Dennis was an electronics system specialist, training instructor, project engineer, computer-based instruction administrator, training program manager, program support manager, and environmental health and safety program manager while with the FAA.
Dennis worked for the FAA for 30 of his 35 years of government service and can attest first hand to how rewarding a career with the FAA can be and was in his case.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement.Interview with an Air Traffic Controller.Applicants without prior air traffic control experience must be 30 years of age or younger. The FAA will hire thousands of new air traffic controllers over the next 5 years and the median salary exceeds $122,000. Air traffic controller jobs are pretty difficult to acquire, but offer a very competitive salary and good benefits. Some regulate airport traffic through designated airspaces others regulate airport arrivals and departures. Their immediate concern is safety, but controllers also must direct planes efficiently to minimize delays. Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of air traffic to make certain that planes stay a safe distance apart. For example, Earley works in the Terminal Radar Approach Control Facility (TRACON) in Memphis and is responsible for controlling aircraft leaving the airport for their next destination, as well as directing flights into the airport for a quick and safe landing.Įmployees can also work in one of the 21 air route traffic control centers throughout the US, which direct aircraft that are en route to their destination.The air traffic control system is a vast network of people and equipment that ensures the safe operation of commercial and private aircraft. You won't necessarily work in the tower.Īir traffic controllers are not just confined to the airport tower but can also work in a number of stations around and between major airports. Initial tests are pass/fail, according to the agency, and failing certain exams will eliminate applicants from the hiring process. These exams assess applicants' health, and their ability to train for and perform the job.
Whether you become a controller through the FAA or military, you will have to undergo months-long training and pass aptitude, physical, physiological, and skill tests. You have to go through a lot of testing and training. However, some applicants come from other careers that place them in the "experienced hire" category, like the military. These applicants, if accepted, will spend up to five months at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City where training and testing occurs. To be eligible, off-the-street applicants only need to meet minimum requirements, like the ability to speak English, be under the age of 31 (more on that later), and have three years of progressive work experience, or a combination of work and school, according to the FAA's August job posting. You don't need a college degree.įor people looking for a high-salary job that doesn't require a college degree, ATC is a good option. Here are nine things you should know before applying to become an air traffic controller. Insider spoke with FAA controller Cedrick Earley to discuss what it is like to work the job. While the salary and benefits of working for the federal government may be enticing, becoming an air traffic controller can be a high-stress and busy job, so interested applicants should understand what to expect before diving in. The training is demanding, with about 50% of aspiring Air Force controllers washing out, according to the agency.
Moreover, FAA applicants must be 30 or younger, with few exceptions.įor those that apply through the FAA, successful applicants must undergo months of extensive training and pass mandatory tests before being officially hired, like an aptitude test, a skills assessment, and physical and psychological exams. These employees handle everything from jumbo airliners to tiny prop planes.įor a lot of people, becoming a controller is a dream job, but getting there is not easy and must be done through specific channels, like applying to the FAA's periodic job openings or joining the military. There are over 14,000 controllers employed under the Federal Aviation Administration that operate out of some 700 facilities across the US and manage an average of 45,000 flights per day, according to the agency. It often indicates a user profile.īeing an air traffic controller is an extremely high-stress job, with workers responsible for the movement and direction of thousands of lives onboard commercial and general aviation aircraft every day. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.
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