What does it take to become an ATC?

[RUNNINHORN]

Does anyone know what I need to do to become an ATC? I live 5 mins from DFW airport, and want to be nothing else than an ATC! I just got out of college about a year ago, and am interested in finding out what I need to do exactly to become an air traffic controller. Does anyone know? Any info would GREATLY be apprecieated.....thanks!

 

[Ravengirl]

read me!

I'm in a college program for air traffic control. Feel free to PM or get in touch through my profile information if you want to talk further. I'm glad to answer any questions for you

Stephanie

 

[RUNNINHORN]

Hey Raven, thanks for teh info.

I tried PMing you, and emailing you, but it wouldnt let me. Would you mind shooting me an email, ive got a ton of questions.
Thanks!

[email protected]

 

[BoDEAN]

Why don't you post the questions on here, so she can help everyone out?

 

[Badger]

This is from a private msg. from an ATC student at ERAU when I was looking into it, great info...


Like you said it is a much more stable and predictable career than flying.

You have some say in where you want to work. Basically (without previous ATC employment or military ATC experience) the only way to get hired is to go through an FAA approved CTI program. Only 13 schools currently offer such a program (check the links at the bottom). After completing the CTI program you need to take an aptitude test called the AT-SAT (some programs make you take the test before graduation). The better your test score and GPA the better your chances of working where you want. Right now there is a huge demand for controllers. Many facilities are understaffed with a high percent of the employees eligible for retirement. However, there is currently a hiring freeze due to budget. This will most likely lift in the next few months. Bottom line is the system needs controllers. A lot of them. Throughout the next ten years or so 85% (14,000) will be eligible for retirement. The hardest region to get into right now is the Southern and the easiest are the Eastern and Southwestern. I would say it is less competitive then most other fields (especially piloting) as long as you don't mind going to a region that might not be your first choice. But once you’re in the system eventually you can transfer to another region if you want. Anyways I hope that helped a little and good luck with whatever career you decide to pursue.

I recommend you call up a local tower or center and ask for a tour. Tell them you are a pilot interested in ATC. I think technically tours are off limits but they might make an exception if they know you are a pilot. I was able to tour Miami center but some local towers turned me down. Just be aggressive and don't speak with a Middle East accent.

Check out this ATC sim. It is free (without voices) or a one-time fee of $12 with voices. It is supposing very realistic and a lot of fun. (Spring for the 12 bucks its well worth it)


Here are some other links that I have found helpful in my research of the career:

Newark controller's website
[URL=http://www.biznizzy.com/atc/]

JFK tower website with message board and live ATC links (some live feeds are currently down though )
[URL=http://www.jfktower.com/jfktwr/portal.php]

A message board for controllers (good place for ATC questions)
[URL=http://www.stuckmic.com/index.mv?1058804484]

Search of ATC job openings
[URL=http://jobs.faa.gov/Allfaajobs.htm]

FAA info about becoming a controller along with the CTI schools
[URL=http://www1.faa.gov/careers/employment/atc.htm]

 

[RUNNINHORN]

do u have to have your private pilots license to be an ATC?

is it correct that you only can go to 1 of those 13 schools for training?

how long does it take to become an ATC if you go to one of those schools?

How hard once done with school, is it to get on at a tower?

how much is the schooling?

Do any offer distance education/learning or do i have to move near one?

What is the avg starting pay?

Can you tell me a little about your experience?

thanks

 

[ATCER]

1 -do u have to have your private pilots license to be an ATC?

2 - is it correct that you only can go to 1 of those 13 schools for training?

3 - how long does it take to become an ATC if you go to one of those schools?

4 - How hard once done with school, is it to get on at a tower?

5 - how much is the schooling?

6 - Do any offer distance education/learning or do i have to move near one?

7 - What is the avg starting pay?

8 - Can you tell me a little about your experience?

thanks

1 - you do not need a pilots license to get into the CTI program, many offer the option of getting one (and it's fun to do so if $$$ allows) but it is not a requirement.

