New Controller Training Scheme Goes Live

Initiative's trainees will skip FAA Academy after college courses.

Tuesday, October 08, 2024 at 04:34 PM ET

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FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said the two post-secondary institutions will offer the same training on the same equipment as takes place at the FAA's academy. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA is launching a new direct entry air traffic control training program, with applications opening on October 11 at Tulsa Community College and the University of Oklahoma.
This Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative allows graduates to proceed directly to on-the-job training at air traffic control facilities, bypassing the FAA's training academy.
The program at these institutions will offer the same training and equipment as the FAA academy.
The primary goal of this initiative is to streamline training and address the nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers.

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Applications will be taken starting October 11 for the FAA’s new direct entry air traffic control training program at two Oklahoma schools.

Tulsa Community College and the University of Oklahoma are the first two institutions to offer the new Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative. Under the initiative, graduates will go directly to air traffic control facilities for on-the-job training and skip the FAA’s training academy in Oklahoma City.

Russ Niles

Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.