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Addressing an educational institution devoted to addressing America's deficiency of air traffic controllers

Struggling with a controller deficit, the Federal Aviation Administration is in a rush to recruit thousands of air traffic controllers. However, their training process can span over several years. We explore a training facility in Florida that aims to speed up this process.

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Addressing the U.S. air traffic controller shortage at a school dedicated to its improvement
Addressing the U.S. air traffic controller shortage at a school dedicated to its improvement

Addressing an educational institution devoted to addressing America's deficiency of air traffic controllers

FlyingHigh Without Waiting: Embry-Riddle Prepares the Next Generation of Air Traffic Controllers

DAYTONA BEACH, Fl – Sit back and control a virtual airplane landing on a bustling runway, all while being more than a thousand miles away from a real airport like Oklahoma City's FAA Academy. That's what 20-year-old Hailee Williamson does every day as she chases her dream of becoming an air traffic controller. But Williamson isn't just any student; she is part of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's accelerated training program – a two-year Associate of Science in Air Traffic Management (ATM) degree designed for students to skip the FAA Academy altogether.

The program is a game-changer, bridging the gap between education and employment. As the U.S. faces a severe shortage of air traffic controllers, with the FAA more than 3,000 certified controllers short of full staffing, schools like Embry-Riddle are stepping up to the plate.

Michael McCormick, who spent over 30 years as an air traffic controller and manager at the FAA, now heads Embry-Riddle's air traffic management program. It's one of several institutions around the country offering an accelerated training program that closely mirrors the classes at the FAA Academy.

But how does this accelerated program work?

First and foremost, students enroll in Embry-Riddle's ATM Associate's degree program, which is FAA-approved under the Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (Enhanced AT-CTI). After completing the degree, they must pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) exam, a prerequisite for all aspiring air traffic controllers, and meet the FAA's medical and security requirements.

Upon successful completion of these steps, students are authorized to bypass the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City and move directly into on-the-job training at an FAA air traffic control facility. There, they undergo local facility training and evaluations, including written and simulator assessments that align with FAA Academy standards.

The first group of four students graduated from Embry-Riddle's accelerated program last month. They're eager to start their FAA careers.

"I never thought I'd find a job I love this much," says Kyra Hanson, one of the recent graduates. Hanson, growing up in Bloomington, Indiana, had no prior experience with air traffic control until she took an aptitude test that suggested she would excel in the field.

Hailee Williamson, who is originally from a small town in North Carolina, echoes this sentiment, "I thought the job would be incredibly stressful. But when you walk into an FAA facility like the one in Atlanta, you find out that the controllers are laughing, joking, and managing complicated air traffic with remarkable ease."

The job can be financially rewarding, with certified controllers earning over $100,000 per year – considerably more with overtime – particularly for a role that doesn't require a college degree. Despite the appealing salary and the thrill of managing air traffic, the FAA has struggled with staffing, especially in key locations like the New York area.

The shortage has been an industry-wide issue for years – widely acknowledged until it gained mainstream attention after a collision between a passenger and military helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport earlier this year. Recent radar and communication outages at Newark Liberty International Airport further underscored the fragility of the nation's airspace.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy pledged to "supercharge" the hiring process, but training and certifying new controllers can take years. The accelerated programs at schools like Embry-Riddle are essential in cutting down the hiring process from years to weeks or months, enabling younger generations to dive headfirst into the challenges and rewards of air traffic control.

"To me, air traffic control is the perfect blend of creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, and brain-bending puzzles," says Hanson. She's not just the typical eager student; she's determined to push through the obstacles to make her dream a reality.

For Williamson, the ATSA exam is the final hurdle. She's attempted it twice and hasn't managed to qualify yet. But she's not giving up. "My goal is to become an air traffic controller, and I won't stop until I pass the ATSA exam," she says with unwavering conviction.

The accelerated program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University opens doors for aspiring air traffic controllers seeking an efficient pathway to a fulfilling career in air traffic management. The program's rigorous training and bypass of the traditional FAA Academy route benefit both new controllers and the industry struggling with hundreds of vacancies.

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  1. Hailee Williamson, a student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, practices virtual airplane landings daily as part of the school's two-year Associate of Science in Air Traffic Management (ATM) degree program.
  2. As the U.S. faces a shortage of air traffic controllers, schools like Embry-Riddle are offering accelerated training programs, preparing students to bypass the FAA Academy and move directly into on-the-job training.
  3. The accelerated program at Embry-Riddle closely mirrors classes at the FAA Academy and is FAA-approved under the Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (Enhanced AT-CTI).
  4. After completing the degree and passing the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) exam, students can bypass the FAA Academy and start on-the-job training at an FAA air traffic control facility.
  5. The job of an air traffic controller can be financially rewarding, with certified controllers earning over $100,000 per year, especially in key locations like the New York area.
  6. The shortage of air traffic controllers has been an industry-wide issue for years, gaining mainstream attention after a helicopter collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and radar/communication outages at Newark Liberty International Airport.
  7. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has pledged to "supercharge" the hiring process, but training and certifying new controllers can take years.
  8. Kyra Hanson, a recent graduate of Embry-Riddle's accelerated program, is eager to start her FAA career and finds the job of an air traffic controller a perfect blend of creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, and brain-bending puzzles. She, like Hailee Williamson, is determined to pursue a career in air traffic control despite challenges.

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