How to Become an Air Traffic Controller

Guide Note If you've ever been interested in the ways airplanes are scheduled and managed at the airport (and not just why they get stuck at the gate or arrive late), a career in aviation as an air traffic controller is something to consider. This page will walk you through the steps to earn your qualifications as an air traffic controller.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Step 1: Minimum Requirements
• Step 2: Application Category
• Step 3: Apply Online
• Step 4: Pre-Employment Test
• Step 5: Other Tests
• Step 6: Training
• Conclusion
• References

Air Traffic Controller Tips

1. Make sure you meet the specific minimum requirements.
2. Prior experience is helpful.
3. Studying at an FAA-approved school is also helpful.
4. Apply online at the FAA's official employment site.
5. Prepare to take the AT-SAT pre-employment examination.
6. Be open to medical and background checks.
7. Additional recruitment training may be required of you.

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• by Kiran Bharthapudi

Introduction

• 

  Getting behind these instruments will require specific qualifications. (Creative Commons photo by Marcin Wichary)
  Air traffic controllers use their skills and judgment to safely direct thousands of aircrafts and ensure the safety of millions of aviation passengers every year.¹ While their immediate concern is safety, controllers also direct planes efficiently to minimize delays.²

• There are broadly two types of air traffic controllers.³ Tower Controllers give aircraft instructions and traffic clearences at airports and En Route Controllers give instructions and clearences en route between airports.

• Major spike in retirements in recent years has opened doors for new entrants in the field.⁴ The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to hire and train as many as 17,000 air traffic controllers over the next ten years; 1,900 are being hired in the 2008 fiscal year.⁵

• Air traffic controllers earn relatively high pay and have good benefits. As per May 2007 national estimates, the median annual salary for FAA employed air traffic controllers was $122,930. The lowest 10 percent earned $47,290, and the highest 10 percent earned $145,600.⁶ These estimates vary from state to state.

• The career as an air traffic controller can be challenging and rewarding.⁷ If you want to further explore the options, this page will help you get started.

Step 1: Know the Minimum Requirements

• According to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the following are minimum requirements needed to apply for a controller position:⁷

1. Applicant should be a United States citizen
2. Should be 30 years of age or younger. This "Age 31" rule is in place because of the mandatory Age 56 retirement age for controllers.⁸
   • Exceptions apply for controllers with prior experience (discussed below.)
3. Should become an employee of the FAA.
   • More than 90 percent of all civilian air traffic controllers are employed by the FAA.²
4. Pass a rigid medical examination including but not limited to vision, hearing, substance abuse/dependency along with a background check

Step 2: Choose Your Application Category

• You can apply to become a FAA employee and subsequently become an air traffic controller in three different ways, depending upon prior training and experience.⁹

Category I: Applicants with prior controller experience

• Experienced controllers are those who have 52 consecutive weeks of air traffic control experience in a military or civilian air traffic control facility.¹⁰ They should have the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform air traffic controller duties.

• Three types of experienced air traffic controllers are eligible to apply for FAA employments:¹⁰
  • 1. Veterans with military air traffic control experience who are discharged from active duty or on terminal leave and have not reached age 31.
    2. Retired military controllers who are on terminal leave pending retirement from active duty or those who retired from active duty on or after September 17, 1999.
    3. Current and prior civilian air traffic controllers who can transfer from another agency to FAA or can be reinstated to an FAA air traffic controller position. If your experience was as a civilian air traffic controller with the Department of Defense (DOD), you must have been hired for that job before you reached the age of 31.
• Go to the FAA website for further details.

Category II: Applicants with no prior controller experience

• FAA invites the general public to apply for air traffic controller positions at various times during the year. You do not need prior air traffic control experience to apply.¹¹

Category III: Applicants affiliated to FAA approved schools

• The FAA offers Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program in partnerships with many colleges and universities. The program is designed to provide qualified applicants to fill developmental air traffic control specialist positions.¹²
  • Currently the FAA is hiring candidates who have graduated from one of these schools:¹³
    • 

      Arizona State University is one of a few schools which works in a partnership with the FAA. (Creative Commons photo by Octavio Ruiz Cervera)
      Arizona State University
    • Community College of Beaver County
    • Daniel Webster College
    • Dowling College
    • Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach
    • Florida Community College Jacksonville
    • Green River Community College
    • Hampton University
    • Inter American University of Puerto Rico
    • Kent State University
    • Lewis University
    • Metropolitan State College of Denver
    • Miami Dade College
    • Middle Georgia College
    • Middle Tennessee State University
    • Minneapolis Community and Technical College
    • Mount San Antonio College
    • Purdue University
    • The Community College of Baltimore County
    • University of Alaska, Anchorage
    • University of North Dakota
    • University of Oklahoma
    • Vaughan College of Aeronautics and Technology

Step 3: Search and Apply Online

• FAA advises to search for new openings on the FAA website and apply for the suitable posting using the FAA online system¹⁴

1. Go to Career Opportunities web page and search for available air traffic controller openings.¹⁵
2. While all category applicants are eligible to apply for Air Traffic Control Specialist Trainee, only prior experienced applicants can apply for Air Traffic Control Specialist
3. FAA has an online employments application system called ASAP.¹⁶ Once you find a suitable career opportunity, register a one-time account and apply for the position at their application website.

