Army MOS · Aviation
15Q Air Traffic Control (ATC) Operator
Overview
An Air Traffic Control Operator provides and supervises air traffic control services at ATC facilities. They conduct flight following under visual flight rules, instrument flight rules, and special visual flight rules.
Minimum clearance: Secret
Core Skills
- real-time systems monitoring
- situational awareness and decision making
- radio and communications procedures
- airspace management fundamentals
- incident logging and reporting
- checklist and SOP execution
- multitasking under pressure
- clear and concise verbal communication
- use of radar and tracking systems
- team coordination
Civilian Software & Tools
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Civilian Career Paths
- Air Traffic Control
- Aviation Management
- Project Management
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Air Traffic Control Tower Operator (CTO)
- ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)
- Aircraft Dispatcher
Career Growth
- Amateur Radio Service Operator License: Amateur Extra Class · Funded · Promotion points
- Amateur Radio Service Operator License: General Class · Funded · Promotion points
- Amateur Radio Service Operator License: Technician Class · Funded · Promotion points
Also Common
- FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) · Funded · Promotion points · STAR
What the Work Involves
- Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
- Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
- Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
- Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
- Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
Related Occupations
- Airfield Operations Specialists
- Commercial Pilots
- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
- Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: vocational training or an associate degree.
Formerly Known As (Legacy)
Retired codes that converted into 15Q. Each legacy page documents the cited history.
Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.
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