Air Traffic Control... advice for aspiring controllers, how to get in, what to study, schools, etc...?

Question

Hi!!

My boyfriend's looking to become an air traffic controller. He's had some college training (about 40 credits or so), is in the marine corps reserves, and is a veteran. He recently applied for a "air traffic trainee" position through the FAA website, which mean he has no exp. in ATC, but could go straight to the Oklanhoma City school for training and then have a 1 year training job somewhere in the US. If he doesn't get the job, he wants to go to one of the 2-year degree schools and go that route. He's already passed the medical exam and just has to take the aptiutude entrance exam. Anyway, just was looking for some advice from people who already are controllers. Is it better to get a job without schooling throught he FAA or to go to a college first? Any advice on what books to study with for the entrance exam? Anyone been hired directly through the FAA like this with no prev. experience? How does it work? Any insight on the profession (from a controller) is appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

All that the other people said, plus, tell your BF to check out VATSIM, an online community of virtual air traffic controllers and pilots.

You can do a lot of controlling online with real people, helps a lot with getting familiar with the phraseology and the whole ATC business. VATSIM is known for its commitment to realism...

Answer 2

I also applied for the same position back in February. Wait about six weeks and he'll receive an email from Robinson Aviation stating he has been selected to take the Air Traffic Selection and Training test (AT-SAT) He will set up the test date in the designated city closest to him depending on where you live. The test is all aptitude and scheduled for 8 hours. It took me about 5. There is limited study information available online however there is sufficient. there are eight different segments all multiple choice done on the computer. I would stress studying analogies and D=RxT problems. The day after the test he can log on to the FAA website and view his results 70 or below fails, 70-85 (I believe) is qualified, 85+ is well qualified. I scored an 88.1. The test was difficult, Yet exactly what i expected. After the test you wait... and wait... and wait... about a month or so later he should get an email asking him to update preferences as to where he wants to work and rather he wants en route or arrivals/departures. That's where I am at currently. I have sent emails and they should be calling for interviews shortly. so plan on about 5 months from application date before an interview. I believe after the interview you must pass very rigorous background checks and evaluations which will be no issue since he's in the military. from there if hired its off to OKC for four months for training. Upon graduation of the academy he'll be stationed to his tower that he was given the conditional offer from and then begin training.   The tower he applies, interviews and trains at will be his tower. Unless he transfers where h**l have to retrain at the new tower.  Depending on region h**l start at about 34,000 and receive progressive raises until completion of training. Generally 2 years where h**l then make about 90-100k. He must be hired by his 31st birthday!  Good luck!! Hope i could help. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.

PS The FAA website has a list of accredited schools. there is such a demand for controllers I wouldn't worry though. they need to hire 17000 new controllers in the next ten years due to retiring controllers.

PSS you can purchase books on amazon to study for the AT-SAT. some even have a CD with practice problems and senerios. Its worth the 50 bucks.

Answer 3

Either way, he'll have to go through FAA training.  But if the FAA is willing to take him now, without college, GO!.  The FAA is in a real need of air traffic controllers, so it sounds like they have decided to train people from scratch.

Keep in mind that just because they take him, doesn't mean he'll automatically get the job. There are tests to pass that are pass/fail, but I imagine he's used to it, being a Marine.

There aren't many schools that offer ATC outside of the big name aviation schools like Embry Riddle. A few two year schools offer it.

Controllers have a job that involves constant situational awareness, lots of talking and dealing with idiot pilots like myself.  So does being a Marine, so he might just fit in.