Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO)

ATCO are normally promoted from the rank of Student Air Traffic Control Officer (SATCO) who have successfully passed all the requisite basic trainings. The pay scale for SATCO is TPS Point 11 - 14.  Job experience in the profession will start with working as supporting staff in the Air Traffic Control Centre and Control Tower providing assistance to qualified ATCOs. As part of the air traffic control training, SATCO have the opportunity to take up overseas flying training in single-engine light aircraft. Subject to satisfactory performance, SATCO will also be selected to attend an overseas air traffic control course to enhance their aviation knowledge and to broaden their exposure in air traffic control operations. The course will include fundamental aviation subjects such as navigation, meteorology, telecommunications, aviation laws and air traffic control procedures etc.

SATCO taking up flying training overseas

Upon return from the overseas training, SATCOs will be provided with specialized air traffic control training on local procedures. The training programmes include theories, practical exercises in the simulators and on-the-job training in the real operational environment under the supervision of qualified controllers. A SATCO is eligible for consideration for promotion to ATCO III after passing the first departmental Specialized Rating Training course leading to the award of the associated Air Traffic Control Ratings and Certificates of Competency.

Practical training in the Aerodrome Control Simulator

After a period of solo control consolidation, ATCO III are normally selected for further training in other Air Traffic Control positions. Upon obtaining the relevant qualifications, ATCO III will be eligible for consideration for promotion to the ATCO II rank. Senior ATCO II will be provided with advanced professional training, e.g. Search & Rescue and training to become an on the job training instructor etc, to prepare them for duties of higher responsibilities.

ATCO III undergoing on-the-job training in radar control position

Air Traffic Flight Services Officer (ATFSO)

ATFSO are supporting staff to ATCO. Their main duties include processing of flight data and aeronautical information using advanced computer systems. ATFSO are recruited locally and they normally enter the service as ATFSO III at pay scale of TPS Pt. 5 to 6. Training of ATFSO is provided in-house in accordance with a departmental training programme. After each course of instructions, the officer will undergo on-the-job training in the Air Traffic Control Centre, Control Tower and the Aeronautical Information Centre. Successful completion of basic training will lead to attainment of qualifications as required for promotion to ATFSO II rank.

ATFSO processing Flight Plan data in the Air Traffic Control Centre

As part of the career development, ATFSO II will be trained for duties with higher responsibilities such as communication and co-ordination with air traffic control units in neighbouring air traffic control authorities using hotlines and data links. Upon obtaining the relevant qualifications, the officers will be eligible for progressive promotion to ATFSO I and Senior ATFSO.

ATFSO working as Briefing Assistant in the Aeronautical Information Centre

 

ATFSO performing supporting duties in the Aerodrome Control Tower

 

Aeronautical Communications Officer (ACO)

The Aeronautical Communications Officers (ACO) are responsible for the provision of aeronautical communication services in Hong Kong. The aeronautical communication services include aeronautical fixed service and aeronautical broadcasting service.

Aeronautical Communications Officers are recruited locally and they normally enter the service as Student Aeronautical Communications Officer (SACO) at Training Pay Scale 4 to 6. SACOs are required to undergo on average one and a half years training. They have to pass the classroom training before undertaking the on-the-job training in various operating positions in the Aeronautical Network Centre (ANC). Successful candidates will be promoted to the rank of Aeronautical Communications Officer II (ACO II).

Aeronautical Communications Officers on duty at the Aeronautical Network Centre

As part of the career development, after training and with excellent performance, ACOII will be eligible for progressive promotion to ACOI, Aeronautical Communications Supervisor (ACS) and Senior Aeronautical Communications Supervisor (SACS) accordingly

Aeronautical Communications Officer broadcasts meteorological information to aircraft in flight

As part of career development, profession training will be arranged for ACO II to acquire the qualifications required for the promotion to senior ranks such as Aeronautical Communications Officer I (ACO I), Aeronautical Communications Supervisor (ACS), Senior Aeronautical Communications Supervisor (SACS) and Chief Aeronautical Communications Supervisor (CACS).