Air traffic controllers are the professionals who coordinate the movement of aircraft in the air and on the ground, ensuring their safety and efficiency. They are responsible for managing the flow of air traffic, issuing instructions to pilots, monitoring weather conditions, and handling emergency situations. Air traffic controllers play a vital role in the aviation industry, as they ensure smooth and orderly operations of flights.
According to a report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), India is expected to become the third-largest aviation market in the world by 2024, with over 520 million passengers per year. This means that there will be a high demand for skilled and qualified air traffic controllers in the country. If you are interested in pursuing a career as an air traffic controller in India, this article will guide you through the steps, requirements, and opportunities involved.
As an air traffic controller, you can work in various sectors and organizations related to aviation, such as:
Depending on your qualification, experience, and specialization, you can perform different roles and responsibilities as an air traffic controller, such as:
To become an air traffic controller in India, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria:
To become an air traffic controller in India, you need to clear the entrance exam conducted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) every year. The exam consists of two parts: Part A and Part B. Part A covers topics such as general intelligence, general aptitude, English language, general knowledge, etc. Part B covers topics such as physics, mathematics, engineering subjects, etc. The exam is conducted online and has multiple-choice questions. The duration of the exam is two hours.
After clearing the entrance exam, you need to undergo a voice test, a personal interview, and a medical examination. The voice test assesses your fluency, pronunciation, and clarity of speech in English. The personal interview evaluates your knowledge of aviation, air traffic control, and related matters. The medical examination checks your physical fitness, eyesight, hearing ability, etc. You need to qualify all these stages to be selected as an air traffic controller trainee.
Once you are selected as an air traffic controller trainee, you need to undergo a rigorous training program at one of the training centers of AAI. The training program consists of theoretical classes, practical sessions, simulations, examinations, etc. The duration of the training program varies depending on your specialization and performance. After completing the training program successfully, you will be posted as an air traffic controller at any of the airports or centers under AAI.
Apart from AAI’s entrance exam and training program, there are some other options to become an air traffic controller in India. For example:
To become a successful air traffic controller, you need to possess the following skills and qualities:
As an air traffic controller, you can advance your career by pursuing higher education and research, obtaining professional certifications and continuous learning, and gaining more experience and exposure. Some of the ways to advance your career are:
The salary of an air traffic controller in India depends on various factors, such as your qualification, experience, specialization, sector, organization, location, etc. According to PayScale.com, the average salary of an air traffic controller in India is ₹1,041,764 per year as of August 2023. The salary range is from ₹395k to ₹3m per year. The table below shows the average salary for different job roles as an air traffic controller:
Job Role | Average Salary |
---|---|
Tower Controller | ₹1m |
Approach and Departure Controller | ₹1.2m |
En Route Controller | ₹1.4m |
Area Controller | ₹1.6m |
Flight Information Service Officer | ₹800k |
Apart from salary, an air traffic controller in India also enjoys various benefits and perks, such as:
To conclude, becoming an air traffic controller in India is a challenging but rewarding career option for those who are interested in aviation. It requires a high level of qualification, training, skills, and qualities. It also offers a good salary package and benefits along with opportunities for career advancement. If you are passionate about ensuring the safety and efficiency of aircraft and passengers in the sky, then this might be the right career choice for you.
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about becoming an air traffic controller in India:
To become an air traffic controller in India, you must have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects from a recognized board or university. You must have obtained a bachelor’s degree or diploma in engineering or technology in any branch from a recognized institute or university with at least 60% marks (50% for SC/ST candidates). You must have a good command of the English language and communication skills. You must be a citizen of India and not more than 27 years of age (relaxation for reserved categories as per government norms).
To become an air traffic controller in India, you need to clear the entrance exam conducted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) every year. The exam consists of two parts: Part A and Part B. Part A covers topics such as general intelligence, general aptitude, English language, general knowledge, etc. Part B covers topics such as physics, mathematics, engineering subjects, etc. The exam is conducted online and has multiple-choice questions. The duration of the exam is two hours. After clearing the entrance exam, you need to undergo a voice test, a personal interview, and a medical examination. Once you are selected as an air traffic controller trainee, you need to undergo a rigorous training program at one of the training centers of AAI.
To become a successful air traffic controller, you need to possess the following skills and qualities:
The average salary of an air traffic controller in India is ₹1,041,764 per year as of August 2023. The salary range is from ₹395k to ₹3m per year. Apart from salary, an air traffic controller in India also enjoys various benefits and perks, such as medical insurance, provident fund, gratuity, pension, leave travel allowance, housing allowance, transport allowance, education allowance, uniform allowance, shift allowance, performance bonus, and career progression.