Air traffic controller training

Tasks that lift your mood

• You will learn step by step how to safely control and coordinate air traffic.
• You train early in the simulator and apply your knowledge in a practical way.
• You work with modern radar and computer systems that support you in your work.
• During your practical training, you will put what you have learned into practice together with experienced air traffic controllers* in live operations and communicate directly with pilots.
• Upon successful completion of your training, you will assume responsibility for the safe handling of air traffic and ensure that aircraft fly through your airspace with sufficient distance at all times.

The profile that lands you with us

• You have a general university entrance qualification (or are expected to obtain it soon) and your Abitur grade or grade point average in your last certificate is 2.7 or better ( here: you can calculate your average ).
• You can communicate confidently and fluently in English and have studied English until the end of your schooling. Alternatively, please provide us with a certificate at CEFR level C1.
• You speak fluent German.
• Legally defined medical fitness criteria apply to the training and licensing of air traffic controllers*, e.g., regarding eyesight and hearing, or chronic illnesses (or impairments). Further information can be found here (Air Traffic Controller* Training Requirements).
• You agree to participate in a reliability and security check.
• You can find an overview of all requirements, including those for applicants with a foreign school leaving certificate or citizenship other than that of the EU, here 

Additional information about the position

Your training begins at our Air Traffic Control Academy in Langen near Frankfurt am Main. There, in accordance with European requirements for air traffic controllers*, you will learn all the theoretical fundamentals and the necessary specialist knowledge for your future profession. Topics such as navigation, meteorology, air law, aircraft type knowledge, radio communication procedures, and aviation English are on the curriculum, as well as initial simulator exercises, which begin after just a few months.

Afterwards, you'll move to your future workplace in a control center or tower. There, you'll put what you've learned into practice alongside experienced air traffic controllers in live operations and develop your skills step by step. Upon successful completion of the training, you'll obtain your European air traffic controller license and assume responsibility for the safe handling of air traffic. You can find more information about the training process here.

We train with the aim of long-term employment, and even after that you will continuously develop further, for example through regular training, new technical procedures or additional career paths as a coach, supervisor* or in other specialist areas of DFS.

You can apply year-round, starting approximately 12 months before your desired training start date. Our courses begin several times a year. We look forward to receiving your application!

Please note: This job description is translated from German.