Minnesota Air Traffic Control Training

[Ralph]

Minnesota Air Traffic Control Training Program - http://db.mctc.mnscu.edu/airTraffic/

It looks like this is the only way to become a controller without having gone to a college or military program.

Anybody been this route to an ATC job?

 

[fLYbUDDY]

I think that is called the marc program. It’s like 18 months and if you complete it you go directly to a center without having to go to Oklahoma first. You can only go to a center facility though, but I imagine once you’re in as an FAA employee you could always transfer to a terminal controller. I haven't been through the program there nor do I personally know anyone that has, but heck I heard it will get you an ATC job if you prove yourself worthy of one, so it can't be all that bad. And yes it is tecnically the only other way to become a ATCer without going through a CTI program or the military.

 

[Rizzo]

In order to be accepted to MCTC you must already have a 2 or 4 year degree. No degree = no acceptance. There are two online courses. Once you complete those you have one semester (18 weeks) of classroom training in Eden Prairie. As long as you pass, you are almost guaranteed a job. Lately placement has taken about 3 months. I have heard that numerous people wash out once they are placed at a center because they just can't hack it.

 

[fLYbUDDY]

I originally typed 18 months but was mistaken it is 18 weeks. Sorry and thanks for the clarification Rizzo!

 

[Nolife]

ATC job

Try Miami- Dade Community College. They have an ATC program as well and I think they're cheaper and it doesn't take as long. I'd have done it myself but I missed the age cut off so now I have to keep flying.

 

[generaltso]

Can someone verify this... I remember reading somewhere that you have 3 years from the end of training to find employment. I was wondering because this could be a good fall back on a piloting career (although I know most don't consider ATC as a fall back).

If you could go to school and get the training and then have it forever in case you want to quickly get a job in ATC.... but like I said I think I remember you only get 3 years.

 

[BoDEAN]

In order to be accepted to MCTC you must already have a 2 or 4 year degree. No degree = no acceptance. There are two online courses. Once you complete those you have one semester (18 weeks) of classroom training in Eden Prairie. As long as you pass, you are almost guaranteed a job. Lately placement has taken about 3 months. I have heard that numerous people wash out once they are placed at a center because they just can't hack it.

WHere are these online classes/degree's at?
That would be more convienent for someone who doesn't live in MN, to just take the class from home, and pass it without having to move/relocated for a few months.

Also, can't hack it. What do you mean, to stressful for them?

 

[Ravengirl]

generaltso,

you have two years from the date of your graduation to be hired.

Stephanie

 

[Schwenner]

There is also an ATC program at Community College of Beaver County, in Pittsburgh, PA. The students from there, man the tower at Beaver County Apt (BVI). I know nothing about the program, but fly from that airport.

Good luck

 

[newmei]

How hard is it to get into the MN schooL??? I've heard its difficult because only 30 people are accepted a quarter......Anybody have any info on this...85k 3rd year does'nt sound bad.

 

[BoDEAN]

bump

 

[ATCER]

All of the info above is pretty much on track... the FAA's website is actually very good for info.

http://www2.faa.gov/careers/employment/atc.htm

As for failing out there are many reasons... some do it on purpose to get to other facilities and others just have a hard time. If you fail out the FAA places you at a lower level facility. Once you are fully rated and put in about a year or two you can bid out to anywhere in the country.

As for pay it is not unusual for someone sent to a big center (level 12) to break 100K in their second year... and they are still not at top pay.

 

[surfnole]

What's the deal with the age restrictions on becoming an ATC controller? If you are over 30 (roughly), its too late. I can understand this requirement of the military, but why ATC?

 

[ATCER]

Age has to do with retirement... mandatory retirement is 56 for an ATCS. Age 31 gives you the minumum of 25 years for retirement.

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

Im 99% sure you have to goto OKC in order to get an FAA slot. And yes, its true alot of controllers now days hit the artcc, however, some are going to tracons and others are towers.

I was CTI riddle DAB and im going to a tower.

I have a hard time believing that you get a guaranteed artcc job without OKC training.

Thats kinda like getting an airline job with out getting the commercial multi/instrument.


In order to be a controller you have to have a college degree. So im assuming in order to get accepted to the minnesota school you must have a degree before.

 

[ATCER]

MARC students are ONLY placed at ARTCC's ... if they fail out then they are placed at a tower. MARC does not go through OKC, they go through an almost identical program to the enroute program that is given in OKC.

CTI's and military go through OKC. They either go through the terminal program which I think is about 2 months, or the enroute program which is 3 months in length, 2 months of non-radar, and one month of radar lab.

That's why which program is better depends on if you have a degree... MARC requires college. It's my understanding that any CTI school will require you to achieve the degree in order to satisfy the requirements for CTI and to take the exam for ATC.

 

[Ravengirl]

you're right...

At my school, for instance, the CTI program is a 2 year Aviation Science degree. People come in with bachelor's degrees, but still have to complete all the CTI courses. This takes a minimum of another 3 semesters. And you take the exam (the OPM is what we are still using) whenever is happens to be offered during your time at the school, but you still must graduate to get a "recommendation for hire".

Stephanie