Scholarship · UAE Nationals

ATCOAir Traffic Control Officer

Preventing collision and maintaining an orderly flow of air traffic in UAE airspace.

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The role

Job purpose

To prevent collision between aircraft in the air/on the ground between aircraft and obstructions and expedite and maintain an orderly flow of air traffic.

Key accountabilities12
  1. 01Manage traffic as flight planned, entering assigned airspace.
  2. 02Monitor and direct aircraft movements on the ground and in the air, using surveillance systems (radar), computers, or visual references.
  3. 03Control all ground traffic at airports, including baggage vehicles and airport workers.
  4. 04Manage communications by transferring control of departing flights to the traffic control centre and accepting control of arriving flights.
  5. 05Provide information to pilots, such as weather updates, runway closures, and other critical information.
  6. 06Issue landing and take-off instructions to pilots.
  7. 07Direct ground traffic, including taxiing aircraft, maintenance, and baggage vehicles, and airport workers.
  8. 08Monitor and direct aircraft movements within an assigned airspace and on the ground at airports to minimise delays and maximise safety.
  9. 09Maintain radio and telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, and other area control centres in order to coordinate aircraft movements.
  10. 10Alert airport emergency services in case of emergencies and when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
  11. 11Initiate and coordinate searches for missing aircraft.
  12. 12Complete daily activity reports and keep records of messages from aircraft.
Eligibility

Who qualifies for ATCO.

The scholarship is open to UAE Nationals only. Specific requirements for the ATCO track are listed here — they may differ from the other three scholarship programmes.

Education
High school ≥ 70% · or higher qualification GPA ≥ 2.5
English
IELTS equivalent ≥ 5.5
Age
18 – 29
National Service
Completion certificate required
Aptitude Test
≥ 70% at the Training Centre in Al Ain
How to apply

Four steps from application to the first cohort.

The same flow runs for every GANS scholarship — your aptitude test for ATCO is identical, sat at the Training Centre in Al Ain.

Start your application
  1. 01

    Online registration

    Submit your application and supporting documents via the scholarship portal.

  2. 02

    Aviation Aptitude Test

    Sit the test at the Training Centre in Al Ain — minimum score 70%.

  3. 03

    Interview

    Panel interview with the scholarship team.

  4. 04

    Medical

    Pass the aviation-class medical examination, then receive your offer.

Other scholarship programmesAll four programmes