SCSU Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative

Would you like a job where you solve three-dimensional real time jigsaw puzzles and all the parts are moving but the objective  is to keep the parts separated.  Imagine an office with more windows and a view that most people only dream of; an office with the latest in computer technology and the ability to see out to 200 miles.  This is the office of a working air traffic controller.  While the tower overlooks the airport controllers use radar to see out to over 200 miles. These Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) videos show air traffic controllers at work and the agency's future Staffing Plans See this FAA web site for controller salary information.

SCSU’s Department of Aviation joined 30 other universities and colleges when it was approved by the FAA in October 2008 as an AT-CTI program. Students were first admitted to the program during Spring Semester 2009 and the first Air Traffic Selection and Training (AT-SAT) test for SCSU AT-CTI students was authorized in May 2009. Completion of SCSU's Bachelor of Science Aviation Operations Degree program could make you eligible for one of the 17,000 FAA ATC openings that are anticipated during the next decade. You can acquire the knowledge and skills to help you succeed in this exciting career field. ATC employment opportunities also exist with the military, DOD and private sector companies.

Tower, Center and Approach Control

The FAA has partnerships with selected colleges and universities offering  two- and four-year non-engineering aviation degree programs including air traffic control classes.  The program is designed to provide qualified applicants to fill developmental air traffic control specialist (ATCS) positions. To find out more about the air traffic control occupation please visit the US Department of Labor website at: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos108.htm

Qualification information Students must satisfy all criteria listed below and complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Science Aviation Operations (120 credits) with specific ATC-related classes. Recommendation by the faculty of the SCSU AT-CTI program to the FAA is contingent on the student satisfying the following requirements:  (completion of 1, 2 and 3-a to initially qualify for inclusion in the SCSU AT-CTI database and have their name forwarded to the FAA).

 

1.      Complete Introduction to Aviation class and a personal interview with the designated SCSU AT-CTI coordinator.

2.      Be admitted to the B.S. Aviation Operations major; maintain overall 2.50 GPA

3.       In addition to normal curriculum requirements take and pass three exams:

a.       Department specified entrance exam with a score of 80 or higher.

b.      AT-SAT aptitude exam with a score of 70 or better (Senior year about 30 credits from graduation).  Students must wait one year before attempting a re-take of the AT-SAT exam and no more than two attempts are allowed; the most recent score counts.  FAA determines when and where the exam is scheduled.

c.       End of program qualifying exam, as part of AVIT 497, with a score of 80 or higher.

4.      Complete an exit interview with the SCSU AT-CTI coordinator

 

Note - both department specific exams are based on the FAA ATC Basics curriculum material normally covered in these listed classes  If students score less than 80 on Exam #1 they will be allowed one retake but must wait at least one semester and be recommended to the CTI director by their adviser.  There is no provision for retake on Exam #2.

 

Exam #1 (admit to CTI)

AVIT 100 Intro to Aviation

AVIT 101 Private Pilot Ground

AVIT 103 Global Issues in Air Transportation

AVIT 215 Intro to ATC

 

Exam #2 (end of program); part of AVIT 497 plus AT-SAT if needed

AVIT 309 Tower

AVIT 311 Tracon

AVIT 313 Enroute

AVIT 409 Airport Management

For information contact Dr. Patrick Mattson, CTO, CM in HH 108 or phone at 320-308-3246 or the department office 320-308-2107 or email prmattson@StCloudState.edu  We also have a Facebook page- search for SCSU AT-CTI

AT-CTI minimum requirement. SCSU imposes no restrictions on age or physical condition of students entering the program. However, students desiring FAA ATC employment should be aware of and are responsible for meeting the requirements, such as the air traffic control specialist medical and security exams and a maximum age restriction for candidates anticipating employment in terminal or Enroute options; see FAA AT-CTI Air Traffic Controller page for specifics.   The student participating in this program can qualify for the AT-CTI FAA employment register, need only score a 70 or better on the AT-SAT aptitude test, and is allowed to bypass the first five weeks of the Oklahoma City FAA academy training (known as Basics).  If students accept employment via other FAA programs (off-the-street, CTO, military VRA) they will need to follow the requirements in place for that program.  Neither the FAA, SCSU nor their employees imply that the student is guaranteed a job or consideration for employment as a result of the student completing the AT-CTI requirements. CTI students must include these classes listed below:

Course  #

Course Content

Credits

AVIT 100*

Introduction to Aviation

1

AVIT 215*

Introduction to ATC (old AVIT 315)

3

AVIT 309*

ATC Tower procedures

3

AVIT 311*

ATC Tracon procedures (old AVIT 415)

3

AVIT 313*

ATC Enroute procedures

3

AVIT 409

Airport Management

3

AVIT 497*

Capstone with AT-SAT/Academy prep (must be ATC related)

3

* Indicates new, renumbered or retitled class.

Note - 2009-10 academic year: students graduating this year complete courses as they are offered but students graduating after May 2010 complete all specific classes as part of the Aviation Operations degree. See Dr. Patrick Mattson, CTO, CM in HH 108 or phone at 320-308-3246 if you need further directions. We are also making plans to offer the Aviation Operations degree on-line with a tentative start date of Summer 2010. The ATC simulation lab is located in HH 114. Download the Enrollment and Citizenship forms, fill them out and bring these with you when you are interviewed by the SCSU CTI Coordinator.  If you are serious about an ATC career you should register on the FAA (ASAP) Applicant Online Application System before you start this process. That way you will be ready when an open call or CTI announcement is made for applicants.

The FAA air traffic control current employment listing is at http://www.faa.gov/jobs/job_opportunities/airtraffic_controllers/openings/ The student acknowledges that neither SCSU nor the FAA and/or any of its employees imply that graduates of this program are in any way guaranteed consideration or acceptance for employment.

This page contains more information on How To Become an Air Traffic Controller  Students should be aware that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will conduct a security/background investigation and drug testing before hiring. For more information on FAA requirements go to their Air Traffic Controller page. Upon completion of SCSU's AT-CTI program and successfully passing the AT-SAT students may qualify for the FAA Academy.

(Posted 4-26-09, updated 11/14/2009)