Air traffic controllers: two roles, one job

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daniel Phelps
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  How would your car run without pistons? How would a bicycle work without a chain?

In the same way that these machines could not work with their missing parts, the Air Force wouldn't be able to operate without its essential components.

Air traffic controllers are one such example, which play a vital role in the success of the Air Force mission.

"Without us, jets wouldn't get off the ground," said Airman 1st Class Dallon Gines, 20th Operational Support Squadron controller.

They ensure the mission happens and flows smoothly.

"There is potential for chaos without us," added Senior Airman Matthew De Young, 20th OSS radar approach controller. "It's our job to let the planes know about other aircraft and restricted airspaces."

Controllers have their job separated into two primary roles: tower and radar. The two divisions function as one to ensure that aircraft launch, fly and arrive safely.

"Tower Airmen will deal with the immediate area, launching the aircraft and then turning them over to Radar Approach Control," Airman Gines said. "Then, they will deal with over flight."

The tower makes sure that aircraft don't hit anything while taking off or landing, he added.

Airman De Young explained that tower controllers deal with flight, aircraft launches and departures within visual range. RAPCON then works with the longer distances and the planes that can't be visually seen.

These two jobs function under the same Air Force specialty code, but focus on different aspects of handling air traffic control.

While Airman De Young was going through tech school, everyone was in the same fundamentals classes, he said. About half way through, the instructors divided the class, with half going to tower and the other going to radar. Today, controllers receive the same training. Once they arrive at their first duty station, they go where they are most needed.

Controllers experience extensive training, whether in radar or tower, said Airman De Young. This is the most stressful part of the job. Responsibility is earned based on one's Air Force career progression level; controllers either have a level of three, five, seven or nine.

The reason for the stress is that there is a high washout rate after tech school, said Airman Gines. Most of what they learn is done through on-the-job training.

The three-level's primary duty is to establish a rating so they can perform on their own, said Airman Gines. The five-level is in charge of controlling air traffic and training the three-level Airmen. The seven-level controls traffic and ensures everyone is getting the proper training, and the nine-level is in charge of running the shop.

"Training is hands down the most stressful part of our job," Airman De Young said. "It continues constantly throughout our career; it's a constant flow of people coming in and getting rated." 

Air traffic controllers place a high emphasis on training and groom those who will eventually take their place.

"Everyone has a different learning style, and you have to adjust your teaching style to help them learn the best way they can," Airman De Young said.

The biggest reason training is pushed is because lives are in our hands, said Airman Gines.

"Every plane has a person inside of it," he added. "Every day you are working to avoid what could happen. All it takes is one bad call. That's why training is so important."

Some of the most exciting times on the job are when there are several planes in the traffic pattern at the same time, said Airman Gines. Everyone gets quiet, they begin working together to know what's going on and help to keep an eye out.

"Situational awareness is big in our career field," he added.

It is the job of air traffic controllers to ensure that the pilots stay safe, said Airman De Young.

"If anything were to go wrong in the air, we would be the ones they talk to," he added.

Being an air traffic controller is not just a skill, but requires a completely different mentality, the Airman said.

"You have to have the confidence to know that what you are doing is the right thing at that time," Airman De Young said. "You also have to trust the people you are working with 100 percent because you can't do it all by yourself. You have to trust that person to be able to help you with whatever you are doing at that time, and trust that they are going to make the right decision to keep people safe."