AAI recruiting 496 air traffic controllers; apply from November 1

The Airports Authority of India (AAI), a public sector undertaking, has invited applications to fill 496 vacancies of Junior Executive (Air Traffic Control). The window to apply is from November 1 to 30. Most of the airports in India are under AAI.

Air traffic controllers (ATCs) play a very crucial role in the aviation sector. They should have qualities such as quick and precise decision-making abilities, good eyesight, great presence of mind and high sense of responsibility. ATCs also have to be prepared to tackle emergency situations at airports. Their work mainly involves ensuring the following three situations:

A safe journey
It is the duty of ATCs to enable safe takeoff and landing of aircraft. In fact, the lives of travellers on a flight are dependent on the instructions issued by the ATCs. There is absolutely no room for error in this job.

Punctuality
Another task of an ATC is to ensure that flights are not late, for which he or she has to maintain constant contact with pilots and other employees at the airport. In other words, an ATC should have the necessary skills to maintain effective and constant communication.

Coordination
Several aircraft take off and land simultaneously at large airports. This would be possible when a team of ATCs work with perfect coordination. Each member of the ATCs’ team should be able to communicate and cooperate seamlessly during the entire duty time.

Apart from airports, Armed Forces such as the Air Force and Navy also require ATCs. Recruitments to these posts are conducted by the SSB (Service Selection Board). Great career prospects await ATCs abroad also.

AAI’s selection process
For the recruitment by AAI, applicants should have a BSc degree with Maths and Physics or BTech/BE with Physics and Maths in any semester. They also need a good command over English. The upper age limit is 27 years.

The attractions of a career as ATC include a good pay packet, high living standards and job security. New recruits can join as Junior Executive and rise up to management roles. The pay-scale is Rs 40,000 – 1,40,000.

Appointment takes place based on an online exam and various other tests. On being selected, candidates have to undergo training under various modules which focus on air traffic rules and imparting technical skills.