Can a PILOT be an AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- Controlling aircraft and handling emergencies at Brisbane Airport's new Air Traffic Control Tower sim. The 360º ATC sim is a state of the art training facility from Airservices Australia to train Air Traffic Controllers at Brisbane International. I got the chance to try it out, and see how I would go as an Air Traffic Controller (I didn't do great as you will see).
The simulator is really sophisticated, with 17 LED screens and aircraft handled by simulator pilots in the room next door.
Could you be an Air Traffic Controller? If you're interested in a career in Airservices check out the links below. Thanks to Airservices Australia for hosting me and letting me have a go in the sim.
Airservices Australia:
Website: www.airservices...
Careers: www.airservices...
👍 Say Hello 👍
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🎵 Music 🎵
Tracks by Epidemic Sounds.
Ah memories! I was an ACPO (Aircraft Control Position Operator) working at the old London Air Traffic Controller Centre before it moved to the new one at Swanwick. It's great fun and a thoroughly enjoyable job, another name for it is pseudo pilot, but we called ourselves blip drivers, look at a radar screen to see why. Flight strips are so yesterday, most have electronic ones which don't hurt as much when someone wants to attract your attention! The location of the 360 degree sim at Heathrow was kept quiet as it could also be used as a contingency measure in the event of an emergency evacuation of the real one, it is that realistic. Excellent video as usual.
"Runway Right, Cleared for takeoff"
EVERY. SINGLE. TIME!
Metro D procedures teach bad habits for when you magically become a Class C tower controller :P. Ironically, you can drop the runway identifier altogether on single runway ops here but you can't truncate the identifier.
I spoke with Stefan when he came through security in Brisbane. A really top guy and enjoyed having a chat with him
Hey Alex, thanks for saying hello mate. Great chatting to you, good luck with your flight training ambitions too, I wish you all the best with that. ✈️👍
As a U.K. ATCO, it is nice to see a well balanced video about ATC. Not too technical, interesting, and knowledgeable. Sit behind a controller for a week, and you can start to see how repetitious it is with familiar phrases and callsigns, it gets interesting when something unusual upsets your nice traffic pattern, never a boring day in ATC. Keep up the great work Stef.
Me:
Flexing I have 3 monitors
Brisbane Airport:
I have a 360 degree monitor setup just for my practice
and me (and millions others) crying with 1 monitor
But you may still have more pixels...
We have the same name lol!!!
My brother name is Stefan
Air traffic controller: hold my beer
now try this: an ATC has to try landing a plane while a pilot has to try doing the control work. At the same time.
Oh god I can see it now. Pilot as ATC screws up and gives a line up and wait order while ATC as pilot is on final, but it all works out because he flares too early with half flaps and floats 3/4 of the way down the runway before Ryanair-ing into the ground.
@@AlibifortheAfterlife honestly it count have been said better
Really well done, Stefan. ATC is the most rewarding thing I've ever done and even though I've been out of it for about 12 years, I still miss it. Thanks for the insight into the YBBN Tower sim.
Huge respect for ATC. Another awesome video, thanks for sharing Stef!
It wont be that hard for pilots to become an ATC because they already know the phraseologies. The traffic awareness and the decision-making skills can be trained for quite a while. You did a great job, Stefan!
Thanks Renz, yes it’s definitely helpful knowing the radio phraseology. I kind of knew WHAT to say, just found it really hard knowing WHEN to say it, and WHO to say it to!
Hahaha! I stuttered and struggled during OJT phase and that’s pretty normal. I remember when I first delivered my ATC clearance to a pilot, it was nerve-wracking and intimidating.
At my age (71) it looks too impressive to manage . Flying seems to be easier.
Put it this way, controllers have a constant stress level of 7 (out of 10); Where pilots, have a stress level of about 99% 3, with a 1% of 10. So, constant stress vs short burst of peak stress with life threatening outcomes. Both have their easy and hard days, Cheers!
71=10
I used to work in the Melbourne tower sim, good fun seeing this thanks :)
This is really cool. I’m in flight training and my flight school was able to get us a tour inside of a control tower at DFW Int’l Airport here in the states just so we could get the ATC perspective on flying. DFW has three towers with one tower being disused (serves as a backup only) but still has all the computer screens and radios so we could see/hear tower ops in the other towers work in real time in the middle of a busy day. It seems that a lot of the ATC hardware and software is the same over there as it is here in the states.
We also got to go downstairs and see the terminal radar approach control (don’t know if it’s called that in aus) where about 20 or so controllers guide airplanes into and out of the various regional airports before/after they contact tower.
Very very cool, we could just see your head getting saturated with all that was going on! Took me back to when I first started flying and talking to ATC.
keen on this. 12 months ago i didnt pass all the phases for the melbourne intake. I studied my butt off and hope to make it next round as an ATC. looking forward to this
If you're keen and don't make it next attempt (good luck!) Consider joining the RAAF as an ATC. After their training it's a small conversion course at AirServices
Haydrean thank you for the advice!
