Diploma in Air Traffic Services

THE COURSE

The only way to become an air traffic controller in New Zealand is to train with Airways New Zealand for the Diploma in Air Traffic Services. In 2006 it will be a NZQA level-seven qualification.

Graduates can work in New Zealand and the air traffic control licence has international recognition.

Airways manages the traffic in New Zealand's 34 million square kilometres of airspace. It recruits the graduates at the end of their training if they achieve their licence, initial rating and meet suitability criteria.

Students are based in Christchurch for six months' theory and practical work. They then spend at least another six months in on-the-job training at a regional airport.

During the six months of theory classes students learn meteorology, aircraft operations, air navigation, navigation aids, communications and aviation law.

They then progress to learning the basics of hands-on air traffic control in the aerodrome tower and learning how to keep aircraft separated without using radar.

They must pass examinations and progress checks carried out by qualified standards specialists and instructors.

Students' final assessment is an aerodrome control rating and/or a non-radar approach rating, the latter including airports such as Queenstown and Napier where radar doesn't cover all the air in the surrounding area.

Applicants undergo extensive testing before being accepted on to the course.

Criteria include being decisive and goal focused, being able to mentally picture objects moving in three dimensions, having excellent communication skills, and passing a medical examination.

Applicants must be over 20 years of age and have New Zealand residency.

Prospective students have to sit aptitude tests which measure their ability to visualise three-dimensionally and to work with complicated patterns and numbers, data checking and numerical ability.

Selected candidates then go to Christchurch for two days of assessment before the final selection.

Airways appoints trainees in advance of the course depending on its requirements.

The next course begins in January 2006 and people can register now for recruitment that will start in May next year.

Tuition fees total $12,000. Airways offers a scholarship of $135 a week while students undertake on-the-job training.

Graduates can undergo further training to become an instructor, assessor or examiner or to qualify for incident investigation.

WHAT GRADUATES THINK

Sarah Ross, 22

Air traffic controller

Airways Corporation

Hamilton

Graduated 2002

"The selection tests are tough but didn't seem excessively hard.

"I don't think it is something you can practise - you can either do things spatially or you can't.

"The course is pretty full on, especially the second half when you are doing procedural approach, but the people band together well to practise. It is gruelling but the support is there if you need it.

"Typically we had a one-hour lesson and then would practise what we learned in the simulator cab (which imitates the environment in the top of a control tower).

"Then I went to Hamilton and started training with an instructor. You change instructors a couple of times so you learn how different people would do different situations. You have progress tests along the way and then more tests at the end.

"The course is a big financial commitment, but the financial rewards at the end are good."

WHAT EMPLOYERS THINK

Fred Hansen

Regional Air Navigation Services Manager (North)

Airways Corporation

Hamilton

"They come to us with most of the formal knowledge they need but very basic experience and exposure to live aeroplanes.

"We teach them the local knowledge, purely related to Hamilton.

"We also teach them the on-the-job skills: the ability to multi-task, to handle pressure, to make constantly changing decisions, and judgment so they can look out the window and know how far or close an aeroplane is and how it fits into the three-dimensional picture that is operating around us.

"It is also very important that we develop their confidence so that by the time they achieve the rating - that's what we call it when they qualify - they are competent to sit there by themselves the next day.

"When they come to us their knowledge and experience is 90 per cent theoretical and 10 per cent practical. By the time they rate, their knowledge and experience is 90 per cent practical and 10 per cent theoretical."

Airways New Zealand

Phone: 04 471 1888