How To Become An Air Traffic Controller

[@sliferxxxx]

Air traffic controller here. I got in via the CTI route and passing the ATSAT. Stressful career but very rewarding.

[@ILikesports360]

How come never mentions the degree or specific certification required

[@sliferxxxx]

@@ILikesports360 Because you don't need a degree to be an air traffic controller. At least not here in the US.

[@ILikesports360]

@@sliferxxxx well certificate or associates degree? CTI’s are difficult to find

[@alexmuiga8892]

i’ve got plenty of questions how may i contact you ?

[@gatoarabe3148]

Do I need a College degree to become one

[@hampshirewanderer5078]

An incredible choice of subject for this video. While I do not feel confident in my abilities to be a successful ATCO, I did find an interesting vacancy for ATSAs (Air Traffic Services Assistant), based at NATS Swanwick. This position works closely with and supports ATCOs and their workload.

[@egpx]

Not as many ATSA posts around nowadays thanks to technology but they are still essential for ensuring flight data is correctly displayed to the ATCO. On many occasions during my ATCO career I’ve been thankful to the ATSAs for solving issues that could have potentially got out of hand.

[@olivermateee547]

How is it? I'm 21 and quite confused with what I want to do.

[@maxs_d___9101]

An air traffic controller is my dream job planning to enrole with nats in Southampton and until then train to the Vatsim network!

[@siobhanpeal38]

If you have the right mindset it is one of the most rewarding careers ever. I have never regretted it!

[@H.R.King.]

2 videos in 1 day, we are blessed

[@taylordarland8772]

Currently at the faa academy in OKC. Training is no joke.

[@sliferxxxx]

Nice. En route or terminal?

[@taylora5224]

And that’s the easy part, wait until you talk to real planes

[@500poundwristcurls6]

Can you tell us more about it?

[@colin1595]

I have always wanted to be an air traffic controller, lucky for me their is a collage in my state offering training. Hope I can become one someday!

[@Shameonhaters]

Good luck man! Im starting training this year in Switzerland :D

[@KB-xd5wq]

You don't need training at a college. Just a regular degree will do.

[@7lool125]

@@KB-xd5wq what degree course?

[@KB-xd5wq]

@@7lool125 Any. I had a degree in finance and economics. They just want to see if you have discipline. Going to a school for ATC...I think is a waste of money. If you don't make it to become a controller you are stuck with a degree in ATC. They do give you a little help at the start of your career with the general knowledge of ATC that you get with the ATC degree. I had zero ATC experience. You will learn at the FAA academy....it will be a fast pace. A ATC degree "may" give you a slight advantage at the start...but you quickly become equal with everyone else. .

[@saeitoshii]

​​@@Shameonhaters hi!! with skyguide? id love to pursue this career but the "heavy selection test" (sorry, dunno how to call it) that is done pre-course kinda scares me... is it that difficult to pass? thank you!

[@egpx]

It was a great job. I spent 37 years as an ATCO before retiring three years ago. My username gives you a clue as to where I worked! New entrants these days all seem to have degrees which should be completely unnecessary. The job is very specific so the individual authorities have to provide the training to do the job. I can’t think of a single university course that would provide any sort of knowledge that would help in becoming an ATCO. Joining at, say, 19 at the end of high school rather than 23 at the end of university means no student loans to pay off, less sponging off the Bank of Mum and Dad and most important of all, an extra four years of pension contributions.

[@tsubimekdeinmansubimekdein3898]

Is it true that you get a lifetime pension after you retire as an ATCO ?

[@egpx]

@@tsubimekdeinmansubimekdein3898 I can only speak for the UK but yes, the pension scheme provides the retiree an income until they die and maybe even a widow's pension to any surviving spouse. I suspect similar arrangements are in place in most of Europe at least.

[@tsubimekdeinmansubimekdein3898]

@@egpx wow thats insane how much % of your last salary do you still get in your pension ?