2 -For the CTI program the answer is yes. If you have a degree you can also attend the MARC school in Minnesota. Then there is of course the Military.



3 -This can vary, it depends on what region you apply to. Eastern region apllicants are getting picked up very fast, others like New England region are barely picking people up.



4 - Again, this depends on what region you go to. Many regions are filling the big Tracons and Centers first, then filling the lower level facilities with the people who wash out.



5 - Cost or Time ... ??? Cost can vary, you would have to contact the college of your choice for exact numbers, I could not speculate. As for time they are 2 year programs at a minumum. MARC is only about 6 months or so. Once you go to OKC it is another 2 - 3 months depending on your program (enroute, Terminal). But... you are paid a salary and per diem while you are there.



6 - I'm not sure... I'm pretty sure you will have to move near one. The schoosl have some flexability in the programs but overall are governed by the FAA and have to stick to a specified set of rules.


7 - Varies on where you go, we're paid based on the level of the facility with 12 (your Centers and big Tracons) being the highest. A place like DFW would probably have you break 50K your first year and make over 100K once you reach FPL status. At big facilites it's not uncommon to see people who are still in training (having certification on limited positions) break 100K.



8 - I love my job, I have been doing this for a few years now and its a great job. I was doing the flying thing and sort of fell into this and it's the best thing that has happened to me.



As for hiring ,getting hired by the Gov't can be slow and a pain in the butt at times but stick with it. Rumors of future hiring vary, the union (NATCA) calls forthe hiring of over 1000 a year for the next few years. Latest rumor I have heard is that FAA has a budget for only 300 or so this coming year, keep in mind the FAA works of the fiscal year which ends in September.

Good luck with whatever decison you make and if you have any questions post them on the board so all can share.

 

[ratings:all]

cti schools

if you're out of college, you can probably transfer and be done with the program in 3 semesters. I went to CCBC in PA, and was out in 2 and a summer session, but i went there with my pilots license already. Got my job offer from FAA 2 months after completing the course.

IMHO, CCBC is the best option because you get an actual ATC license with time in their tower-so you can work for contract providers like midwest or a municipal tower if the feds *do* take their sweet time getting around to you.

 

[surfnole]

This was a stealth career I missed out on. I wish I would have known how much controllers can make. Avg salary is 100K I hear, and senior guys can make 150K.

 

[RUNNINHORN]

Ok, so here is my situation, you tell me what YOU would do if YOU were ME:

24, single, a year out of college (just got my BA from UT in Austin,TX)

Living in Dallas, and have NO commitments anywhere, so i can pretty much move anywhere. WHich school would you recommend for what I already have? The Minn school is only 6 mos? How long is the school in CCBC? Any of them do correspondence or distance education? I can get an actual ATC license from CCBC? How much is CCBC? Id prefer to go wherever it is the most accelerated, or where it would take the least amount of time and would give me the best opportunity to get hired the quickest, im mobile and will move wherever needed.......

 

[tinman]

How do controllers feel about going to standby when told to change squawk code? I was taught to do that, but recently I've heard otherwise. Don't want to mess you guys up!

 

[Vector4fun]

How do controllers feel about going to standby when told to change squawk code? I was taught to do that, but recently I've heard otherwise. Don't want to mess you guys up!

No big deal either way, I never noticed it to be a problem. Just don't waste any time getting the new code in once you start... Terminal radar will pretty much ignore a code change until it sees a new code for 3-4 sweeps in a row... (20 sec or so)

A much more common problem is folks departing with the wrong, or an old code. Often it's been re-assigned to another aircraft, so when YOU depart with the wrong code, computer assumes you're the other aircraft, starts a track, activates the other flight plan, causing us to have to suspend the track, enter a hold message, etc. etc. etc.

PITA

 

[fLYbUDDY]

Id prefer to go wherever it is the most accelerated, or where it would take the least amount of time and would give me the best opportunity to get hired the quickest, im mobile and will move wherever needed.......

Well if you want the most accelerated then you would have to go with the MARC program. It is like 6 months and will get you a direct job to a facility. From my understanding you even bypass having to go to OKC and train at the FAA academy (however, I can't confirm the validity of that.)

