The Airport staff
The departments at the airport are managed by personnel selected through direct recruitment depending on the number of vacancies and also through internal promotions. The duties of the main personnel in charge of smooth operations of air traffic are described here.
Air traffic controller -
The air traffic controller or ATCO is responsible for controlling the movement of aircrafts on air routes and at airports during take off and landing and for passing the aircraft from one air space to another. Surveillance is mainly by radar and contact is maintained with aircrew by radio.They advise pilots on weather and other conditions in order to maintain the safe and orderly flow of traffic both in the air and on ground.
ATCO’s work either at a control centre or an aerodrome. Aerodrome control takes place from visual control rooms at the top of control tower from which a good all round view of the aerodrome is available. ATCO’s in this way control aircraft on the ground while taxing, taking off, landing or flying within the visual traffic circuit. This work is divided between personnel handling air control and ground movement control.
Communication officer -
The communication officer is incharge of the general administration of communication facilities. He oversees transmission of operational messages, maintenance and update of information on national/international network on computers, teleprinters etc. He looks into traffic complaints and changes in airline schedules and timings.
Communication assistant -
The communication assistant supervises operative duties, keeps watch at positions in teleprinter exchange/distribution system at international station and holds charge of certain minor stations. Routine maintenance, adjustment and functional efficiency of equipment used in aeronautical communication service is the responsibility of the communication assistant.
Aerodrome officer -
The aerodrome officer is incharge of air traffic control services, maintenance of aerodrome facilities, assistance to pilots for rescue operations and for airport estate management.
Aerodrome assistant -
The responsibility of aerodrome assistant is to look after the operations of radio equipment and provide communication between aerodrome and air traffic control. He prepares, receives and distributes as well as drafts the recording of signals of air traffic control. He has to check ground markings, inspect landing grounds and signal aircrafts.
Airworthiness officer -
An aircraft has to obtain clearance of airworthiness, this is issued after a thorough inspection by the airworthiness officer.
Managers -
Airports have managers to take care of its various departments. These are personnel managers, legal managers, cargo manager, economic planning manager, commercial manager, housekeeping manager, stores and purchase manager, accounts manager, airport manager, electronics and technical manager. These managers look after the functioning of the airports in their respective departments.
Entry and Training
Air traffic controller -
For manager ATC a degree in electronics/radio/telecommunication engineering is required. Other acceptable qualifications are Section A & B with minimum 60% of the Institution of Engineers (India) in Electronics/Telecommunication/Radio Engineering or Graduate membership of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering (IETE) in first class/A or B section exam of Aeronautical Society or Graduate degree with Physics or Maths is required. Selection is made through a written examination followed by an interview and medical examination. After selection air traffic controllers have to undergo training at Civil Aviation Training Centre at Allahabad. On completion of the training they appear before a rating board and qualify to work with control tower/radar/aircraft control/flight information centres. Maximum age is 28 years.
For the post of ATC Superintendent a degree with Physics or Maths or diploma in Electronics engineering with a first class is acceptable. Maximum age is 25 years.
Communication officers -
They are engineers from one of the following branches electrical/electronics/telecommunication engineering. Selection is made through the combined engineering services examination conducted by UPSC. The communication assistant must have a degree in science subjects with 45% aggregate or diploma in radio/electronics/telecommunication/electrical communication engineering.
Aerodrome officers -
They are graduates/post graduates in physics/maths/electronics/mechnical/electrical/civil/telecommunications engineering. Aerodrome assistants require a diploma in the branches mentioned or a graduate degree in physics/maths. Selection is made through an objective type of written test followed by an interview and written examination. Candidates after selection, have to undergo training at civil aviation centre at Allahabad.
Airworthiness officers -
They should have a graduate degree in maths/physics with experience/training in aircraft maintenance or degree in mechanical/electronic/electrical/aeronautical engineering. Experience in manufacturing/maintenance is an advantage. Selection test is conducted by UPSC.
The Airport manager & administrative managers -
They must fulfill the educational requirements for selection to the various posts. The airport manager must be a graduate with commercial pilot’s licence/experience in air traffic control. Postgraduate degree/diploma holders in management with experience in air traffic control are also eligible.
Legal manager must have a degree in law. Personnel managers must have a degree/diploma in personnel management/labour welfare/law/social sciences and at least 5 years experience in personnel management. Economic planning managers are post graduates in economics/statistics/maths with a background of transport economics and some experience. Commercial managers require to have a graduate degree with some experience in handling commercial/revenue matters.
Cargo managers must be graduates/MBA degree holders with experience in handling cargo at supervisory levels in Airlines/Seaport/Air Force/IATA approved cargo agencies and must have a knowledge of computers and EDP systems. The housekeeping manager must be a graduate with a diploma in hotel management and 3 years experience in an executive capacity in a hotel. Stores and purchase managers must be a graduates trained in materials management with 5 years experience of stores management.
