An exciting and responsible career
Have you ever wondered who controls the planes in the sky and ensures that everyone arrives safely? We met Henrik Aarnes, an air traffic controller trainee who is well into his education, to hear more about his experiences. You can see Henrik share his story further down the page.
What does the education look like?
- The education takes two years. First, there are nine months of theory and simulator training in Prague. The stay in Prague was really great, and you make incredibly many good friends who you hopefully have for life. After this period, we go out for practice at one of the units in Norway. When we start the practice, we are temporarily employed as an air traffic controller trainee at Avinor Air Navigation Services, and we receive a salary as an ordinary employee with a 100% job.
What is required to succeed as an air traffic controller?
- It is important to be able to stay calm in stressful situations. Even though a lot is happening around you, you must be calm and in control. The ability to multitask is also crucial. As an air traffic controller, you must be able to do several things at once and have a good overview of the situation. It is much about being able to think ahead and predict what is going to happen so that you can resolve conflicts before they arise.
What is the best thing about air traffic controller education?
- It gives a great sense of accomplishment when things work. Even though the exercises in the simulator can be challenging, especially when everything goes wrong, the feeling of mastering the situations is incredibly satisfying.
Learn more about the daily life of an air traffic controller