ATC in the US
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ATC in the US
All,
Im new here so first and foremost a big hello from myself to everyone associated with the site.
I am not sure if anybody can help me or point me in the right direction but here goes.
I am currently serving in the RAF as an Air Traffic Controller. I have been in the trade for 14 years and controlling the last 4. I am currently operating in the role as ATC Instructor having been posted from one of the busiest training units in the RAF.
Does anybody know if it is possible to use the qualifications obtained here to control in the USA or what the possible route might be as I am looking to relocate out there as soon as possible.
Does anybody know of anyone who is currently controlling in the US who i could speak to that possibly been in a similar situation to myself.
I realise that I have no civil qualifications, however i believe the system out there is different and they actively encourage military personnel into the FAA once they have completed their service. I also appreciate it may be US military service but I am sure that ive heard about people moving over there and bagging jobs.
As i say, any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Once again hello and thankyou in advance.
Karl
Im new here so first and foremost a big hello from myself to everyone associated with the site.
I am not sure if anybody can help me or point me in the right direction but here goes.
I am currently serving in the RAF as an Air Traffic Controller. I have been in the trade for 14 years and controlling the last 4. I am currently operating in the role as ATC Instructor having been posted from one of the busiest training units in the RAF.
Does anybody know if it is possible to use the qualifications obtained here to control in the USA or what the possible route might be as I am looking to relocate out there as soon as possible.
Does anybody know of anyone who is currently controlling in the US who i could speak to that possibly been in a similar situation to myself.
I realise that I have no civil qualifications, however i believe the system out there is different and they actively encourage military personnel into the FAA once they have completed their service. I also appreciate it may be US military service but I am sure that ive heard about people moving over there and bagging jobs.
As i say, any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Once again hello and thankyou in advance.
Karl
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In the US the ATC is provided by the FAA, Military and several companies that provide staff for the contract Towers (mainly small VFR airports) the contract towers are mainly staffed by ex- US military. In all cases you MUST be a US
CITIZEN (a green card or visa will not do it) The US ATC website STUCKMIC has more info.
CITIZEN (a green card or visa will not do it) The US ATC website STUCKMIC has more info.
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Ok thanks very much. Im sure you can work using a green card whilst in the process of applying for citizenship. I may be mistaken but thanks again.
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ATC in the US
Notwithstanding the nationality requirements, the reason that former US military controllers can, with compataive ease, slide into civil jobs is that all ATC training in the US is under the auspices of the FAA, ie, US military controllers hold FAA licenses.
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Stage 1 would be to become a 'Registered Alien'; requiring sponsorship from a close (immediate family) relative who is a US citizen, or spouse who is likewise a US citizen. Green Card comes next, but you cannot be employed by any Federal Agency as you're not a US Citizen.
5 years being a self sufficient, tax paying and law abiding 'Registered Alien' entitles you to apply for US citizenship - not a given that you'll get it however.
Only then, blue passport in hand, could you apply to work for the FAA.
May have changed since my own 12 month exchange with a Federal Agency, (Dept. of the Interior), but probably not by much.
Usual way for Brits to jump to N.America is to NAVCANADA.
5 years being a self sufficient, tax paying and law abiding 'Registered Alien' entitles you to apply for US citizenship - not a given that you'll get it however.
Only then, blue passport in hand, could you apply to work for the FAA.
May have changed since my own 12 month exchange with a Federal Agency, (Dept. of the Interior), but probably not by much.
Usual way for Brits to jump to N.America is to NAVCANADA.
Last edited by rab-k; 4th May 2011 at 22:10.
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Hope this is helpful:
In most cases you must be hired into the FAA prior to age 31. Taking into consideration that it can sometimes take 1 to 3 years to be hired you should be considering this occupation by age 27 or so. If you are over 31 years of age, the FAA will not hire you as an Air Traffic Control Specialist unless you are an ex PATCO controller or a military controller eligible under The "Phoenix Controller 20" Program or you qualify under the VRA program. The minimum requirement is a High School diploma and some general work experience. You do not need to be a pilot or have extensive aviation knowledge.
In the past few years only six types of individuals have been hired as Air Traffic Control Specialists:
ex- PATCO Controllers - these are members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization that were fired by President Reagan in the 1981 controller's strike. Per President Clinton fired PATCO controllers are now eligible to be rehired, and we have seen PATCO controllers reentering the work force.
DOD controllers - these are military controllers or civilian controllers working at military facilities.
REHIRED Controllers - a "rehire" is a controller who use to work with the FAA, then spent time away from the agency (they left FAA employment) and now they are returning i.e. "rehired."
CTI - CTI stands for Collegiate Training Initiative, these are controllers who have attended one of the 23 FAA approved colleges that have an ATC education program. View the Student CTI Handbook Supplement.
CONTRACT Controllers - these are controllers that have worked with one of the several contract ATC companies that provide privatized ATC services at low level activity Air Traffic Control Towers. They may or may not be PATCO or CTI.
The "Phoenix Controller 20" Program - Throughout 1999, the DOD worked with the FAA to establish a program allowing retiring military controllers an opportunity of employment with the FAA. This project is commonly referred to as "Phoenix Controller 20" or PC-20. The end result of the PC-20 effort is a change to the FAA's age policy, detailed in an FAA program known as the "Employment of Military Air Traffic Controllers Program." This program now allows retired military air traffic controllers to apply for controller jobs in the FAA despite being over age 30.
