How did you get involved in the industry?

I started training as an air traffic controller in 1989 in New Zealand. I had just completed a BSc and was considering my career prospects when I came across an advertisement for air traffic control trainees. I had been considering the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a career option at the time so the advertisement piqued my interest.

I spent 10 years as an air traffic controller in various locations in New Zealand before moving to Dubai in 1999 and working as both a tower and approach-radar controller.

In 2004 I took up a position as senior officer ATC operations and, although I maintain my currency as a controller, I now work predominantly in management and support.

What special skills do you need for your job?

Fast, accurate decision making, logical reasoning ability, good mental arithmetic and memory skills, accurate visual perception, spatial orientation skills and the ability to prioritise and focus. Functioning effectively as a part of a team is essential. Every ATCO must also maintain a specified standard of medical fitness that is regularly reviewed.

Obviously, aspects of the air traffic control role make our mental workload rather high, but in general air traffic controllers accept and work through stressful situations pretty well. Stress can in fact be a positive and necessary stimulator of action to help you resolve a difficult situation.

What are the challenges of the job?

This is an industry where high-tech one day is obsolete the next, so a programme of constant evolution is necessary to try and keep up with the latest developments.

We have here the additional challenge of being based at one of the world’s fastest growing airports. Construction is also under way on Dubai’s second airport [Jebel Ali] to service growing passenger and cargo demand.

Owing to Dubai’s strategic position as a Middle East traffic hub we are kept busy 24h a day, with night shifts among the busiest. Air traffic volume in Dubai is increasing each year, with the ATC operation being required to constantly evolve to take this increase into account. Approximately 600 movements a day are recorded at Dubai currently.

Safety is always our prime mission. We set performance standards and regularly check that these are being met, while constantly looking at ways of enhancing our procedures and infrastructure.

Have you been faced with any difficult circumstances? How have you dealt with them?

I have been faced with many difficult circumstances as no two workdays are the same in air traffic control. By necessity it is a very reactive profession and requires a degree of lateral thinking ability when you are faced with an immediate problem or scenario. You have to draw from your training and experience to come up with a solution that best fits the situation at hand. Emergencies are the most demanding of circumstances, but they are part of the job and we take them in our stride.

■ flight.workingweek@rbi.co.uk

Source: Flight International