Career Decoding: Orderly Takeoffs and Landings, Ensuring Passenger Safety — Air Traffic Management Training Manager Dicky Tam

The original article (in Chinese) was published in the 9 June 2025 edition of Ming Pao's Monday Campus Subscription.

“The Flight Information Region (FIR) assigned to the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department by the International Civil Aviation Organization covers approximately 276,000 square kilometres,” said Dicky Tam, the Training Manager of the Training and Safety Section under the Air Traffic Management Division. Reflecting on his past frontline experience as an air traffic control officer, he shared insights into the job. He noted that unless there is extreme weather, a large number of flights take off, land, or transit through Hong Kong’s airspace 24 hours a day. Successfully coordinating these flights to take off and land in an orderly manner and enter or leave Hong Kong airspace each day gives Dicky a strong sense of fulfilment and purpose. “During peak flight traffic hours, we may need to manage a large number of aircraft at once — which means we are simultaneously safeguarding the safety of thousands of passengers,” he explained.

In 2023, Dicky Tam Chi-fung took on the role of Training Manager, bearing the important responsibility of recruiting and training a new generation of air traffic control officers.

A: Dicky Tam , an Air Traffic Control Officer II, graduated from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He joined the Civil Aviation Department in 2014, and obtained his air traffic controller license after completing his trainee training in 2017. He specializes in area control operations, ensuring the safety and efficiency of air traffic. In 2023, he assumed the role of Training Manager.

Q: Dr. Angela, Academic Lead at Uni Dream, has over 20 years of experience in university teaching and administration. She has taught at both The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). She is now dedicated to helping students explore their interests, plan their academic paths, and achieve their educational and career goals through education technology.

Q: Can you describe the daily duties of an air traffic control officer? Is the workplace the air traffic control tower often seen in movies and TV shows?

A: Our main responsibility is to manage and monitor air traffic during aircraft take-offs, landings, and flights within the Hong Kong Flight Information Region. We communicate with pilots via radio to issue instructions, ensuring that there is a safe separation between aircraft. This allows flights to operate safely, orderly, and efficiently.

Air traffic controllers responsible for directing aircraft take-offs, landings, and taxiing on the ground within the airport area work in the air traffic control tower. Those in charge of managing aircraft operations within the Hong Kong Flight Information Region work at the Air Traffic Control Centre located in the headquarters of the Civil Aviation Department. Since flights take off, land, or pass through the Hong Kong Flight Information Region 24 hours a day, we are generally divided into morning, afternoon, and night shifts to take turns performing control duties.

Q: Why did you choose this profession?

A: At first, I found the job title "Air Traffic Control Officer" very unique, so I started researching more about it. I discovered that working in this field allows continuous learning and skill development in air traffic control while on the job. It’s not only challenging, but the shift-based schedule also offers more flexibility compared to a typical 9-to-5 office job, which makes it even more appealing.

Q: What is the most unforgettable experience in your career?

A: I once encountered a situation during peak air traffic hours where a passenger on a flight became unwell, and the captain requested priority landing. Since there were many aircraft taking off and landing at the time, I had to immediately replan the landing sequence. Not only did I need to ensure that the flight could land safely as soon as possible to get the passenger to the hospital quickly, but I also had to minimise the impact of the changes on other flights. In such critical moments, even a single minute can make a huge difference for the passenger.

Q: What advice would you give to students interested in becoming an air traffic control officer?

A: After joining the Civil Aviation Department, you will first become a Student Air Traffic Control Officer and receive various on-the-job training. Even after being promoted to Air Traffic Control Officer, we are still required to undergo regular assessments to ensure our performance and skills continue to meet the required standards. So this career is more suitable for young people who enjoy constantly learning and are willing to take on challenges.

At work, we must manage multiple flights at the same time, so having the ability to multitask and stay calm under pressure is essential for being an air traffic control officer. Teamwork and strong English communication skills are also crucial for carrying out our duties efficiently, as we must communicate and coordinate in real time with flight crews and air traffic controllers in neighbouring airspace around Hong Kong.

Learn More About the Requirements for Air Traffic Control Officers

Students aspiring to pursue a career in air traffic control can consider applying to become a Student Air Traffic Control Officer. Applicants must have attained Level 3 or above in five subjects in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE), including at least one of the following subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Geography, Information and Communication Technology, or Aviation Studies. They must also meet the language proficiency requirements (Level 3 or above in English and Level 2 or above in Chinese). Since English is the primary language used in daily operations, students are advised to strengthen their English speaking and listening skills.

Student Air Traffic Control Officers will receive foundational training in air traffic control and flight simulation, followed by professional training tailored to local procedures, including theory classes, simulated system operation, and on-the-job training. Upon completion of all training and successful assessments, they may be considered for promotion to Air Traffic Control Officer III. The starting salary for Student Air Traffic Control Officers is approximately HKD 26,000.