How Air Traffic Control Deal With a Crisis

Since the relatively recent A320 ditching in New York, everyone has been uncomfortably aware that aircraft emergencies do happen. Most people know that when something goes wrong in the air, the pilot puts out an emergency or ‘Mayday’ call. So when this happens, what do those on the ground do to help?

Jobs in Aviation

For those interested in working in aviation and aerospace, there are many more jobs than becoming a pilot, though this is obviously a popular choice. Aviation and aerospace include aircraft design, systems engineering, test piloting, search and rescue, human factors, air traffic control, jet mechanics, electrical engineering, computer systems, airport management, space exploration, customer service, and much more.

Why Do Plane Crashes occur?

Despite the fact that there have been a few high profile aircraft accidents, traveling by plane is still safer than practically any other means of transport. However, crashes do occur, so it is educational to look at the reasons why.

Some Thoughts on Flight Safety

Fear of flying is common.   The few airliner crashes which occur are well publicized, and many people worry as to whether flying is safe. Some of these study articles on the safest place on a plane to sit, for example.   While this can do no harm, we should get things in perspective.   Flying is actually one of the safest ways to travel, as the statistics show.

A Career in Air Traffic Contol

Many people looking for careers in aviation put becoming an airline pilot at the top of their list. But while commercial airline pilot training is expensive and there is huge competition for jobs right now, this is not true of air traffic controllers, and indeed there is a shortage of them at the moment.

What Do Air Traffic Controllers Do?

An air traffic control officer (ATCO) works as part of a team, directing aircraft in and out of airports and the surrounding area, both in the air and on the ground.   They use radios to communicate with aircraft, telephones to co-ordinate with other ATCOs, and radar screens to note the positions of aircraft. They usually work in an air traffic control tower, which gives them a view of the airport and airliners.