What training would I need to become an air traffic controller?

I was just curious what the qualification and training involved is for air traffic controllers. I always thought it would be an awesome job. I do have a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and I'm working on Master's right now and will finish in May of '08. I know it's a stressful job, I was just wondering what training is needed. How could I find more information on this profession?What training would I need to become an air traffic controller?
Bluntly math doesn't matter. The only math you need to know is that an airplane moving at 60 miles per hour moves one miles per minute...an airplane at 120 miles per hour moves 2 miles in a minute and so on. I can divide by 60, therefore my math is good enough... You have 3 options.





You have to either a) get hired ';off the street'; b) do ATC in the military or c) go to a CTI (controller training initiative) school.





Getting hired off the street you take the test called the AT-SAT. Its pretty much can you do basic math, read dials and how do you function playing what amounts to a video game. Passing the interview and the AT-SAT via the off the street route doesn't get you anywhere. They then take the succeful people and pick a number at random, if your social security number ends in that number you're in, if not, tough luck. The OTS route is a tough road to hoe, 75% of those that go that way and pass the interview fail out and get fired at some point. With the application process that means less that 2.5% of potential controllers actually make it.





I'd suggest either A) getting real world training in the military or B) going to a CTI school. The military, well thats obvious, talk to a recruiter. If you get the MOS you apply for, you'll be set for ATC once you get out. There are 13 CTI schools. They are all normal colleges and universities that the FAA has said, ';We like what you do in training, keep it up and we'll snap up your grads.'; Major in ATC at one and the FAA will hire you. In your position if you went the CTI route, get a simple associates degree. Take you one easy year and you're set. Jobs are set to seriously open up, the FAA is way behind the hiring curve and yes it is because of the PATCO firings in the 80's am ong other things. Do the OTS route, do the military, do CTI, doesn't matter (though I'd suggest the latter two). Just know the military and CTI ways will give you a serious advantage to getting through all the hurdles you'll face. I'm going through CTI aftter getting over 350 hours in flight time in my log book and a degree. I can't imagine getting thrown to the wolves doing the off the street thing. Even with what I have it still isn't easy. Just whatever option make sure you are out of the service / graduate / get through the AT-SAT and interview before you are 31. By that time you're too old to start.





I'm not slighting the OTS people, kudos to anyone who can hack OK City in 7 weeks. My dad was Navy ATC and took a 16 week course and is stunned they compress it to 7 nowadays in the civilian world. Me I'm amazed they pressed military controllers in a mere 16 weeks. I have more formal training in math than the rest of my class having plowed through Trig and Calc for my first degree. Doesn't make you a better controller. That said the discipline to bust it and get a MS will seriously help you.





Awesome? Yes. You play what amounts to a video game all day. The downside is there are lives on the line if you mess up. One big screw up makes a serial killer seem tame in comparison to your one mistake.





The challenge is can you keep from messing your pants while blips shoot by at unreal speeds, no pause button, no time outs, just you and your brain in real time? Doesn't take a smart person. Just the right kind of person.


Best of luck to you.What training would I need to become an air traffic controller?
Ideally you should have experience as an aircraft pilot.
Your degree helps you stand out on a aplication,but it is simple. Go to your nearest book store, purchuse an air traffic control book that has practice tests inside it and it will also have phonenumbers to find the nearest test sight close to you.This job field is in high demand because alot of these workers have or will be retiring.My husband bought the book, took the test,past with high scores,but he was too old,(32)there is an age limit upon hirring.I was so dissapionted .because you can make alot of money in this career.No degree or millitary experience needed.
ATC jobs have an age limitation, you must be below the age of 31 when you are called for an interview. To the best of my knowledge, there are two ways to get hired. One route is the military and the other is a college ATC-CTI program. Since an ATC job is hard to get it is not offered as an degree.





* Achieve a qualifying score on the current FAA testing procedures


* Meet entry-level air traffic control specialist (ATCS) medical standards


* Pass pre-employment drug test


* Pass the background investigation for security and suitability


* Have U.S. citizenship


* May not have reached their 31st birthday prior to initial appointment


* Complete course work including all ATC-CTI-specific courses


* Be able to read, write, and understand the English language and speak it rapidly without accent or impediment of speech


* Successfully complete the FAA interview process


* Receive Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology' recommendation based on grades and attendance





Good luck in you endeavour





EDIT: As the guy all the way at the bottom said. To be an ATC or a pilot you don't have to be a mathematician, highschool math will suffice. There are some advance ATC simulation programs for the PC out there. Why don't you go check them out and play around with them. Make no mistake, they are not ';videogames'; Let me also recomend the FARAIM (Federal Aviation Regulations Aeronautical Information Manual) Its roughly a thousand pages and the AIM has all the info you will need to get familiar with. (get the latest version) Believe it or not, all your course material will come from it. It's the FAA bible for Pilots/Controllers