Ever since Thomas was very young, he has known that he wanted to work with airplanes. Previously, he completed flight training - but now he wanted to do something else.
On a snowy day in February, we meet Thomas in the tower at Ørsta-Volda airport, Hovden. Next to him sits a colleague providing traffic information down to the plane heading to Oslo. Thomas picks up the binoculars and helps the colleague see if the plane has snow on the wings. Weather observation is indeed an important part of being an AFIS officer.
– I really love airplanes! I had an exciting time with the pilot training at Sandefjord airport, Torp. It wasn't quite what I had imagined, so when the job posting for AFIS officer came up on Facebook, I was quick to apply. I simply wanted to try something new, says Thomas.
“I think it's so great that Avinor takes such good care of us. We receive a salary during our education, allowing us to devote all our time to our education.”
Thomas and the other AFIS students have gone through a basic course in air traffic service and an AFIS theory/simulator training course in Malmö. Now, only the practical period in Ørsta-Volda remains, which is one of Avinor's approved AFIS training units.
– I think it's so great that Avinor takes such good care of us. We get paid during the training so we can dedicate all our time to the education. To become fully trained and have this as a job - while also being able to work with airplanes and be a part of an aviation club in my spare time - is definitely a dream situation, Thomas continues.
Thomas feels that he is in a secure workplace and that Avinor is a good employer.
– There are several reasons for that, but the most important is that from day one I felt well taken care of. There are good agreements and conditions, and I already feel now as a student that I am well off as an employee at Avinor. The working environment is good both at Avinor's headquarters in Bjørvika and here in the tower at Ørsta-Volda airport, Thomas shares.
– Another thing is that I feel I am part of a very large societal mission that Avinor has. You are part of something bigger! Like ensuring Norwegian airspace and aviation. And not least, operating the airports, which is a very important mission for society, and I am very pleased with where I have ended up now.
When Thomas saw the announcement on Facebook, he wasn't unsure about wanting to apply.
– To all of you who think AFIS officer sounds exciting and want to apply: Just apply! Read more and find out what it means to be an AFIS officer. It's a very exciting everyday life. It's not a given that you'll get the job right away – you have to go through a selection process – but I would recommend giving it a try.
TO TEST
Try the game and find out if you have the qualities required to become an air traffic controller. Here you will challenge your memory, numeracy, language skills, logic, and listening skills – all under time pressure.
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