Air Traffic Controller
Air traffic control is in full development. In order to manage this traffic, skeyes is regularly looking for new and motivated candidates for the job of air traffic controller.
Air traffic control is in full development. In order to manage this traffic, skeyes is regularly looking for new and motivated candidates for the job of air traffic controller.
Registrations for the selection tests to become an air traffic controller are now closed. Subscribe to our mailing list and be informed as soon as a new recruitment competition is online.
As an air traffic controller you are responsible for safe and efficient incoming, outgoing and overflying air traffic in the controlled airspace above Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Every year, skeyes controls over 1 million aircraft movements. Both during the day and at night our air traffic controllers are on hand to give the pilots the necessary instructions regarding their flight level, flight paths and most importantly, to ensure that aircrafts remain at a safe distance from one other. Ladies and gentlemen, please board for this exciting job and reach the sky!
Will you help us keep our airspace safe? Become an air traffic controller!
Discover here more about the job of an air traffic controller
More info on our entrance requirements
Applicants' attention is drawn to the existence of a training clause in the skeyes, which applies in full to candidates selected for the training. This clause implies that, for a period of 3 years after the candidate has completed his air traffic controller training (i.e. the 'performance period'), he may be obliged to reimburse part of the costs of skeyes training in the event of voluntary departure. This part consists of a maximum of 80% of a part of the training costs during the first year, a maximum of 50% of a part of the training costs during the second year and a maximum of 20% of a part of the training costs during the third year, without the reimbursement ever exceeding 30% of the last annual salary.
What are the different steps in the selection process?
Registrations for the selection tests to become an air traffic controller are now closed. Subscribe to our mailing list and be informed as soon as a new recruitment competition is online.
FEAST (First European Air Traffic Controller Selection Test) is a collection of computer tests that allow Airspace Navigation Service Provides (ANSP's) to identify the most suitable candidates for the job as Air Traffic Controller. FEAST I, the first part of FEAST, is developed to measure your basic competencies and abilities in decision making, planning, memory, thinking logically, visual perception, multi-tasking and spatial orientation. FEAST I also includes an English proficiency test.
Following FEAST I, without knowing your results, you will be asked to complete a personality questionnaire based on the Big Five model. This will enable us to assess your character traits and interpersonal skills. This stage is not eliminatory and the results will be taken up and discussed later during the final oral stage: the competency-based interview (CBI).
Only if you pass FEAST I, you will be invited to take a second round of tests (FEAST II) at a later date. These tests measure among other things your multi-tasking skills. During these tests, you will be required to perform several tasks simultaneously, like an Air Traffic Controller does. It is important to know that any prior knowledge of Air Traffic Control (ATC) procedures or other specific knowledge is not necessary. These tests are developed for beginners without ATC background.
During the first oral round, you will explain your motivation to a jury and prove that your knowledge of English fulfills the requirements. You will also solve an individual simulation exercise that you will present to the jury.
During this second oral round, you will take part in a competency based interview. During this interview, the focus is on a number of competencies that are crucial for successfully working as an Air Traffic Controller. Depending on the language you choose when applying, it will take place in Dutch or French.
The penultimate step, is a medical examination. More information about the medical requirements can be found here.
We recommend you read this document thoroughly before applying. The medical fitness for air traffic controllers is a very important aspect.
During the medical examination, the following aspects are examined : Bloodwork, blood pressure, lung capacity, nose-throat-ear, eye-sight, and so on.
You can check with your general practitioner if you have doubts about your medical fitness.
Before you can start as a skeyes employee, you must obtain approval after a security screening.
The training to become an air traffic controller consists of two successive phases:
The Initial Training (IT) takes place in Steenokkerzeel and consists of:
Unit training consists of 3 parts: a theoretical part (transitional training), a practical part in the simulator (pre-on-the-job-training) and a practical part on the actual operational working position (on-the-job-training).
During this last part, you will control real air traffic as an aspiring air traffic controller, under the supervision of an OJTI (On the Job Training Instructor).
After this second phase, the aspiring air traffic controller obtains a European air traffic controller license.
During the training, there are several assessments. Depending on the results of these assessments, you can continue the training, receive remedial action (if applicable) or your training is discontinued.
The entire training is in English and all evaluations (written and oral) are in English.
