Air Traffic Controller
Aviation
Control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport, and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers, according to established procedures and policies. Authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government or company regulations to expedite and ensure flight safety.
What you'd do all day
The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.
- 1Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
- 2Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
- 3Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
- 4Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
- 5Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
- 6Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
- 7Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land.
- 8Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.
- 9Direct ground traffic, including taxiing aircraft, maintenance or baggage vehicles, or airport workers.
- 10Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information.
- 11Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement.
- 12Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes.
- 13Initiate or coordinate searches for missing aircraft.
- 14Provide on-the-job training to new air traffic controllers.
- 15Check conditions and traffic at different altitudes in response to pilots' requests for altitude changes.
- 16Relay air traffic information, such as courses, altitudes, or expected arrival times, to control centers.
- 17Inspect, adjust, or control radio equipment or airport lights.
- 18Compile information about flights from flight plans, pilot reports, radar, or observations.
- 19Organize flight plans or traffic management plans to prepare for planes about to enter assigned airspace.
- 20Conduct pre-flight briefings on weather conditions, suggested routes, altitudes, indications of turbulence, or other flight safety information.
- 21Analyze factors such as weather reports, fuel requirements, or maps to determine air routes.
- 22Review records or reports for clarity and completeness and maintain records or reports, as required under federal law.
- 23Complete daily activity reports and keep records of messages from aircraft.
Also known as
What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.
- ATC
- CPC
- ATCS
- Tower ATC
- Center ATC
- Dispatcher
- Enroute ATC
- GCA Technician
- Control Operator
- Airway Controller
How far is this from you?
Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.
1
Entry straight after SPM
2
SPM + sijil / short TVET course
Typical entry
Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)
4
Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)
5
Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route
Subjects that matter here
The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.
What you'd need to know
The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.
- Transportation84%
- English Language79%
English
- Public Safety and Security75%
- Education and Training75%
- Customer and Personal Service72%
- Geography69%
Geography
Tools you'd use
Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.
What the work feels like
Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.
- Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
- Contact with other peopleConstant contact
- Dealing with customers or the publicVery high
- Leading or coordinating othersVery high
- Handling conflict situationsEvery day
- Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
- Outdoors, in all weatherAlmost never
- Noisy environmentOften
Where this job is heading
Newer tasks O*NET has flagged for this occupation, a hint at how the role is changing.
- Monitor, direct, or sequence the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
AI and demand for this job
A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.
Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)
This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.
Pay in Malaysia
We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.
Where to check:
- JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
- DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
- SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
Check what you may qualify for
Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.
How to get here
Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.
Related careers
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About this information
This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.
O*NET occupation: Air Traffic Controllers
Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org