ATC requirements

riot shields · December 27th, 2005, 21:51

im looking into other areas of aviation currently besides just being a pilot. i love flying, but im just looking at other options anyway, and one of them is to be an Air Traffic Controller.
anybody know the requirements, or steps in working as an ATC ?
in another semester so so, i should have a bachelors in aviation science,
you know, that whole utah valley state college online thing, yea.. well, i wonder if ill need a degree specifically forrr ATC.

any info would be greatly appreciated.
thanks!

Jesse

adreamer · December 27th, 2005, 22:09

Try to check out the following link:

http://www.faa.gov/jobs/job_opportun...c_controllers/

That should answer most of your questions

rickyrhodesii · December 27th, 2005, 23:02

hey jesse03...it seems like getting a job as an air traffic controller is more difficult than getting a flying job. There are a few different avenues you can persue...the FAA, Department of Defence (DoD), Contract Facilities and of course, the military! I chose the later...I'm an Air Force air traffic controller.

Getting a job with the FAA seem difficult and usually requires some prior experience...but the pay is the best!

I can't really help you with the FAA or DoD...but if you have any questions about ATC in the Air Force...feel free to fire away!

drummerpilot311 · December 27th, 2005, 23:18

Hey... I'm still in high school right now and I'm looking for other options in the industry also, planning ahead. I talked to one of the deputy aviation directors here at Moisant and he said in the early 80's the FAA cleaned house and hired a new batch of controllers, and by the time I graduate college they would be retiring and the FAA hiring like mad - ala sweet option. Is this true?

Also about Air Force training... where would you go to recieve this training? Which bases offer this?

Thanks for the help,
Bryce

rickyrhodesii · December 29th, 2005, 13:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by drummerpilot311

...and by the time I graduate college they would be retiring and the FAA hiring like mad - ala sweet option. Is this true?

Well...that's what i was told when i graduated high school...and that's what i've been hearing for the last couple of years. Just rumor...but the word is that the FAA is somewhat broke and in a hiring freezing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by drummerpilot311

Also about Air Force training... where would you go to recieve this training? Which bases offer this?

You'd start at Lackland AFB, TX (San Antonio) for Basic Military Training...7 weeks. Then you would go down to Keesler AFB, MS (Biloxi) for Air Traffic Control Technical Training (16 weeks) and from there you could go anywhere there is an Air Force base and a runway.

Let me know if you need further specifics.

drummerpilot311 · December 29th, 2005, 15:01

You know that wouldn't be too bad. Since home is New Orleans, it's not that far to either of these. This is definetly an option I will consider.

Aero_Engineer · December 29th, 2005, 19:02

Your best choice would be going through the Air force, If not after you get a Bachelors degree you go to a training facility at Oklahoma City after taking a test and then get trained, you start from the lowest class of airspace then go up (I am not sure about this one though). Check the FAAs website there should be some good info there.

drummerpilot311 · December 29th, 2005, 20:28

I'm thinking if I don't go the Air Force way, I could go over to UND and go through the ATC program there. However, most of the people I have talked to recommended that you should get a degree in something non-aviation-related (golden rule). If anything I would like to get involved with ATC or Management, and not flying.

So if I don't use the AF, do you think it would be a good idea to head up to UND (or anywhere else I can find in these next two years) for ATC training and save time (instead of money) or just plain go to college like a regular person and major in whatever and then go to the FAA?

Bryce

wheelsup · December 29th, 2005, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by drummerpilot311

go to college like a regular person and major in whatever and then go to the FAA?
Bryce

It's my understanding that you must go through a college-approved program designated by the FAA.

Here are the schools approved by the FAA:
http://www.faa.gov/jobs/employment_i...atcti_schools/

I also believe the FAA requries you to have a BA degree and also minor in ATC (I don't believe you have to major in it). But to do so, would require you to attend one of the above schools (you could always major in something else besides aviation there, however, it would probably be easier credit wise for you to stay in aviation, just an FYI).

GatorFC · December 30th, 2005, 02:48

Hey ricky, I was told by one of my roommates who was ex-AF that you guys (ATC) have one of the highest SRB's in the Air Force. Wouldn't surprise me as that is a job that is easily transfered over to the civilian workforce. When I was in the Navy, it was the Nukes who were the SRB hotshots. I remember reading stories every now and then of carriers paying out over a million dollars in bonuses when sailors would re-up during deployments taking advantage of their tax free status.

Philip · December 30th, 2005, 07:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by drummerpilot311

I'm thinking if I don't go the Air Force way, I could go over to UND and go through the ATC program there. However, most of the people I have talked to recommended that you should get a degree in something non-aviation-related (golden rule). If anything I would like to get involved with ATC or Management, and not flying.

So if I don't use the AF, do you think it would be a good idea to head up to UND (or anywhere else I can find in these next two years) for ATC training and save time (instead of money) or just plain go to college like a regular person and major in whatever and then go to the FAA?

