Navy NEC · Aviation
F15A Control Tower Operator
A Navy Enlisted Classification: a skill designation sailors hold in addition to their rating.
Overview
A control tower operator runs an air traffic control tower ashore and controls arriving and departing aircraft under Instrument Flight Rules and Visual Flight Rules. The operator also controls aircraft transiting through airspace assigned to a Naval Station or Naval Air Station area of jurisdiction.
Core Skills
- aircraft tower control
- runway operations
- taxiway management
- aircraft sequencing
- ground movement control
- aviation radio communications
- visual airfield observation
- flight data processing
- airfield safety procedures
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
Training & Development
Getting Started
- ACE Airport Certified Employee
Career Growth
- FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist Certification
- FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate
- Airport Certified Employee (ACE) - Airport Security
Also Common
- FAA Control Tower Operator Certificate
- Airport Certified Employee designation
- ICAO English Language Proficiency (ELP) Endorsement
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.
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
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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