Air Traffic Controllers

High School

Because it is highly recommended that all air traffic controllers have a college degree, high school students interested in the field will be best prepared by pursuing a college prep curriculum. Mathematics and science courses are most directly related to air traffic control work.

Postsecondary Training

To become an air traffic controller, a person must have completed a college degree and three years of work experience or an aviation-related program in the FAA's Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI). Currently, 30 schools are in the AT-CTI program, and enrollment is open to new students. Visit https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/air-traffic-cti-schools_0.pdf for a list of schools. All candidates (except those with prior air traffic control experience) must also pass a pre-employment test that gauges their aptitude for the career. Entry into civil aviation is also possible through the military.

Those who complete an AT-CTI program of study become eligible to enroll in a two-month training course at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. There, they receive training in the fundamentals of airway systems, civil air regulations, radar, and aircraft performance characteristics. They practice using software designed to simulate emergencies to determine their emotional stability under pressure. The standards for those who complete this program are very high; about 50 percent of the trainees are dropped during this period. Those who complete the program are guaranteed jobs with the FAA.

Other Education or Training

The Air Traffic Control Association offers workshops, seminars, and other continuing education (CE) opportunities at its annual conference, exhibition, and technical symposium. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association also hosts an annual conference where CE workshops and seminars are available. Contact these organizations for more information.