Home » Guides » Air Traffic Control Towers Education and Training

Air Traffic Control Towers Education and Training

Participate in air traffic control towers education and training to begin your career

By Shannon Hurley
To obtain a career working in a tower for ATC you must complete an FAA approved AT-CTI program, receive a school recommendation, undergo a medical examination and security investigation, successfully pass the FAA pre-employment test and complete an interview. Accomplishing each step favorably will allow you to pursue jobs from a list of air traffic control tower facilities.

To begin your career working in air traffic control towers or portable air traffic control towers, consider the following steps regarding air traffic control towers education and training:

1. Enroll in a FAA Approved Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative School to start working in towers for air traffic control.

2. Take advantage of test preparation resources as you begin a career in the Air Traffic Control Towers industry.

3. After passing the ATC-SAT exam, enroll in the FAA Academy to work in an air traffic control tower.

 

Enroll in an FAA approved air traffic-collegiate training initiative school to work in towers for AT

Participating in and completing an FAA-approved program at the college level is one of the first steps required to work in ATC towers. These programs are offered at a variety of colleges and universities across the country. In most cases you can customize your course of study to meet your specific career goal needs.
Try: View the Air Traffic Controller Degree Program available through the Aviation Department at Aims Community College. Learn about the bachelor of science degree programs offered through the College of Technology and Innovation at Arizona State University. Take a look at the undergraduate degree programs available at Purdue University through the Department of Aviation Technology.

Utilize test preparation materials to help you begin a career working in ATC towers

Passing the pre-employment test administered by the FAA is necessary to achieve a career working in towers for ATC. It important that you study for the exam well in advance. There are a number of educational resources specifically designed to help individuals prepare and successfully pass the ATC-SAT.
Try: Take advantage of the Air Traffic Control Career Prep book and software offered by MyPilotStore. Learn about and purchase the ATC Challenge 3.0 CD-ROM available at Contractor-Books.com.

Continue your ATC tower career path by enrolling in the FAA Academy

Training at the FAA Academy is an essential step in the process required to obtain a career working in a tower for air traffic control. There you can receive an option-specific education. The length of the program depends on whether you choose to participate in terminal or en route initial training.
Try: View the courses offered by the FAA Academy. Utilize the multimedia resources, as well as other useful links, provided by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.

 

  • Whether you plan a career at a Santa Barbara air traffic control tower, an Orlando air traffic control tower or anywhere in between, it is important to remember that in most cases you may not be over the age of 31 to apply for employment with the FAA. Knowing this from the beginning will help you plan accordingly.

Copyright © 2011 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.