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Begin Your CareerThere are several ways to become an air traffic controller. Many are trained while in the military and after their service is completed, the FAA can hire them. If not a part of the armed forces, civilians can attend one of the 14 colleges recognized by FAA that give degrees in aviation administration with an emphasis in air traffic control. Minimum Requirements
Currently the FAA is hiring candidates who have graduated from one of the 14 schools* across the US:
Graduates from the acclaimed colleges then enter the Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control Academy. Although these are the two main ways to become an air traffic controller, other avenues for employment may be opened at the discretion of the FAA. After being hired by the FAA, an intensive training process begins. Controllers may pick from two areas of traffic control: en route or terminal. Controllers begin the en route training as an air traffic assistant. This part is known as the A-Side of the process. As the assistant, training consists of two weeks of preparatory class and on-the-job-training. Controllers then begin three to six months of "seasoning," which is performing the duties they were trained for. After successful completion, controllers go to D-School. This schooling entails classroom and simulator training for eight weeks and on-the-job-training for three to nine months, followed by certification and seasoning. Once certified on the D-side controllers season for as long as a year before proceeding to R-School. Once enrolled in R-School, the controllers attend classroom and simulator training for eight weeks and then complete the on-the-job-training for nine months to a year. After finishing all of the training, controllers are certified, but only for the area of specialization in the facility where they were trained. En route control centers have four to eight areas of specialty. If a controller wishes to transfer to a different location this process begins again, which takes nine to 18 months. Terminal training begins with intensive classes teaching controllers how to separate or control traffic on three levels: clearance, ground, and local traffic. Each of the three classes is followed by on-the-job-training and then seasoning. This process varies in length depending on the complexity of the facility. The clearance delivery controller issues initial route of flight and altitude to the aircraft. Some of this is automated and some is manual. The ground and local controllers coordinate with one another. The ground controller handles the aircraft on the taxiways and the local is responsible for the aircraft on the runways. In addition to these three positions, the towers at major airports also have radar rooms where controllers separate approaching aircraft up to 40 miles from the airport, and work with other facilities in that area. After graduating from the academy, controllers are assigned to different towers and centers around the nation. A controller's day is full of fast-paced radio conversations with hundreds of aircraft flying high in the sky, quick decisions, and an expert eye trained to look for planes that may be too close to one another. Air traffic control is without a doubt one of the most challenging occupations available today. For more information about how to become an air traffic controller, please check the links below or call the FAA at 405/954-4657.
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FAA Career Info