[Core] [159% incumbents] Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
  DWAs: Notify others of emergencies, problems, or hazards.

[Core] [159% incumbents] Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information.
  DWAs: Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.

[Core] [159% incumbents] Initiate or coordinate searches for missing aircraft.
  DWAs: Direct emergency management activities.

[Core] [159% incumbents] Provide on-the-job training to new air traffic controllers.
  DWAs: Train transportation or material moving personnel.

[Core] [159% incumbents] Complete daily activity reports and keep records of messages from aircraft.
  DWAs: Record operational details of travel.

[Core] [158% incumbents] Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
  DWAs: Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.

[Core] [158% incumbents] Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
  DWAs: Coordinate flight control or management activities.

[Core] [158% incumbents] Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
  DWAs: Monitor vehicle movement or location. | Direct vehicle traffic.

[Core] [158% incumbents] Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land.
  DWAs: Direct vehicle traffic.

[Core] [157% incumbents] Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
  DWAs: Respond to transportation emergencies.

[Core] [157% incumbents] Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.
  DWAs: Monitor vehicle movement or location.

[Core] [157% incumbents] Direct ground traffic, including taxiing aircraft, maintenance or baggage vehicles, or airport workers.
  DWAs: Direct vehicle traffic.

[Core] [157% incumbents] Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes.
  DWAs: Adjust routes or speeds as necessary.

[Core] [157% incumbents] Relay air traffic information, such as courses, altitudes, or expected arrival times, to control centers.
  DWAs: Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.

[Core] [157% incumbents] Organize flight plans or traffic management plans to prepare for planes about to enter assigned airspace.
  DWAs: Plan flight operations.

[Supplemental] [157% incumbents] Conduct pre-flight briefings on weather conditions, suggested routes, altitudes, indications of turbulence, or other flight safety information.
  DWAs: Meet with coworkers to communicate work orders or plans.

[Core] [156% incumbents] Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement.
  DWAs: Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.

[Core] [156% incumbents] Check conditions and traffic at different altitudes in response to pilots' requests for altitude changes.
  DWAs: Monitor vehicle movement or location. | Monitor surroundings to detect potential hazards.

[Core] [156% incumbents] Inspect, adjust, or control radio equipment or airport lights.
  DWAs: Operate communications equipment or systems.

[Core] [156% incumbents] Review records or reports for clarity and completeness and maintain records or reports, as required under federal law.
  DWAs: Review documents or materials for compliance with policies or regulations. | Record operational details of travel.

[Supplemental] [156% incumbents] Analyze factors such as weather reports, fuel requirements, or maps to determine air routes.
  DWAs: Choose optimal transportation routes or speeds.

[Core] [155% incumbents] Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
  DWAs: Notify others of emergencies, problems, or hazards.

[Core] [155% incumbents] Compile information about flights from flight plans, pilot reports, radar, or observations.
  DWAs: Compile operational data.

[EMERGING:Revision] 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.

--- SKILLS ---
  Active Listening (imp:4.38 lvl:4.00) — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand
  Speaking (imp:4.25 lvl:3.88) — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Critical Thinking (imp:4.12 lvl:4.12) — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternativ
  Monitoring (imp:4.00 lvl:4.25) — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organization
  Reading Comprehension (imp:3.75 lvl:4.00) — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  Active Learning (imp:3.75 lvl:3.75) — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future pr
  Writing (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audienc
  Learning Strategies (imp:3.12 lvl:3.38) — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate fo
  Mathematics (imp:2.88 lvl:3.00) — Using mathematics to solve problems.
  Science (imp:1.75 lvl:1.50) — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