Bryce

From what I understand from the FAA website, they only hire ex military controllers, and graduates of certain programs, UND being one of them, and they list a couple others.
it takes time, but I think UND does a pretty good job at placing the ATC grads, I've known a few.

mtsu_av8er · December 30th, 2005, 09:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by drummerpilot311

. . . most of the people I have talked to recommended that you should get a degree in something non-aviation-related (golden rule).

Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say that's a "golden rule". It's the opinion of some, and not of others. Even the opinion of many!

rickyrhodesii · December 30th, 2005, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by GatorFC

Hey ricky, I was told by one of my roommates who was ex-AF that you guys (ATC) have one of the highest SRB's in the Air Force.

That is true my friend...it's the Air Force's way of trying to retain the controllers they spend thousands of dollars on training...

rickyrhodesii · December 30th, 2005, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aero_Engineer

Your best choice would be going through the Air force, If not after you get a Bachelors degree...

I've been active duty for just about 5 years and i'm 5 classes away from my Bachelors...oh and i didn't pay a single dime for it! No student loans for me! Also, you have the option to get your Master's degree...all payed for by Uncle Sam.

So, if you do decide you go the Air Force route, you could apply for the FAA with 5 years of real Air Traffic experience, a bachelors and masters degree. Then who do you think they might hire...you or someone fresh out of UND with no real world experience?

Just my 2 cents on that

December 27th, 2005, 21:51	#1
riot shields Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 161	ATC requirements im looking into other areas of aviation currently besides just being a pilot. i love flying, but im just looking at other options anyway, and one of them is to be an Air Traffic Controller. anybody know the requirements, or steps in working as an ATC ? in another semester so so, i should have a bachelors in aviation science, you know, that whole utah valley state college online thing, yea.. well, i wonder if ill need a degree specifically forrr ATC. any info would be greatly appreciated. thanks! Jesse

December 27th, 2005, 22:09	#2
adreamer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: AZO Posts: 1,331	Try to check out the following link: http://www.faa.gov/jobs/job_opportun...c_controllers/ That should answer most of your questions __________________ CFI/CFII/MEI/Right seat

December 27th, 2005, 23:02	#3
rickyrhodesii Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Southwest Asia... Posts: 405	hey jesse03...it seems like getting a job as an air traffic controller is more difficult than getting a flying job. There are a few different avenues you can persue...the FAA, Department of Defence (DoD), Contract Facilities and of course, the military! I chose the later...I'm an Air Force air traffic controller. Getting a job with the FAA seem difficult and usually requires some prior experience...but the pay is the best! I can't really help you with the FAA or DoD...but if you have any questions about ATC in the Air Force...feel free to fire away! __________________ Rick

December 30th, 2005, 02:48	#10
GatorFC Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: da' Bayou Posts: 1,685	Hey ricky, I was told by one of my roommates who was ex-AF that you guys (ATC) have one of the highest SRB's in the Air Force. Wouldn't surprise me as that is a job that is easily transfered over to the civilian workforce. When I was in the Navy, it was the Nukes who were the SRB hotshots. I remember reading stories every now and then of carriers paying out over a million dollars in bonuses when sailors would re-up during deployments taking advantage of their tax free status. __________________

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December 27th, 2005, 23:18	#4
drummerpilot311 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: MSY Posts: 72	Hey... I'm still in high school right now and I'm looking for other options in the industry also, planning ahead. I talked to one of the deputy aviation directors here at Moisant and he said in the early 80's the FAA cleaned house and hired a new batch of controllers, and by the time I graduate college they would be retiring and the FAA hiring like mad - ala sweet option. Is this true? Also about Air Force training... where would you go to recieve this training? Which bases offer this? Thanks for the help, Bryce

December 29th, 2005, 15:01	#6
drummerpilot311 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: MSY Posts: 72	You know that wouldn't be too bad. Since home is New Orleans, it's not that far to either of these. This is definetly an option I will consider.

December 29th, 2005, 19:02	#7
Aero_Engineer Old Skool Join Date: May 2005 Location: California, USA Posts: 2,036	Your best choice would be going through the Air force, If not after you get a Bachelors degree you go to a training facility at Oklahoma City after taking a test and then get trained, you start from the lowest class of airspace then go up (I am not sure about this one though). Check the FAAs website there should be some good info there.

December 29th, 2005, 20:28	#8
drummerpilot311 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: MSY Posts: 72	I'm thinking if I don't go the Air Force way, I could go over to UND and go through the ATC program there. However, most of the people I have talked to recommended that you should get a degree in something non-aviation-related (golden rule). If anything I would like to get involved with ATC or Management, and not flying. So if I don't use the AF, do you think it would be a good idea to head up to UND (or anywhere else I can find in these next two years) for ATC training and save time (instead of money) or just plain go to college like a regular person and major in whatever and then go to the FAA? Bryce