Overview

You will operate a variety of sensor systems for the surveillance and control of Canadian and foreign airspace. You will work as a part of a team in support of land, sea and air operations, in Canada and around the world.

Main Benefits 

• Professional training provided for three to five months 
• Opportunities for advancement

What They Do 

Aerospace Control (AEC) Officers are responsible for the control of aircraft and airspace at military air bases, as well as the tactical control of modern fighters, such as the CF-18, in air operations. Their specialized employment opportunities include controlling air traffic at air bases in Canada, managing aerodromes, controlling multinational air operations as part of an international peacekeeping force, and providing control of fighter aircraft from aboard Canadian frigates.

Qualification Requirements

Candidates must meet Canadian Forces medical standards and successfully complete a selection process that includes interviews and a wide range of examinations.

The Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP) comprises a full undergraduate education (to the Bachelor's degree level) at the Royal Military College of Canada or another accredited Canadian university, followed by at least four years of service in the Regular component of the Canadian Forces as an Aerospace Controller. To qualify for ROTP, candidates must have completed high school with the appropriate university-oriented credits, or be in Grade 12 in an appropriate program with full expectation of successful completion. They must also be willing to complete four years of obligatory service after graduation from university. To qualify for direct entry as an officer (DEO), candidates must have a university degree in any discipline. In addition to holding an acceptable degree, DEO applicants must also have high school leaving (or better) mathematics and science in an academic or general program.

Training

The first stage of training for new recruits is the Basic Officer Training Period (BOTP) at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.

Second language training is available following BOTP course; depending on the second language proficiency of the candidate, it may take from two to nine months.

The first stage of professional training for AEC Officers is the Basic Aerospace Control Course, held at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Control Operations (CFSACO) in Cornwall, Ontario, which lasts between three to five months. AEC candidates learn to apply control techniques for both air defence and air traffic control duties. They also receive instruction and simulator training on the following topics:

• Airborne weapons systems
• Ground control systems and radar
• Meteorology
• Radiotelephony and procedures
• Air regulations and navigation orders
• Aircraft performance characteristics
• Command and control directives governing the control of interceptor aircraft

Upon graduation from CFSACO, AEC Officers are posted to an Aerospace Control Facility for on-the-job training in controller skills and control proficiency. They are granted a license in the control of live aircraft after passing an examination on local operating procedures.

Working Environment

The working environment can range from a bright sunlit control tower to a hardened shelter, and may be isolated, semi-isolated, airborne, ship borne or in deployed field conditions. A windowless control facility with subdued lighting is the most common AEC working environment. Those who are assigned to mobile AEC operations may live in basic field settings, operate with limited support services, and work in extreme weather conditions. AEC Officers will be required to interpret coded electronic displays rapidly and accurately, and will be confronted continuously with diverse operational situations requiring concentration and analytical skills. Both routine and emergency situations demand rapid reaction and sound decision-making.

Opportunities For Advancement

Opportunities for promotion, professional training and overseas assignments are available for qualified personnel, all of which lead to continued personal and professional development, as well as participation in exciting air operations and exercises. As junior and senior officers, they are often entrusted with the leadership of allied airmen and women in NORAD, NATO and US air operations.

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