--- KNOWLEDGE ---
  Transportation (imp:4.18 lvl:5.20) — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea
  English Language (imp:3.93 lvl:4.09) — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the mea
  Public Safety and Security (imp:3.76 lvl:4.49) — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote
  Education and Training (imp:3.75 lvl:4.88) — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching
  Customer and Personal Service (imp:3.60 lvl:4.99) — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal servic
  Geography (imp:3.46 lvl:4.39) — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, an
  Telecommunications (imp:3.42 lvl:3.01) — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of te
  Mathematics (imp:3.28 lvl:3.54) — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their appl
  Computers and Electronics (imp:2.99 lvl:3.67) — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and comput
  Law and Government (imp:2.78 lvl:2.68) — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulat
  Psychology (imp:2.56 lvl:2.96) — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, 
  Administration and Management (imp:2.54 lvl:2.84) — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, 
  Communications and Media (imp:2.49 lvl:2.53) — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and m
  Physics (imp:2.39 lvl:2.23) — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships,
  Personnel and Human Resources (imp:2.26 lvl:2.14) — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, tra
  Administrative (imp:2.18 lvl:2.26) — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word proce
  Engineering and Technology (imp:2.10 lvl:2.08) — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. Th
  Production and Processing (imp:1.99 lvl:1.60) — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ot
  Design (imp:1.92 lvl:1.88) — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of 
  Mechanical (imp:1.63 lvl:1.05) — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and main
  Therapy and Counseling (imp:1.51 lvl:1.13) — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and r
  Economics and Accounting (imp:1.48 lvl:0.82) — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial mar
  Sociology and Anthropology (imp:1.40 lvl:0.79) — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human 
  Philosophy and Theology (imp:1.36 lvl:0.66) — Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their 
  Foreign Language (imp:1.27 lvl:0.46) — Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language inclu
  History and Archeology (imp:1.22 lvl:0.53) — Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civi
  Chemistry (imp:1.21 lvl:0.42) — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances a
  Medicine and Dentistry (imp:1.20 lvl:0.35) — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human i
  Sales and Marketing (imp:1.18 lvl:0.46) — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products
  Building and Construction (imp:1.17 lvl:0.39) — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or r
  Fine Arts (imp:1.15 lvl:0.27) — Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform
  Biology (imp:1.13) — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interd
  Food Production (imp:1.00) — Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food

--- ABILITIES ---
  Problem Sensitivity (imp:4.75 lvl:4.62) — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does no
  Oral Comprehension (imp:4.62 lvl:4.62) — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through 
  Oral Expression (imp:4.62 lvl:4.75) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will unde
  Selective Attention (imp:4.50 lvl:4.88) — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distrac
  Deductive Reasoning (imp:4.38 lvl:4.38) — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that 
  Inductive Reasoning (imp:4.25 lvl:4.00) — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusion
  Speed of Closure (imp:4.25 lvl:4.88) — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into mea
  Flexibility of Closure (imp:4.25 lvl:4.50) — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or so
  Perceptual Speed (imp:4.12 lvl:4.38) — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among
  Time Sharing (imp:4.12 lvl:5.62) — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of
  Near Vision (imp:4.12 lvl:4.12) — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  Far Vision (imp:4.12 lvl:4.25) — The ability to see details at a distance.
  Speech Clarity (imp:4.12 lvl:4.00) — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  Information Ordering (imp:4.00 lvl:4.12) — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according
  Speech Recognition (imp:4.00 lvl:4.38) — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  Written Comprehension (imp:3.88 lvl:3.88) — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  Category Flexibility (imp:3.62 lvl:4.00) — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping
  Visualization (imp:3.50 lvl:4.50) — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when 
  Auditory Attention (imp:3.50 lvl:3.88) — The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distra
  Written Expression (imp:3.38 lvl:3.38) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will under
  Fluency of Ideas (imp:3.38 lvl:3.75) — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas
  Originality (imp:3.38 lvl:3.50) — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situa
  Mathematical Reasoning (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a prob
  Number Facility (imp:3.00 lvl:3.25) — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  Memorization (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and proced
  Visual Color Discrimination (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of c
  Finger Dexterity (imp:2.88 lvl:3.00) — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or bot
  Control Precision (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehi
  Hearing Sensitivity (imp:2.88 lvl:2.75) — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch 
  Depth Perception (imp:2.62 lvl:2.62) — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you
  Arm-Hand Steadiness (imp:2.50 lvl:2.38) — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while hold
  Manual Dexterity (imp:2.38 lvl:2.00) — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your
  Night Vision (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — The ability to see under low-light conditions.
  Glare Sensitivity (imp:2.12 lvl:1.38) — The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.
  Spatial Orientation (imp:1.88 lvl:1.00) — The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know wher
  Reaction Time (imp:1.75 lvl:1.00) — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sou
  Trunk Strength (imp:1.75 lvl:1.12) — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the 
  Sound Localization (imp:1.75 lvl:0.88) — The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.
  Response Orientation (imp:1.62 lvl:0.88) — The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two o
  Peripheral Vision (imp:1.62 lvl:0.75) — The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes ar
  Rate Control (imp:1.50 lvl:0.62) — The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in an
  Multilimb Coordination (imp:1.38 lvl:0.38) — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or
  Wrist-Finger Speed (imp:1.12 lvl:0.12) — The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and 
  Extent Flexibility (imp:1.12 lvl:0.12) — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Speed of Limb Movement (imp:1.00) — The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
  Static Strength (imp:1.00) — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  Explosive Strength (imp:1.00) — The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping
  Dynamic Strength (imp:1.00) — The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This inv
  Stamina (imp:1.00) — The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getti
  Dynamic Flexibility (imp:1.00) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with yo
  Gross Body Coordination (imp:1.00) — The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together wh
  Gross Body Equilibrium (imp:1.00) — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unsta

