You can contact LEARNZ, part of CORE Education, at:
Postal Address:
PO Box 13 678,
Christchurch 8141,
New Zealand
Air Traffic Control
The most visible part of flying in New Zealand is the aircraft flying around our skies. These aircraft are mostly controlled by Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) working in towers around the country and the radar centre in Christchurch.
What is Air Traffic Control (ATC)?
Air Traffic Controllers provide safe separation between aircraft in the air and on the ground. Controllers also manage the airspace around the airport and the flow of air traffic.
- Air traffic management - through air traffic control, aircraft flow management and flight information and alerting services.
- Navigation services - used by aircraft to navigate their path.
- Communications - communications system which includes everything from satellite coverage to cell phones.
Types of controllers
- Tower Controllers – found in an airport's control tower. They control traffic visually 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 both Area Radar Controllers and Tower Controllers. Approach Controllers work in the Radar Centre.
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Māori keywords
,Air Traffic Controllers help aircraft keep a safe distance between one another in the air and on the ground. Image: LEARNZ.
,There are 17 control towers around New Zealand. Image: Airways New Zealand.
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.