The FAA Approach to Air Traffic Controller Training

Abstract

In January 1976, the FAA implemented a revised nationally standardized system oriented training program for enroute and terminal controllers. One of the prime elements of this program is mandatory participation by all air traffic controller trainees. Everyone hired as a trainee air traffic controller must satisfactorily progress through the entire training program and be certified as a full performance level controller. Trainees who fail any phase of training are immediately removed from the Air Traffic Control career field or reassigned as appropriate. There is classroom and laboratory training throughout the course of study which is constantly assessed. The assessment instruments are validated and are reliable indicators and predictors to the trainees' ability to perform at the full performance level. This paper describes our approach to training a newly hired developmental controller from entry on duty with the FAA until he/she attains the status of full performance level.