Step 4: Prepare for the Pre-Employment Test

• After the application end date for a job posting, the FAA may notify eligible applicants to take the pre-employment test called Air Traffic Selection and Training (AT-SAT).¹⁷ Applicants with no prior experience and students enrolled in the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program are required to take the AT-SAT.¹⁷

1. 

   Standardized testing isn't over yet for prospective air traffic controllers. (Creative Commons photo by Sean Davidson)
   The minimum passing score on the test is 70.
2. Applicants can take the test more than once to improve their scores
3. The FAA pays for the test but not for test travel expenses
4. Test sites are typically located in major U.S. cities or near AT-CTI schools.
5. AT-SAT test scores are valid for three years.
6. Students enrolled in AT-CTI schools typically take the test six months before graduation
7. AT-SAT test is an eight hour long computerized test
8. There are eight sections on the test:¹⁸
   1. Analogies
   2. Scan abilities
   3. Angles
   4. Applied math
   5. Dial reading
   6. ATC scenarios
   7. Letter Factory
   8. Personality
9. The AT-SAT test measures working memory, situational awareness, problem solving, planning, rule application, dynamic visual-spatial and perceptual speed.¹⁸
10. While the FAA does not recommend any material, you may want to checkout an high rated test preparation book at Amazon¹⁹

Step 5: Medical Exams, Background Checks and Interview

• Applicants are also required to pass a rigid medical test, comprehensive background check and a final interview before they become an FAA employee.¹¹

1. Medical Exams include²⁰
   1. Vision tests for near vision of 20/20 or better in each eye separately, without correction, or have lenses that correct vision and distant
   2. Hearing tests.
   3. Cardiovascular tests for any medical history of heart disease and blood pressure.
   4. Neurological tests for any medical history or clinical diagnosis of a convulsive disorder.
   5. Psychiatric tests for any medical history or clinical diagnosis of a psychosis, or other severe mental disorders.
   6. Substance Abuse/Dependency check including alcohol, narcotic, non-narcotic drugs, and other substances
2. Security and Background checks include:²¹
   1. General or dishonorable military discharge
   2. Statutory debarment issue
   3. Government loyalty issues
   4. Evidence of dishonesty in an application or examination process (e.g., falsification of application)
   5. Drug-related offenses
   6. Felony offenses
   7. Firearms or explosives offenses
   8. Alcohol-related incidents
   9. Willful disregard of financial obligations
   10. Derogatory employment terminations

Step 6: Recruitment Training

• Once selected after the final interview, most recruits must complete various phases of training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to become full-fledged air traffic controllers.²²

1. The length of training can last from several weeks to several months depending on applicant skills and experience.
2. Trainees are reimbursed for meals, lodging, and incidental expenses at a rate of $79.20 per day.
3. The FAA also pays for the cost of travel to and from Oklahoma City based on the trainee's official address.
4. The recruits must pass the required training courses at the Academy to advance further in their air traffic controller career.
5. Once assigned to a operational facility, classroom, simulation and on-the-job training continues before being fully certified as a air traffic controller.

Conclusion

• While the steps to earn proper qualifications are somewhat complex, if you make it through the process to become an air traffic controller, you have laid the groundwork for a rewarding career in a vital industry.

References for How to Become an Air Traffic Controller

1. ↑ National Air Traffic Controllers Association: What is an Air Traffic Controller?
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition
3. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration: Nature of Work
4. ↑ National Public Radio: Retirements Spark Air Traffic Controller Shortage
5. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration: Air Travel Control Workforce Plan
6. ↑ Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment Statistics
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} National Air Traffic Controllers Association: Air Traffic Controller Profiles
8. ↑ National Air Traffic Controllers Association: FAQs
9. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration: How to Become a Air Traffic Control Specialist
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} Federal Aviation Administration: Prior Experience
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} Federal Aviation Administration: No Prior Experience
12. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration: Collegiate Training Initiative
13. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration: FAA Approved Schools
14. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration: How to Apply
15. ↑ USAjobs.gov: FAA Jobs
16. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration: Applicant Website
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1} Federal Aviation Administration: Pre-Employment Testing
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1} Caliber Associates: Dynamic and Interactive Computerized Tests
19. ↑ Amazon.com: Air Traffic Control Career Prep
20. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration: Medical Investigation
21. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration: Security Investigation
22. ↑ Federal Aviation Academy: Benefits and Training