From theater to air traffic controller
Jan Magne chose air traffic control training, and has never regretted it.
When Jan Magne finished high school, he wanted to pursue theater studies. An advertisement for the air traffic controller training program at Avinor Air Navigation changed his career plans. Now the 29-year-old works as an air traffic controller in the tower at Stavanger Airport, Sola, and he has not 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 headed 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 way, by the book. Shortly afterward, a NATO military aircraft can be seen on the horizon, performing training rounds, so-called touch and go. This happens at the same time as helicopter traffic to the oil platforms in the North Sea takes off and lands at the airport’s other runway. In other words, just an ordinary 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 probably unusual in a Norwegian context. It means we have to be extra focused, while also making the workday varied and interesting. Here, I simply get to use the full range of skills that I trained on during my education, Jan Magne explains.
Being an air traffic controller was not his childhood dream
When it was time to map out his career path, being an air traffic controller was not initially at the top of the list of education programs he could imagine pursuing.
“Then I just had to “jump in” and apply, even though I was prepared for the fact that the gateway to getting in was narrow.”
- I had actually planned on a career in theater, and I was applying to the prestigious school 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 ad for air traffic controller training at Avinor Air Navigation Services. Then it was just a matter of “jumping into it” and applying, even though I was prepared for the fact that the gate to get in was narrow. The worst that could happen was that I’d get a “no,” so there was nothing to lose by applying, Jan Magne says.
No two days are the same for the conductors of the air
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 just over a year and is also known as “on-the-job training.” He completed his service at Tromsø Airport, Langnes, where he worked for a total of two and a half years. After that, 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 can 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. That means you have to quickly change the plans you made earlier in the day. The good thing is that during the training program you receive thorough training so you know how to handle different situations, Jan Magne reflects.
Together to solve an important social mission
According to Jan Magne, the air traffic controller profession makes you closely bonded and confident in your colleagues. This comes in handy when you are responsible for ensuring that thousands of passengers get safely to their destination every day, around the clock.
- Some of my best friends are in the air traffic controller profession. What is great is that we are many different types of people who work as air traffic controllers, and therefore there is room to be yourself. Of course, some days are more demanding than others, but I can honestly say that I mostly look forward to going to work every single day, Jan Magne says sincerely.
Jan Magne also has clear views about everyday life with the shift schedule.
- Since the air traffic controller profession is part of carrying out an important public mission, we must be prepared to work shifts. This means working some evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. That said, I think this is a very good arrangement, because overall we get at least as much time off as other professions. Recently, for example, I got the opportunity to go on vacation to New Zealand with good colleagues outside the peak season. At the same time, I get the chance to pursue my theater hobby alongside my air traffic controller job. One thing I didn’t think about before I applied for air traffic controller training, but that I value 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 potentially new colleagues who are considering applying for air traffic controller training, Jan Magne replies bluntly:
"Jump in—it’s nothing to fear!"
