Quick Facts About Becoming an Air Traffic Controller

Can you make important decisions under stress?  Do you have an impeccable memory and a knack for concise communication?  If you answered yes to these questions, you may want to consider a career as an air traffic controller. Air traffic control personnel direct flights, control landings and departures, and ensure that the airport runs smoothly. Competition for air traffic control jobs is fierce, so here is the ultimate guide to entering this rewarding field.

  • The Federal Aviation Administration employs most air traffic control personnel. Other employers include private air traffic control companies, or the military. (DiversityWorking)
  • There are many different jobs in a control tower, from someone in charge of lining up landing aircraft to someone giving directions to taxiing pilots. (NATCA)
  • Don't see yourself stuck in a tower all day? There are also air traffic controllers who are in charge of reading radar screens, and en route controllers who direct flying aircraft. (NATCA)
  • There are three ways to become an air traffic controller: 1) have previous experience through military service, 2) have three years of previous full-time work or four years of college, or 3) complete the FAA's Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program. (FAA)
  • To enroll in the AT-CTI program, you must be under 30 years of age, be a US citizen and speak English fluently, pass a medical and security investigation, and score 70 or higher on the FAA pre-employment test. (FAA)
  • Air traffic control personnel must start before they are 31 years of age because of the mandatory age 56 retirement policy at the FAA. (NATCA) This partnership between the FAA and universities allows students to study air traffic control while attending college.  Applicants through the program must be US Citizens, be under age 31, pass medical exams and security investigations, and score 70 or better on the FAA pre-employment test.
  • As of 2010, there were 31 schools in the U.S. that offer the AT-CTI program. Follow the link to see a list of schools. (FAA)
  • At the moment, 88% of air traffic control personnel are male, and 12% are female. (Payscale)
  • Beginning salary for air traffic controllers is around $40,000/year, but with a few years experience, average salary is $100,000/year. (The Tracon)
  • Job growth is expected to hold steady for air traffic control positions, but demand for positions is expected to increase. Competition for positions will be fierce. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • Air traffic controllers usually only work 40 hours a week, but the tower must be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so rotating shifts are common. Air traffic controllers also often work in the dark, under high stress conditions. A level head and flexible nature is a must. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Additional Resources

Back to top

How to Choose an Air Traffic Controller Training Program

  • Most importantly, ensure that the program you are interested in is part of the FAA's Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI). If it does not appear on the list of approved schools, look elsewhere. (FAA)
  • The FAA requires new air traffic controllers to be less than 31 years of age at the time of hiring. If any program says they can get around this, you are not dealing with a reputable school. (University of North Dakota)
  • The AT-CTI program is available as a two-year associate's degree, or four-year bachelor's degree. The main difference is the intensity of courses, cost (two years of tuition vs. four years), and whether your school offers one or both options. (FAA)
  • Courses in an AT-CTI program include Physics, Introduction to Aeronautics, and Aerospace Structure, Materials and Systems. (Arizona State University)
  • The cost of an AT-CTI program will vary from school to school. For example, Western Michigan University will cost about $10,000/year, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University costs about $53,000/year. (Western Michigan University; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University)
  • When you apply for a job with the FAA, after completing the AT-CTI course, you must take a pre-employment test. The test is 8 hours long and computerized. You must score at least 70% in order to be considered for the position. (FAA)
  • The pre-employment test covers everything you should have learned in school – reading radar, guiding planes to the ground, and dealing with air traffic emergencies. Study guides are available online and in bookstores. (Amazon)
  • Upon passing the pre-employment exam, all air traffic control personnel must attend the FAA training academy in Oklahoma City, OK. Graduates of an approved AT-CTI program can skip the first five weeks of basic training. (Federal Jobs)
  • Training at the FAA Academy is divided between terminal air traffic control and en route air traffic control. The training for the terminal option is 37 days; training for the en route option is 62 days. (FAA)
  • The FAA training academy holds courses about FAA regulations, equipment in the control tower and in airplanes, and aircraft characteristics so that air traffic controllers can help planes with mechanical difficulties. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • You must attend the FAA training academy in person, but continuing education courses can be taken online. (FAA)
  • Air traffic controllers begin working as air control specialists, level 1, and are assigned the simpler tasks. Gradually they are upgraded and given promotions, with pay raises. (The Tracon)