[@egpx]

@@tsubimekdeinmansubimekdein3898 I’m not sure as the pension scheme changed for new entrants a few years ago. The final salary scheme could pay out as much as two thirds your final salary on retirement, depending on how long you’d worked in the job, and that figure would rise each year in line with inflation. I know some old ex-ATCOs who are earning more now than they did when they worked! The new pension scheme is not nearly as generous but I’m told it is just as good as any other well paid profession.

[@tsubimekdeinmansubimekdein3898]

@@egpx wow thats a really interesting information because i tried to explain those questions to myself by simply googleling but i couldnt find and source proving that to me, thats why im very gerateful that you told me this because i also want to become an Air Traffic Controller and im really passionat about the job so thank you very much and have a nice day Ps: from 1-10 how much did you like your job ?

[@rajr5936]

This is why I love your channel. You make interesting innovative videos.

[@spades9048]

An extremely difficult job to learn but once you learn it and get a few years in then it’s fairly easy unless there’s weather.

[@asimhd1990]

Weather - lol

[@darrinsiberia]

can I start at age 41.

[@officialrivv]

​@@darrinsiberia Oldest age to join is 31 years old

[@justingaskins3440]

​@@officialrivv😢 I turn 31 in October

[@TheyCallMeSep]

awesome video simple flying! you really teach me alot :D

[@dannyisnow1004]

In Singapore you at least need a poly diploma or university degree to become a air traffic controller. I been recdommand to study for aviation management as thats seemingly the only Course in poly that has air traffic control topics in it. Praying I manage to qualify for that course.

[@ehsan83]

I wanted to apply when I was 29 in Switzerland but they didn't accept me because I wasn't Swiss or EU national. Today I'm 39 and still regret such conditions which deprive people for making their dream come true. Anyways life goes on...

[@AYT686]

so just curious what job r u doing for now?

[@ehsan83]

@@AYT686 I worked in several sectors in aviation. Today I work as gate info agent

[@Chris_at_Home]

I did some work at ZAN over 20 years ago and they had the best video games in their break room.

[@deojamal7208]

I want that career and I will reach it ! ❤

[@sariahedwards6352]

Amen!

[@kojoharrison630]

I would Love Love Love to be an ATCO but sadly I’m much older than the required age which is sad because my previous job in the Healthcare involves being safe so I’m very compliant and particular

[@AlfarooqAlmenghawi]

I feel sorry for you.

[@sauceymitts137]

So you don't need to be 31 and under to work in ATC in Canada? If so, this is great news for me

[@trob0914]

You forgot to mention about the US military entry option, even though US military ATC does not openly qualify you fully,it usually helps! Some of us remember the ATC strike, the US military controllers stepped up to the plate!🇺🇸

[@RurbanWalker]

Surprised at the specific age requirement. Would have thought that violated discrimination laws.

[@JustCoolnShawn]

This is something I’m very much interested in! I live in New Jersey, I’m 29 years old. I’ll be 30 in January 3rd I wanna get in it before it’s too late. I just don’t know where to start off

[@BlueSideUp77]

If you didn't get in, in time, check out Advanced ATC in Georgia, for contract tower work after. Or CTI schools (very new news).

[@spelldaddy5386]

I have considered going into air traffic control, but I'm worried that I would fail the medical. I've looked at FAA standards for pilot's medicals, for which my medical condition would fail, and my understanding is that it's the same requirement for ATC

[@taylora5224]

It’s not the same, it’s super easy to pass

[@jacobchristopher5020]

idk about the faa but you can access the criteria online for the icao class 3 medical used for european atc, i'm sure it'd be similar

[@spelldaddy5386]

@@jacobchristopher5020 I think FAA requires class 1, at least last I checked

[@SpicyFaceActual]

Try and see! Worst they can say is no…

[@KB-xd5wq]

ATC requires a Class 2 which is good for one year. Airline pilots require Class 1 which is good for 6 months. You are allowed to use BP medication if you have no complications from them.

