Glen Moulds, Air Traffic Controller

Air Traffic Controller

Glen's job title is Air Traffic Control Officer at National Air Traffic Services (NATS)

What I do

I am part of the team who oversees flights of aircraft up to 66,000 feet from Iceland to the coast of Norway, across the Midlands and over Northern Ireland and into the North Atlantic. Everyone has their own controlling style, and you need a calm personality to do this job.

Hear more about Glen's role by watching the video below...

How I became a technician

I was working for a car dealership at the time and my best friend – who is a pilot – suggested that I had the right attitude and personality to do this job. His nudge prompted me to go for it.

A typical day in my
working life

The only other role I would move into during the day would be training other controllers – either new starters or controllers extending their skill set.

We work in shift patterns - morning, back, day or night shifts. A typical day shift starts at 10.00 am and finishes at 6.00 pm. When I arrive, I'll be briefed on new procedures, or technical issues with our radars or partners in other airfields. I'll also have a briefing on the weather before watching the news to keep up to date with current affairs. Surprisingly, this can affect air travel operations, whether civilian, military or freight traffic. I also look at the maps showing military activities and ensure I'm aware of any potential issues.

I'll then head to the operations room, which looks similar to a call centre with rows of radar screens. Each desk will have a big screen and smaller screens. The smaller screens will have additional information, like runways, frequencies, general maps and other aspects surrounding the air space pertinent to my area. I will communicate directly with a pilot through my headsets using very high frequency (VHF) radio. We take a break every hour to ensure we are as fresh as possible.

The only other role I would move into during the day would be training other controllers – either new starters or controllers extending their skill set.

We work in shift patterns - morning, back, day or night shifts. A typical day shift starts at 10.00 am and finishes at 6.00 pm. When I arrive, I'll be briefed on new procedures, or technical issues with our radars or partners in other airfields. I'll also have a briefing on the weather before watching the news to keep up to date with current affairs. Surprisingly, this can affect air travel operations, whether civilian, military or freight traffic. I also look at the maps showing military activities and ensure I'm aware of any potential issues.

A little more about
my everyday role

What I love most about my job

There are no two days the same.

The most exciting thing I’ve achieved so far in my job

Gaining my instructor validation so I can train other people - it’s so satisfying.

The next steps in my career journey

I’m not too sure. I am very fortunate because I am very happy with what I have accomplished so far. I could move into a supervisor role but that involves a lot of paperwork. With my job now I can leave it at work when I leave.