Specialty Summary. Controls en route and terminal air traffic by use of visual, radar, and non-radar means. Supervises and manages air traffic control (ATC) facilities. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 122200.
Duties and Responsibilities. Controls and regulates en route and terminal air traffic. Initiates and issues ATC clearances, instructions, and advisories to ensure the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic operating under instrument and visual flight rules. Plans, organizes, directs, inspects, and evaluates ATC activities.
Specialty Qualifications:
Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: ATC principles and procedures; flight characteristics of aircraft; International Civil Aviation Organization and United States federal and military air directives; use of aeronautical charts, maps, and publications; interpretation, use, and limitations of ATC radar; use of ATC communications systems and navigational aids; and fundamentals of meteorology. United States Air Force certification as an ATC specialist satisfies these requirements. Not a part of the certification requirements, knowledge is also mandatory of principles of organization, purpose, operation, and management of ATC facilities.
Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school with courses in English is desirable.
Training. For award of AFSC 1C131, completion of an ATC operator course is mandatory.
Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:
1C151. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1C131. Also, experience is mandatory performing functions involving actual control of aircraft.
1C171. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1C151. Also, experience is mandatory supervising or performing ATC functions.
1C191. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1C171. Also, experience is mandatory managing ATC functions.
Other. For entry, award, and retention of these AFSCs, physical qualification for ATC operation according to AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards. For performance of ATC duties, possession of a Federal Aviation Administration ATC Specialist Certificate. Specialty requires routine access to Secret material or similar environment. For award and retention of AFSCs 1C1X1 and 1C100, completion of a current National Agency Check, Local Agency Checks and Credit (NACLC) according to AFI 31-501, Personnel Security Program Management. NOTE: Award of the 3-skill level without a completed NACLC is authorized provided an interim Secret security clearance has been granted according to AFI 31-501. For award and retention of AFSCs 1C151/71/91/00, must maintain an Air Force Network License according to AFI 33-115, Vol 2, Licensing Network Users and Certifying Network Professionals.