[@pumpkin79]

Ive considered this and sort of want to be one... still deciding tho

[@MissMyMusicAddiction]

I am completely surprised that we are still doing voice comms and that more of the job isn't automated. There seems to be no reason why we don't beam all this information to and from flight decks and onto pilot ipads. Rail, OTR truck, rideshare, UPS, FedEx, even forklift dispatch and routing are done primarily without two people having to communicate via voice.

[@seanmason9215]

Lives on the line is probably the difference maker

[@erinsutherland1195]

I am in Canada and I would love to become an ATC.

[@bhai857]

What is the career progression path though?

[@QuietStormX]

I was a Jet Engine Mechanic. That included Jet Engines and (Turbo Fan engines) ;-D

[@pranayakhadka3507]

But, I have not studied mathematices in high school. What should I do bro??

[@taylora5224]

Took me 4 times applying to get into the faa, and I was a prior experienced controller in the Air Force. What the video doesn’t mention is the faa only puts out a hiring bid once or twice a year.

[@SpicyFaceActual]

Still worth throwing your name in the hat!

[@500poundwristcurls6]

What's training in the FAA like?

[@saimbinkhalid2757]

Hey Taylor I need some information can u guide

[@ramatoufayli1804]

how to apply

[@asyablake]

You have to be under 30? 😢

[@halifaxaviation9724]

Thanks 🙌

[@SimpleFlyingNews]

Thank you for watching!😊✈️

[@indian4556]

I am very much interested, but don’t know how to go about starting the process

[@NoahHerz-f6f]

have you progressed?

[@turbofanlover]

I respect and appreciate what these people do...but you couldn't pay me enough to do that job.

[@SpicyFaceActual]

What about $200k a year and retirement at 48? 👍

[@Alpereniiki]

i want to be a atc but i am undecided

[@technopc2953]

Bar quite low? Try the FEAST selection process in Europe. 70% of people fail that exam

[@rukiakuchiki2209]

I would like to train

[@Insight189]

Very sad that you can’t start at any age

[@Acer_gaming_69.]

Yes

[@aviationman5019]

Do they get paid well?

[@BlueSideUp77]

Very well.

[@WannaBeHocker]

This video is going to trigger Embry Riddle students around the country! A mention of CTI schools and they were left out? Some nerve!

[@SpicyFaceActual]

Hopefully the the FAA does whatever it takes to ramp up hiring. We’re all getting tired of 6 day work weeks

[@WannaBeHocker]

@@SpicyFaceActual dream on

[@SpicyFaceActual]

@@WannaBeHocker lol! It’s cheaper to pay us overtime than it is to hire a new person. 🤷‍♂️ Good thing I’m eligible at 48! 👏

[@dougavery345]

Where is English not used for ATC?

[@lettybastien4624]

Wakanda

[@rolikesri1673]

a person with btech in computer science is eligible for this job or not ????

[@lettybastien4624]

Have to pass entrance exam, then spend two months in a do or die training academy (USA).

[@aleciajohnson4422]

Yes🎉

[@visionestate-g4z]

I’m 41 is it too late?

[@bustownbc2787]

What is secondary school?

[@lettybastien4624]

High school, usually 17 or 18 worldwide.

[@IFHD350]

newt how to become a pilot

[@JHONLOYDMENDEZ]

It is my dream job.

[@pareshprajapati7916]

Thank you 🙏 sir

[@jonw3738]

The question is "Why would you want to become a air traffic controller?" And having to strap on one of those useless masks every single day? I think they would would a speaking hazard by muffling speech and causing possible mispronunciations. No thank you.

[@taylora5224]

You make a lot of money, that’s why. And you don’t have to wear masks anymore.

[@KChristopherCarvalho]

What Taylor said. And I've been wearing a mask in position for two years now, as have some of the pilots I talk to on the other side of the frequency. Neither of us have had any problem understanding each other or communicating.

[@SpicyFaceActual]

$200k or more a year, retirement at 48 (you’re mileage may vary) but I’ll wear a mask if they tell me too. But they’re gone… for now.. Great career. 👍