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Air Traffic Control

Aircraft in our skies are mostly controlled by Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs). These people work in control towers around the country and the radar centre in Christchurch.

What is Air Traffic Control (ATC)?

Air Traffic Controllers help aircraft keep a safe distance between one another in the air and on the ground. Controllers also manage the flow of air traffic.

Types of controllers

  • Tower Controllers – found in an airport's control tower. They control traffic visually (by sight) within the Control Zone. Control towers also have a radar screen to help with visual control. There are 17 control towers around New Zealand.
  • Area Radar Controllers - control aircraft heading for the airport by radar. The Radar Centre is based in Christchurch.
  • Approach Radar Controllers - handle arriving and departing aircraft and work closely with Area Radar Controllers and Tower Controllers. Approach Controllers work in the Radar Centre.

Air Traffic Controllers help aircraft keep a safe distance between one another in the air and on the ground. Image: LEARNZ.

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There are 17 control towers around New Zealand. Image: Airways New Zealand.

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Radars are an important part of air traffic control. Image: Airways New Zealand.

Visit: Go to https://www.airways.co.nz/ for more information about air traffic control in New Zealand.