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Aerospace Control Officer
OVERVIEW
They are responsible for the conduct of aerospace surveillance, warning, and control of airborne objects throughout Canadian Airspace.
WHAT THEY DO
The primary role of an Aerospace Controller (AEC) is to contribute to air operations by providing Air Traffic Control Services and Air Weapons Control. AECs take on a multitude of operational and staff challenges that can take them across Canada and around the world. Tasks range from controlling air traffic at one of the many airbases throughout Canada or, as part of an international peacekeeping force on the ground, to controlling multinational air operations. Challenging staff and command positions are also available in high profile places in Canada, the United States and Europe.
AECs are responsible for the conduct of aerospace surveillance, warning, and control of airborne objects throughout Canadian Airspace. As an integral part of the Canadian Air Navigation System, AECs also provide control to civilian and military aircraft during combat and training operations all over the world. Specific jobs could include controlling, from a military control tower, 40 planes returning from a mission conducted in the weapons ranges at Cold Lake, Alta., or providing surveillance and control of similar NATO air traffic over Bosnia in an airborne jumbo jet equipped with a radar sensor. Aerospace controllers also perform a wide range of tasks relating to aerodrome management and computer programming.
They may also perform training, administrative, and staff-related duties requiring aerospace command and control expertise or serve in various staff positions on Wings, and at various national and international headquarters in support of military missions. AECs also serve as airborne controllers or Tactical Directors on NATO and NORAD Airborne Early Warning aircraft in either Europe or North America, or as Maritime Fighter Controllers aboard the new Canadian frigates.
They support deployed and contingency air operations across Canada and throughout the world, while working with international colleagues. Mobile and deployed operations are a major part of this occupation's raison d'être. The ever-changing international climate requires the capability to deploy anywhere in the world and provide air traffic and radar control services to missions ranging from helicopter peacekeeping operations in the Sinai Peninsula to radar surveillance support for the G-8 summit in Kananaskis, Alta.
AECs are responsible for the conduct of aerospace surveillance, warning, and control of airborne objects throughout Canadian Airspace. As an integral part of the Canadian Air Navigation System, AECs also provide control to civilian and military aircraft during combat and training operations all over the world. Specific jobs could include controlling, from a military control tower, 40 planes returning from a mission conducted in the weapons ranges at Cold Lake, Alta., or providing surveillance and control of similar NATO air traffic over Bosnia in an airborne jumbo jet equipped with a radar sensor. Aerospace controllers also perform a wide range of tasks relating to aerodrome management and computer programming.
They may also perform training, administrative, and staff-related duties requiring aerospace command and control expertise or serve in various staff positions on Wings, and at various national and international headquarters in support of military missions. AECs also serve as airborne controllers or Tactical Directors on NATO and NORAD Airborne Early Warning aircraft in either Europe or North America, or as Maritime Fighter Controllers aboard the new Canadian frigates.
They support deployed and contingency air operations across Canada and throughout the world, while working with international colleagues. Mobile and deployed operations are a major part of this occupation's raison d'être. The ever-changing international climate requires the capability to deploy anywhere in the world and provide air traffic and radar control services to missions ranging from helicopter peacekeeping operations in the Sinai Peninsula to radar surveillance support for the G-8 summit in Kananaskis, Alta.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
You must meet Canadian Forces medical standards and successfully complete a selection process that includes interviews and a wide range of examinations.
The Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP) comprises a full undergraduate education (to the Bachelor's degree level) at the Royal Military College of Canada or another accredited Canadian university, followed by at least four years of service in the Regular component of the Canadian Forces as an Aerospace Controller. To qualify for ROTP, you must have completed high school with the appropriate university-oriented credits, or be in Grade 12 in an appropriate program with full expectation of successful completion. You must also be willing to complete four years of obligatory service after graduation from university.
To qualify for direct entry as an officer, you must have a university degree in any discipline. In addition to holding an acceptable degree, DEO applicants must also have high school leaving (or better) mathematics and science in an academic or general program.
The Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP) comprises a full undergraduate education (to the Bachelor's degree level) at the Royal Military College of Canada or another accredited Canadian university, followed by at least four years of service in the Regular component of the Canadian Forces as an Aerospace Controller. To qualify for ROTP, you must have completed high school with the appropriate university-oriented credits, or be in Grade 12 in an appropriate program with full expectation of successful completion. You must also be willing to complete four years of obligatory service after graduation from university.
To qualify for direct entry as an officer, you must have a university degree in any discipline. In addition to holding an acceptable degree, DEO applicants must also have high school leaving (or better) mathematics and science in an academic or general program.
