Steps to Pursue a Career as an Air Traffic Controller

Recall the individual in the orange vest and white gloves who, with a cheerful demeanor, a series of hand signals, and the occasional whistle blast, ensured vehicles yielded to you on your way to and from school?

Air traffic control specialists (ATCS), often referred to as air traffic controllers, serve as the guardians of the skies, ensuring safe and orderly air travel. Discover the steps to embark on a career as an air traffic controller.

What Are the Responsibilities of Air Traffic Control Specialists?

Air Traffic Control Specialists manage the flow of air traffic, ensuring safe distances between helicopters, planes, and other aircraft, including commercial flights, private jets, and military aircraft.

Some ATCS professionals oversee air traffic navigating through designated airspaces nationwide, utilizing radar and satellite systems. Others manage airport arrivals and departures from control towers, visually guiding aircraft to their designated spots. While safety is their top priority, ATCS specialists also focus on optimizing flight efficiency to reduce delays and ensure timely arrivals.

In the United States, most of the 22,900 air traffic control specialists are employed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These professionals are typically divided into two groups: one manages takeoffs and landings at airports from control towers, while the other guides aircraft after departure, operating from 22 Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC) that oversee air traffic across the country.

Numerous ATCSs also serve in military branches like the U.S. Army, which offers specialized training for air traffic control careers in exchange for service. These individuals prioritize their roles as soldiers, supporting national defense by managing aircraft movements and providing landing and takeoff instructions at global air traffic control facilities.

Whether directing civilian flights or military aircraft, air traffic controllers rely on advanced computational skills and rapid decision-making to ensure safe and efficient operations.

Steps to Pursue a Career as a Civilian Air Traffic Control Specialist

Daily, FAA air traffic control specialists manage the movement of approximately 45,000 flights within the United States' National Airspace System. These professionals operate from airports and control centers nationwide, employed by the federal government. The role demands excellent computational abilities, composure under stress, and swift decision-making skills.

The FAA not only hires experienced ATCSs, such as military veterans, but also recruits individuals with no prior air traffic control background. Additionally, graduates from the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative Program (AT-CTI Program), which collaborates with colleges and universities offering foundational air traffic control courses, are eligible for recruitment.

Typically, aspiring air traffic controllers without professional experience must be under 31 years old, pass a basic medical exam, undergo a background check, and succeed in the FAA's pre-employment Air Traffic Selection and Training (AT-SAT) test. This eight-hour, computer-based assessment evaluates skills like reasoning, numerical proficiency, and movement detection [source: FAA].

Pathway to Becoming an Army Air Traffic Control Operator

Army air traffic control operators manage air traffic at military installations worldwide. Opportunities as an ATC operator are open to both active-duty and Army Reserve personnel. In addition to receiving training for civilian air traffic control roles, Army ATCs are equipped with military-specific skills, such as deploying and operating tactical air traffic control systems.

To pursue a career as an Army ATC operator, individuals must first enlist in the Army or Army Reserve. Eligibility requirements include being a U.S. citizen or permanent resident aged 17 to 35 (34 for ATC Operators), achieving a minimum ASVAB score, and holding a high school diploma or GED. Candidates must also be in good health, physically fit, and demonstrate strong moral character.

Once enlisted, soldiers aspiring to become ATC operators must pass a technical aptitude test and meet the "moderate" physical standards set by the Army's Occupational Physical Assessment Test (OPAT).

Civilian applicants for Army traffic control specialist roles without prior professional training receive paid training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, if hired by the FAA. The Academy provides instruction in terminal operations — overseeing aircraft takeoffs and landings — and en route air traffic control. Training combines classroom learning with simulation exercises and lasts several months, followed by one to three years of on-the-job training.

Army ATC Operators begin their journey with a 10-week basic training program, a demanding regimen designed to turn civilians into soldiers. This foundational training, mandatory for all Army recruits, covers physical fitness, team-building activities, tactical skills, and weapons proficiency [source: U.S. Army].

After basic training, candidates undergo 15 weeks of specialized air traffic control instruction at Fort Rucker in Dothan, Alabama. This extensive program, one of the Army's longest occupational courses, blends classroom learning with hands-on fieldwork in simulated combat environments. Trainees develop expertise in takeoff and landing protocols, ground control operations, aircraft identification, and radar usage.

A newly introduced initiative enables Army officers to obtain FAA Control Tower Operators Certification. This involves six to eight months of active-duty service in a civilian air traffic control tower [source: U.S. Army, American Forces Press Service].

Although Army ATC Operators are responsible for managing air traffic, they remain soldiers first. Many serve in war zones, where they are trained to perform their duties effectively under combat conditions.

The U.S. Army's air traffic control operator program offers individuals the chance to serve in the military while gaining the expertise needed to work as an ATC specialist, both during and after their service. Given the program's competitiveness, here are some strategies to help you become an Army air traffic controller.

While not all soldiers become air traffic controllers, those who do take on significant responsibilities. ATC operators ensure the safety of military personnel and the countless civilians who travel by air daily.