--- WORK ACTIVITIES ---
  Making Decisions and Solving Problems (imp:4.85 lvl:6.25) — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and sol
  Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (imp:4.60 lvl:5.77) — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or 
  Getting Information (imp:4.54 lvl:5.38) — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sour
  Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (imp:4.24 lvl:5.71) — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment,
  Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (imp:4.21 lvl:5.29) — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone,
  Processing Information (imp:4.18 lvl:5.23) — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying
  Training and Teaching Others (imp:4.12 lvl:5.17) — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or tr
  Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (imp:4.11 lvl:5.57) — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  Analyzing Data or Information (imp:4.00 lvl:4.85) — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by break
  Thinking Creatively (imp:3.92 lvl:5.05) — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, syste
  Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (imp:3.91 lvl:4.82) — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events o
  Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (imp:3.91 lvl:5.02) — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your
  Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (imp:3.63 lvl:4.16) — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving
  Coaching and Developing Others (imp:3.59 lvl:4.79) — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherw
  Working with Computers (imp:3.46 lvl:3.52) — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to progra
  Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (imp:3.33 lvl:3.79) — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resourc
  Documenting/Recording Information (imp:3.32 lvl:3.71) — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in writte
  Communicating with People Outside the Organization (imp:3.19 lvl:3.56) — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organizatio
  Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (imp:3.15 lvl:3.30) — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (imp:3.12 lvl:3.94) — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and m
  Developing Objectives and Strategies (imp:3.09 lvl:3.45) — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to 
  Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (imp:2.94 lvl:3.15) — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors o
  Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others (imp:2.87 lvl:3.07) — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  Developing and Building Teams (imp:2.76 lvl:2.83) — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team membe
  Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (imp:2.74 lvl:3.02) — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others (imp:2.69 lvl:3.02) — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, 
  Scheduling Work and Activities (imp:2.53 lvl:2.78) — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates (imp:2.46 lvl:2.62) — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance 
  Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (imp:2.43 lvl:2.66) — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical,
  Controlling Machines and Processes (imp:2.31 lvl:2.21) — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines 
  Assisting and Caring for Others (imp:2.21 lvl:2.33) — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other pe
  Performing Administrative Activities (imp:1.99 lvl:1.76) — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files
  Monitoring and Controlling Resources (imp:1.87 lvl:1.66) — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
  Handling and Moving Objects (imp:1.76 lvl:1.47) — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials,
  Staffing Organizational Units (imp:1.73 lvl:1.30) — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organ
  Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (imp:1.52 lvl:0.94) — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to t
  Selling or Influencing Others (imp:1.50 lvl:0.81) — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or
  Performing General Physical Activities (imp:1.48 lvl:0.77) — Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require co
  Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (imp:1.40 lvl:0.59) — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines,
  Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (imp:1.27 lvl:0.38) — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, s
  Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (imp:1.16 lvl:0.29) — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, an

