Air Navigation Service Officer: job description and training
The duties of an air navigation service (ANS) officer vary according to the place of work and particular airport. Tasks include acting as air traffic control assistant, making weather observations and carrying out security checks, among others.
The following is a description of the work and training of an air navigation service officer employed at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.
Job Description
Air navigation officers work at the Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) Centre at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, where there duties include
- Transmission of all kinds of national and international air navigation messages
- Reception, approval and dissemination of flight plans
- Production to individual requirements and dissemination of route information
- Maintaining the weather database and relaying the information to aircraft
- Updating and supervising ATIS and VOLMET transmissions
- Compiling and updating information about runway conditions
- Preparing and sending NOTAM proposals and SNOWTAM messages
- Handling of Eurocontrol SLOT messages
- Drawing up and distributing flight permission requests to foreign aviation authorities
The nature of the work is mainly the provision of a personal service to pilots and other aviation workers as the face-to-face service or over the telephone. The work is periodical.
Training
At the present time, training for air navigation officers working at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is carried out in two different ways:
On the job training is undertaken under the supervision of an on-site instructor. This is then supplemented by theoretical studies at the airport or as arranged by the Civil Aviation Administration.
Apprenticeship training takes about a year and is split into periods of theoretical and practical tuition. The theory section is largely similar to that undertaken by air traffic controllers and flight information officers. Theoretical training also includes studies in aviation information service procedures and supplementary lessons relating to the student’s own department. Practical training takes place within the department.
The employee’s skills are tested at regular intervals at the place of work, by demonstrations and written examinations.
Entry Requirements and Applications
Training is arranged in accordance with the Flight Information Centre’s personnel requirements.
In addition to a suitable basic education, the applicant is required to have good oral and written English skills as well as an aptitude for the task. Familiarity with information technology and experience with aviation operations or air navigation services is regarded as an advantage.
Abbreviations which appear in the job description (in the order they appear in the text)
ATIS Automatic Terminal Information Service)
VOLMET Meteorological information for aircraft in flight)
SLOT Fixed time period used for controlling air traffic streams
NOTAM Notice to airmen
SNOWTAM Message notifying conditions on movement area
