DFS, better known as Deutsche Flugsicherung (German Air Traffic Control), is looking for new talent and believe it or not, young gamers are actually perfectly suited for this job. But what does DFS do anyway? Here's all the information. | sponsored
You're on a website called EarlyGame right now, so I'm just going to assume that you like gaming and would probably call yourself a gamer, right? Sure, what else would you be doing here...? You probably clicked on this article because you were wondering "What the hell is DFS and what's the point of this article on EarlyGame?" Good question. I was wondering the exact same thing when DFS approached us.
But if you take a few minutes while your new game is installing or you're in the queue for your next match, I'll explain everything. I'll explain what German Air Traffic Control is all about, what you have to do there and of course, why the whole thing appears on a gaming website. The short version is already in the intro: DFS is looking for new talent and you, as young gamers, are just the right people for the job. But let's start from the beginning...
What Is The DFS?
The Deutsche Flugsicherung – DFS for short – German Air Traffic Control for the rest of the world – does exactly what it sounds like: it controls air traffic. Like, as in planes and stuff. Sounds kind of dumb, but it's really that easy. When the DFS says it, it sounds better, so let me translate that for you:
On behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany, we are responsible for the safety of people in the skies. We ensure that aircrafts take off and land safely and maintain sufficient distance from each other in the air.
Okay, but what exactly do you do there? You are air traffic controllers and therefore responsible for the safety of all aircrafts in your assigned area. But don't worry, we'll explain it in more detail here.
What Does An Air Traffic Controller Do?
As an air traffic controller, you are responsible for ensuring that all aircrafts in your area take off and land safely and get from point A to point B in the air without any problems, using the right technical equipment. The whole thing can be divided into two categories: Either you are an air traffic controller in the control center or in the tower.
Air traffic controllers in the control center are responsible for approach and departure control as well as route control. Here, you basically take care of everything that does not take place in the direct vicinity of the airport. Radar and coordination controllers pass on instructions to pilots in their sector and make sure that all aircrafts safely enter their sector, pass through the sector and leave their sector to the next sector. They love their sectors, you see.
Your job includes keeping track of the optimal route and altitude of each aircraft, as well as the weather and any emergencies on board. For example, if there is a thunderstorm or an aircraft has to land due to an emergency, you'll have to reroute flights or ensure a safe approach to an alternate airport.
In the tower, however, the work is at least as demanding, but here you can actually see most of the planes you have to deal with, and not just as dots on your screen. As an air traffic controller in the tower, you take care of everything related to the airport. You give takeoff and landing permission, help pilots land, and make sure that everything runs smoothly on the ground and that planes taking off and landing don't get in each other's way.
Sounds exciting, doesn't it? Comes with a hell of a lot of responsibility, too. One mistake and there could be an accident. That's exactly why German Air Traffic Control is looking for suitable candidates for this job, and that's where we come to you. Why is DSF advertising on a site for gamers?
Gamers As Air Traffic Controllers
Some of the most important qualities that prospective air traffic controllers should possess are:
- good English skills
- high ability to concentrate
- stress resistance
- ability to work in a team
Of course there are more, but these are some of the most important requirements and probably some of you have already noticed that these are skills that are often used by gamers. Let's take a closer look.
Good English skills: Every one of you had English at school and most gamers probably play in English anyway, right? German voiceovers are unfortunately often total crap. And even if your game isn't set to English, you've probably played in a lobby with international players. Most gamers should at least be able to communicate in English.
As an air traffic controller, English is a prerequisite, because all communication is in English, even with German pilots you speak in English, so that everyone else can listen in on the radio in your airspace and understand you. But don't worry, you will learn the important aviation terms and the like during your training.
High ability to concentrate: So come on, do I really need to explain this? Warzone, League of Legends, StarCraft, whatever, in almost every game - especially multiplayer titles - you have to be highly concentrated at all times to keep an eye on everything surrounding (and trying to kill) you.
Why concentration is important as an air traffic controller is pretty self-explanatory. During your shift, you'll be taking care of numerous airplanes at the same time and you'll always have to keep track of everything; a moment's inattention can lead to disaster.
Stress Resistance: And that's where stress comes in. Take Warzone as an example: You're just landing on the map, gathering your loot, and getting shot at from a distance while at the same time you have an enemy team behind you. You'll have to stay calm, keep track of where your opponents are in relation to you, and make the right decisions based on that information without panicking. Attack or retreat, which is the best option?
Since you'll always have to take care of several planes at once, and unforeseen events such as storms or the like can always occur, you'll have to be able to work calmly and flawlessly under stress and make the right decisions.
Ability to work in a team: This is also a given in pretty much every multiplayer game. You always have to coordinate with your team, make compromises or even take the lead sometimes. If you don't get along with your teammates, you usually won't have much success in the game.
As in pretty much every job, the focus is on teamwork; you have to be able to rely on your colleagues at all times, and they on you. When you hand over your aircraft to the next sector or to the tower, your colleagues assume that everything will go smoothly.
So now you have a rough idea of what German Air Traffic Control actually is and what it does, right? And maybe I was able to give you a bit of an idea of what gaming has to do with it. Should you feel addressed here and think to yourself: "Air traffic controller, why not? I've got all that", then make sure to check back soon, when I'll explain to you how training at DFS works and what benefits the company offers you as an employer. A little teaser: €100,000 per year directly after successful training should be a small incentive...