Base Operations wants to be paid as a controller

58Driver Newcomer

I'm an operations officer stationed overseas and am trying to head off a problem with some of the local nationals that work in our Base Operations. They currently help prepare flight plans, coordinate PPR's, are integrated into our crash alarm, and issue taxi instructions while we're on the military ramp. They feel that since they "talk to aircraft" and act as "ground controllers" they should be paid as ATC and get the same benefits (Early retirement in Germany, etc). I disagree. They are wonderful people but they're not ATC in my book.

What I need help with is compiling the list of regulations that must be adhered to in the event that we were going to re-code their job descriptions. What training would they require, medical requirements (Class ? physical exam, hearing and vision tests) duty day and overtime limits, etc. I'd like to be able to show them that even though some of them have been doing their job for nearly 30 years, if we change the job description, they'd have additional requirements to meet and that it wouldn't be worth going down that road. Any assistance that anybody can provide is greatly appreciated.

MikeATC Retired FAA, NATCA Member Nashville TN

I would have to question whether they are acting as ramp controllers/transient aircraft service or ground controllers, there is a big difference.

Ramp controllers often sit in elevated rooms and control acft on parking ramps (non-movement areas) telling acft when to push back, directing them to specific parking spots. Air traffic controllers actively seperate aircraft on movement areas and in the air. Transient service personnel stand out on the ramps and direct aircraft to parking, provide ramp services.

In all honesty it sounds like your guys are performing functions similar to what Flight Service employees provided here in the states use to do or something similar to what AF base operations personnel do.

You might want to describe the very strigent certification requirements as well as the medical requirements that air traffic controllers operate under. I can understand their desire for higher pay, but I wouldn't call them air traffic controllers.

polo708 Epic Member tower

LOL... remind them that 99% of Base Ops workers are ATC washouts from Tech School. Also, there is a difference between "controlling" aircraft on an uncontrolled ramp and actually working Ground Control as an ATC. If thats the case then the ramp crew/marshalers(spelling?) at every airport in the world should be making ATC money since they are guiding and "controlling" aircraft on a ramp.

Rosstafari Daaaang. /X

Shoot. I want ATC pay for wing walking an A320 today at SEA.

58Driver Newcomer

I know that it seem silly that I'd even listen to them about this job description BS, but I've got to at least appear to be the understanding supervisor who's "looking into it." What I really want to do is to find the shopping list of requirements that no-kidding ATC personnel have to live with, and basically lay out that if the job called for a qualified ATC person, these wonderful but misguided people wouldn't qualify for their current job. I'd like to be able to say, "OK, we're making this an ATC position, you need X training, and then have to have annual physicals, hearing and vision tests, can't drink 8 hrs before coming to work, you're limited to an X hour shift, etc." There's got to be a reference for all the ass pain that controllers have to put up with, I just haven't come across it. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

SSgt Young StuckMic Marine Corps Liaison California

Try the CFR's they tend to have all the medical requirements.

polo708 Epic Member tower

Each branch has different standards... FAA, Federal Contract, Private, USAF, NAVY, etc. They are all different. I can only speak for the USAF and FAA standards by experience

One main thing you might want to look into is that in order to acquire a "CTO" (control tower operator certification) to be considered a qualified "tower controller" you must be qualified in not only ground control but a Local Control position also. Without that its simply a qualification recognized by maybe the local base. Not recognized by the FAA for sure and possibly not recognized by the military that services your airbase/airport. I would think it would be a ton of work to make that job an ATC position.

The USAF's guide is called the AFI 13-203
here is a link:
http://www.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/AFI13-203.pdf

First off they must acquire and maintain a weather qualification(page 103)...

(Page 25) Also, must pass an annual class II flight physical. Can only use a limited list of medication, must be re-cleared to perform ATC duties after a Medical/Dental visit. 8 hours of rest after donating blood. No alcohol 12 hours prior to your shift(FAA is 8 hrs). Normal shifts are 8 hrs, never to exceed 10 hrs.

(Page 107) for certification related stuff. Lots of CFR's involved.

Again, this is JUST the USAF side of it. All are different and im not sure who services your airfield. Heck... if its International and under no US military control then you will need to look into ICAO for international rules and regulations. Hope this atleast helps a little bit or gets you in the right direction.

Some branches have an age limit for "controlling" and may even make some of them ineligible for the job they are in if its turned into a control position. Seeing that some have been doing it for 30+ years. They may be unknowingly forcing themselves out of a job.

SSgt Young StuckMic Marine Corps Liaison California

The Marine Corps and navy work the same way as the AF