--- WORK STYLES ---
  Dependability (imp:10.00) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Attention to Detail (imp:9.00) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Integrity (imp:8.00) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Cautiousness (imp:7.00) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Achievement Orientation (imp:6.00) — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Self-Control (imp:5.00) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Stress Tolerance (imp:4.00) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Adaptability (imp:3.00) — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Cautiousness (imp:3.00) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Attention to Detail (imp:3.00) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Stress Tolerance (imp:3.00) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Self-Control (imp:3.00) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Dependability (imp:2.93) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Integrity (imp:2.55) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Self-Confidence (imp:2.44) — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Perseverance (imp:2.19) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Adaptability (imp:2.17) — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Achievement Orientation (imp:2.11) — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Perseverance (imp:2.00) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Cooperation (imp:1.95) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Leadership Orientation (imp:1.53) — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Self-Confidence (imp:1.00) — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Intellectual Curiosity (imp:0.94) — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Sincerity (imp:0.76) — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Initiative (imp:0.53) — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Optimism (imp:0.32) — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Empathy (imp:0.30) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Social Orientation (imp:0.18) — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Innovation () — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Intellectual Curiosity () — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity () — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Initiative () — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Leadership Orientation () — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Humility () — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Sincerity () — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Empathy () — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Cooperation () — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Optimism () — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Social Orientation () — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Tolerance for Ambiguity (imp:-0.25) — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Humility (imp:-0.30) — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Innovation (imp:-0.68) — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 

--- TRANSFERABLE SKILLS ---
  Judgment and Decision Making (imp:4.12 lvl:4.12) — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the m
  Complex Problem Solving (imp:4.00 lvl:4.50) — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and ev
  Coordination (imp:3.88 lvl:4.00) — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Time Management (imp:3.50 lvl:3.50) — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  Social Perceptiveness (imp:3.38 lvl:3.25) — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  Operations Monitoring (imp:3.25 lvl:3.12) — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working pr
  Systems Analysis (imp:3.25 lvl:3.25) — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, 
  Instructing (imp:3.12 lvl:3.38) — Teaching others how to do something.
  Service Orientation (imp:3.12 lvl:3.38) — Actively looking for ways to help people.
  Systems Evaluation (imp:3.12 lvl:3.25) — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed 
  Persuasion (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  Management of Personnel Resources (imp:2.88 lvl:2.75) — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best 
  Operations Analysis (imp:2.75 lvl:2.88) — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  Quality Control Analysis (imp:2.75 lvl:2.62) — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate
  Negotiation (imp:2.62 lvl:2.25) — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  Operation and Control (imp:2.50 lvl:2.38) — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  Troubleshooting (imp:2.00 lvl:1.88) — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  Technology Design (imp:1.75 lvl:0.75) — Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
  Programming (imp:1.75 lvl:0.75) — Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  Management of Financial Resources (imp:1.75 lvl:0.75) — Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for the
  Management of Material Resources (imp:1.75 lvl:0.88) — Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materi
  Equipment Selection (imp:1.25 lvl:0.25) — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  Equipment Maintenance (imp:1.25 lvl:0.25) — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind o
  Repairing (imp:1.12 lvl:0.12) — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  Installation (imp:1.00) — Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

--- NATIONAL WAGES ---
  total_employment : 22,510
  annual_median    : $148,080
  annual_pct10     : $78,420
  annual_pct25     : $104,520
  annual_pct75     : $190,570
  annual_pct90     : $215,610
  annual_mean      : $146,490
  hourly_median    : $71.19

--- GEOGRAPHIC DISPERSION ---
  highest_state    : Virginia ($191,820)
  lowest_state     : District of Columbia ($47,760)
  dispersion_ratio : 4.016x

--- TOP STATES BY WAGE (45 total) ---
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:   20,740  median: $ 155,040
  Transportation and Warehousing           emp:    1,360  median: $  83,630
  Educational Services                     emp:       40  median: $  37,050

--- TOP INDUSTRIES BY EMPLOYMENT (3 total) ---
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:   20,740  median: $ 155,040
  Transportation and Warehousing           emp:    1,360  median: $  83,630
  Educational Services                     emp:       40  median: $  37,050

exact_match_status : found
matched_title      : Air traffic controller
match_score        : 0.9778
wikidata_qid       : Q862632
word_count         : 7,243
wikipedia_url      : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_traffic_controller
license            : CC BY-SA 4.0
fetched_at         : 2026-06-02T23:30:36.983792Z

