The Evolution of the ATC Selection and Training Process

Abstract

This paper explores the history of the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) selection and training process, showing how the process has evolved in an attempt to select a highly qualified and diverse controller workforce. Early ATC applicants were recruited from a pool of primarily white males with military aviation experience. Today the Federal Aviation Administration appears to favor the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program as the mechanism to produce the desired pool of ATC applicants. The AT-CTI program is then evaluated against the goals of selecting highly qualified and diverse ATC candidates. In theory, the AT-CTI program should produce well-qualified ATC applicants because of the high academic requirement of a college degree. However, the location and cost of attending an AT-CTI program can limit the ability of the FAA to attract candidates from all 50 states and has so far failed at increasing the diversity of the controller workforce.

Author

• Pavel, Samuel R Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University