Back to top

Scholarships

  • There are many ways to pay for air traffic control training. One way is through scholarships. A great place to start looking for scholarships is at the Federal Aviation Administration website (FAA)
  • If you are interested in a specific school, check out their website for scholarship opportunities. (Vaughn College; Embry-Riddle)
  • The Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) provides need-based scholarships of all kinds. The Gabe A. Hartl Scholarship is awarded to a student enrolled in an FAA-approved institution. (ATCA)
  • The ATCA awards a Non-Employee Student Scholarship to students enrolled in an aviation program. (ATCA)
  • The ATCA awards a Full-Time Employee Student Scholarship to employees who are also pursuing continued education in aviation. (ATCA)
  • The ATCA awards a Buckingham Memorial Scholarship to children of air traffic control personnel who are seeking a college degree. (ATCA)
  • Boeing grants scholarships to children of its employees, as well as minorities interested in aerospace technology and air traffic control. (Boeing)
  • AV Scholars is a great resource for aviation students. It has a list of various scholarships and low-interest student loans to help pay for your education. (AV Scholars)
  • Landings is a website that calls itself “A Pilot's Resource.” It also lists multiple scholarships available to aeronautics students. (Landings)
  • The Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Association provides $1000 every year to one student who shows exceptional interest and promise in aviation. Students must have a 3.25 GPA, or better, and submit a 250-word essay. (AOPA)

Back to top

Air Traffic Control in the News

Air Travel in 2050 Will Be Safe, Clean, and Delay Free (The Independent)

FAA Awards NexGen Engineering Contracts Worth Up To $4.4 Billion (FAA)

FAA press release about Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) (FAA)

Air Traffic Controllers Provide Relief From Summer Travel Drama (NATCA)

First Two Students Graduate From Georgia Air Traffic Control School (WALB News)

FAA To Change Age Retirement Rules For Air Traffic Controllers (AV Stop Newsroom)

Boise Airport Will Keep Air Traffic System (Associated Press)

FAA Tries to Accelerate Air Traffic Conversion (NY Times)

Trade Group Sees Profit in 2010 For Airlines As A Whole (NY Times)

FAA Unveils $10 Million Lab To Be Part Of NexGen Air Traffic Control Research Program (Press of Atlantic City)

Back to top

10 Great Blogs by/for Air Traffic Controllers

  1. StuckMic is the best forum on the internet to get information about air traffic control schools, programs, the FAA pre-employment test, job boards, and more.
  2. ThirtyThousandFeet is a directory and blog for many of the air traffic towers across the nation and world. Great resource for air traffic links.
  3. My Life and Air Traffic Control is a well-established blog that follows one air traffic controller's life and times. Musings on how the field has changed, bureaucracy, and the technology behind the tower.
  4. The Airline Blog calls itself the place for “news, rumors, and the occasional opinion about the airline industry.” A lot of information about airlines in general, but also a good peek at how airports (and air traffic control) work.
  5. Get The Flick is a term used by air traffic controllers, and this blog is also a play on words – the blogger is a retired air traffic controller who now devotes his time to photography and reminiscing about the air traffic control world.
  6. FinnAir is a blog by Finnish air traffic controllers. They are remarkably dedicated to customer service, getting their planes in and out on time, and an “open book” policy with customers.
  7. CrankyFlier is a well-season traveler who has some insider tips on how to fly, why pilots do what they do, and how air traffic control affects travelers.
  8. Flight Level 390 is an undisclosed crew member who blogs about flying. Insights into air traffic control are included.
  9. Things With Wings is a blog that combines all blogs – air traffic, travelers, pilots, airplane enthusiasts, you name it. Great way to pick up some aircraft news, quickly.
  10. The TSA Blog is the official blog of the Transportation Security Administration. While they may not be directly involved with air traffic control, they are certainly a major part of modern air travel!

Back to top

Air Traffic Control Job Boards

  1. The first place to start looking for air traffic controller jobs is with the company that hires 90% of all air traffic personnel – the FAA. (FAA Jobs)
  2. The National Air Traffic Controller's Association (NATCA) also has resources to help those interested in the field find positions. (NATCA Careers)
  3. The Air Traffic Organization (ATO) is a branch of the FAA, and has resources for finding jobs within the FAA and resources to help new FAA hires succeed. (ATO)
  4. The Air Traffic Control Association (ACTA) will soon be hosting a job search board on their website. They are also a good resource for new hires and anyone interested in an air traffic control career. (ATCA)
  5. Many companies post positions for air traffic control personnel on the job board Indeed.com. (Indeed)
  6. CareerBuilder.com is also a good resource for finding air traffic positions. (CareerBuilder)
  7. Monster.com is one of the most widely used and highly respected job boards available. They also have many postings for air traffic control personnel. (Monster)
  8. The best place to begin looking for any government job is USAJobs.com. They have many listings for open air traffic control positions. (USA Jobs)
  9. Simply Hired is a good place to begin to look at job posting near where you live. (Simply Hired)
  10. Ever been interested in working oversees? You may be qualified to work as an air traffic controller in Europe. (EuroControl)

Back to top