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The Daily Insight

How long is an air traffic controllers shift?

Author

Emma Jordan

Published Mar 23, 2026

Work patterns Typically, controllers work “on position” for 90 to 120 minutes followed by a 30-minute break. Except at quieter airports, air traffic control is a 24-hour, 365-day-a-year job where controllers usually work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and public holidays.

Do air traffic controllers have to relocate?

Yes. Many controllers move around the world seeking new experiences and generous salaries.

What can I do after being an air traffic controller?

With experience, you could move into training and assessing new controllers, or become a supervisor or unit manager. You could also move into operations management.

Do air traffic controllers choose where they work?

When air traffic controllers are hired as trainees by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), they choose a geographical area in which they want to work. Beyond that, they usually don’t have a lot of choice in the type of job they then enter, at least at first.

Why do air traffic controllers have to retire at 56?

The argument for mandatory retirement appears to have been that (a) the mid 50s were the ages in which burnout was likely to occur among controllers as a result of job stress, (b) age 56 would allow a controller to accumulate 25 years or more of creditable service if hired at the proposed maximum entry age of 31, and …

How much vacation do air traffic controllers get?

Depending on length of service, Air Traffic Controllers receive 13 to 26 days of vacation and 13 days of sick leave each year, in addition to life insurance and health benefits. Controllers can also retire at an earlier age and with fewer years of service than other Federal employees.

Will air traffic controllers be replaced by computers?

“Air Traffic Controllers” will almost certainly not be replaced by robots. This job is ranked #178 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

How much do air traffic controller Techs Make?

The national average annual wage of an air traffic controller is $120,830, according to the BLS, well over double the e average annual salary for all occupations, $51,960. However, depending on which state you’re employed as an air traffic controller, your salary could be far lower.

Where do air traffic controllers get stationed?

After you’ve completed training, you may be stationed in traffic control centers on aircraft carriers or at air traffic control facilities in the United States or overseas. As an AC, you can expect approximately 30% of your assignments to take place at sea.

Is there a demand for air traffic controllers?

Employment of air traffic controllers is projected to is projected to grow 1 percent from 2019 to 2029, slower than the average for all occupations. Competition for air traffic controller jobs is expected to be very strong, with many people applying for a relatively small number of jobs.

Is ATC a good job?

The Christian Science Monitor ranks this career among the 5 most stressful professions: Air traffic controllers, who maintain the flow of aircraft in and out of airports and in flight, are key to aviation safety. This is well recognized as one of the most stressful jobs, requiring total concentration.

Where does I am an air traffic controller take place?

Adding to the Game Stage of various play levels, the Extra Stage gives you some special conditions to further liven up the play. You can also select time, wind direction, and section you like for your own Original Stage. The game is set in Haneda Airport (HND/RJTT) in Tokyo, which represents Japan!

How to clear stage in air traffic controller?

The operation is quite simple, just select an aircraft and click Instruction buttons. Yet as the situation keeps changing according to the directions issued and the timing, clearing the stage always requires precise and correct judgment. Even after game over, you can resume from the middle of the game replay.

What are the improvements in air traffic controller 2?

Air Traffic Controller 2 made many improvements. The game is now in 3D, more airport gates, and increased to five channels of communication: Approach, Tower, Ground, Delivery, and Departure.

What causes game over in air traffic controller?

In the game, there are a few conditions that will cause game over. These include head-on, near miss, pilots’ pressure bar reaching 100%, or failed to accumulate enough points to pass that particular stage. The points are awarded according to how fast to reply a response. A slow or non-response will raise the pressure bar.