According to the International Federation of Air Traffic Control Associations (IFATCA), there is
a global shortage of controllers by 10%
while another 15% are needed to transition to SESAR and NextGen.
What are the chances of becoming an air traffic controller?
Controllers train for many years to qualify for the job, and only
around 1% of applicants
make it through to qualify. Initially, a controller will spend approximately 12 months studying both the practical and theoretical sides of air traffic control at a specialist college.
Are air traffic controllers in demand?
Employment of air traffic controllers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2020 to 2030, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,500 openings for air traffic controllers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Is being an air traffic controller worth it?
One advantage of being an air traffic controller is that you can make really good money from what you are doing. In fact, many air traffic controllers make a six-figure income and some of them don’t even have a college degree.
How long does it take to become an air traffic controller?
FAA academy generally takes two to five months to complete, depending on your experience. It then takes another two to four years of on-the-job training to become fully certified. Air traffic controllers may become fully certified in as
little as five years
, or as many as eight.
Why do air traffic controllers have to be under 31?
Almost universally, trainee controllers begin work in their twenties and retire in their fifties. This is due to an FAA requirement that
trainees begin their training at the Academy no later than their 31st birthday
, and face mandatory retirement at age 56.
Is Air Traffic Control School Hard?
Training is hard
with vast amounts of rules to memorize alongside needing to display many qualities. Controllers need to be confident, calm, resilient, and think in three dimensions. As they speak to pilots, they are judging the aircraft’s trajectory through the air in terms of heading, level, and speed.
Do you have to be smart to be an air traffic controller?
Some air traffic controllers begin their careers in the military, while others apply to the FAA’s Air Traffic Control Academy. But no matter how they enter the profession, they
must have good vision, a sharp mind
, and the ability to think quickly and clearly under pressure.
How many days a week do air traffic controllers work?
Air traffic controllers usually work
between 37 and 40 hours a week
, but this is spread out over days, nights, weekends and public holidays. Air traffic control has to be manned 24 hours a day, so shift work is used to ensure there is always cover.
How much money do air traffic controllers make?
The average salary for an air traffic controller in California is
around $141,970 per year
.
At what age do air traffic controllers retire?
Air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must retire by
age 56
—six years before reaching age 62, the age at which people can qualify for old-age insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act.
Can you become an air traffic controller after 30?
Is There an Age Limit for Working as an Air Traffic Controller? Yes, the
FAA requires you to apply for air traffic controller training before your 31st birthday
. They also require you to retire at the age of 56.
How often do air traffic controllers take a break?
To protect against fatigue, most air traffic controllers are required to take a half-hour break every 90 to 120 minutes. These breaks aren’t optional. They are mandatory. The reason being is that air traffic controllers may become fatigued when working for long periods.
What happens if an air traffic controller messed up?
An air traffic controller could be responsible for
a crash based on the legal theory of negligence
. Negligence lawsuits are the most common in aviation accidents that stem from human error, such as an incompetent pilot making a bad landing.
What should I major in to be an air traffic controller?
Such classes include
economics, business management, financial management
, statistics and calculus. Classes required for your major that relate to air traffic control and aviation management teach you about weather, transport regulations, safety, airport planning and operations.
Why do air traffic controllers say heavy?
The word “heavy” means
a larger aircraft type
, with a Maximum Takeoff Weight of 160 tonnes or more. These aircraft create wake turbulence from their wings and require extra separation between following aircraft, and the use of “heavy” reminds other pilots of that fact.
