From Theater to Air Traffic Controller

When Jan Magne finished high school, he wanted to pursue theater education. An advertisement for the air traffic controller training at Avinor Flysikring changed his career plans. Now, the 29-year-old works as an air traffic controller in the tower at Stavanger airport, Sola, and he hasn't regretted it for a second.

We meet air traffic controller Jan Magne Steine in the tower at Stavanger airport, Sola on a sunny Friday in November. In the background, we hear a fellow air traffic controller give clearance to a KLM aircraft on its way to Amsterdam. -KLM 1200, cleared for take-off on runway 18. The clearance from the air traffic controller is given in a calm, clear, and reassuring manner, completely by the book. Shortly after, a NATO military aircraft is seen on the horizon, conducting training rounds called touch and go. This happens simultaneously as the helicopter traffic to the oil platforms in the North Sea takes off and lands at the airport's other runway. In other words, just another day at the airport in Norway's oil capital.

- The fact that we have active traffic on two runways that cross each other here at Sola airport (also known as simultaneous operations in technical terms) is quite unique in the Norwegian context. This requires us to be extra focused, while also making the workday varied and interesting. Here I get to use the full range of skills that I trained for during my education, explains Jan Magne.

The air traffic controller profession was not the childhood dream

When the career path was to be mapped out, being an air traffic controller was not initially at the top of the list of educations he could envision for himself.

- I had originally planned a career in theater and was auditioning for the prestigious Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts in England. When I didn't get into that school, I tried a few different things before I happened to see an advertisement for air traffic controller training at Avinor Air Navigation Services. Then it was just a matter of "taking the plunge" and applying, even though I was prepared for the narrow odds of getting in. The worst that could happen was that I would get a "no," so there was nothing to lose by applying, says Jan Magne.

No day is the same for the conductors of the sky

After the first year of air traffic controller training, Jan Magne began the mandatory training at an operational unit before he could call himself a certified air traffic controller. The training period lasted for over a year and is also known as on the job training. He completed the service at Tromsø Airport, Langnes, where he worked for a total of two and a half years. After this, Jan Magne got a job as an air traffic controller at Alta Airport before heading to Stavanger Airport, Sola, where he now works.

- What is great about the air traffic controller profession is that you get the opportunity to work in different places. Professionally, this has given me valuable experience, for example, from Northern Norway, where weather conditions can change quickly. This means you have to quickly change the plans you made earlier in the day. What’s good is that during the training process, you get thorough training, so you know how to handle different situations, reflects Jan Magne.

Together in solving an important societal mission

According to Jan Magne, the air traffic controller profession leads to strong camaraderie and trust in your colleagues. This comes in handy when you have to ensure that thousands of passengers get to their destinations safely every day, around the clock.

- Some of my best friends are in the air traffic controller profession. What is great is that we have many different types of people working as air traffic controllers, and there is therefore room to be yourself.

- Because the air traffic controller profession is involved in solving an important societal task, we must be prepared to work shifts. This involves working some evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. That being said, I find this a very fair arrangement because, overall, we get at least as much time off as other professions. Recently, for example, I had the opportunity to travel to New Zealand with good colleagues outside the peak season. At the same time, I get the opportunity to pursue my theater hobby alongside the air traffic controller profession. One thing I didn't think about before I applied for air traffic controller training, but which I appreciate today, is that you don’t have to take work home with you after you’re done for the day, says Jan Magne.

When asked what advice he would give to potential new colleagues considering applying for air traffic controller training, Jan Magne responds promptly:

“Jump in – there’s nothing to fear!”