What qualifications to I need to become an entry level Air Traffic Controller?

Question

I am currently a college student, and am wondering if any kind of college course would be benificial to me regarding being hired as an air traffic controller. I would also like to know, if I don't take college courses what requirements must I meet to become one.

Answer 1

The FAA plans to advertise for applicants with no prior work experience in most or all states at various times during the year.

To qualify for entry-level air traffic control specialist positions, applicants from the general public must achieve a qualifying score on the current FAA authorized pre-employment tests and measures. They must also meet the following requirements:

    * Three years of progressively responsible work experience and/or

    * A full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of work experience and college credits

    * Certain kinds of aviation experience may be qualifying

    * Applicants must be U.S. citizens

    * Be able to speak English clearly enough to be understood over radios, intercoms, and similar communications equipment

    * The maximum entry age is 30

General work experience is defined as any progressively responsible work. For example, a person working a full-time (40 hours per week) for three years would meet the three-year general work experience requirement. A person who works part-time (20 hours per week) for six years would also meet the three-year general work experience requirement.

Qualifying education is successfully completed study in any field leading to a bachelor's or higher degree, at an accredited college or university.

In combining education and experience, one year of undergraduate study (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) is equivalent to nine months of general experience. Thus, if you had 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of college study, substitute for 18 months of general experience, and you would need an additional 18 months of general work experience to meet the three-year work requirement.

Students who will complete the amount of education needed to qualify within nine months of the test date may apply and be selected, but they must complete the study before they begin work.

Answer 2

Lets see...

you should at least be grumpy

have never flown a plane yet know absolutely everything about flying....and they can ask you if they dont believe you.

never sleep.....that would make you less grumpy.

love to spin way too many plates while trying to impress Mr. Ed sullivan (ATC shift supervisor)

wer

Answer 3

If you want to be a controller, your best bet is to attend a CTI school - a college or university that has a CTI program (program that is approved by the FAA to teach air traffic control to students).  These programs can take as little as 18 months (even less if you have already taken college general education classes) and right now as long as you pass YOU WILL BE HIRED as a controller as there is such a HUGE need for them.  There are currently 23 (and growing) CTI schools.  If you attend a CTI school, all you need to be a controller is to pass their program and get a passing score on the AT-SAT (the FAA controller aptitude test).  There is a list of them (along with other necessary info for potential controlers) at www.faa.gov/jobs/job_opportunities/airtr...

Answer 4

The hyperlink below may assist you with any questions and concerns you may have.