Handling air traffic in Arctic conditions
In Tromsø, air traffic controller Jeroshan Alexander experiences how demanding winter weather and a mix of scheduled flights, air ambulances, and other traffic place high demands on those working in the tower.
As we meet Jeroshan in the tower at Tromsø Airport, Langnes, an air ambulance takes off heading south. Traffic in and out of the airport is varied, and the operations for which the air traffic controllers are responsible can sometimes be hectic.
- Tromsø is one of the airports with the most complicated winter operations, and in that sense it is a great place to have the training period, or “on the job training,” as we call it, says Ståle Johnsen, chief air traffic controller at Tromsø Tower.
After completing the theoretical part of the education, you must complete a practical period at an operational unit in Norway. This usually takes about one year before you are certified as an air traffic controller.
- During the “on the job training” period, all students go through four phases, all of which must be passed before you can move on and become a certified air traffic controller. This period builds on the theoretical basic training from the first year of the study program. The difference from the first year is that during the practical period, you get to experience the air traffic controller profession either in a tower or at an air traffic control center. There are also some distinctly Norwegian rules you have to study during the practical period, in addition to what you learned in the basic training, Jeroshan says.
Good balance between work and leisure
Jeroshan is originally from Bergen, and like most people from Bergen, he is very fond of his hometown. However, Tromsø is a very good place to live and work.
- I really enjoy it here in Tromsø. The city has a vibrant life, many leisure activities, and beautiful nature. Tromsø is a big city, with all the amenities that come with that, while at the same time being close to nature. In my free time, I do a lot with music, and I absolutely get the opportunity to pursue that hobby alongside my job at the control tower at Tromsø Airport.
When choosing a career path, many people face the dilemma of having to follow their dreams while also prioritizing friends and a boyfriend or girlfriend. Jeroshan has a girlfriend in Oslo himself, and he has a thoughtful perspective on having a long-distance relationship.
- This is, of course, a difficult choice to make when deciding on education and career, but a long-distance relationship works just fine as long as both parties are committed to making it work. At the same time, it is no problem for me to travel to Oslo on my days off. Working shifts also means that you can have several days off in a row. That is a clear advantage of the air traffic controller profession, in my view.
Read more about the air traffic controller job, the education, and the admissions test here!
