Air Traffic Controller: history and fun facts
Everything a curious kid might want to know about this job.
Did you know?
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Air traffic controllers talk with pilots by radio, so the pilots can hear clear directions even when they are far away in the sky.
Through history
- 📻
Long ago
In the early days of flying, people guided planes by waving flags and flashing lights. Later, radios helped controllers talk to pilots.
Tools of the trade
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Radar screen
A radar screen shows each airplane as a small glowing dot, so the controller can see where every plane is in the sky.
Words to know
- Tower
- The tower is a tall building at the airport. From up high, the controller can look out over the runways and see the planes.
Quiz time
Air traffic controllers only guide planes that are landing.
Air traffic controllers help planes keep a safe distance from each other.