What is the primary responsibility of an Aerodrome controller?

The primary responsibility of an Aerodrome controller is to manage all operations on the ground at an airport and to provide safe and efficient instructions for aircraft movements on the ground. This includes directing aircraft during pushback from the terminal, taxiing to the runway for takeoff, as well as taxiing upon landing to the gate.

By issuing instructions for pushback and taxi, the Aerodrome controller ensures that aircraft are moved safely and efficiently, preventing collisions and managing the flow of ground traffic. Ground operations are critical, as they involve not just aircraft but also ground vehicles, and it is essential that these movements are coordinated effectively to maintain safety and efficiency at the aerodrome.

Other responsibilities mentioned, such as managing departure and arrival schedules, coordinating ground service operations, and supervising air traffic movement at high altitudes, can also be part of the overall operations at an airport or in the wider air traffic control system. However, these duties typically fall under the jurisdiction of other roles within air traffic control, such as tower controllers for departures and arrivals and en-route controllers for high altitude traffic. The specific focus of Aerodrome controllers is on the immediate ground environment, making the instruction for pushback and taxi the correct and most relevant responsibility in this context.