Self-test: Is the "Air Navigation Services Specialist HF" course the right one for me?
ATTENTION: This course has been canceled without replacement as of January 2023!
If you are interested in an HF course in the field of "escape protection", then take a look at the following course:Air traffic controller HF
Analysis of the functions and activities of air traffic control specialists HF
Who is the "Air traffic control specialist HF" course suitable for?
- Young professionals with an interest in aviation, meteorology and geography
- People who want to work in the field of international aviation
- Professionals from aviation-related professions who are looking for a new challenge
What does the day-to-day work within these functions look like? Which activities are carried out and how often?
The newly designed training courses in the field of air traffic control distinguish between two areas of work and deployment:Air traffic control and air traffic management. Future air traffic controllers are trained for work in the tower or for airspace control in the Area Control Center with the "Air Traffic Controller HF" course. The description of this job profile can be found under the self-test "Air traffic controller HF".
The study program described here"Air traffic control specialist HF"is the training that prepares you for a job behind the scenes of visible air traffic control. Air traffic control specialists are the experts for all types of aviation data, which they collect, evaluate, process and make available directly to air traffic control centers and pilots.
In theAeronautical Information Management (AIM)aviation data is collected and published in the form of coordinates, e.g. of airspaces, airways and airfields. Two examples of the use of this data are the Swiss Aeronautical Information Publication and the approach and departure charts for Swiss airfields. In the flight advisory service, air traffic control specialists are in direct contact with customers from all over the world. They inform and advise them about the current air traffic situation, check and validate flight plans and ensure that all air traffic control units concerned are informed about a planned flight. In the event of a change in the overall situation, they are also responsible for making flight plan changes at short notice and informing all the agencies involved.
In the second area of operation, theAir Traffic Management (ATM)air traffic control specialists work with data on current air traffic. They monitor and analyze the total volume of traffic and the traffic density that the air traffic controllers have to manage in the individual sectors. In cooperation with the air traffic control centers and the central traffic flow control center in Brussels, they take the necessary measures to optimally regulate traffic.
Job descriptions in job advertisements for air traffic control specialists HF:
| Main tasks in Aeronautical Information Management AIM: | Frequency in % |
|---|---|
| Data management service, evaluation and publication of aviation information, management of aviation manuals | 40 |
| Flight advice | 30 |
| Coordination of airspace activities | 30 |
| Main tasks in Air Traffic Management ATM: | Frequency in % |
|---|---|
| Traffic flow control | 33 |
| Airspace management | 33 |
| Flight plan processing | 33 |
The weighting of the individual areas of responsibility in AIM can vary greatly. In ATM, work in all three areas often alternates on a regular basis.
Typical requirements in job advertisements:
- Successful completion of training as an air traffic control specialist HF
- Very good knowledge of German and English
- Willingness to work irregular hours
- Ability to work under pressure and in a team
- Customer orientation
- High sense of responsibility and reliability
Question 1:
Do the activities of air traffic control specialists HF correspond to my expectations?
Yes, if you like the actual job, you can assume that you are on the right track thematically. Then it's a question of whether the training meets your capabilities and needs.
If you have marked "Partly" or "No", you should consider another job within the aviation industry or check whether there are similar tasks in another area.
Course description "Air traffic control specialist HF"
ATTENTION: This course has been canceled without replacement as of January 2023!
If you are interested in an HF course in the field of "escape protection", then take a look at the following course:Air traffic controller HF
The most important key points of the "Air traffic control specialist HF" course are described here:
{#course descriptionLink#}
Question 2:
Are you generally interested in this course?
If you are interested in this course but answered "Partly" or "No" to question 1, you should try to find out if there are other types of jobs that you could do with this training that you like better than the job profile described in question 1.
If you have already answered "Yes" to question 1, then this course seems to fit your expectations.
If you like the job description under question 1 and you have marked "No" here, you should try to analyze which contents of the course would appeal to you and which would not. And with what you find out, you can look at the following further training opportunities in related fields to see if you can find something that better suits your interests:
- Cabin Crew Member (BP)
- Air traffic controller HF
- Pilot HF
- Aviation Bachelor (FH)
- Geomatics Bachelor (FH)
Prerequisites for admission to the training program:
ATTENTION: This course has been canceled without replacement as of January 2023!
If you are interested in an HF course in the field of "escape protection", then take a look at the following course:Air traffic controller HF
- Federal certificate of proficiency in business administration or technical secondary school or Matura
- At least one year of professional experience
- Very good knowledge of German and good knowledge of English (competence level B2)
- Maximum age 27 years
- Good knowledge of geography
- Willingness to work irregular hours
- Successful completion of the skyguide aptitude test
- Medical suitability
- Good oral knowledge of French (for AIM)
Question 3:
Do I meet the requirements?
If you meet the requirements, you can start your training at the earliest possible date.
If you have marked "Partly" or "No", you should clarify your options for fulfilling the requirements (further information in the final evaluation at the end of the self-test) or consider another course.
Financing of further training
ATTENTION: This course has been canceled without replacement as of January 2023!
If you are interested in an HF course in the field of "escape protection", then take a look at the following course:Air traffic controller HF
No course fees are payable for the "Air traffic control specialist HF" course. Training takes place partly on the job and participants receive a training allowance of around CHF 3,000 to CHF 4,000 per month.
Question 4:
Are you able to cover additional expenses and living costs for two years that may not be covered by the training allowance?
If you have marked "Yes", this seems to be a good time for you to consider this full-time training.
If you have marked "Partially" or "No": Ask your future employer about additional support options or try to find someone in your private circle who could support this further education with a loan. Otherwise, there are banks and credit institutions that grant educational loans.