TRAINING
Phase I - Basic Officer Training
Following your successful application, you will be enrolled in the Canadian Forces and undertake the thirteen-week Basic Officer Training Course at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. You will learn the principles of leadership, the regulations and customs of the service, basic weapons handling, and first aid. You will also take part in a rigorous program of sports and fitness training. The Basic Officer Training course is given in English and French. Successful completion is a prerequisite for further training. At this point, if you enrolled under the Direct Entry Officer plan, you will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and attend a second language training course lasting approximately seven months, depending on your second language proficiency.
Phase II - Basic Aerospace Control Course
This course, held at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Control Operations (CFSACO) in Cornwall, Ont., lasts approximately seven months. You will learn to apply control techniques for both air defence and air traffic control duties and will receive theoretical and simulator training with an emphasis on practical scenarios. You will acquire extensive knowledge in areas such as airborne weapons systems, ground control systems and radar, meteorology, radiotelephony and procedures, air regulations and navigation orders, aircraft performance characteristics, command and control directives governing the control of interceptor aircraft and the various states of alert.
Phase III - On-the-Job Training
As a graduate of CFSACO, you will be posted to an Aerospace Control Facility where you will continue to hone your controller skills to an acceptable level of practical control proficiency and pass an examination on local operating procedures. Upon successful completion of this on-the-job training, you will be granted a license authorizing you to control live aircraft. Once you have been certified as a controller, you will be ready to start your first assignment as an Aerospace Controller.
Following your successful application, you will be enrolled in the Canadian Forces and undertake the thirteen-week Basic Officer Training Course at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. You will learn the principles of leadership, the regulations and customs of the service, basic weapons handling, and first aid. You will also take part in a rigorous program of sports and fitness training. The Basic Officer Training course is given in English and French. Successful completion is a prerequisite for further training. At this point, if you enrolled under the Direct Entry Officer plan, you will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and attend a second language training course lasting approximately seven months, depending on your second language proficiency.
Phase II - Basic Aerospace Control Course
This course, held at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Control Operations (CFSACO) in Cornwall, Ont., lasts approximately seven months. You will learn to apply control techniques for both air defence and air traffic control duties and will receive theoretical and simulator training with an emphasis on practical scenarios. You will acquire extensive knowledge in areas such as airborne weapons systems, ground control systems and radar, meteorology, radiotelephony and procedures, air regulations and navigation orders, aircraft performance characteristics, command and control directives governing the control of interceptor aircraft and the various states of alert.
Phase III - On-the-Job Training
As a graduate of CFSACO, you will be posted to an Aerospace Control Facility where you will continue to hone your controller skills to an acceptable level of practical control proficiency and pass an examination on local operating procedures. Upon successful completion of this on-the-job training, you will be granted a license authorizing you to control live aircraft. Once you have been certified as a controller, you will be ready to start your first assignment as an Aerospace Controller.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Your duties will normally require moderate physical effort. Fatigue can be experienced during periods of intense and prolonged operational activity. Reading checklists and written directives in low ambient light and observing electronic displays or radar scope presentations leads to eyestrain and fatigue. In a control tower, bright sunlight and high noise levels may cause physical discomfort. The working environment can be underground, isolated or semi-isolated, airborne, shipborne or under deployed field conditions. A windowless control facility with subdued lighting is the most common Aerospace Control working environment. Those who are assigned to mobile Aerospace Control operations may work with limited facilities and live in field-type conditions in extreme weather conditions.
You will be required to interpret coded electronic displays rapidly and accurately, and will be confronted continuously with diverse operational situations requiring concentration and analytical skills. Both routine and emergency situations demand rapid reaction and sound decision-making. As the Aerospace Control mission demands continuous operations, you will be required to work shifts for a portion of your career. As you gain more experience and expand your qualifications, you will become eligible for promotion to a supervisory or senior staff position that entails more structured duties performed from Monday to Friday.
Appropriate training, environmental clothing and equipment are provided, and Aerospace Controllers' health, safety and morale are closely monitored.
You will be required to interpret coded electronic displays rapidly and accurately, and will be confronted continuously with diverse operational situations requiring concentration and analytical skills. Both routine and emergency situations demand rapid reaction and sound decision-making. As the Aerospace Control mission demands continuous operations, you will be required to work shifts for a portion of your career. As you gain more experience and expand your qualifications, you will become eligible for promotion to a supervisory or senior staff position that entails more structured duties performed from Monday to Friday.
Appropriate training, environmental clothing and equipment are provided, and Aerospace Controllers' health, safety and morale are closely monitored.
RELATED CIVILIAN OCCUPATIONS
Some of the related civilian occupations are:
Air Traffic Controller
Flight Service Specialist
Railway and Maritime Traffic Controller
Facility Operations Manager
Human Resources Manager
Airport Manager
Airport Duty Manager