--- WIKIPEDIA FULL TEXT ---
An air traffic controller (ATC) is a person licensed under the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to maintain the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of aircraft in controlled airspace, on the ground at controlled aerodromes, and along instrument flight routes. ICAO, a United Nations specialized agency founded under the 1944 Chicago Convention, sets minimum licensing, training, and equipment standards that its 193 contracting states translate into national regulations; the actual operation of air traffic services is delegated to designated air navigation service providers (ANSPs) such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, NATS in the United Kingdom, and bodies affiliated with EUROCONTROL across Europe.
The profession emerged from improvised flagmen and light-gun operators at early civil aerodromes in the 1920s. Croydon Airport (London) established the first dedicated control tower in 1920; the first formal ATC license was issued in the United Kingdom in 1922. Post-war radar, introduced to civil use in the 1950s, transformed the role from procedural coordination to active radar separation. Two mid-air collisions over the United States — in 1956 over the Grand Canyon and in 1960 over Staten Island — killing a combined 262 people, prompted the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 and the creation of the FAA. The profession was reshaped by the 1981 strike of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO), in which President Ronald Reagan dismissed 11,359 striking federal controllers, an action whose effects on US public-sector labor relations persisted for decades.
Controllers work in three broad environments: oceanic and area control centers, terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities, and aerodrome control towers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported approximately 10,800 certified professional controllers employed by the FAA in 2024, with a median annual wage of $137,380 (2023 data). EUROCONTROL estimated approximately 17,500 controllers employed across European ANSPs in 2023.
The role faces concurrent pressures: a post-pandemic staffing shortfall driven by mandatory retirements, increasing automation through programs such as NextGen in the United States and SESAR in Europe, and the emerging technology of remote and virtual towers, which relocate a controller's display environment away from the physical aerodrome.


== History ==


=== Origins (1920s–1940s) ===

Croydon Airport, south of London, established the first dedicated aerodrome control facility on 25 February 1920, issuing instructions by telephone and light signals to aircraft taxiing and departing. The facility received reports from aircraft by radio and directed movement on the ground and in the aerodrome circuit. The first formal air traffic control license was issued in the United Kingdom in 1922 to Jimmy Jeffs, who worked at Croydon from a small hut equipped with binoculars and signal lamps. In Germany, the Deutsche Lufthansa airline opened a control center at Berlin Tempelhof Airport in 1926, one of the earliest facilities to use radio telephony for in-flight guidance rather than ground observation alone.
In the United States, Archie League began directing aircraft at Lambert Field, St. Louis, in 1929 using colored flags — a red flag for hold, a white flag for permission to move — working from a small wheeled shack he dragged to the end of the active runway. Operators at the airline radio stations on the airfield communicated position reports by telephone to the control hut. The lack of any authority over aircraft once they climbed above the aerodrome zone, combined with the rapid growth of scheduled airline operations along the transcontinental routes, made en-route coordination increasingly urgent.
In 1930, Cleveland Airport became the first US facility to use two-way radio communication between the tower and aircraft in flight, enabling real-time voice guidance rather than the flag and light signals League had used at St. Louis.
The first en-route air traffic center in the United States opened at Newark Airport in July 1935, operated not by the government but by a consortium of airlines — United, TWA, and American — that tracked aircraft positions on plotting boards using radio position reports and estimated progress along defined airways. Similar airline-operated centers opened at Chicago and Cleveland within weeks. The Civil Aeronautics Authority (CAA) absorbed airline-operated ATC from 1936 and assumed direct federal responsibility for airways control. The Civil Aeronautics Board separated from the Authority in 1940 to assume accident investigation and economic regulation, consolidating ATC under government authority.
During World War II, military ATC expanded rapidly to manage the movement of thousands of military aircraft across multiple theatres. The war produced the Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) radar system, which guided aircraft to the runway threshold in poor visibility using precision approach radar tracked by a controller who issued continuous corrections over radio, the first practical application of radar to landing guidance. GCA technology transferred directly to post-war civil aviation and formed the basis for precision approach procedures.
The 1944 Chicago Convention, signed by 52 states in November 1944, created ICAO as a permanent intergovernmental organization and produced the first international framework for air traffic services. Annex 2 (*Rules of the Air*) and Annex 11 (*Air Traffic Services*) established the obligation on contracting states to provide ATC, flight information, and alerting services to aircraft in their sovereign airspace, laying the institutional basis for the profession as it exists today.


