Control the airspace day and night, 365 days a year. To fulfill this mission, the Department of Airspace Control (DECEA) has a total of 4.524 Air Traffic Controllers. According to the DECEA Operations Subdepartment (SDOP), approximately 3.800 military personnel from this force are responsible for operational functions. The number of military personnel in the force is adequate to meet the needs of the shift, so that there is no shortage of controllers to perform these functions.
“DECEA seeks to provide the necessary rest so that all controllers can perform their activities effectively and safely. Air traffic control is a topic explored by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), through a fatigue management and supervision manual, which is replicated by DECEA in order to guarantee operational personnel the necessary measures so that ATC activities are performed within the best quality and safety standards”, observed the Head of the ATM Standards Section of SDOP, Captain Joaquim Tavares Lobo Junior.
Based on ICAO guidelines, Air Force Command Instruction (ICA) 63-33 establishes the criteria for creating, activating and deactivating operational positions, defining monthly workloads and preparing operational service schedules for agencies that provide Air Traffic Control Services. Controllers are distributed throughout Brazil and may work in Area Control Centers (ACC), Approach Control (APP) or Aerodrome Control Towers, ensuring separation between aircraft in controlled airspace and providing flight information and alerts to pilots – actions that aim to ensure operational safety in Brazilian airspace.
Considering the average number of air traffic movements over the last 3 years, ICA 63-33 classifies control units into four classes. Limiting the monthly and daily workload is a mechanism that allows adequate recovery from accumulated fatigue. The maximum duration of each period of occupation of operational positions in classes 1 and 2 – busiest units – is two uninterrupted hours. For classes 3 and 4 – less busy units – it is three hours. In all four classes, work can reach four uninterrupted hours, which are restricted to periods of low demand.
“Psychology also plays a very important role in air traffic control, especially when we experience an incident or accident. If we observe any unusual situation or behavior with the controllers, psychologists act strictly to ensure operational safety,” said the Auxiliary of the Air Traffic Services Sector, Sergeant Patrícia Elizete Barbosa Ferreira da Costa, who has worked in the operational lounge.
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Street: DECEA