I have heard that the MARC program can be pretty intense though. I think it has either a high washout rate or is really hard to get into. But I'm sure if you are as determined as you sound you will make it happen.

Probably the next fastest route to ATCin would be a 2 year school (like CCBC.) Military might be very fast, but that's a whole different thread.

Keep in mind with the MARC program you can only go to a Center facility, but I have heard once you get in the system it is just a matter of transferring.

I hope everything works out for you!

 

[fLYbUDDY]

Oh and while this kind of thread is going I have a question for those that are actually ATCers.

There was some worry about an ATCer's job being extremely "high stress." I would imagine it has its share of stress (especially with all the responsibility), but is it as bad as the stereotype says it is, particularly Hollywood's “Pushing tin?” I went on a Center tour and it seemed extremely laid back. From a few controllers I’ve talked to they say it isn't bad at all, however a few did hint that it was a little more stressful then they like it. I'm just wondering what your opinion is. I mean have you, or any of your coworkers, experienced breakdowns, severe alcohol abuse, multi-divorces, psychological problems, ect... I'm sure it exists but it is it the norm?

Thanks!

 

[ATCER]

I'll try and answer a few of the questions...

Runninhorn - You have a good situation going for you... not being tied down is good because being flexible helps in the initial process (going to school out of town, going to OKC, etc). As for the school it all depends on where you want to go. Having a degree makes you a good candidate for the MARC school. BUT ... that means you will be hired to a center. If your goal is to go to a tower (like DFW) then CTI may be more up your alley. Either way you would want to be hired into the FAA Southwest Region.

http://www2.faa.gov/asw/index.html

This would keep you close to home. Fort Worth has a ARTCC... so through MARC you might get hired into there. Those of us that are controllers are out of the loop as far as hiring goes so I could not tell you who is hiring and who is not.

Best thing to do is try and get a tour of both the ARTCC (ZFW) and the tower (DFW). I would start there. If you can get a tour try and chat with people who have been hired recently and find out what path they took.

http://dfw.natca.net/

Above is the union's site for DFW tower. Drop someone an email and see if that gets you anywhere.

Here ~> http://zfw.natca.net/ is the link for Natca at ZFW ARTCC. Again, dropping an email couldn't hurt. Also, call the schools (like Beaver) and talk to the people there, ask about hiring and what regions are picking people up.

Now, as for stress that, like things in many other jobs, is overplayed. I have been in the jumpseat of big tin and watched the crew bring it down in low visibility, turbulence, rain, all kinds of things happening in the cockpit... I gotta tell ya, that seems more stressfull then anything else I've seen or done. I think the job gets a bit of a rap because there is a large number of type A personalities and some of there stunts or activities are what gets reported.

 

[Vector4fun]

Okay, I'll try to give you all a little insight on an ATC job. The following are *MY* impressions and experiences only, take them for what that's worth. I was a college CFII with around 1300 hrs when I got hired back in '79......

First, being a pilot does NOT necessarily give you a big leg up in training. Yes, you'll be more familiar with the terminology and procedures we use, but the "job skills" between a pilot and controller are different. When I went through initial training, the washout rate for pilots and former military controllers was almost as high as for secretaries and accountants. Some pilots (people) would do extremely well with just two or three airplanes, but just be unable to juggle and prioritize ten-fifteen balls at the same time. Doesn't mean you're a bad pilot or person, just a lousy juggler. Some people have a difficult time analysing a situation and making a good decision very quickly. Given one minute, they'd do just fine. There just isn't that much time, and you can't second guess yourself very much while on position. A controller doesn't always get it right, but you have to be very confident and decisive. Suprisingly, many people aren't when the fur flies. Again, doesn't mean you're a bad person or unsafe in another career. I'd kinda prefer that my surgeon think a bit longer than five seconds in fact

Military ATC is NOT necessarily like civilian. I've met some very fine military controllers who had a good and varied backround. I've also met some who had, how shall I put this, the same three days experience 300 times in a row if you get my drift. They might not be bad controllers, but we really don't know until they get a few hundred different experiences thrown at them.

