The FAA will accept applications nationwide from people interested in becoming air traffic controllers, beginning this Friday, July 27, the agency announced this week.Applications will be accepted until next Tuesday, July 31, or until a sufficient applicant pool has been reached to meet the needs of the FAA, whichever comes first. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, speak English clearly and be no more than 30 years old (with limited exceptions). A combination of three years of education and/or work experience is required. Applicants also must pass a medical examination, security investigation and the FAA’s pre-employment tests. The median annual wage for air traffic control specialists was$127,805in 2016, according to the FAA website. The salaries for entry-level ATC specialists increase as they complete each phase of training. Applicants must be willing to work anywhere in the U.S.
Active-duty military members can apply, but they must provide documentation certifying they expect to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the document is signed. Accepted applicants will be trained at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Initial selection does not guarantee placement into federal civilian service, the FAA notes at its website. Entry-level applicants must complete required training courses at theFAAAcademy in Oklahoma City and gain on-the-job experience before becoming certified professional controllers. Interested applicants should visit the FAA jobs websiteto start building their applications, or go to this site for more information about ATC careers.The FAA’s hiring practices in recent years have been met with some pushback, including a lawsuit claiming the practices are discriminatory.