=== Radar and the jet age (1950s–1960s) ===

Civilian radar installations began appearing at US airports following World War II; Indianapolis Airport received the first operational civilian primary surveillance radar in 1946, and Chicago Midway and New York Idlewild followed within two years. Secondary surveillance radar (SSR), derived from military IFF systems, added identity and altitude data to radar returns by interrogating aircraft transponders — assigned a four-digit squawk code by ATC — entering civil ATC service from the mid-1950s. SSR removed the need for aircraft to give position reports by radio to establish their location on the controller's display, transforming the workload model from telephony-based coordination to continuous radar surveillance.
On 30 June 1956, a TWA Lockheed Constellation and a United Airlines Douglas DC-7 collided over the Grand Canyon while both operating under visual flight rules in uncontrolled airspace, killing all 128 people aboard both aircraft. The collision was the deadliest aviation accident in US history to that date. Both aircraft had filed instrument flight plans that took them through the same piece of uncontrolled airspace, where there was no radar coverage and no controller authority to maintain separation. Civil Aeronautics Board investigators found that the crews were operating legally but that the absence of any positive control over high-altitude airspace made the collision possible. Congress responded with the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (Pub. L. 85-726), which created the Federal Aviation Administration on 1 January 1959, absorbing the Civil Aeronautics Authority and assuming responsibility for unified civil-military airspace management, including the authority to control all airspace above 24,000 ft.
A second major collision — United Airlines Flight 826 and TWA Flight 266 over Staten Island on 16 December 1960, killing 134 — occurred in positive control airspace when the United DC-8 overflew its cleared fix by 11 miles in low visibility, entering the approach corridor of Idlewild Airport (now John F. Kennedy). The accident reinforced the case for mandatory positive radar separation in terminal airspace and accelerat

--- SEMANTIC NEIGHBORS (5) ---

  Title: Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (1968) (similarity: 0.5823)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Air_Traffic_Controllers_Organization_(1968)
  QID: Q1774478
  Extract: The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) was a United States trade union of air traffic controllers that operated from 1968 until its decertification in 1981 following an illegal labor strike broken by the Reagan administration. In striking, the union violated 5 U.S.C. 118p, whi

  Title: 1981 Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization strike (similarity: 0.5476)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981_Professional_Air_Traffic_Controllers_Organization_strike
  QID: Q108910275
  Extract: The PATCO Strike of 1981 was a union-organized work stoppage by air traffic controllers (ATCs) in the United States. The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) declared a strike on August 3, 1981, after years of tension between controllers and the federal government over long hour

  Title: United States Air Force Combat Control Team (similarity: 0.4242)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_Combat_Control_Team
  QID: Q8776719
  Extract: The United States Air Force Combat Control Teams, singular Combat Controller (CCT), are an elite special operations force who specialize in all aspects of air-ground communication, as well as air traffic control, fire support, and command, control, and communications in covert, forward, or austere e

  Title: Defence College of Air and Space Operations (similarity: 0.3030)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_College_of_Air_and_Space_Operations
  QID: Q24901631
  Extract: The Defence College of Air and Space Operations is the UK's training establishment for all military Air Operations Branch such as air traffic controllers (ATCs), Weapons controllers, Identification Officers, Flight Operations personnel and Air and Space Operations Specialists sited at RAF Shawbury i

  Title: Air traffic control during the September 11 attacks (similarity: 0.5946)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_traffic_control_during_the_September_11_attacks
  QID: Q136377572
  Extract: Air traffic control played a major role in maintaining order and grounding flights during the September 11 attacks. Controllers made contact with all four hijacked aircraft prior to the attacks, and two made contact with the hijackers themselves.

model_pass1          : claude-sonnet-4-20250514
model_pass2          : claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
inference_confidence : high
confidence_notes     : High confidence due to comprehensive O*NET data, exact Wikipedia match, detailed task descriptions, and clear BLS wage data. Role is well-defined with specific licensing requirements and established career pathways.
inferred_at          : 2026-06-04T02:55:15.138265+00:00
tokens_input         : 4,734
tokens_output        : 3,811
cost_usd             : $0.043139
wikipedia_used       : True
wikipedia_title      : Air traffic controller
wikipedia_note       : Wikipedia confirms air traffic controllers are licensed under ICAO standards and responsible for maintaining safe aircraft flow in controlled airspace, aligning with O*NET data on their regulatory compliance and safety responsibilities.

