Tower
A terminal facility that uses air/ground communications, visual signaling, and other devices to provide ATC services to aircraft operating in the vicinity of an airport or on the movement area. Authorizes aircraft to land or takeoff at the airport controlled by the tower or to transit the Class B, C, or D airspace area regardless of flight plan or weather conditions (IFR or VFR).
Radar
A terminal control facility that uses radar and nonradar capabilities to provide approach and/or arrival control services to aircraft arriving, departing, or transiting controlled airspace and provides radar vectoring, sequencing, and separation on a full-time basis for all IFR and participating VFR aircraft. I.e. Army Radar Approach Control (ARAC), Radar Air Traffic Control Facility (RATCF) (Navy & Marines), Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) (Air Force).
Control Position
A duty position within an air traffic control facility where the operator's primary duty is the separation of live air traffic using visual, radar, or nonradar techniques. To be considered a control position the operator must be in direct communication with the aircraft being separated.
The following are not considered control positions: assist, hand off, coordinator, clearance delivery, ground control, flight data, flight following, flight service, and ramp control.
Certified Controller
A fully qualified air traffic control specialist who is certified in all non-supervisory control positions in a tower or in an ARAC, RATCF, or RAPCON whose primary duty is the separation and control of live air traffic.
Supervisory Controller
A controller whose primary duties include maintaining situational awareness of traffic activity and operational conditions in order to provide timely assistance to specialists and to ensure available resources are deployed for optimal efficiency. Examples of supervisory tasks include: monitoring/managing traffic volume/flow, position assignments, and position relief.
Staff/Manager
A certified controller who serves as a staff specialist and maintains currency in all or some control positions or a certified controller whose primary duties include facility management and maintains currency in all or some control positions.
