Complete An Air Traffic Control Course And Step Into The Control Tower

As a Flight Operation Officer, I could work with amazing air traffic controllers in the control tower. So, I could get a real behind-the-scenes look at their jobs, and let me tell you, it is not easy to keep planes safe and on time! To do their incredible work, they must pass an extreme air traffic control course. It is pretty intense, but it makes sure they have the skills and knowledge to handle anything that comes their way. Without them, air travel just would not be safe or efficient. In this article, let’s explore insights of air traffic control courses, from basic training to university programs, online options, and more.

Air traffic control course is your pathway to the skies

The first step on your journey is a training course called the Air Traffic Control Basic course. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) offers this course specifically for new air traffic controller trainees.

What is in the course?

It combines web-based content, facilitated discussions, and activities led by Air Traffic instructors on a web conferencing platform. The course covers all the basics you need to know about air traffic control and aviation, which are prerequisites to option-specific skill training.

Who can take it?

Everyone hired as an air traffic control specialist trainee will need to take this course. It is like a prerequisite before you can move on to more specialized training tracks like En Route, Terminal Tower, or Terminal Radar.

How much does it cost?

The good news is that the FAA pays for the entire course, so it is free for you. That’s not all they will consider you as a temporary employee in here. Because of that means you can even get a regular salary while you take the course.

What’s the air traffic controller course duration?

The whole course only takes about 19 days.

What happens after?

You passed the final exam for the basic course? Congratulations. Now you they will move you on to more specific training. What kind of air traffic controller you want to be will matter for this training.

Exploring air traffic control university courses

Although the FAA Academy offers a great introductory course to get you started in Air Traffic Control (ATC), there is also a college path to becoming an air traffic controller. Universities offer a more in-depth study of air traffic control and often include a broader range of aviation-related topics. Let’s look at a few reputable air traffic control university courses out there.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

This university ticks all the FAA air traffic controller course requirements perfectly. You can improve your educational value greatly by following their Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management program. What will you learn during this course? You will learn about radar separation procedures, airspace protection, and even basic VFR Control Tower operations.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University also provides an air traffic controller course online that you can take completely online and at your own pace. My fellow air traffic controller colleagues who graduated from this university have consistently performed well at the FAA Academy.

University of North Dakota

This university also offers a B.Sc in Aeronautics with a major in Air Traffic Management. Here you will learn the technical skills and essential knowledge about aviation you need for an air traffic control career. The university has top-notch facilities, including the most technologically advanced control tower and radar simulators.

Aims Community College

Aims Community College offers an Associate Degree in Air Traffic Control. Here you will take lessons on air traffic control procedures, aviation meteorology, and radar and non-radar simulation.

The list doesn’t end here, here are some more universities in the USA and abroad offer air traffic control degrees and courses.

• Florida Institute of Technology
• Lewis University
• LeTourneau University
• University of Alaska Anchorage
• Middle Georgia State University
• Hampton University

Time and cost to become an air traffic controller

Becoming a successful air traffic controller is not easy. It will take your time, money, and dedication. But if you could step in to that control tower one day all the trouble you went through will be worth it.

Air traffic controller course duration

The time it takes to become a controller depends on your chosen path. For example, training at the FAA Academy takes between two to five months to finish, depending on how much experience you have. After that, getting fully certified can take another two to four years of training on the job. So, it might take 4.5 to 7.5 years to become an air traffic controller.

Air traffic controller course fees

The air traffic controller course cost is not same for everyone. It can change based on what school you will choose and the program you will follow. If you follow a two-year collegiate training initiative (CTI) associate’s degree, your tuition and residence fees could be around $10,000 for 60 credits. If you are a non-resident student, your tuition and fees could be more than $30,000. These fees usually cover room and board, simulator, lab, textbook, general studies, and technology fees. On top of that, you might need to factor in housing costs, up to $3,000 per semester. 

Air traffic controller course in Canada

NAV CANADA runs Canada’s air traffic control. They run a training program for future air traffic controllers to give them all the skills they need to be a successful air traffic controller. It is pretty intense, but NAV CANADA gives support in every step of the way.

In this program, you will go through classroom lessons, online courses, and hands-on training in flight simulators. After the classroom and simulator training, you can test your skills at a real flight information center or flight service station. Here, you will learn from experienced controllers and get comfortable with the job. You will also get paid while you train.

It could up to two years to complete the whole program. This is a full-time commitment, so you must be dedicated and ready to work hard to complete this training. Being an air traffic controller in Canada is a demanding job, so not everyone who starts the program finishes it. But NAV CANADA’s experienced instructors and supportive peers will support you throughout the program thrive it successfully.

Conclusion

Do you dream to become an air traffic controller one day? Then the first and most important thing you should do is taking an air traffic control course. Once you start searching courses you will find many basic courses, university programs, or online classes. Remember, no matter what air traffic control course you choose, it should be FAA-approved and provided by an authentic and reputed institution. I hope this guide gave you a clearer picture of the air traffic control world and the air traffic control course options out there.