--- PROSE FIELDS ---

ROLE SUMMARY:
Air Traffic Controllers are licensed professionals who manage the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of aircraft through controlled airspace, at airports, and along designated flight routes. They authorize aircraft movements, provide critical navigation and weather information to pilots, and coordinate between multiple aircraft to prevent collisions while minimizing delays. This role requires intense concentration, split-second decision-making, and clear communication skills to ensure aviation safety.

DAY IN THE LIFE:
Air traffic controllers monitor radar screens and radio communications to track aircraft positions within their assigned airspace sectors. They issue landing and takeoff authorizations, provide pilots with weather updates and navigational guidance, and coordinate flight path changes when needed. Controllers transfer responsibility for aircraft between different control centers as planes move through various airspace zones. They maintain detailed activity logs, complete daily reports, and may provide on-the-job training to newer controllers. During emergencies, they coordinate search and rescue operations and direct aircraft to alternate landing sites.

WHO THRIVES:
Successful air traffic controllers possess exceptional problem sensitivity and selective attention abilities, allowing them to quickly identify potential conflicts among multiple aircraft. They excel under pressure with high dependability and attention to detail, as the safety of hundreds of passengers depends on their decisions. Strong oral communication skills are essential for clear, concise radio transmissions with pilots from diverse backgrounds. These professionals demonstrate cautiousness in their decision-making while maintaining the flexibility to adapt quickly to changing weather conditions, equipment failures, or emergency situations.

CAREER ENTRY:
Air traffic control requires specialized training through FAA-approved programs, with 36.1% of controllers having high school education plus specialized certification, while 20.8% hold post-secondary certificates and 20.1% have bachelor's degrees. Candidates must complete intensive training at the FAA Academy and obtain proper licensing under International Civil Aviation Organization standards. New controllers typically start in less complex airspace environments and gradually advance to busier airports or control centers as they gain experience and additional certifications.

CAREER TRAJECTORY:
Air traffic controllers can advance to supervisory positions, become training instructors, or specialize in approach control, departure control, or en route centers. Senior controllers may transition to air traffic management roles, facility management, or aviation safety inspection positions. Some controllers leverage their deep aviation knowledge to become commercial pilots, aviation consultants, or work for aircraft manufacturers in operational roles.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE:
Air traffic controllers earn a median annual wage of $148,080 according to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, with experienced controllers earning up to $215,610. The field employs 22,510 workers nationally, with the vast majority (20,740) working for federal, state, and local government agencies. Geographic wage variation is significant, with Virginia paying the highest average salary at $191,820 compared to Washington D.C. at $47,760. Employment is concentrated at major airports and air traffic control centers, with opportunities primarily in metropolitan areas with significant air traffic volume. Job security is high due to the specialized nature of the role and ongoing air travel demand.

AUTOMATION OUTLOOK:
Air traffic control faces moderate automation pressure as advanced radar systems and computer-assisted decision tools enhance controller capabilities rather than replace them. While technology increasingly handles routine calculations and provides enhanced situational awareness, the core functions of making complex decisions, solving problems, and communicating with pilots remain fundamentally human tasks requiring judgment, adaptability, and real-time crisis management skills that current automation cannot replicate.

--- REASONED EDGES ---
  [task_similarity] Airfield Operations Specialists (53-2022.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles involve coordinating aircraft movement and ensuring airport safety operations.
    data: Related occupation designation
    data: Shared transportation knowledge domain
    data: Airport ground operations coordination
  [skill_overlap] Public Safety Telecommunicators (43-5031.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both require exceptional oral comprehension, active listening, and critical communication under emergency conditions.
    data: Active Listening skill importance 4.4
    data: Oral Comprehension ability 4.6
    data: Emergency coordination tasks
  [knowledge_overlap] Commercial Pilots (53-2012.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Shared deep knowledge of transportation systems, public safety protocols, and aviation regulations.
    data: Transportation knowledge level 5.2
    data: Public Safety and Security knowledge 4.5
    data: Related occupation designation
  [riasec_cluster] Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance (43-5032.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both roles emphasize conventional work styles with structured procedures and systematic coordination of vehicle movement.
    data: Conventional RIASEC score 4.99
    data: Coordination transferable skill 4.0
    data: Vehicle movement coordination tasks
  [career_pathway] Aviation Inspectors (53-6051.01) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Controllers' deep aviation knowledge and safety focus provides natural progression to aviation inspection roles.
    data: Related occupation designation
    data: Public Safety knowledge 4.5
    data: Aviation safety training background

