This fall Hesston College’s Aviation department will offer a new course in air traffic control-Air Traffic Basics I. The course is the first of four that will prepare students to take the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Air Traffic selection and training evaluations (ATSAT). Applicants must pass several evaluations to enter the FAA’s training program.

The Hesston program aims to help meet a growing need for Air Traffic Controller Specialists-tower, ground, and radar controllers-as current controllers reach mandatory retirement at 56 years of age.

To qualify for FAA training, an individual must be a U.S. citizen with a high school diploma or G.E.D. who has passed the FAA medical exam. Students must enter the FAA program before their 31st birthday so Hesston’s program will be limited to students 28 years old and younger since the program takes two years to complete.

“Someone who completes an FAA employment application with an associate degree including the training we will offer has a better opportunity to succeed at the Oklahoma City FAA training facility,” noted Aviation program director Dan Miller. “Without training, the success rate in OKC is less than 50 percent. With training that success rate goes up significantly.”

Hesston’s program is unique in that all students will earn their private pilot’s license in addition to taking air traffic control courses. “We want our graduates to see both perspectives in the aviation world,” Miller continued. “We think it will give our graduates the potential to be a better resource to pilots and to the aviation industry.”

After Hesston students will take the ATSAT to be admitted to the FAA program in Oklahoma City. Air Traffic Control trainees are compensated during their time in Oklahoma City and in subsequent training locations. Following the training, students are placed in a tower or at a radar facility for continued on-the-job training. Facility training results in certification for tower, ground, and radar control along with clearance delivery positions.

After certification students can seek positions at towered airports across the U.S. or at one of 22 regional Air Route Traffic Control Centers. Salaries start in the mid-20s with opportunities to advance to six figures in a few years depending on position and location.

Hesston’s Aviation department is seeking FAA approval as part of the FAA’s Air Traffic – Collegiate Training Initiative. Some 31 colleges and universities have earned this designation with the closest ones to Hesston at the University of Oklahoma (Norman) and Tulsa (Okla.) Community College.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting Hesston’s aviation department at 316-282-8978 or aviation@hesston.edu.