Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott campus has become the first school in Arizona to join the Federal Aviation Administration’s Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program. This makes it the ninth institution nationwide to offer a curriculum and advanced training technology comparable to that of the FAA’s Air Traffic Controller Academy in Oklahoma City.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy commented on the announcement, stating, “We’re taking aggressive action at the FAA to recruit the best and brightest into our controller workforce by making the training process more efficient than ever. These jobs are critical to keeping our skies safe and with the expansion of our training capabilities through Enhanced AT-CTI schools, we are bolstering our aviation workforce and ushering in a higher volume of controllers beyond our previous capabilities.”
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford added, “We’re excited to partner with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on its second campus to strengthen our controller workforce and pipeline. The safety of the National Airspace System is our number one priority, and the Enhanced AT-CTI program will help build the next generation of air traffic controllers.”
Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D., said, “Having both Air Traffic Management programs at Embry-Riddle approved for this critical FAA initiative to fill the air traffic controller pipeline demonstrates the high level of training and education Embry-Riddle provides. We are proud to see our highly skilled, professional graduates immediately join the controller ranks to keep air traffic moving safely and efficiently.”
In a recent hiring campaign that closed on March 17, over 10,000 applications were received for air traffic control positions. More than 8,300 applicants advanced to testing. The FAA has expanded onsite Academy training capacity by nearly 30 percent compared with previous years. In August, more than 600 students were enrolled in Academy training—an all-time high for student numbers.
Students at Enhanced AT-CTI schools must pass several requirements—including an aptitude test (ATSA), medical evaluations, security checks, and performance verifications—to receive endorsement certificates before reporting directly to an FAA facility for further training. This differs from Standard AT-CTI programs where graduates attend additional coursework at the FAA Academy but can bypass introductory courses.
The agency continues year-round recruitment efforts targeting experienced controllers from military backgrounds or private industry while upgrading simulator technology used during training.
Institutions interested in becoming part of this enhanced program can apply online throughout the year.
