A Comprehensive Guide From The Control Tower On How To Become An Air Traffic Controller

As a flight operation officer, I have closely worked with unsung heroes in air traffic. These controllers manage critical operations tirelessly to make everyone in the sky safe. I have a huge respect for them and their complex job. Do you want to be an air traffic controller too? Then you have come to the right place. Let’s explore how to become an air traffic controller yourself in this article. 

Learn how to become an air traffic controller and navigate the skies

As a flight operation officer, I have worked hand-in-hand with air traffic controllers. And let me tell you, they do an incredible job is to keep everyone safe in the sky. It is amazing to see their skills in action. They talk to pilots, tell ground crews what to do, and even coordinate with other control towers. They do all these things 24/7 to run things smoothly and safely in the busy air space.

Are you thinking about becoming an air traffic controller too? Then you will need to get ready for a challenge. You have to have a unique skill set too. You must be a great communicator, a master multitasker, and someone who can make quick decisions on the fly, not just in normal situations even when you are under pressure.

Understanding the requirements

Before we dive into how to become an air traffic controller, let’s answer some of the most common questions I hear. This is a pretty unique job, so it is good to know what you are getting into.

What qualifications do you need to be an air traffic controller?

U.S. citizenship

You must be a U.S. citizen.

Education

College degree is not compulsory to become an air traffic controller, but if you have one it can definitely be helpful for you. Most airlines prefer candidates with at least a two-year associate’s degree in aviation or a related field. However, even if you got a four-year bachelors degree in aviation or a related field, it can give you an extra edge to get the job.

Age

What is the age limit for air traffic controller? You have to be younger than 30 years old when you apply. Why have FAA given this age limit for? Air traffic controllers typically retire by 56, so they want to make sure you can work for at least 25 years to qualify for a pension.

But there is one exception to this age rule. If you are a former military air traffic controller, you might be able to apply even if you are older than 30.

Vision and Hearing 

You need great vision (even with glasses or contacts) and hearing to keep track of radars and communicate clearly with pilots.

Language proficiency

Clear communication is very important up in the air. Since English is the international language of aviation, you need to be fluent in it. Not just everyday English, you need to learn all the technical terms pilots and controllers use.

Medical evaluation

Being an air traffic controller can be mentally and physically demanding, so you must pass a medical check-up.

Background check

As an ATC, you will be responsible for a lot, so you will have to undergo a thorough background check to ensure everything checks out.

Willingness to relocate

Air traffic controllers do not stuck in one place. You might start your career at a smaller airport as an entry level controller, but as you gain experience you will have to move to busier and far away airports.

Path to become an air traffic controller

Alright, we have covered the basics now. Let’s get started on how to become an air traffic controller next.

Getting education

As I mentioned before you can 100% become an air traffic controller without an air traffic controller degree. The degree will be actually a leg up for you. Many of my fellow aspiring air traffic controllers find it useful completing an associate or bachelor’s degree program through the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI). 

You may ask why. It is because these air traffic control targeted programs will teach you everything you need to know about airspace, weather, chart reading, federal regulations, and clearances. If college is not your thing, you have other paths to take in too. Yes, you can still become an air traffic controller with three years of progressively responsible work experience.

Pass the tests

After your education or work experience, you become eligible for the Air Traffic Selection and Training exam. Additionally, you will need to pass the FAA pre-employment test. This test assesses your personality traits and fitness for the role. You can apply for ATC positions with a recommendation letter from your school.

How difficult is it to become an air traffic controller? Being an ATC is a big responsibility, so the training is challenging. The pass rate for the FAA Academy can be very low, and sometimes entire classes fail. You must dedicate a lot of time to studying to make it through.

Training time

Once accepted, you can attend the FAA Academy for a special training program. Training can take two to five months, depending on your experience and the specific ATC job you get.

Gain experience

After you graduate from the Academy, you will not be a fully qualified controller just yet. You will be a developmental controller and you will work alongside experienced controllers and help out pilots with basic stuff like airport information. As you gain experience and prove you can handle it, you will gradually take on more responsibility.

Get Certified

The final step is getting certified by the FAA. To get that official stamp of approval, you will need to pass a FAA knowledge test and a practical exam and prove you can handle the real deal. And, you will need to rack up enough experience on the job.

How many years to become an air traffic controller?

So you might be wondering, how long to become an air traffic controller? Well, it can be different for you than for another newcomer. Why? It is because the training, on job training, background and where you work is different for everyone.

• Once FAA accepts you, you will attend the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. This academic training will last between 3 and 6 months (depending on the specific ATC job you will be doing)
• After the Academy, you will start working at an ATC facility under the supervision of experienced controllers. This on-the-job training could also take some time. (from a few months to several years)
• If you already have some experience in aviation, you might move through the program a bit faster.
• Some air traffic control facilities are more complex than others. If you start at a simpler one, you could qualify to work solo quicker.

So, it will totally take 6 months to 5 years to become a fully certified air traffic controller.

FAA hiring tips

Here are some more specific details about how you can start an air traffic controller career and navigate the FAA’s application and hiring procedures.

Apply during the hiring window

There are two times a year you can apply to be an ATC

• Experienced hires – This is for people who already have some aviation experience. Apply early in the year if this fits you.
• Off-the-street hires – This is for people with no aviation background. The application window opens in the summer, so be sure not to miss it. These windows are usually short, so mark your calendar!

Passing the tests

If your application looks good, you will be invited to take a few tests:

• Biographical assessment (BA) – This is basically a personality test to see if you fit well for a high-pressure air traffic controller job.
• Air traffic skills assessment (AT-SA) – This test assesses your skills for the job. A higher score here will actually put you at the front of the line for job offers, so do your best.

Getting a temporary offer letter (TOL)

You will get a temporary offer letter if you do well on the tests. This means the FAA is interested in hiring you.

Final offer letter and training

Once you pass everything, you will get a final offer letter. If you have experience, you can choose which facility you prefer to work at. They’ll assign you a start date at the FAA Academy if you are new.

How to become an air traffic controller without a degree?

You can still qualify for air traffic controller jobs without a degree. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) accepts two alternatives.

• Get three years of progressively responsible work experience
• Or get a combination of post-secondary education and work experience that totals three years

Geographic considerations for future air traffic controllers

Did you know where you live can affect your air traffic controller journey? Here is a quick look at how things work in two different states.

Texas

How to become an air traffic controller in Texas? The general requirements to be an ATC apply in Texas, too. However, in Texas, several FAA-approved schools train future ATCs. These schools are looking for new students because a lot of controllers are retiring soon.

Florida

How to become an air traffic controller in Florida? Just like in Texas, the general requirements apply in Florida, too. But here, there’s a special program at Florida Tech. They offer a two-year Air Traffic Control degree that you can take alongside any of their four-year degrees. This program is also approved by the FAA, that means if you graduate, you can skip the Air Traffic Basics Course at the big FAA Academy in Oklahoma City! Yes, you can save first five weeks of qualification training at the FAA.

Conclusion

It is not easy to become an air traffic controller. It is a tough and a long journey. I hope this how to become an air traffic controller article will guide you on that journey and help you get a successful career as an air traffic controller.