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Cover letter example

Air traffic controller cover letter example

Air traffic control recruitment in France relies on exams and tests, but a cover letter is asked for in AFIS posts, private operators, international organisations and some internal moves.

It should demonstrate your knowledge of the role, your operational qualifications and your reliability in a safety-critical environment.

Cover letter example

Replace the parts in brackets with your own details.

Subject: Application: AFIS agent, [Aerodrome], [City]

Dear [Manager's Name],

I am applying for the AFIS agent position at [Aerodrome]. I hold a private pilot licence and completed the AFIS training in [year], and I have since worked [x] months as a relief agent at [Other Aerodrome], a field with a mix of flying club traffic, business aircraft and seasonal parachuting.

In this role I provide flight information, alerting service and runway status to pilots in French and English, record traffic and coordinate with the approach unit for IFR arrivals. I learnt to keep a precise picture of traffic during busy weekend afternoons, when circuit training, glider launches and parachute drops share the same airspace. I also helped update the local procedures after a change in the circuit pattern.

Your aerodrome's development of business aviation interests me, as it requires close coordination with the approach unit and handling agents. I am used to shift work and weekend duties, and I live within easy reach of the field.

I can come to the aerodrome to meet the team whenever suits you.

Yours sincerely,[First Name Last Name]

What to highlight

  • Ratings and endorsements held, or the stage of your training
  • Type of traffic you have controlled
  • Operational responsibilities beyond control (instruction, safety)
  • Level of English and French
  • Acceptance of shift work

Mistakes to avoid

  • Using the term air traffic controller for an AFIS post, which issues no clearances.
  • Listing qualifications without the type of traffic handled.
  • Ignoring language requirements.
  • Writing a long letter: brevity matters in this field.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a cover letter for the DGAC exam?

The competitive exam relies on written tests, psychotechnical tests and oral interviews, not a cover letter. You may still be asked to explain your motivation at the oral stage, so prepare a clear answer on why you want to control traffic and how you understand the working conditions.

Should I write in English or French?

In French for French employers. English is used on the frequency, but administration, training and team life are in French. For an international organisation, follow the language of the job advert.

What should a newly qualified controller emphasise?

Your ratings, the unit where you trained, the traffic you have worked and your results in simulator assessments if they are documented. Add any instructor feedback on your progress. Keep the tone factual.

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