Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO)

ATCO are normally recruited locally as Student Air Traffic Control Officer (SATCO). The pay scale for SATCO is TPS Point 11 - 14. SATCO will undergo a series of basic training conducted locally. Job experience in the profession will start with working as supporting staff in Air Traffic Control Centre and Control Tower providing assistance to qualified ATCO. As part of the air traffic control training, SATCO have the opportunity to take up flying training in single-engine aircraft. Currently, SATCO are sent to Australia for the flying training. Subject to satisfactory performance, SATCO will also be selected to attend an overseas air traffic control course to enhance their aviation knowledge and to broaden their exposure in air traffic control operations. The course will include fundamental aviation subjects such as navigation, meteorology, telecommunications, aviation laws and air traffic control procedures etc. At present, the overseas course is conducted by an international institute in United Kingdom.

SATCO taking up flying training in Australia

Upon return from the overseas training, SATCO will be provided with specialized air traffic control training. The training programmes include theories, practical exercises in the simulators and on-the-job training in the real operational environment under the supervision of qualified controllers. A SATCO is eligible for consideration for promotion to ATCO III after passing the first departmental Specialized Rating Training course leading to the award of the associated Air Traffic Control rating/s.

Practical training in the Aerodrome Control Simulator

After a period of consolidation, ATCO III are normally selected for further training in other Air Traffic Control positions . Upon obtaining the relevant qualifications, ATCO III are eligible for consideration for promotion to the ATCO II rank. Senior ATCO II will be provided with advanced professional training, e.g. Search & Rescue and training to become an on the job training instructor etc, to prepare them for duties of higher responsibilities. It takes about five years for a SATCO to progress to the rank of ATCO II.

SATCO undergoing on-the-job training

Air Traffic Flight Services Officer (ATFSO)

ATFSO are supporting staff to ATCO. Their main duties include processing of flight data and aeronautical information using advanced computer systems. ATFSO are recruited locally and they normally enter the service as ATFSO III at pay scale of TPS Pt. 5 to 6. Training of ATFSO is provided in-house in accordance with a departmental training programme. After each course of instructions, the officer will undergo on-the-job training in the Air Traffic Control Centre, Control Tower and the Aeronautical Information Centre. Successful completion of these basic training will lead to attainment of qualifications as required for promotion to ATFSO II rank.

Learning air traffic control procedures

As part of the career development, ATFSO II will be trained for duties with higher responsibilities such as communication and co-ordination with air traffic control units in neighbouring countries using hotlines and data links. Upon obtaining the relevant qualifications, the officers will be eligible for progressive promotion to ATFSO I and Senior ATFSO.

ATFSO processing flight plan data with the help of a computerised system

Aeronautical Communications Officer (ACO)

The main duties of ACO include making use of various sophisticated equipment such as computers, transmitters and receivers in the communication centres to conduct point-to-point communications with adjacent airports, to provide aeronautical fixed, mobile and broadcasting services as well as communications for search and rescue.

"Aeronautical Communications Officers (ACO) are recruited locally and they normally enter the service as Student ACO (SACO) at Training Pay Scale Point 4 to 6. SACOs are required to undergo an average of one and a half years training. They have to pass the classroom training before undertaking the on-the-job training in various operatiing positions in the Aeronautical Network Centre. Successful candidates will be promoted to the rank of ACO II."

Aeronautical Communications Officers on duty at the Aeronautical Network Centre

As part of the career development, after training and with excellent performance, ACOII will be eligible for progressive promotion to ACOI, Aeronautical Communications Supervisor (ACS) and Senior Aeronautical Communications Supervisor (SACS) accordingly

Aeronautical Communications Officer broadcasts meteorological information to operating flights