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The Air Traffic Control Mission


Below is a YouTube video which will allow you a sneak peak into the real world of Air Traffic Controlling.




The mission of Air Traffic Control can be stated by several definitions that include task that a controller is expected to follow every time he/she performs their job. The most commonly used definition is:

“Air traffic control is a service provided to promote the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic.”


The given definition per FAA Order JO 7110.65S, Air Traffic Control goes more in depth into explaining the tasks air traffic controllers must perform.


From The FAA – FAA Order JO 7110.65S § 2-1-1

“The primary purpose of the ATC system is to prevent a collision between aircraft operating in the system and to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide support for National Security and Homeland Defense. In addition to its primary function, the ATC system has the capability to provide (with certain limitations) additional services. The ability to provide additional services is limited by many factors, such as the volume of traffic, frequency congestion, quality of radar, controller workload, higher priority duties, and the pure physical inability to scan and detect those situations that fall in this category. It is recognized that these services cannot be provided in cases in which the provision of services is precluded by the above factors. Consistent with the aforementioned conditions, controllers shall provide additional service procedures to the extent permitted by higher priority duties and other circumstances. The provision of additional services is not optional on the part of the controller, but rather is required when the work situation permits.”


On close examination, we find the first section is pretty straight forward…

“The primary purpose of the ATC system is to prevent a collision between aircraft operating in the system and to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide support for National Security and Homeland Defense.”


Simply put, don’t allow aircraft to crash into one another, make sure they get where they’re supposed to go quickly, efficiently and safely and to support military or homeland defense operations when requested to do so. For purposes of the VATSIM network, the National Security and Homeland Defense support is naturally a moot issue.

“In addition to its primary function, the ATC system has the capability to provide (with certain limitations) additional services...”


Additional Services? I thought I was just supposed to tell airplanes where to go???

Technically yes, but sometimes you may be asked or find it necessary to provide aircraft additional information. This can include traffic reports, weather delay information, airport hold programs or VFR Flight Following support (which you’ll learn about later). Anything that might affect an aircraft’s flight that the pilot requests to know you will be asked to provide information on.


This may not happen constantly and there are some provisions for when to provide Additional Services. Let’s look into these services further.

“The ability to provide additional services is limited by many factors, such as the volume of traffic, frequency congestion, quality of radar, controller workload, higher priority duties, and the pure physical inability to scan and detect those situations that fall in this category. It is recognized that these services cannot be provided in cases in which the provision of services is precluded by the above factors.”


What’s being said here is ‐ if, in your judgment, the traffic situation is too busy or occupying too much of your time to provide these additional services; you do not immediately have to do so.


That means I don’t have to provide them when I don’t want to right?!

Well, not quite. There is a system of checks and balances in place so that you don’t take advantage of that part of the rule. There’s always a catch and here’s this one.


“Consistent with the aforementioned conditions, controllers shall provide additional service procedures to the extent permitted by higher priority duties and other circumstances. The provision of additional services is not optional on the part of the controller, but rather is required when the work situation permits.”



You mean I actually have to provide these additional services?
Why can’t I just tell the airplanes where to go?
And just what are these “higher priority duties”?

Glad you asked, let’s cover those next.


NEXT: Operational and Duty Priorities
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