilot's license. Applicants for this license must be at least twenty-three years old and have a minimum of 1,500 hours of flying experience, including night and instrument flying.
All licenses are valid as long as a pilot can pass the periodic physical examinations and tests of flying skills required by government and company regulations.
The armed forces have always been an important source of trained pilots for civilian jobs. Military pilots gain valuable experience on jet aircraft and helicopters, and persons with this experience are generally preferred. This primarily reflects the extensive flying time military pilots receive. The FAA has certified about 600 civilian flying schools, including some colleges and universities that offer degree credit for pilot training. In recent years, the armed services have increased financial incentives in an effort to retain more pilots. This has shifted more of the burden for training pilots to FAA certified schools. Over the next several years, the number of available pilots who have been trained in the military should increase as reductions in military budgets result in more pilots leaving military service. Over the long haul, however, fewer pilots will be trained by the armed forces and this will mean that FAA certified schools will do more of the training.
Although some small airlines will hire high school graduates, most airlines require two years of college and prefer to hire college graduates. In fact, most entrants to this occupation have a college degree. If the number of college-educated applicants increases, employers may raise their educational requirements. Because pilots must be able to make quick decisions and accurate judgments under pressure, airline companies reject applicants who do not pass required psychological and aptitude tests.
New airline pilots usually start as copilots. Although airlines favor applicants who already have a flight engineer's license, they may train those who have only the commercial license. All new pilots receive several weeks of intensive training in simulators and classrooms before being assigned to a flight.
Organizations other than airlines generally require less flying experience. However, a commercial pilot's license is a minimum requirement, and employers prefer applicants who have experience in the type of craft they will be flying. New employees usually start as copilots or flying less sophisticated equipment. Test pilots often are required to have an engineering degree.
