Air Traffic Control Aviation FAQ

The difference lies in the airspace each controller manages and the phase of flight they handle:

1. Tower controllers work at airports. They manage aircraft during taxi, takeoff, landing, and initial climb or final approach within the airport’s immediate vicinity.
2. Approach controllers handle aircraft entering or leaving the airport’s controlled airspace, guiding them through climb-outs or sequencing them for landing.
3. En-route controllers (also called area or centre controllers) manage aircraft cruising at higher altitudes between airports, often across large sectors of national or international airspace.

Each role requires specific training and certification, as the procedures and traffic complexity vary significantly across these airspace segments.