Expenditure on classroom teaching and training
ATTENTION: This course has been canceled without replacement as of January 2023!
If you are interested in an HF course in the field of "escape protection", then take a look at the following course:Air traffic controller HF
The full-time training lasts 2 years and includes approx. 3,600 hours of instruction. The 4-month basic theoretical training takes place at the skyguide training center in Dübendorf. This is followed by practical training in the flight planning service and helpdesk. During this first year, skyguide rents out furnished rooms to the trainees as far as possible. In the second year, trainees receive on-the-job training in their chosen specialization. As part of their training, trainees must write a diploma thesis in the field of aviation. After passing the examination, they are awarded the title "Dipl. Flugsicherungsfachfrau/-mann HF".
Question 5:
Can I cope with the learning effort and am I able to put my private commitments on hold for two years and live in Dübendorf for the first year?
If you answered yes to this question, you seem to be one step closer to your goal.
If you neither live near Dübendorf nor are able to move to Dübendorf for a limited period of time, you should check the possible places of work for air traffic control specialists. If these do not appeal to you either, you may need a different training program that gives you more freedom in choosing a place to work.
Conclusion
ATTENTION: This course has been canceled without replacement as of January 2023!
If you are interested in an HF course in the field of "escape protection", then take a look at the following course:Air traffic controller HF
Will I graduate?
In the course of the training, all the skills taught are tested with a certificate of competence (each certificate of competence can be repeated once). Passing the proof of competence is a prerequisite for graduation. Students specializing in ATM support must also obtain the FOCA license in order to be admitted to the diploma examination.
In the last semester of the course, a practice-oriented diploma or project thesis must be written and the diploma examination taken. Both parts are assessed and must be passed for the diploma to be awarded.
Question 6:
Do I have the confidence to pass the final exams?
If you are confident that you can pass this qualification, the most you can do is consider whether you would like to achieve even better results using suitable learning and working methods or whether you would like to achieve the same results with less effort.
If you have marked "Partially" or "No" because you have weaknesses in one of the training subjects, you should clarify with a training officer how serious this is for the entire course of training. Depending on this, you can remedy your gaps with preparatory courses or extra tuition and reach the required level. If you are rather insecure because you suffer from test anxiety, you should possibly seek external help to check whether this test anxiety could also be activated in certain stressful situations in the everyday working life of air traffic control specialists.
Receive course or training documents from suitable schools immediately
ATTENTION: This course has been canceled without replacement as of January 2023!
If you are interested in an HF course in the field of "escape protection", then take a look at the following course:Air traffic controller HF
Under {#CourseLink#} you will find an overview of schools that offer the "Air Traffic Control Specialist HF" course. You can request detailed documents with just one click and usually receive them directly by e-mail. You can also use the area search to find providers in your immediate vicinity.
Conclusion:
Before you want to complete the "Air Traffic Control Specialist HF" course, you should be convinced that you really like working in air traffic control. The course description should also appeal to you. If you have answered these first two questions with a clear "yes", you can continue to look into this course. If you are unsure about these questions, you should consider which other further training courses are also an option for you.
If you do not meet the admission requirements because you do not yet have the required work experience or your English or French is not at the required level, you could use the time to improve both at the same time. If you don't have a school-leaving certificate or a commercial apprenticeship qualification, you should speak to a training officer. There may be a way for you to be admitted to this course anyway. And if you are over the age limit or do not meet the medical requirements, you could check the suggested alternatives in answers 2 or 7.
The loss of income during full-time further training is not always easy to cope with. Spread over 1-2 years, you may have to raise several thousand francs extra. If you are unable to raise this on your own, you could try to obtain a loan from a private source. Some banks and credit institutions also offer educational loans. A good argument for financing further education is the relatively quick amortization of costs through wage increases. Do the following calculation: How much would a wage increase of 10% per year amount to? How many years would you need to recoup the costs of the course? How much more will you earn over your entire working life as a result of this pay rise? In most cases, this is a six-figure sum, which confirms that training or further education is the best personal investment there is.
The time required for training or further education should not be underestimated. Going out, vacations and spontaneous wellness weekends often fall by the wayside. However, this time usually passes relatively quickly. The prospect of better job opportunities and more pay should be motivation enough to get through this time. It often helps to organize yourself into study groups. It also makes sense to stick with it right from the start and schedule fixed study times. Good learning effects can be achieved by creating summaries and mind maps. Flashcard systems help with memorization. There are many tools and ideas to make learning easier. You can obtain the guide "The personal learning strategy" free of charge if you register with a school via Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
If you have any doubts about whether you will pass the final exam, you can be sure that skyguide is interested in ensuring that as many of your students as possible pass the final exams. Talk to your school principal or course director and ask about support options. But if you have the basic skills, it is generally possible to pass these exams with good motivation, perseverance and diligence. If you suffer from exam anxiety, good preparation, various practical tips, therapeutic treatments or, in severe cases, even medication can help. You can obtain the guide "Overcoming exam anxiety" if you register with a school via Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch. Here you will also findsuitable providerson the subject of test anxiety.
The benefits of further training are usually measured in terms of a higher salary, more challenging tasks or promotions. This presupposes that you make an effort to change your professional position accordingly and, if necessary, are able to assert your demands. If you have already experienced that this is not always so easy for you, you could also check whether personal job coaching could be of benefit to you in addition to further training.
Now it's up to you to decide. If in doubt, seek personal advice from a school or external advice center. If you enquire about course or training documents via www.ausbildung-weiterbildung.ch, you will receive a free educational or school consultation worth CHF 150.00 on request.
You can find a list of providers here: {#courseLink#}
We wish you all the best in your professional and private lives and a bright and exciting future!
The team of Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch
Linda, deine Weiterbildungsfinderin