There IS stress in the job. But stress is dfferent things to different people. Some people just thrive on stress. I think you'll find many controllers at the busiest facilities are like that. If they didn't, they wouldn't last long. Lots of divorces, but the drinking has gone WAY down from 20-30 years ago. We get random testing just like airline crews, plus the average age is getting up there, like 45 ish. Besides, alcohol interferes with my Diabetes medication........

Many people would think that bad weather is stressful, but in my own case, I LOVE 500 and 2. Just so long as there's not much convective activity. I have more fun vectoring a bunch of pros to parallel ILSs than just about anything else. Pros are predictable and easy to serve. On the other hand, Thunderstorms mean nothing's predictable. The wind may change 180 degrees and 30 kts in two minutes. Three pilots will deviate east around a cell, and the next will insist on going NW. Three will report light-moderate, and the next severe turbulence. Just as soon as you get a plan in place, you have to change it. That's stress.

Also, a holiday weekend with good weather can be a real bear because every flying farmer and his brother Earl are out there and you know the frequency is going to be just barely manageable. People stepping on each other's transmissions and read-backs, lousy scratchy radios, sorry transponders, sight-seers, gliders, jumpers, banner tows, cops, traffic reporters, surveys, photographers, students, flight tests, and Mom and Pop taking the kids to Grandma's, you name it. It get's VERY frustrating at times. It's like flying the most poorly maintained aircraft you ever saw. You have no idea what's gonna break next, and how you're gonna troubleshoot the problem. Just keep the greasy side down and try to keep the airspeed around Va. That radio frequency is to a controller what the control column is to a pilot. When you hear a frequency become nearly unmanageable, that's a BAD sign. Everyone's just along for the ride. If you hear a controller get curt at such times, please try to excuse him/her. It's like wrestling the wheel away from a goofy passenger.

That's my perspective as a terminal controller. I generally like my job, and won't complain about the pay and benefits. 70% of the time, I'm probably over paid, 25% of the time, I'm paid what I'm worth, and 5% of the time, I ought to get about three times what I'm paid, so it evens out, just like lots of other jobs......

 

[RUNNINHORN]

Well if you want the most accelerated then you would have to go with the MARC program. It is like 6 months and will get you a direct job to a facility. From my understanding you even bypass having to go to OKC and train at the FAA academy (however, I can't confirm the validity of that.)

I have heard that the MARC program can be pretty intense though. I think it has either a high washout rate or is really hard to get into. But I'm sure if you are as determined as you sound you will make it happen.

Probably the next fastest route to ATCin would be a 2 year school (like CCBC.) Military might be very fast, but that's a whole different thread.

Keep in mind with the MARC program you can only go to a Center facility, but I have heard once you get in the system it is just a matter of transferring.

I hope everything works out for you!

thanks for the info, where is MARC? is that in Minnesota? Any idea how expensive the school is and how expensive it is to live there while attending school?

 

[RUNNINHORN]

Man, I am confused, where is CTI and where is MARC?

 

[fLYbUDDY]

The MARC program is a separate thing from CTI. Here is the link for the MARC program:

http://db.mctc.mnscu.edu/airTraffic/

The CTI (Collage Training Initiative) deal is that there are 13 collages that have an FAA approved course to become an ATCer. Some schools are two year collages some are four year universities. Here is a link to the FAA's website that has the list of approved schools. (I think someone has already posted it but I'll post it again anyway.)

http://www1.faa.gov/careers/employment/atc.htm

Many thanks to ATCER and Vector4fun for sharing your on-the-job experiences and info. Also thanks to anyone else who has or will contribute to these kinds of threads. Your comments and info is priceless.

 

[tinman]

One more thing and I swear I'll stop hijacking this thread. If somebody goes through an emerg. code enroute to the assigned code, is ATC's alarm only on when the person is actually on that code? Or does it stay on once its tripped?

Hopefully this question can be understood. Thanks for all the info.