Good luck. Im currently in year 11 but want to join ATC with the RAAF as an officer
@@Adlore i certainly will. !
Makes you appreciate the job of an ATC. I know the workload has to be overwhelming and it’s a big responsibility. Thanks for sharing 😊
Yeah huge respect for what they do. Thanks for watching Laurie.
Here in Austria you can be a "controller" for temporary reserved areas for gliders.
Great video stef. Kudos to our air traffic controllers keeping us all safe.
Thanks Ethan, yeah they do an amazing job. I only hope I can show that to as many people as possible. I’m a big fan of ATC, glad you are too.
👍👍👍👌👌😂😂
That was just great! What a contrast to your usual calm, collected self inside KJN. Talk about a roo caught in the headlights!
Really enjoyable, Stef.
Haha you’re not wrong. I feel very calm, peaceful up there in the cockpit. It was totally different being the other side of the radio. Big kudos to everyone who works there.
Wow, a new appreciation for Air traffic control, awesome video 👍
These ATC videos are my fav.
Thanks for watching AP, more ATC content coming on the channel.
Coolest and most realistic simulator I have ever seen.
Big fan of the ATC content as my grandfather was one :-). Thanks Stef :-)
That’s awesome Kieran, I bet he enjoyed his time in ATC, a career to be proud of.
Stefan Drury he did. Have a heap of respect for those who take on such a high pressure roll as those do in Airservices :-)
Wow that is so awesome to see my home airport from tower perspective thank Stefan for a another awesome video.
Thanks David, hope the new runway will make a big difference to your home airport.
Stefan Drury I don’t know if you saw, they just recently tested it a few weeks ago along with a new fire station. :)
They also decommissioned the old 2nd short runway and are allowing airlines to pop their planes there for free...
There is no where else to put them!
I love these videos. They show an unseen part of aeronautics. Congratulations.
I found this video so funny Stef. Can’t wait to see more content like this!
Thanks! Trying to mix a bit of light hearted with the serious stuff. Thanks for watching.
Thanks Stefan, that was interesting. Good to see Pilot Licence pre-requirement first for ATC which helps ATC staff understand from a Pilot Seat perspective.
NASA used to take it a step further - CAPCOM would be a fellow astronaut trained on the craft
I enjoyed that Stefans. I thought you did really well Stef. Would love a go myself!
Thanks Jon, honestly I thought I’d do a lot better, but there’s a point when your brain can’t process everything you need to. But that’s where the training comes into play I’m sure. It was great fun though, you would have loved it.
Great content... Respect to all the hard professional working atc personel
Another tip of the cap to you, Stef! Fun, informative, just a great video! Many thanks!
Thanks Tom, I appreciate that. I had such a fun day, learned loads, so I’m glad you enjoyed the video too.
Yes! As a pilot who is training to control Heathrow, it's a resounding yes from me :-D
Awesome - see you for the Premiere. And as someone who flies into Heathrow at least once a year, good luck with your training and thanks in advance for looking after us.
Looks like you had a great time! Excellent tower simulator as well at Brisbane. Nice video!
Hi Clarky Av, are you training with NATS?
Harry Hipkin I am :-)
Clarky Av no way good for you, I just passed stage 2 assessment and have my Stage 3 in March, maybe one day we’ll be controlling together 😉
wow.. I'm right now training to become a VATSIM ATC... And I wouldn't have guessed the stress... But right now, I'm only training for Copenhagen Kastrup GND and DEL, so not nearly as stressful as tower. But with what little I know, I can tell you that it is not just you up there, but there's a tonnnnnnnn of other people you need to speak with. Co-ordination plays a huge role. I plan on switching to VATSIM UK this 22nd. Then I have Manchester and Stanstead on my bucket list, then Heathrow. Wish me luck please..
Great video Stef. Really interesting to see how they train!
Stefan,
Never let them see you sweat....yikes!
Truly a challenging and very important profession, I'd rather just fly, but it's reassuring to know they are there.
Cheers,
Rik
Oh they saw me sweat alright! Yeah I’m always grateful for what ATC do for us pilots all round the world. Thanks Rik.
Cleared to Stockholm, Arlanda airport via the SKORR3 departure, RNGRR transition, then as filed. Climb maintain five thousand. Departure frequency one-three-five, decimal niner, squawk four-seven-six-three.
Ultimate fsx atc setup
Very nice vodeo showing the backstage of aviation safety.
Thanks for watching Lorema.
yes you can. im in the process of becoming a pilot and its part of the training
I've had the chance to do the same at Heathrow and Swanick (LATCC) Great fun.
That’s awesome... ATC for the day
very helpful Stefan. I was applying for this but got word I didn't advance past the online exams, but I'll keep trying
Sorry to hear that, but yeah don’t give up. I hope you achieve your goal, it would be a great career from what I’ve seen.
Great video man! Thanks a lot.
if this was a 360 video this would be amazing
This video is amazing, just wish I could have this opportunity too, especially as I live an hour from Brisbane. This would mean the world to me
Fantastic!
