CYATCA

How to become an Air Traffic Controller in Cyprus

Air Traffic Controllers are civil servants and part of the work force of the Department of Civil Aviation, at the Ministry of Communications and Works of the Republic of Cyprus.

The basic requirements to become an Air Traffic Controller in Cyprus are:
- be a Cypriot national
- be over 21 and free of military obligations (for male candidates)
- be in good health, to a standard defined by the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- have a graduate degree from a recognised English speaking University.
In case a candidate has a degree from a non-English speaking University, he or she must prove proficiency in English e.g. with a pass certificate in English Language GCE O-Level exam or TOEFL exam with score 550 or above.

Candidates satisfying these requirements can apply for scholarships to become Air Traffic Controllers. These scholarships are granted by the government of Cyprus from time to time, depending of course on the staff requirements of the Department of Civil Aviation. Candidate controllers are selected among applicants after a series of interviews and a computerised Controllerīs Aptitude Test.

The scholarship first involves free training to candidates to obtain a Private Pilotīs Licence (i.e. learning to fly), then theoretical training in the subjects related to Air Traffic Control (i.e. Meteorology, Navigation, Telecommunications and Aviation) and, finally, it on-the-job training with live traffic at Larnaca or Paphos airports. The whole course duration is about two years. After successful completion of the course, the candidates are granted licence to work as Aerodrome and Approach Controllers.

The places of employment are initially the airports of Larnaca or Paphos. After a minimum of five years of experience Controllers may return to the school of Air Traffic Control and train to become RADAR Controllers. As RADAR controllers they may then be transferred to work at the Nicosia Area Control Center.

The nature of the job requires Controllers to work around the clock, on weekends and on public holidays. Day shift at the airports is from 08:00 in the morning until 19:00 in the evening. The Night shift is from 19:00 to 08:00 next morning. Typically, two controllers are on duty on each shift. Working conditions at Nicosia Area Control Center are slightly different, since the 24hour cycle is split into three shifts of eight hours each (morning, afternoon and night). The normal work cycle is two days of work (one day and one night shift) and then two days of rest.

The salary scale of the Air Traffic Controllers is A8-A10 for those working at the airports and A11 for those working in Nicosia. In practice, the salary is about 20-30% than the published scales due to afternoon-shift, night-shift and Sunday allowances.

For more information contact the Department of Civil Aviation or send us a message at the email address below.

If you wish to read this information in Greek, download this file and open it in MS Word.

Contact us via email at  cyatca@freemail.gr