Air Traffic Control
The Air Traffic Control (ATC) Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program is a partnership between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology to provide the academic preparation necessary for students interested in air traffic control careers.
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology is one of 13 institutions in the country selected by the FAA to participate in this program that allows the College to recommend its students to the FAA for hire as air traffic controllers.
The FAA predicts that the steady increase in air transportation will result in a demand for more air traffic control personnel and plans to use CTI graduates as the primary source of eligible candidates for recruitment to fill these positions.
CTI candidates would be required to have a college degree and to pass both ATC-CTI and FAA screening tests before being hired. If recommended candidates are hired as air traffic controllers, they would not be required to complete the academic portion of the ATC training usually required by the FAA.
The ATC-CTI is not a degree-granting program; rather it is a set of courses offered in conjunction with several of the College's degree programs that potentially qualifies participants for careers in air traffic control.
Eligibility and Qualification Requirements
All Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology students are eligible to participate in the ATC-CTI program. Depending on the student's degree program, one to three additional courses would be required to meet the FAA and ATC-CTI academic requirements.
Graduates of other colleges or universities may also be eligible to take the courses required for completion of the ATC-CTI programs at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology.
To qualify for employment with the FAA, CTI program graduates must meet all legal and regulatory requirements, including but not limited to the following:
- 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 grade point average and attendance
ATC-CTI Courses Offered
For students enrolled in the aircraft operations (flight) degree program: Completion of the FO55 Advanced ATC course, with a grade of "C" or better, would enable students to become eligible for recommendation to the ATC-CTI program. The FO55 course would also serve as a technical elective course within the aircraft operations degree program.
For students not enrolled in the flight degree program: Three additional courses would provide the academic preparation necessary to allow Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology to recommend these students to the ATC-CTI Program. They include:
- FO50 Air Traffic Control I
- FO51 Air Traffic Control II
- BP30 Meteorology
At least one of the ATC-CTI courses could serve as a technical elective and meteorology could serve as a basic science elective for most of the other Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology degree programs.
ATC-CTI Course Topics
The ATC-CTI courses will cover a range of topics on airport communications, with particular emphasis on air traffic control systems. Topics include an introduction to the air traffic control system, publications, regulations, separation, aircraft types, navigation, aerodynamics, emergencies, wake turbulence, weather and communications.
Students enrolled in any degree program may take ATC-CTI course(s) as electives, without completing the other ATC-CTI requirements. Using the latest technologies and materials developed by the FAA, students will also benefit from the faculty's first-hand experience in the air traffic control field.
Depending on their degree program, students may be required to take additional credits to complete ATC-CTI requirements.
Career Opportunities
Completion of the ATC-CTI program does not guarantee a job with the FAA. However, the program does prepare candidates for a variety of positions in aviation management, aviation law and aviation engineering, just to name a few. In addition, a variety of administrative positions in the aviation industry require a good knowledge of FAA regulations, airspace and airport operations procedures, meteorology, as well as an understanding of other needs of aviation professionals. The ATC-CTI courses provide a great deal of this information.
Aviation Maintenance Certificates
(Airframe and Powerplant)
Certification from the FAA is an important objective of many Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology students, since this rating is a primary qualification for employment in the field of transportation and general aviation maintenance.
The airframe and powerplant technician is certified to assure airworthiness throughout the service life of the aircraft. This certificate is one of the objectives of all maintenance-based bachelor and associate degree programs. These courses are designed to meet the specifications and requirements of federal air regulations and the industry.
An FAA certificate is an extremely valuable document. Graduates of all maintenance-based programs generally find that many areas of employment require the airframe and powerplant certificates.
Avionics Certificate
Graduates from the bachelor of science in avionics technology, bachelor of technology maintenance option or the associate in applied science in avionics must pass a qualifying exam in courses AV01 and AVT50 (license review courses) for the General Radio Telephone Operator License from the Federal Communications Commission in order to graduate. Any student possessing a valid General Radio Telephone Operator License prior to the start of the final semester in each of these programs can receive advanced standing credit for AV01 and AVT50.
Flight Certificates
Students enrolled in the associate in applied science in aircraft operations (flight) degree program must obtain a minimum grade of "C" in FO10 General Aeronautics, FO20 Intermediate Aeronautics Instrument Ground School and FO30 Advanced Aeronautical Commercial Pilot Ground school courses, to take the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examinations for the private pilot, instrument rating and commercial pilot certificates. these courses are required as prerequisites for the flight laboratory portion of the private instrument and commercial pilot courses (FO22, FO32, FO42) and to participate in flight training.
Pilots and flight engineers also are certified by the FAA. Graduates of Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology may combine their technical education with flight training and qualify for interesting and well-paying positions as flight crew members. Graduates of other courses may qualify for the airframe and/or powerplant ratings by completing additional credits in appropriate subject matter. For a private pilot license, 60 to 80 hours are required (minimum 40 hours) plus the oral and written examination. A commercial pilot license requires a minimum of 250 hours. The instrument rating certificate requires 125 hours.
Simulator Courses and Preps
Our Frasca 142 simulator is fully automated with glass cockpit, autopilot, flight director, dual instruments for crew work and a full map station for monitoring ILS and enroute performance. All of our instructors are commercial airline pilots and ATP certified.
IFR Recurrent Training
A review of enroute and approach charts, ATC, weather and decision-making procedures will be discussed. Various scenarios including a short cross-country flight will be flown in the simulator. The course will enforce instrument scan and develop decision-making procedures in the IFR environment. This training complies with all FAA requirements. Two day course includes three hours in simulator and two hours of theory. Cost is $275.
Multi-engine Simulator Training
A review of multi-engine procedures in the IFR environment will be included in this course. Training will focus on how to deal with engine-out emergency, pilot decision-making procedures during a live scenario (real time) emergency situation, as well as dealing with ATC assistance. One day course includes two hours in simulator and one hour of theory. Cost is $200.
Interview Simulator Preparation
Simulator preps will help you review procedures and gain confidence during your simulator interview. Cockpit procedures, CRM and instrument skills will be practiced in the simulator and discussed in theory. The Frasca 142 simulator is widely used by many airlines for evaluation. This simulator time and prep will be extremely helpful for any interview. One day course includes one and a half hours in simulator and half an hour theory. Cost is $150.
Hourly Simulator Training
Hourly Simulator Training Hourly simulator rates and ground instruction are available for self-paced study and development. This course will be individually tailored for the needs of the student. Cost is $80 per hour. For more information or for scheduling, call us at 1.866.6VAUGHN ext. 634 or you may e-mail: john.sabini@vaughn.edu
|
