JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018 - 251

AV I AT I O N

Air traffic controller

IMAGES SHUTTERSTOCK

Air traffic controllers manage aircraft
through all aspects of the flight from
take-off to landing, using radar and
radio to communicate with pilots.
Some specialise in different stages
of the process, including approach
controllers and aerodrome controllers.
What skills and qualifications do I
need? Five GCSEs grades 9 to 4 (A* to
C) are mandatory and a degree providing
numeracy and technical skills is a bonus.
Training takes a year through National
Air Traffic Services, which stipulates
you need to be motivated, conscientious
and decisive. You'll then need a further
two years' hands-on experience before
becoming fully qualified. You can
then progress to supervisor level.
How much can I earn? Salaries
start at just over £13,000, rising to
£17,000 after training and, with
experience, to £36,000 or more. Senior
controllers can earn over £100,000.

Pilot

Passenger check-in officer

Airline pilots have full control and
responsibility for the safety, efficiency
and smooth operation of their flights.
They are responsible for preparing a
detailed flight plan and have to work out
the fuel load based on the total weight
of the aircraft, the distance to be flown
and the altitude. Promotion from first
officer to captain can take around 15
years with continuing training. You
could become a flight instructor or
take on a senior management role.
What skills and qualifications do I
need? You can become a pilot with good
A-levels but a science or engineering
degree will help considerably. You'll need
a private pilot's licence, followed by a
commercial pilot's licence and an airline
transport pilot's licence. The latter takes
between nine and 36 months to gain.
How much can I earn? You start at
£20,000 to £30,000, but large airlines
pay between £38,000 and £50,000.
Experienced captains on long-haul
flights can earn more than £140,000.

Your main role is to check passengers in,
weighing and checking in baggage, issuing
boarding passes and labels and allocating
seat numbers. It's a frontline job dealing
with potentially stressed people.
What skills do I need? Excellent
customer service skills are vital. You'll also
need GCSEs (9 to 4/A* to C), particularly
in English, and being able to speak
another language will help. You'll be given
on-the-job training and you can study for
an NVQ in handling air passengers.
How much can I earn? Salaries start at
£13,000 rising to £22,000. Some airlines
offer discounted travel too.

Find out more
* International Air Transport
Association iata.org
* National Air Traffic Services
nats.aero
* Royal Aeronautical Society
aerosociety.com

J O B S & C A R E E R S /// 2 5 1



http://www.iata.org http://www.nats.aero http://www.aerosociety.com

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