Air traffic controller

Briefly explain what you do for a living.

I work as an air traffic controller at Fintraffic, which means that I oversee air traffic safety for Helsinki Airport. As an air traffic controller, I also ensure that airport operations are economical and smooth.

I work in aerodrome control and approach control. Aerodrome control takes place in an air traffic control tower, from which traffic is directed throughout the immediate vicinity of the airport, such as arriving and departing aircraft. In approach control, I manage air traffic in the airspace close to the airport.  I watch air traffic on radar, making sure that the aircraft stay far enough apart from each other and that they have enough time to climb and land safely.

I also serve as director of air rescue services and an expert at the Air Rescue Centre. As director of air rescue services, I am responsible for leading rescue operations in the event of an aircraft accident. As an expert in air rescue operations, I train area control shift supervisors in case of an accident.

How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?

In the 1980s, I worked part-time at a bank. At the same time, I earned a private pilot licence at Malmi Airport in the 1980s. While I was there, I got to know some air traffic controllers, one of whom encouraged me to apply for air traffic controller training. I realised that an air traffic controller's salary was much better, so I decided to apply and was accepted on my first try.

Describe your typical working day or week.

When I come to work in the morning, I must first familiarise myself with anything that will affect the course of my shift. For example, I check the computer to see whether there are any airspace reservations and military activities that affect traffic. Then, I go to my desk and my co-worker from the previous shift tells me the current situation. Responsibility for air traffic control is passed to me when I notify my co-worker.

Air traffic controllers usually switch workstations every hour during a shift. On a seven-hour day shift, we do approximately 4.5 hours of active air traffic control, and we’re able to take proper breaks. This allows us to stay sharp throughout the shift.

If there is snowfall during a shift, you have to compromise on your breaks. When there are snow ploughs in airport traffic, there is so much happening at the airport that all air traffic controllers are needed to help manage snow ploughs and aircraft.

What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?

I work in the air traffic control tower at Helsinki Airport, where we have anywhere from 2 to 10 employees working at the same time, depending on the time of day.

This is three-shift work, and the number of working days varies from week to week.

What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?

Air traffic controllers are required to think in three dimensions and have a mathematical and logical mind. In practice, this means, for example, that an air traffic controller must be able to anticipate how the air traffic situation will develop over the next few minutes based on the current situation.

This work requires decisiveness and the ability to respond quickly, as an air traffic controller may not have much time to think about different options. Once a decision has been made, that’s usually the way you will go.  Interaction skills are also needed, as air traffic control is largely teamwork. All radio communications are in English, so sufficient language skills are a prerequisite for working in this profession.

What is the best thing about your profession?

The best thing about my work is the work community, because we have such a good group and trust each other. I've known some of my co-workers for a very long time. I’m pleasantly surprised to to see how many good friends I’ve made at my job.

What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?

Three-shift work feels challenging. It’s the early morning starts and night shifts that really take a toll as you get older. In many cases, only one of the four weekends each month is free, which puts a damper on your private life.

What would you tell a person considering the profession of an air traffic controller?

Even though there are a very limited number of jobs available in Finland at the moment, it is easy for an air traffic controller to find work abroad, as the working language of air traffic is English. Some countries pay significantly higher salaries, which is why some people go elsewhere to work.

How do you see the future of your profession?

Although air traffic has not returned to the same level as before the COVID-19 pandemic, people will certainly have a need to travel in the future. An interesting development is the possibility of remote air traffic control, which is being explored at smaller, quieter airports.