Becoming an ATC
Take a FREE Young Eagles Flight
EAA’s Young Eagles Flight Program
-
For youth ages 8-17
-
FREE introductory flight given by a local EAA chapter or individual EAA member in your area
-
Young Eagles are given a pre and post flight review of the interior and exterior of the airplane, safety instructions and an overview of airplane controls and operations
-
A 15-20 minute flight
Find a Young Eagles Flight
YoungEaglesDay.org
Register for a Young Eagles flight using EAA's online registration tool.
AeroEducate Calendar of Events ›
Find a Young Eagles rally or other youth events in your area.
Set Yourself up for success
You can get started on becoming an air traffic controller (ATC) now:
-
Talking to your high school guidance counselor and parents as early as your freshman year to let them know that your dream is to become an air traffic controller. They can help you identify courses you can take to set you up for success in your future career, as well as helping to find the proper resources to guide you through applying to a college, finding scholarships and talking with recruiters.
-
Focusing on taking advanced placement, math, and science courses while in high school can help prepare you for the college courses you will be taking later.
-
Having a pilot certificate can help you understand how to communicate better as an ATC.
-
You can start working toward your sport or private pilot certificate at any age, although you must be 16 years old to solo and 17 before you can be issued a pilot certificate. Join or get involved in your local EAA chapter.
-
You can also learn valuable skills from flight and ATC simulators, or by listening to ATC live.
- Volunteer with local civic or school organizations.
-
Keep working on AeroEducate badging and new activities to learn more about aviation.
Air Traffic Control Training
TRACON
Terminal Radar Approach Controllers work in radar rooms, usually in airport towers. They, like airport tower controllers, are responsible for the safe separation and movement of aircraft departing, landing, and maneuvering in the airport environment. Working in radar rooms, these controllers utilize terminal radar sensors to assist the aircraft until it reaches the edge of the facility’s airspace, usually about 20 to 50 miles from the airport and up to about 17,000 feet, before handing it off to the Air Route Traffic Control Center.
Control Tower
Airport Tower Controllers work in the glass towers you see at airports. They manage traffic from the airport, a radius of 3 to 30 miles out. They give pilots taxiing and take-off instructions, air traffic clearance, and advice based on their own observations and experience. They provide separation between landing and departing aircraft, transfer control of aircraft to the en route center controllers when the aircraft leave their airspace, and receive control of aircraft on flights coming into their airspace.
En Route
En Route Center Controllers work in 24 centers across the country, in a location away from the airport. You will never see them during the course of your flight, but they will normally direct your aircraft for the bulk of your ride. Controlling traffic usually at or above 17,000 feet, the typical center has responsibility for more than 100,000 square miles of airspace generally extending over a number of states. Using radar or manual procedures, they keep track of the thousands of airplanes in the sky at any one time.
Career
Enjoy a rewarding career as an Air Traffic Controller.
Give Back
When possible, inspire the next generation of youth. Get involved in your local engineering groups, mentor kids and become the spark that ignites a fire for engineering.
Take a FREE Young Eagles Flight
EAA’s Young Eagles Flight Program
-
For youth ages 8-17
-
FREE introductory flight given by a local EAA chapter or individual EAA member in your area
-
Young Eagles are given a pre and post flight review of the interior and exterior of the airplane, safety instructions and an overview of airplane controls and operations
-
A 15-20 minute flight
Find a Young Eagles Flight
YoungEaglesDay.org
Register for a Young Eagles flight using EAA's online registration tool.
AeroEducate Calendar of Events ›
Find a Young Eagles rally or other youth events in your area.
Set Yourself up for success
You can get started on becoming an air traffic controller (ATC) now:
-
Talking to your high school guidance counselor and parents as early as your freshman year to let them know that your dream is to become an air traffic controller. They can help you identify courses you can take to set you up for success in your future career, as well as helping to find the proper resources to guide you through applying to a college, finding scholarships and talking with recruiters.
-
Focusing on taking advanced placement, math, and science courses while in high school can help prepare you for the college courses you will be taking later.
-
Having a pilot certificate can help you understand how to communicate better as an ATC.
-
You can start working toward your sport or private pilot certificate at any age, although you must be 16 years old to solo and 17 before you can be issued a pilot certificate. Join or get involved in your local EAA chapter.
-
You can also learn valuable skills from flight and ATC simulators, or by listening to ATC live.
- Volunteer with local civic or school organizations.
-
Keep working on AeroEducate badging and new activities to learn more about aviation.
Air Traffic Control Training
TRACON
Terminal Radar Approach Controllers work in radar rooms, usually in airport towers. They, like airport tower controllers, are responsible for the safe separation and movement of aircraft departing, landing, and maneuvering in the airport environment. Working in radar rooms, these controllers utilize terminal radar sensors to assist the aircraft until it reaches the edge of the facility’s airspace, usually about 20 to 50 miles from the airport and up to about 17,000 feet, before handing it off to the Air Route Traffic Control Center.
Control Tower
Airport Tower Controllers work in the glass towers you see at airports. They manage traffic from the airport, a radius of 3 to 30 miles out. They give pilots taxiing and take-off instructions, air traffic clearance, and advice based on their own observations and experience. They provide separation between landing and departing aircraft, transfer control of aircraft to the en route center controllers when the aircraft leave their airspace, and receive control of aircraft on flights coming into their airspace.
En Route
En Route Center Controllers work in 24 centers across the country, in a location away from the airport. You will never see them during the course of your flight, but they will normally direct your aircraft for the bulk of your ride. Controlling traffic usually at or above 17,000 feet, the typical center has responsibility for more than 100,000 square miles of airspace generally extending over a number of states. Using radar or manual procedures, they keep track of the thousands of airplanes in the sky at any one time.
Career
Enjoy a rewarding career as an Air Traffic Controller.
Give Back
When possible, inspire the next generation of youth. Get involved in your local engineering groups, mentor kids and become the spark that ignites a fire for engineering.
