-
Seach FlyersPulse
- Follow @FlyerPulse
Previous Articles
FlyersPulse Categories
Links
FlyersPulse
Your Commercial Aviation & Airline News Source
What It Takes to Become an Air Traffic Controller
Air Traffic Control Shortage
We’ve seen interest from our readers in just how the Air Traffic Control system works and will explain the process in an upcoming series of four additional articles. The process is an interesting one and can vary greatly, depending on where your journey takes you, but first and foremost, a there’s a current shortage of ATC employees dating back to the era of President Reagan when the air traffic controllers went on strike with the PATCO union.
Today, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is the existing organization and the FAA has documented about 11,000 controllers, which is the lowest level since the 1981 PATCO strike. Facilities where Air Traffic Controllers work vary from the airport tower to tracon and “enroute” facilities, each playing a different role.
Low numbers exist, even at some of the busiest of facilities, and today, we now have employees retiring and not enough fresh recruits to fill their shoes.
One can’t quite compare work as an Air Traffic Controller to an average 9 to 5 job, as depending on where one is working, full attention and concentration is a must. It’s up to air traffic controllers to communicate with aircraft, ensuring the safety of the plane while providing direction. ATC must also be aware of weather forecasts as well as changing weather.
Mistakes or just being inattentive can have catastrophic circumstance, such as the case of US Airways 1493.
On February 1, 1991, it was evening and US Air 1493, a Boeing 737 was on final approach into Los Angeles International Airport. A number of abnormalities distracted the local Air Traffic Controller, who then provided clearance to a SkyWest TurboProp to taxi into position and hold on the same active runway US 1493 had been cleared to land on. The US Air Boeing 737 collided with the twin-engine turboprop.
The NTSB, concluded after investigation that the probable cause of the accident was procedures in place at the Los Angeles International Airport control tower coupled with inadequate redundancy which led to a loss of situational awareness by the local controller. Changes were made at LAX to prevent this type of accident from happening again with use of separate runways for departures and arrivals.
Despite the the above, a rare event dating back over 20 years, being an Air Traffic Controller in the United States can be a rewarding position. The workload can be high, along with arduous night and weekend shifts, but a median salary of $100,000 combined with government benefits makes the job attractive. When it comes to looking for work with the federal government, the role of an air traffic controller may seem suitable.
If you’re coming out of high school or getting started at a four year university and deciding upon a career-path, this is definitely something to look into – even better if you have an interest in aviation.
Basic Requirements
.
The United States government, like most employers, has specific requirements before prospects can become a certified air traffic controller. Individuals with no prior experience in aviation must meet the following specifications:
- Be under 31 years of age;
- Be a U.S. citizen;
- Pass a background check;
- Pass a medical exam;
- Earn a Bachelor’s degree or be in the last year of a four-year degree program;
- Speak clear English;
- Earn the minimum 70 score on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pre-employment test; and finally,
- Pass an interview
.
Air Traffic Control Training Initiative Program
.
In order to pass the certified test for the FAA, most students will enroll in an Air Traffic Control Training Initiative Program (AT-CTI) program to help prepare them for the rigors of the job. Individuals interested in an AT-CTI school can find prospective schools at Air Traffic Controller Training.org.
A certified program will help students become familiar with FAA regulations, develop necessary skills, and prepare to pass the necessary training at the FAA Academy. At the completion of a program, students will earn a management degree from the FAA certifying that they are ready to take and complete the FAA pre-employment test.
Pre-Employment Testing
.
Not all individuals who apply to take the pre-employment test will be allowed to participate in the exam. Should you receive the green light, the Aviation Careers Division will provide you with a referral to take the exam. If that’s a go, a private contractor will then be in contact with you, advising you where and when the test will take place as well as the type of information you will be tested on.
You must receive a test score of 70 or better to be eligible for the FAA Academy. Individuals who score in the 70-84 percentile will be considered qualified, while prospects scoring above the 85 percentile will be considered well qualified.
Individuals will have two chances to take and pass the test. After the second failed attempt, individuals will not be able to retest under the AT-CTI.
Complete FAA Training
.
Providing one passes the pre-employment test and meets the requirements, there’s a good chance at being selected to attend training at the FAA facility in Oklahoma City. Here, students will be trained by certified experts and master the basics to be deployed to the field. Once finished, its off to one of the many control facilities to further knowledge with on the job training.
Hands-On Training
.
