Airport Operations

CAREERS INCLUDE, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, AIRCRAFT REFUELLER, BAGGAGE AND RAMP HANDLER

Career Spotlight

Air Traffic Controller, Airservices Australia, Jessica Sutton

What is your favourite part of the job?

I like that every day is different. I find the problem solving aspect of the job very satisfying.

What does a normal day look like for you?

When I arrive at work, I start by checking the ‘new information folder’ so I’m across any updates that may affect the shift ahead. Then I get my headset and plug in. We receive a handover from the controller who’s currently ‘plugged in’, which includes anything that may impact our job, such as runways, airspace, weather, frequencies and relevant traffic information.Some days, you may just tell aircraft to climb and descend. Other days, you may be holding for delays or have complex weather conditions to manage.

If you could go back and give your younger self some advice what would it be?

Take every opportunity. You never know where you might end up and I think it’s great to try a bit of everything.

What advice would you give young women wanting to start a career in Aviation?

There are so many career options in aviation! Try and get in contact with people already working in roles you’re interested in. So many people love to answer questions from young people eager to find out more about the industry.

It’s where the action is

You thrive in a ‘hands on’ role with plenty of daily variety. Airport Operations is a fast paced work environment and it’s where the action is. There are a huge variety of careers to get involved in, from airport terminal management to airside operations, operations that service the aircraft, safety and security of the airport to Air Traffic Control. Airports are dynamic, challenging and ever changing places.

What is your Job?

I am an Enroute Air Traffic Controller. My job is to keep aircraft safely separated as they travel across Australian airspace. I talk to planes between Melbourne and Adelaide, and west of Sydney out to Griffith, during flight. We maintain a minimum separation between planes of 1,000 feet in altitude or 5 nautical miles horizontally.

Image: Jessica Sutton (She/Her) ATC Airservices Australia

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AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL

Take every opportunity. You never know where you might end up and I think it’s great to try a bit of everything

Jessica Sutton, Air Traffic Controller, Airservices Australia