Pilot to controller

flyboy04 · March 3rd, 2006, 01:21

Hey everyone, Ive been wondering what it takes to become an air traffic controller. The big question i have is do you have to have a degree? Do they consider 1200 hours of flight as applicable experience to get into the OKC training? If anyone knows please let me konw. Im just kinda curios, and if nothing else its something i might be interested in if I couldnt fly.

FlyingNole · March 3rd, 2006, 12:07

I dont remember the exact details, you can check the FAA's website, but I remember them having a requirement of 5 consecutive years of (any) work experience. I was 18 at the time so regardless of age limits, I didnt have the 5yrs. The other way is go military

DE727UPS · March 3rd, 2006, 12:47

Not sure if things have changed. In the 80's you didn't need a degree. Flight time, a degree, federal employment, how you do on the test, all helped you score points and you got the interview based on your point score.

I remember I had 1000 total, a degree, and finally did well enough on the test after the 3rd time or so that they interviewed me.

pgreen · March 3rd, 2006, 14:09

Looks like from the FAA webiste you have to have 1 year of experience controlling, i guess that will only come from the military, or already having experience, degree or no degree.

FlyOrDie · March 3rd, 2006, 15:30

My girlfriend is currently working on the controller program at the University of Anchorage.

http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/ctc/progra...airtraffic.cfm

From what she's been telling me they have a pretty good program there with a nice tower sim and everything. During one class a couple weeks ago she said they loaded the A380 into the tower sim and watched it taxi around Anchorage and take off.

Fox Xray · March 3rd, 2006, 17:46

flyboy04 - There are 3 ways to get hired as an FAA ATCS.

CTI school - attend an FAA approved school and complete either a 2 year or 4 year degree program, upon completion you take the AT-SAT exam and upon passing are eligible to be hired.
Military - apply via the VRA program when the FAA puts out VRA bids.
Through an FAA job fair where people "off the street" can apply to take the AT-SAT test.

There are a lot of unknowns right now, rumors of a hiring freeze until FY-07. Right now the union representing the controllers (Natca) is in a bitter contract dispute with the FAA. One proposal that the FAA will not back down on is bringing in new hires on a "B" pay scale, substantially less then controllers presently make.

For the CTI route check out the following website -
http://www.atccti.com/

Hope the info helps.

March 3rd, 2006, 01:21	#1
flyboy04 Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 289	Pilot to controller Hey everyone, Ive been wondering what it takes to become an air traffic controller. The big question i have is do you have to have a degree? Do they consider 1200 hours of flight as applicable experience to get into the OKC training? If anyone knows please let me konw. Im just kinda curios, and if nothing else its something i might be interested in if I couldnt fly. __________________ C-SEL, C-MEL, I/A, CFI. CFII, MEI

March 3rd, 2006, 12:07	#2
FlyingNole Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 2,090	I dont remember the exact details, you can check the FAA's website, but I remember them having a requirement of 5 consecutive years of (any) work experience. I was 18 at the time so regardless of age limits, I didnt have the 5yrs. The other way is go military __________________ Don't call her a babe, ok? She is a Chechnyan prostitute, and you will address her as such! -ATHF

March 3rd, 2006, 15:30	#5
FlyOrDie Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 409	My girlfriend is currently working on the controller program at the University of Anchorage. http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/ctc/progra...airtraffic.cfm From what she's been telling me they have a pretty good program there with a nice tower sim and everything. During one class a couple weeks ago she said they loaded the A380 into the tower sim and watched it taxi around Anchorage and take off. __________________ Six FO

March 3rd, 2006, 17:46	#6
Fox Xray ATC Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 425	flyboy04 - There are 3 ways to get hired as an FAA ATCS. CTI school - attend an FAA approved school and complete either a 2 year or 4 year degree program, upon completion you take the AT-SAT exam and upon passing are eligible to be hired. Military - apply via the VRA program when the FAA puts out VRA bids. Through an FAA job fair where people "off the street" can apply to take the AT-SAT test. There are a lot of unknowns right now, rumors of a hiring freeze until FY-07. Right now the union representing the controllers (Natca) is in a bitter contract dispute with the FAA. One proposal that the FAA will not back down on is bringing in new hires on a "B" pay scale, substantially less then controllers presently make. For the CTI route check out the following website - http://www.atccti.com/ Hope the info helps.

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March 3rd, 2006, 12:47	#3
DE727UPS Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 6,521	Not sure if things have changed. In the 80's you didn't need a degree. Flight time, a degree, federal employment, how you do on the test, all helped you score points and you got the interview based on your point score. I remember I had 1000 total, a degree, and finally did well enough on the test after the 3rd time or so that they interviewed me.

March 3rd, 2006, 14:09	#4
pgreen Newbie Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 9	Looks like from the FAA webiste you have to have 1 year of experience controlling, i guess that will only come from the military, or already having experience, degree or no degree.