Air Traffic Controller

[Mr DC3]

Has anyone successfully changed careers from airline pilot to ATC specialist? If so, what do I need to do? Do they give credit for part 121 experience?

 

[METARMan]

I am in the process of that transformation. If you want to do it you'll have to go to a CTI school and pass their degree program. Usually, previous aviation courses and pilot certificates will transfer for college credit.

It is also my understanding that you'll have to start the hiring process with the FAA by the time you turn 31 years old.

Check out http://www.atccti.com

Good luck!

 

[wahoo250]

i've got a 2 friends doing it. it sounds like there will be a big demand in the future. they are both going to miami center. both were pilots. thinking of doing it myself. however they have been in a pool to get hired for about three years now.

 

[Vector4fun]

You used to be able to qualify with an instrument rating, a college degree, and/or some good work experience, and a good score on the aptitude test. (that's how I got in.) Not any more. As the others said, you'll have to do at least the 6 month ATC course at a college if you already have a degree, and be under age 31 when hired. (like in 3-4 years).


Personally, I'd love it if the FAA would hire some furloughed pilots who are willing to commit and not dissapear in two years. That said, I know of ATPs who didn't make it through OJT...

 

[timmay]

how does it work with getting assigned a facility? does that happen before or after you finish training? how hard is it to get a specific location say in florida? thanks in advance

 

[Vector4fun]

how does it work with getting assigned a facility? does that happen before or after you finish training? how hard is it to get a specific location say in florida? thanks in advance

It's been years and years since I was up to date on the hiring process, and it's been changed several times since. However, you used to apply to Geographical Regions, and they placed you were you were most needed by their calculations. (I think they use a ouija board)

After you're hired, and assuming you finish training and certify at your first facility, you can bid to other facilities if there are openings. As recently as a couple years ago, it was very difficult to get to most Florida facilities, but with older controllers leaving in droves the next few years, who knows?

 

[timmay]

thanks for the info it sounds tempting other than not knowing where you would be assigned and for how long. Again thanks.

 

[smellthejeta]

You used to be able to qualify with an instrument rating, a college degree, and/or some good work experience, and a good score on the aptitude test. (that's how I got in.) Not any more. As the others said, you'll have to do at least the 6 month ATC course at a college if you already have a degree, and be under age 31 when hired. (like in 3-4 years).

Vector,

There's no such thing as the "6 month ATC course" anymore. If you're referring to the MARC program in Minneapolis, it went bye-bye this summer due to funding reasons. There are 13 colleges in the country offering the approved CTI training, and three of them are community colleges. I am graduating from my program at the end of this spring semester, having completed 18.5 at the school. This presumes a prior BS degree, and sufficient aeronautical knowledge to get you through instrument ground school. If I put my mind to it, I would have graduated in 15.5 credit hours. At this particular school, it is not feasible to graduate within one semester, as scheduling issues might preclude the quick and dirty method.