FAA Fast-Tracks Students to Controller Roles

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is among the first institutions approved to implement the FAA’s Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI), giving students in its Air Traffic Management (ATM) program a faster route into the controller workforce. Under this initiative, qualified students can bypass traditional training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City and instead proceed directly to on-the-job training at FAA facilities.

The program launched after Embry-Riddle signed a formal agreement with the FAA in late 2023. Four students are currently undergoing the required evaluations, which include written exams and assessments conducted by FAA-certified Embry-Riddle faculty. If successful, students may begin working as air traffic controllers immediately after graduating in May, provided they meet additional requirements, such as passing the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) and satisfying medical and security standards.

The Enhanced AT-CTI program is a key part of the FAA’s effort to increase hiring, with more than 3,000 new controllers added across 2023 and 2024. Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach and Prescott campuses have more than 300 students eligible for the initiative.

Faculty and aviation leaders praised the program for its role in accelerating workforce readiness and addressing staffing challenges. They noted that Embry-Riddle’s rigorous curriculum and real-world preparation equip graduates to contribute immediately to the safety and efficiency of the national airspace system.

University officials expect additional students to complete evaluations through 2025, with enrollment and participation likely to grow.