How do you get hired if you don't fit into any of the above categories? You have three options:
OPTION A - Wait until the FAA once again offers the civil service written examination for the position of Air Traffic Controller (the FAA will occasionally offer these tests in limited geographical areas. Check http://www.jobs.faa.gov for more details).
OPTION B - Become a CTI by attending and graduating from one of the 23 FAA approved colleges that offer an ATC education program.
OPTION C - Join the military as an air traffic controller. Apply to and be accepted by the FAA after you finish your tour of duty.
If you do not have military experience as a controller, the best way for a non-military person to enter ATC is through the Collegiate Training Initiative.
There is a Civil Service exam which must be undertaken. ARCO publications have a Civil Service study guide in paperback:
Then you'll have the English-Yank, Yank-English issues to learn. Succinct Air Traffic Controller phrases such as "How ya'll doin'?" "Dandy Day!" "How 'bout direct Brickyard, ya'll?"
Good luck with your endeavour. Difficult, but not impossible.
In most cases you must be hired into the FAA prior to age 31. Taking into consideration that it can sometimes take 1 to 3 years to be hired you should be considering this occupation by age 27 or so. If you are over 31 years of age, the FAA will not hire you as an Air Traffic Control Specialist unless you are an ex PATCO controller or a military controller eligible under The "Phoenix Controller 20" Program or you qualify under the VRA program. The minimum requirement is a High School diploma and some general work experience. You do not need to be a pilot or have extensive aviation knowledge.
In the past few years only six types of individuals have been hired as Air Traffic Control Specialists:
ex- PATCO Controllers - these are members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization that were fired by President Reagan in the 1981 controller's strike. Per President Clinton fired PATCO controllers are now eligible to be rehired, and we have seen PATCO controllers reentering the work force.
DOD controllers - these are military controllers or civilian controllers working at military facilities.
REHIRED Controllers - a "rehire" is a controller who use to work with the FAA, then spent time away from the agency (they left FAA employment) and now they are returning i.e. "rehired."
CTI - CTI stands for Collegiate Training Initiative, these are controllers who have attended one of the 23 FAA approved colleges that have an ATC education program. View the Student CTI Handbook Supplement.
CONTRACT Controllers - these are controllers that have worked with one of the several contract ATC companies that provide privatized ATC services at low level activity Air Traffic Control Towers. They may or may not be PATCO or CTI.
The "Phoenix Controller 20" Program - Throughout 1999, the DOD worked with the FAA to establish a program allowing retiring military controllers an opportunity of employment with the FAA. This project is commonly referred to as "Phoenix Controller 20" or PC-20. The end result of the PC-20 effort is a change to the FAA's age policy, detailed in an FAA program known as the "Employment of Military Air Traffic Controllers Program." This program now allows retired military air traffic controllers to apply for controller jobs in the FAA despite being over age 30.
How do you get hired if you don't fit into any of the above categories? You have three options:
OPTION A - Wait until the FAA once again offers the civil service written examination for the position of Air Traffic Controller (the FAA will occasionally offer these tests in limited geographical areas. Check http://www.jobs.faa.gov for more details).
OPTION B - Become a CTI by attending and graduating from one of the 23 FAA approved colleges that offer an ATC education program.
OPTION C - Join the military as an air traffic controller. Apply to and be accepted by the FAA after you finish your tour of duty.
If you do not have military experience as a controller, the best way for a non-military person to enter ATC is through the Collegiate Training Initiative.
There is a Civil Service exam which must be undertaken. ARCO publications have a Civil Service study guide in paperback:
Then you'll have the English-Yank, Yank-English issues to learn. Succinct Air Traffic Controller phrases such as "How ya'll doin'?" "Dandy Day!" "How 'bout direct Brickyard, ya'll?"
Good luck with your endeavour. Difficult, but not impossible.
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There is one other option and that is private training. There are a handful of companies offer ATC training for Tower. Advanced ATC
Air Traffic Control School Air Traffic Controller Training / Academy / College - Advanced ATC Valdosta Georgia United States in Valdosta Georgia.
Having said that you still need to be a US Citizen to be employed by the FAA.
You should also be aware that getting a Visa (the starting point for Green Card then US Citizenship) will be difficult unless your parents happen to be US citizens or you marry a US Citizen.
Air Traffic Control School Air Traffic Controller Training / Academy / College - Advanced ATC Valdosta Georgia United States in Valdosta Georgia.
Having said that you still need to be a US Citizen to be employed by the FAA.
You should also be aware that getting a Visa (the starting point for Green Card then US Citizenship) will be difficult unless your parents happen to be US citizens or you marry a US Citizen.
Life's too short for ironing
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provide staff for the contract Towers (mainly small VFR airports)
Have you tried searching on the NATS and FAA websites to see specifically what they require with regards to green card vs citizenship? I know there is a British person working in Toronto centre, but haven't heard a British voice on the US ATC system, yet. Might it be easier to move to Canada, and work for their ATC?
Of course, you will have to be fully trained at sleeping on the job if you move to the US
