This article initially got published on the 22nd of March 2020, at the beginning of the COVID lockdowns. It has been reviewed on the 26th of December 2022 and on the 6th of January 2025, without changing the conclusions.
In March 2020, most of us were working from home to slow-down the propagation of the COVID-19 virus. Most of us but not all of us. Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) are part of the few people still allowed to move around and in this context, the idea of ATCOs working from home comes up. Remote towers are a reality and virtual centres are discussed and being developed, so why not? Let’s go through what it would mean to have ATCOs joining the home-office club. It was too short term to happen this time around, but what about the next crisis?
Fast forward to 2025, to examine this under an up to date perspective.
Radar and flight plans
Let us look at the technicalities first and assume that connectivity and bandwidth between the ANSP data centre and our ATCO’s home is guaranteed. Even in 2025, network engineers certainly frown at this idea. Air Traffic Control (ATC) is not like streaming a movie from Netflix: buffering can not be used to cover for small delays and interruptions are not an option. Showing a spinner on the radar screen is absolutely not possible, nor waiting for 10 seconds when you “start the stream”.
Typical performance requirements allow for a maximum of 4 seconds from radar detection to an update on the controller’s screen, and this is rather tight when you consider all the processing steps. However, compared to the earlier Netflix example, the bandwidth required for ATC applications is really, really small. Another change since 2020 is the broader availability of 5G cellular networks, which could be used as backup to cabled networks.
The cybersecurity aspects of opening ATC networks to connections from anywhere are also challenging, but not impossible. Given the limited number of users, strong forms of authentication and strong cryptography can be used, even allowing only company hardware to be used.
So assume that the network issues are solved.
More today than ever, most ATC systems run on more or less standard hardware. PCs are everywhere and workstations are more an exception than the norm. It is even possible to use centralised hardware and remote access technologies to provide the needed applications. This would even be easier than installing any software locally, and reduce the need for local maintenance.
By the standards of 2025, a simple PC and a large screen would be enough. But how large? ATC applications often use a 2k x 2k display, compared to the 3440 x 1440 screen the writer uses to update this article, so we’re not far away.
Assuming a stripless environment, this would support surveillance and flight plan processing. Having strip printers at home would be less than practical and passing paper strips to a colleague after one’s shift ends would simply not be possible.
The above assumes that no specific hardware is involved. Is this assumption really valid? Many ATC systems use custom hardware to allow inputs to be done faster. Some use small touchscreens, others have a mouse with specific configurations or keyboards with custom layouts.
One could provide ATCOs with such devices at home but the logistics of it would not be easy. What about failures, spare parts and replacements?
Voice communication systems
Telephone communications are a bigger challenge. Typical ATC telephones use custom made HMI with touch panels and shortcuts for frequently used numbers. Calling another sector or a neighbouring centre at the push of a button is a must. The communication system must be quick and allow for fast dialings. Could a tablet-based application fulfil that need? Technically, this is likely feasible. Tablets support audio communications and their screen size is similar to ATC telephone HMIs, if not better. And if tablets can manage telephone, they can also manage radio communications, with a proper headset, push-to-talk button or pedal.
Redundancy
Getting the technical setup – including the network connection – in a redundant way with levels of safety similar to existing ATC facilities would be more than a challenge. Redundant data connections with cable and 5G are feasible but redundant power supplies, batteries, etc. are more complicated. Add system monitoring and control, fall-back systems and legal recording to the mix and the amount of hardware required further increases. Nothing technically impossible but far from practical.
Direct communication
Beyond technicalities, don’t forget that ATCOs are not only working with technical equipment only, but also with colleagues around them. En-route sectors are typically operated by two controllers, one executive controller and a planner, working closely together, speaking to each other directly. Shall the two be in a permanent teleconference from home for the time of their shift? This is unlikely to be a valid substitute for direct conversation and would make it hard to include telephone and radio. The same applies to approach and departure controllers. Some units even have extra coordinators doing a lot of verbal communication with colleagues. A constantly open teleconference with three or more people? One lesson from five years ago, when lots of people worked at least partly remotely, is that a teleconference is not like seating in the same room. It is hard to perceive where a voice is coming from and therefore not understand immediately who is speaking. We also all know in between that teleconference systems always have a latency time of roughly half a second and that it is not that easy, not to interrupt other people.
In many control centres, working positions are arranged in a way allowing for direct discussions between sectors without using telephone.
Should ATCOs working from home have teleconferences, depending if they want to talk with their direct colleagues or with someone working another sector? How would prioritisation work? Add to that supervisors coming to sectors when required, grouping and de-grouping of sectors, handovers and so on.
Another important part is on-the-job training, which all require tight communication between a coach and a trainee, the need to point to things on screen when explaining something – how to handle this without physical presence?
Workplace at home
If you work remotely right now, you also know how different it is from the usual office work. The last five years taught us a lot about distractions and working at home non-stop in a focused way is all but easy.
Ergonomics also plays a major role in the design of ATCO working positions. The position of the screens, keyboard(s), and mouse are designed with care; like seating and lighting. This is hardly possible to control and reproduce at home and could lead to additional fatigue or distractions.
Maintaining safety and psychological safety when things go wrong
When considering a home-office for ATCOs, one must also consider cases when things go wrong. ANSPs have internal crisis management and this includes the possibility to immediately relieve an ATCO in case of an incident. Not only reserve ATCOs need to be available, but Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) peers to personally take care of the colleagues involved in the incident and of their mental health in such a critical moment. This is better to do in person than via a teleconference.
Remote yes, but not from anywhere
The technical features required for ATC can likely be made available anywhere, with a couple of assumptions. A proper working environment is not limited to technical features and the in-person presence required for an ANSP’s work that cannot be replicated at each ATCO’s home.
In 2025, teleconferencing technology has made great progress compared to 2020, but it still doesn’t replace the kind of presence required for an operational ATC facility.
