Air Traffic Management and FAA AT-CTI Partnership Program

Students enrolled in Farmingdale State College’s (FSC’s) Aviation Administration degree program or the Aeronautical Science – Professional Pilot degree program have the opportunity to enhance their aviation knowledge and skills in Air Traffic Control (ATC) concepts and potential qualifications FAA employment. Both aviation degree programs have been accepted into the Federal Aviation Administration’s Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) Partnership program. Graduates that have taken the approved AT-CTI courses not only enhance their ability to excel in numerous aviation career fields, they also have the option to be recognized for consideration by the FAA as a strong candidate to take the FAA’s Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA). Students may earn this opportunity by fulfilling the requirements of Farmingdale State College’s partnership with the FAA in the AT-CTI program. Upon fulfilling their FSC aviation degree requirements and AT-CTI course completion, students may request an official FSC endorsement letter from the aviation department chairperson upon graduating.

Students earning a FSC endorsement letter for AT-CTI completion may apply for FAA Developmental Air Traffic Specialist job postings under Pool 1. The Pool 1 applicants typically have a higher rate of invite by the FAA to take the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA). FSC graduates that pass the ATSA will receive a designation of either Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified based on their ATSA score. The FAA will then consider applicant scores from top down when determining the number of hires for Developmental Air Traffic Specialist (trainees) to become an air traffic controller. The FAA has increased the yearly number of developmental hires to 1,800 per year, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates an average of 2,000 hires every year through 2032. Those that pass their training and become a Certified Professional Controller with the FAA will join a well-paid government workforce with full benefits. The median annual salary in 2022 was $132,250, with salary ranges from $79,000 to $228,000 (before overtime) depending on ATC facility level and location.

The FSC aviation degree curriculums consist of targeted courses that have the FAA’s Air Traffic (AT)-Basics outcomes embedded within their content. The strategic integration of the AT-Basics, along with additional relevant aviation content provide a broad-based knowledge for those interested in seeking employment in many areas of the aviation industry. See the list of AT-CTI courses listed by aviation degree major on this page, including hyperlinks to course descriptions.

For those that do not meet the eligibility requirements to apply under Pool 1 via AT-CTI, the FAA also accepts General Hire applicants under Pool 2 as long as they meet the FAA's general eligibility requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be registered for selective service, if applicable
• Be younger than 31 years old before the closing date of the application (with limited exceptions)
• Have either three years of general work experience or four years of education leading to a bachelor's degree, or a combination of both
• Speak English clearly enough to be understood over communications equipment
• Would be willing to relocate to an FAA facility based on agency staffing needs

*For more information, please contact AT-CTI Program Lead: Meron Lindenfeld, 934-420-5532                  

Additional Useful Websites:

• FAA AT-CTI Partnership Program
• FAA Be ATC Hiring Information and Announcements 
• USA Jobs

Aviation Administration AT-CTI Courses:

• AVN100 - General Aeronautics
• AVN202 - Aviation Meteorology
• AVN271 - Airport Capacity/Delay/Airspace Environment
• AVN325 - Safety of Flight
• AVN350 - Air Traffic Management
• AVN371 - Airport Planning

Aeronautical Science - Professional Pilot AT-CTI Courses:

• AVN104 - Private Pilot Ground
• AVN202 - Aviation Meteorology
• AVN208 - Instrument Pilot Ground
• AVN211 - Commercial Pilot Ground
• AVN325 - Safety of Flight
• AVN350 - Air Traffic Management
• AVN423 - Crew Resources Management