While at the control facilities, individuals will receive more hands-on training in an actual air traffic control setting. Students will work side-by-side with professionals and be required to attend classroom lectures and complete simulations. Once hands-on training is finished at a certified facility, one may continue forward to become a fully-fledged air traffic controller.
Applying for Position
.
While this step may seem obvious, individuals will still need to search and apply for controller positions at any one of the thousands of airports or FAA facilities scattered throughout the United States. If selected, be prepared for yet another interview and a final background check.
Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012)
Posted in Aircraft, Airports, Aviation, Flight Tracking, Travel News
Delta Air Lines Hub Facility Upgrades
Atlanta’s Maynard Jackson International Terminal Opens
The long awaited Maynard Jackson International Terminal opens today along with Concourse F — combined with the existing international concourse E, travelers will find a state of the art 40 gate complex at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
The first flight to depart concourse F will be Delta 295, a Boeing 777-200, to Tokyo’s Narita (NRT) airport while Delta Air Lines flight 177 from Dublin, Ireland, will be the first to arrive into the new concourse.
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the busiest in the world in terms of passengers, with Delta operating in excess of 1,000 daily departures to 208 destinations, including nonstop service to 65 international destinations from Atlanta.
The new terminal eliminates the need for Atlanta-bound passengers to re-check their luggage and clear TSA to exit the airport. For those parked in the domestic terminal or needing access to MARTA, a 24 hour shuttle service connects the two terminals. Otherwise, the new international facility is accessed via I-75 at exit 239.
Connecting international passengers will re-clear TSA as usual after US Customs and the underground Plane Train and walkway has been extended to the new international terminal.
Richard Anderson, Delta’s CEO, said, “The new international terminal is Atlanta’s new front door to the world.” Anderson added, “On behalf of Delta people worldwide, I want to congratulate aviation general manager Louis Miller, Mayor Kasim Reed and the City of Atlanta for seeing this project to its completion and thank them for continuing the strong partnership Delta has had with the airport and city for more than 70 years.”
New York LaGuardia and JFK Upgrades
.
As Delta Air Lines is now operating hubs at both New York LaGuardia (LGA) and New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) airport, construction is underway to improve the facilities.
- Terminal 4 expansion at JFK Airport
At the LaGuardia Airport domestic hub and gateway to New York City, work is underway on a $160 million renovation to support 100 new daily departures including a new Delta Sky Club, chef-driven dining options and an enclosed walkway behind security connecting Terminals C and D.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is also looking to re-build the Central Terminal Building in a public-private partnership.
Across town at John F. Kennedy International, a $1.2 billion expansion of Terminal 4 at New York-JFK will house nine new international widebody gates and a flagship Delta Sky Club when it opens in spring 2013. The new Terminal 4 build at New York-JFK will replace Terminal 3, which is to be razed, and a corridor is planned to connect Delta’s Terminal 2 and Terminal 4 operations.
Los Angeles International Airport Upgrades
.
Now that Delta has built up operations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) combined with operating flagship international routes such as Los Angeles to Sydney nonstop, their Los Angeles operations are in need of an upgrade.
Delta’s facilities at LAX are being renewed as part of that airport’s $4 billion overhaul, including a new baggage system, and better US Immigration and US Customs processing facilities. New food and beverage options are also in the works.
Salt Lake City Upgrades
.
Salt Lake City International Airport has played an important role as a Delta Air Lines hub for many years. The airline is supporting a $1.8 billion terminal re-development project over the next ten years. The project includes a new terminal as well as the renovation of 34 existing gates, the addition of a 40 gate concourse, plus other facility improvements.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Upgrades
.
While Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) is not a hub for Delta Air Lines, it is hub to partner carrier Alaska Airlines, as well as an important Asia/Pacific gateway. Delta Air Lines is currently working with the city on lobby renovations to create more open space to provide a smoother passenger check-in experience.
Posted in 737-700, 737-800, 747-400, 757-200, 757-300, 767-300, 767-400, 777-200, 777-200LR, A319, A320, A330 (all types), Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Intl, DC-9-50, Delta, Delta Connection, Delta Shuttle, Embraer 170 (E170) E-Jet, Embraer 175 (E175) E-Jet, ERJ-135 (E135), ERJ-140 (E140), ERJ-145 (E145), Los Angeles Intl (LAX), MD-88, MD-90, New York John F Kennedy Intl (JFK), New York LaGuardia, Seattle-Tacoma (SEA), Skyteam, Travel News, US Customs & Border Protection
