Air Traffic Control: The Importance, Facts, and Future

By Annamarie Buonocore

As most pilots and aviation enthusiasts know, air traffic control is one of the most important jobs in the field. Air traffic controllers keep pilots and passengers safe and make the whole system run smoothly. It is a simple fact that aviation would not be where it is today without the dedication of air traffic controllers. But just like we have a pilot shortage, we also have a shortage of air traffic controllers. Controlling air traffic is not an easy task, and not everybody is cut out for the role. The requirements are steep, the training difficult, and the job can be stressful, but the rewards are also immense.

At this year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association had a large presence and invited In Flight USA magazine into their space for an interview. The session was informative and helpful, and we hope that the below information will encourage more young aviation enthusiasts to pursue a rewarding career as an air traffic controller.

IFU: What is the purpose of NATCA? What do you do?

Controllers: NATCA represents over 20,000 aviation professionals. We’re not just air traffic controllers. Our members work in air certification, are engineers, and also work in finance. There are many different professionals who touch the ATC system, and it is our goal to represent them.

IFU: I understand there is a big need for air traffic controllers right now. Tell me more about that and what you are doing about it.

Controllers: There is definitely a need for air traffic controllers. Our challenge is getting people through the certification process, which starts at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City where people are taught the basics of air traffic. There are only so many slots to get people through so it creates a bit of a bottleneck. The academy has a high dropout rate but if someone makes it through, they are sent to an ATC facility. Here they enter another training period that can last anywhere between one to three years. During this time, they are provided on-the-job training and work towards certification.

IFU: What are the requirements to become an air traffic controller?

Controllers: You can come in with no experience at all, and many people do. Then there are those who come in from the military, and we have a large group of prior military members. Then there is a group out of universities such as Embry Riddle or Middle Tennessee University, and they have degrees in air traffic control. When the FAA is ready to hire more people, they will put out bids and designate the criteria that they are selecting from at that time. You have to be under the age of 31, with an exception for prior military experience, because it is such a mentally challenging and draining job that they have put the age cap at age 56. You also have to pass a medical exam which includes an EKG cardio test, hearing and sight tests and a psychological evaluation just to name a few.

IFU: How much does an entry-level air traffic controller make?

Controllers: It depends on the facility that you work at, but they usually start out around $35,000 and then it will go up to $70,000 or $80,000 after someone becomes certified. Pay is primarily based on the volume and complexity of the traffic a facility works. Facilities are ranked on a scale from 4 to 12. Twelve is the highest level, and this category would be for big facilities like Chicago or Atlanta. These air traffic controllers make the most.

IFU: How long is the training?

Controllers: The initial training at the academy takes approximately three months. Once an individual arrives at their assigned facility, it usually takes an additional one to three years. The length of time depends on many factors including the volume and complexity of the traffic, the resources available to accomplish the training, or the number of different areas of specialty in each facility.

IFU: Are there certain facilities or locations that are in greater need for controllers than others?

Controllers: No, they are needed everywhere in the same way. Everyone is short staffed right now. We were making a lot of headway in getting people hired, but Covid really put us behind. NATCA has been collaborating with the FAA to balance the system with the resources we currently have because we don’t want some facilities overstaffed while others remain understaffed.

IFU: What are the benefits of joining NATCA?

Controllers: NATCA is a labor organization comprised of dedicated aviation safety professionals acting to advance the status, professionalism, and working conditions of all air traffic controllers and other aviation safety-related employees through collective bargaining, political action, and other lawful concerted activity. Being a part of NATCA allows a person to be involved. This includes such things as coming to places like EAA AirVenture where we get to interact with pilots and show them what happens on the other side of the mic. NATCA members also have the opportunity to work with the FAA, Congress, users of the ATC system, and other entities to modernize aviation, integrate new technology, and increase the efficiency of ATC, just to name a few. Every year, NATCA holds a large safety conference were we discuss topics such as training, communication, and human factors. Once a year we have an event in Washington DC to talk to our elected representatives about our career, safety, and future. In short, when you join NATCA, you get to participate in taking charge of where this career field is going.

IFU: What are the typical hours for an air traffic controller?

Controllers: That is one of the most difficult parts of the job. The hours can be kind of unusual. Typically, we work rotating shifts so fatigue becomes a factor. We cannot work more than 10 hours in a day, we cannot work more than six days in a row, and we must have at least a nine-hour rest period between certain shifts. These are all policies that have been implemented over the years because, just as the airlines have realized that they must address fatigue for air crews, we must also mitigate fatigue.

IFU: How much does it cost to join?

Controllers: The union takes a percentage of your salary, so it depends on how much you are getting paid. You can find more information on our website.

IFU: Can non-members join?

Controllers: Yes, we have associate members. They have a flat-rate membership fee for these associates, and that can also be found on our website.

IFU: What kind of person or skillset would make for a good ATC?

Controllers: For one, you should have a solid foundation in the English language. You must be able to speak, write, and read English well. The next most important thing would be the aptitude. If you have the aptitude, we can teach you the rest of the skills necessary for the job. By aptitude we mean, do you have to have a tolerance for risk because you are expected to mitigate inherent risk within aviation. Can you think in a three-dimensional way since that is the environment we work in? Are you too overly analytical? I remember one student who took too long analyze every detail, and it turned out that he wasn’t a good fit for the job. Controllers must make the correct decision quickly and move on to the next one without dwelling on anyone thing. A lot of people are very uncomfortable with that.

IFU: Do you have anything else you would like to add?

Controllers: I think it is the greatest job in the world, and I feel fortunate to be able to do this. How many people can say that they actually love their work? I do. It’s a challenge, but it’s a good challenge. It can be stressful but meeting the challenges of busy traffic and providing the best service possible brings a lot of satisfaction.