Air Traffic Control

What does the Air Traffic Control career field do?

Controls en route and terminal air traffic by use of visual, radar, and non-radar means. Supervises and manages air traffic control (ATC) facilities. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 122200.

Duties and responsibilities

. Controls and regulates en route and terminal air traffic. Initiates and issues ATC clearances, instructions, and advisories to ensure the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic operating under instrument and visual flight rules. Plans, organizes, directs, inspects, and evaluates ATC activities.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: ATC principles and procedures; flight characteristics of aircraft; International Civil Aviation Organization and United States federal and military air directives; use of aeronautical charts, maps, and publications; interpretation, use, and limitations of ATC radar; use of ATC communications systems and navigational aids; and fundamentals of meteorology. United States Air Force certification as an ATC specialist satisfies these requirements. Not a part of the certification requirements, knowledge is also mandatory of principles of organization, purpose, operation, and management of ATC facilities.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school with courses in English is desirable.

Training. The following training is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• 1C131 Completion of the ATC Apprentice course (E3ABR1C131 00AB; PDS Code WXI).
• 1C171 Completion of the ATC Craftsman course (E6ACW1C171 00AA; PDS Code AOC) and associated projects.

Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• 1C151. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1C131. Also, experience is mandatory performing functions involving actual control of aircraft.
• 1C171. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1C151. Also, experience is mandatory supervising or performing ATC functions.
• 1C191. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1C171. Also, experience is mandatory managing ATC functions.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• For entry into this specialty:
• Must earn a minimum score of 55 on the 2-factor model that includes the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and Tailored Adaptive Personality Assessment System (TAPAS) scores. Minimum required score of 37 on the TAPAS Category 4 Dominance trait is mandatory. See attachment 4 for additional entry requirements.
• For entry, award, and retention of these AFSCs:
• Must maintain Ground Based Aircraft Controller Medical Standards according to AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.
• For performance of ATC duties, possession of a Federal Aviation Administration ATC Specialist Certificate.
• Must maintain certifications according to AFI 13-204v3, Airfield Operations Procedures and Programs.
• Ability to speak English clearly and distinctly as demonstrated by the Reading Aloud Test (RAT).
• For award and retention of AFSC 1C1X1 and 1C100:
• Specialty requires routine access to Tier 3 (T3) information, systems, or similar classified environments.
• Completion of a current T3 Investigation required IAW DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405, Air Force Personnel Security Program. NOTE: Award of the entry level without a completed T3 Investigation is authorized provided an interim Secret security clearance has been granted according to DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405.
• For award and retention of AFSCs 1C151/71/91/00:
• Must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $43,570–$130,420 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Air Traffic Controllers: $130,420
• Airfield Operations Specialists: $51,330
• Broadcast Technicians: $43,570