Cheers Chris 👍
Awesome insight. I did chuckle at the intro haha
You should practise on IVAO/VATSIM and hire someone to film ! :) (should I send my CV? xD)
Que fais-tu là ? hahaha :P
@@valentinforveille5962 Je suis partout
Great vid Stef!
Thanks Arnav 👍
Patiently waiting to premiere 🤞🙌
Great content ! I really enjoy your videos Stefan. Thanks a lot !!
Again a wonderful video thank you.
It was funny when you said line up behind lol
Enjoyed watching this, lovely people including yourself! :)
Love it, great video! I'd love to give it a go one day but I think I'll stick to flying.
I think I should stick to flying too 😂👍
Glad TH-cam recomended me this Awesome Video!:)
How to visit an ATC tower?
What are the procedures to visit an ATC?
From where to take permission?
Very good. Very intersting.
Thanks for watching Roberto ✈️👍
LOVED THIS VIDEO
Loving these videos Stefan. Hope to see more. Just for interest sake I looked on Air Service Australia website for the aptitude test and while I saw it mentioned I couldn't find where to access it and have a go. Is this only available through the formal application process? Many thanks.
stefan I've talked with you when boarding the plane before OMG, I am in WA now. Hiii
you can get a sim on PC called Tower!3d . has voice recognition and does the same thing
Brilliant video!
Obviously you still need to go through training to be a controller but the best controllers that I know are also pilots (and some of the best pilots are also controllers). That is because they have a more holistic understanding of the environment in which they are operating.
I'm going to Avalon Air show, I'll remember to listen out for your voice!
I’m doing a meetup at the Cirrus display on the Saturday at 11am if you want to say hello. 👋
Nice
Thanks!!! HELPED A LOT!!!
Flashbacks from my tower conversion course... move those strips! It does finally get natural. Now I'm in approach I do miss that tactile feel every now and then.
very interesting video, thanks for sharing!
You should try being a center controller with no radar. In my class only 7 passed out of 21, and I wasn't one of them.
Awesome video Stef. Shame I didn't see you, I was at work on Friday afternoon. Were you there in the morning?
Yeah we filmed most of this in the morning. Sorry I missed you. Hope to be back there sometime soon though.
That is absolutely crazy, i take my hat off to ATC for what they do, that was mind blowing to see. Thank you for sharing this look inside ATC.
I found your channel a while ago when looking up the Qantas status points and since then you opened my eyes to a whole world of aviation.
Thank you for always putting out interesting and educational content.
This kind of comment makes me smile so much. Thanks for taking the time to write that CUTCAT55. I love to share my aviation and travel experiences, and it’s always great to hear they’re being enjoyed. So thanks again, that made me smile 👍
I heard you and Niko will be flying together into Sun and Fun which I can’t wait for that...
That’s right, more info on that coming very soon. But it’s going to be a fun time in Florida.
Going to be a good watch,
For 30k subscribers how about a flight simulator live chat/stream where we can all join in?
That'll be so cool.
VATSIM Sweatbox has come a long way.....
ATC is surely a challenging job seems hard
Wow. Really interesting stuff. I was surprised to see the paper-based control plates in the simulator. I thought the plates were mostly PC-based / virtual nowadays. Can you clarify? Thanks!
Depends on the tower. Some are computer based, some still paper strip based
The simulator only has paper strips at the moment, looking at updating soon. The real Brisbane tower is INTAS an electronic touch screen system.
Stefan Burroughs Good to know. Thanks!
Maverick!
Never thought that ATC full sims existed
Gives clearance to land at 50ft.
Respect for all ATC controllers
I liked to be an air traffic controller and very interested in aviation
Hello Stefan!!! when you do flying, how do you record the audio from the headset to record radio calls and when you're talking with an instructor, is it using a separate audio cable or does the audio cable come with the GoPro that you are using? Thank you very much and as always what an amazing video!
How to apply for international students who wants to undergo a training! .
Wow very demanding, question when you move the slab is that managed by computer
How do you go about finding places like this to try?
Is burnout for controllers still 5 years?
Well, you didn’t cause any sim crashes, so that’s a plus. 👍🏼
I think I put a few grey hairs on ATC Stefan’s head though 😂
In real life, there's a video where the ATC has a stroke and the pilots recognize something is wrong. Fortunately, the person was replaced before any damage was done. I think this happened at KLAS but not sure.
airforce vibes
Yes. I’m one.
I really want to change my career from IT to ATC but didn't pass the online entry exam for New Zealand, and Australia wont let you apply if you don't have recent tertiary education :( (I'm 32 no degree)
Can atc become Piolet
And if possible than how
whats the sim called?
shouldnt he hand them over to ground?
I'm surprised that he didn't scream in the sim
My atc would be to say to the pilot - if your auto pilot says move to avoid collision then do it and I'd just chill.
The first 10 minutes i thought it was real
Why no sim runs in the radar room?! That’s where you really see what you’re made of.
Clickbait but ok this was actually nice lol
Is this a game or real
what game?
I was hoping to see Hot air balloon at 400 knots
Wouldn't actual ATC use headsets rather than handheld phones?