--- NORMALIZER SIGNALS ---
  match_keywords   : ['air traffic controller', 'aircraft controller', 'air traffic control specialist', 'airport controller', 'airway controller', 'ATC', 'air route controller', 'tower controller']
  exclude_keywords : ['pilot', 'flight attendant', 'aircraft mechanic', 'dispatcher', 'inspector']
  title_patterns   : ['Air Traffic*', '*Controller', 'ATC*', '*Traffic Control*', '*Airport*']
  common_variations: ['Air Traffic Controller', 'ATC Specialist', 'Air Traffic Control Operator', 'Airport Traffic Controller', 'Air Route Traffic Controller', 'Tower Controller', 'Approach Controller', 'Departure Controller']

total_terms    : 40
top_words      : ['traffic', 'control', 'controllers', 'air', 'aircraft', 'radar', 'others', 'controller', 'tendency', 'under', 'states', 'airspace', 'icao', 'faa', 'flight', 'aviation', 'united', 'equipment', 'approximately', 'european']
source_layers  : onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference

TERM                    COUNT     FREQ  DOMINANT SOURCE      SOURCE BREAKDOWN
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
traffic                    90  0.01270  wikipedia            wikipedia:77%  inference:12%  onet_tasks:8%
control                    84  0.01186  wikipedia            wikipedia:67%  onet_dimensions:14%  onet_tasks:10%
controllers                83  0.01171  wikipedia            wikipedia:83%  inference:16%  onet_tasks:1%
air                        81  0.01143  wikipedia            wikipedia:77%  inference:15%  onet_tasks:6%
aircraft                   75  0.01059  wikipedia            wikipedia:76%  inference:12%  onet_tasks:11%
radar                      47  0.00663  wikipedia            wikipedia:91%  onet_tasks:4%  inference:4%
others                     45  0.00635  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:84%  dwas:13%  wikipedia:2%
controller                 44  0.00621  wikipedia            wikipedia:98%  inference:2%
tendency                   42  0.00593  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
under                      39  0.00551  wikipedia            wikipedia:82%  onet_dimensions:8%  inference:8%
states                     36  0.00508  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
airspace                   33  0.00466  wikipedia            wikipedia:79%  inference:15%  onet_tasks:6%
icao                       33  0.00466  wikipedia            wikipedia:97%  inference:3%
faa                        33  0.00466  wikipedia            wikipedia:94%  inference:6%
flight                     32  0.00452  wikipedia            wikipedia:69%  onet_tasks:19%  dwas:6%
aviation                   32  0.00452  wikipedia            wikipedia:84%  inference:16%
united                     32  0.00452  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
equipment                  31  0.00438  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:74%  wikipedia:13%  onet_tasks:6%
approximately              29  0.00409  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
european                   29  0.00409  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
approach                   28  0.00395  wikipedia            wikipedia:96%  inference:4%
operations                 27  0.00381  wikipedia            wikipedia:70%  onet_dimensions:22%  dwas:4%
atc                        26  0.00367  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
separation                 26  0.00367  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
patco                      26  0.00367  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
management                 24  0.00339  wikipedia            wikipedia:46%  onet_dimensions:29%  inference:12%
ground                     23  0.00325  wikipedia            wikipedia:87%  onet_tasks:13%
facilities                 23  0.00325  wikipedia            wikipedia:96%  onet_dimensions:4%
civil                      23  0.00325  wikipedia            wikipedia:96%  inference:4%
movement                   21  0.00296  dwas                 dwas:33%  wikipedia:33%  onet_dimensions:19%
route                      21  0.00296  wikipedia            wikipedia:95%  inference:5%
organization               20  0.00282  wikipedia            wikipedia:75%  onet_dimensions:20%  inference:5%
strike                     20  0.00282  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
aerodrome                  20  0.00282  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
runway                     19  0.00268  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
radio                      18  0.00254  wikipedia            wikipedia:72%  onet_tasks:17%  inference:11%
services                   18  0.00254  wikipedia            wikipedia:61%  onet_dimensions:33%  onet_tasks:6%
standards                  18  0.00254  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:44%  wikipedia:44%  inference:11%
authority                  18  0.00254  wikipedia            wikipedia:100%
procedures                 16  0.00226  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:50%  wikipedia:44%  onet_tasks:6%